By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – Alabama Power and its labor force are trying to avoid a strike. If that happens, the company's usual workforce could be about half of what it usually is. Alabama Power spokesperson Michael Sznajderman says union leaders have told the company its members rejected a contract proposal. That decision sent both sides back to the negotiating table. A representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers says talks are continuing but declined further comment. The union is negotiating for 28-hundred workers. They maintain about 82-thousand miles of power lines and operate 25 generating plants.