Eric Rabe
Eric Rabe
believe days few framework general good obtaining optimistic reached sure
We believe we reached a good general framework for obtaining a contract, but right now we're down to the wire. I'm still optimistic that we'll get it done in a few days but I'm not sure we'll get it done today.
people position results strike
We're in a position that could results in a new contract, and the end of the strike and getting people back to work.
allow approve company continue contract process remain street unions willing
We continue to negotiate, and we continue to be hopeful. However, the negotiating process is a two-way street and the unions have not been willing to approve a contract that would allow the company to remain competitive.
contract fully impossible intense late people predict remains sides since talking talks unions yesterday
We have been talking with the unions since late yesterday afternoon, ... non-stop intense talks with all sides fully engaged. It remains impossible not predict when these talks will end in a contract and get people back to their jobs.
attempt engaged
We're not engaged in any improper attempt . . . to get proprietary information.
bargaining confront continue continuing difficult exhausting frankly issues plug sort status
The status of the bargaining is that we are continuing to talk. We continue to frankly plug through some of the more difficult issues that confront us. It's become sort of an intense, exhausting sort of a process. We're working through the issues one at a time.
anybody concerned country industry power puts
Anybody in the industry ... in the country ... has to be concerned about the power that it puts in AT&T's hands,
agree agreement believe complete honestly hours matter obviously people situation time together
I honestly believe we are in a situation where this could come together in a matter of hours if people agree that it's time to do that, but we haven't been able to get that kind of an agreement from the unions. Frankly, we think we're there. Obviously there's not complete agreement on this.
build business cases normal sure tomorrow volumes worse
I'm sure there have been cases of that and I'm sure it will get worse tomorrow as normal business volumes build up.
competing competition people turn
It's not competition yet, but . . . it may turn out to be yet another way in which people are competing with us.
again continued current intense last late talks
Intense negotiations have continued late last evening, then resumed again at 9:30 a.m., ... The current talks are intense.
best hit work
I think all of us who work underground try our best not to hit anybody.
against far suit
As far as I know, that's a suit against her, and we have nothing to do with that.
agreement believe continue continues contract fervent hope negotiate process progress quickly reach strike within workers
It's our fervent hope that we will be able to negotiate that contract and get it over as quickly as possible. We continue to believe that we've made progress and that the end of this negotiation process continues to be within reach. We believe we can reach an agreement quickly and get workers back on the job. We want this strike to be over.