Dallas-based AT&T and its union representing nearly 8,000 workers in Texas and four other states reached a tentative contract agreement Saturday night, averting a possible strike.

The four-year agreement now goes to a ratification vote by members of Communications Workers of America District 6, which represents retail workers, call center representatives and technicians in Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Union members had voted 98% in favor of giving its union authority to strike.

The strike authorization came as an existing contract was set to expire Friday. Both sides extended the contract to the end of the day Saturday while negotiators worked to resolve differences.

According to CWA, the agreement provides for “pay raises, affordable healthcare, and a guarantee that a share of AT&T Mobility customer calls will continue to be handled by experienced, well-trained CWA customer service representatives.” Neither side provided further details of the new pact.

“I am proud of our CWA bargaining team for negotiating a strong contract that protects good, family-supporting jobs in the Southwest,” CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings said in a statement.

“CWA members at AT&T Southwest Mobility proved that they were willing to fight ... by overwhelmingly voting to strike if necessary," Cummings said. "That, along with their months of workplace mobilization activities, pushed the company to reach this agreement in a timely fashion.”

AT&T said it has now reached 24 agreements since 2017 with labor unions representing its employees, collectively covering over 115,000 employees.