A federal mediator spoke separately on Friday with both bargainers for the communications workers of America and US West, but no new face-to-face bargaining sessions were scheduled. The strike by 35,000 union workers began at midnight on Saturday.

The judge issued the restraining order after US West submitted a half dozen affidavits from managers and a contractor outlining threats, intimidation and efforts to block entry to the company's state headquarters building in downtown Salt Lake City. The judge has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on a possible preliminary injunction against the union.

Federal mediator Jim Mahon recessed talks after eight hours of meetings, but gave no indication when bargaining would resume.

"He (mediator Jim Mahon) has not issued a call to bring us backface-to-face," Miller said.

As the strike wears on, there is no indication whether the two sides have moved closer on key issues of forced overtime, health benefits and a company proposal to link pay to performance for 7,100 field technicians.