Sept 5 (Reuters) - Telecom operator AT&T ( T ) has

presented the Communications Workers of America's bargaining

committee with its final offer, the union said on Thursday,

adding that the proposal did not meet its expectations.

The CWA union said the proposal was made on Wednesday and it

made a counter offer later in the day.

The union said that this was the first time the company has

presented a "complete economic package."

More than 17,000 employees at the company including

technicians and customer service representatives, and others who

install, maintain, and support AT&T's ( T ) residential and business

wireline telecommunications network went on strike last month to

protest unfair labor practices.

"We have made a strong final offer to the CWA District 3 in

the Southeast. We believe that this offer, if accepted, would

provide our employees with competitive market-based pay that

exceeds projected inflation," AT&T ( T ) Chief Operating Officer Jeff

McElfresh told Reuters in a statement.

The company is also offering to increase its financial

contributions to employee healthcare and wellness by up to 25%

per year, McElfresh added.

The union informed AT&T ( T ) and the Federal Mediation and

Conciliation Service on Monday that it would no longer be a part

of the mediation process, calling it another "delaying tactic."