CWA Members Mobilize as Qwest Contract Deadline Nears

CWA members at Qwest Communications voted overwhelmingly to give CWA leaders authorization to call a strike if they deem it necessary to reach a fair settlement, with 93 percent of participating members voting for authorization.  The vote "demonstrates members' solid support for their bargaining team and their strong determination to achieve a fair settlement with Qwest," said District 7 Vice President Louise Caddell.

Meanwhile, negotiations were continuing down to the wire, with the contract covering 20,000 CWA-represented workers set to expire at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 17.

Members have been mobilizing across the 13 Qwest states.  Countdown rallies from Des Moines to Phoenix were planned as the expiration date neared, along with worksite demonstrations of support for the bargaining team. 

Among critical issues for workers at Qwest are health care and retirement security, quality jobs, and a fair wage increase.

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