Sept 2 (Reuters) - The Communications Workers of America

(CWA) have informed AT&T ( T ) and the Federal Mediation and

Conciliation Service that it would no longer be a part of the

mediation, it said in a statement on Monday.

"The company was using the mediation process as another

delaying tactic," said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard

Honeycutt.

More than 17,000 Workers represented by the CWA union,

which include technicians, customer service representatives, and

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

business wireline telecommunications network, remain on strike

which began last month.

"Regardless of whether a neutral third-party is present,

progress will not be made without a willingness to compromise,"

an AT&T ( T ) spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters late on

Monday.

The telecom operator also said it will remain prepared

for all contingencies to ensure smooth services to its

customers.