Attribute to Gary Lucas, Vice President/Labor Relations Southwestern Bell
                             Friday, May 22, 1998

    ST. LOUIS, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased that members of the
Communications Workers of America, District 6, have ratified the tentative
contract reached with Southwestern Bell (NYSE: DSW) on Tuesday, April 7.
CWA officials notified us this afternoon that members approved the three-year
contract by a majority vote.
    With the negotiations and ratification behind us, we can now focus on the
job at hand, and that is preparing for telecommunications competition in all
of our markets and continuing to provide the highest level of service to all
of our customers.
    This new agreement covers about 40,000 employees in Southwestern Bell's
five-state service territory of Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and
Texas.  It includes wage increases, employment security measures and improved
benefits.  The tentative agreement was reached during early bargaining, which
started last March.

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