DENVER (AP) - Qwest Communications International Inc. and members of its largest union were working on scheduling time Sunday to sit down for further negotiations after a labor contract expired.

The talks come a little more than a week before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, where Qwest is providing phone and Internet services. Qwest also is providing service to the Republican National Convention that begins Sept. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.

Workers represented by the Communications Workers of America had voted to authorize a strike if needed, but CWA organizing coordinator Al Kogler said no strike had been called when the contract expired after 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

"We need to do a little regrouping this morning," Kogler said Sunday. He said they'll keep pursuing a contract as long as they're at the table.

Qwest spokesman Bob Toevs said Saturday night that company executives were hopeful the sides would reach a tentative agreement this weekend, and said he thought talks Sunday were possible.

The union represents about 20,000 Qwest workers in 13 states. Employees in Montana are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which also was in talks with Denver-based Qwest.

CWA Local 7777 Executive Vice President Lisa Bolton said the sides were discussing employee and retiree health care, the wage package and job security.

The CWA organizes Qwest workers in Colorado, Arizona, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.