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Contract Talks Underway for 25,000 at Qwest
Negotiations between CWA and Qwest Communications officially opened in Denver on June 22, with the CWA bargaining team and union members ready to stand strong for a fair wage increase, health care security, agreement on outsourcing and productivity issues, and employment security, among other concerns.
The CWA bargaining team met with more than 50 locals in recent months to develop bargaining goals, and over the past few days has been finalizing those proposals.
The agreement covering about 25,000 members in 13 states - all of District 7 except Montana - expires Aug. 13.
CWA District 7 Vice President Annie Hill noted that this is the first full contract bargaining session since 1998. Two contract extensions were approved by CWA members in 2001 and 2003 as an investment in the company's future in the wake of Qwest's serious financial difficulties caused by the previous management team headed by Joseph Nacchio. Nacchio and other executives have been charged with fraud and illegal business practices by the Securities and Exchange Commission; the current management team took over in July 2002. The 2001 contract included a wage increase and lump sum payments; the 2003 contract provided for lump sum payments of 4 percent.
A critical message for management from CWA members is that "we are the front line, not the bottom line," and that quality service and meeting customers' needs is what will help Qwest succeed in the competitive telecommunications industry.
Hill opened negotiations for CWA, with the union broadly outlining its bargaining goals and proposals and Qwest management presenting a financial overview of the company.
CWA members joined in rallies and mobilization actions at a number of locations to mark the start of bargaining. Members wore t-shirts and buttons with the message that "we are the front line, not the bottom line," Hill said.
The bargaining committee includes Hill's Assistant LeRoy Christensen, chair, and Administrative Assistant Reed Roberts, co-chair, along with elected committee members Suzie Miller, Local 7777; Kathy Reck, Local 7201; Malachy Sreenan, Local 7800, and Scott Hogue, Local 7102.
The CWA bargaining team met with more than 50 locals in recent months to develop bargaining goals, and over the past few days has been finalizing those proposals.
The agreement covering about 25,000 members in 13 states - all of District 7 except Montana - expires Aug. 13.
CWA District 7 Vice President Annie Hill noted that this is the first full contract bargaining session since 1998. Two contract extensions were approved by CWA members in 2001 and 2003 as an investment in the company's future in the wake of Qwest's serious financial difficulties caused by the previous management team headed by Joseph Nacchio. Nacchio and other executives have been charged with fraud and illegal business practices by the Securities and Exchange Commission; the current management team took over in July 2002. The 2001 contract included a wage increase and lump sum payments; the 2003 contract provided for lump sum payments of 4 percent.
A critical message for management from CWA members is that "we are the front line, not the bottom line," and that quality service and meeting customers' needs is what will help Qwest succeed in the competitive telecommunications industry.
Hill opened negotiations for CWA, with the union broadly outlining its bargaining goals and proposals and Qwest management presenting a financial overview of the company.
CWA members joined in rallies and mobilization actions at a number of locations to mark the start of bargaining. Members wore t-shirts and buttons with the message that "we are the front line, not the bottom line," Hill said.
The bargaining committee includes Hill's Assistant LeRoy Christensen, chair, and Administrative Assistant Reed Roberts, co-chair, along with elected committee members Suzie Miller, Local 7777; Kathy Reck, Local 7201; Malachy Sreenan, Local 7800, and Scott Hogue, Local 7102.