CWA Members Ratify Qwest Contract

Denver – Members of the Communications Workers of America at Qwest Communications have ratified a new four-year contract by a 77% vote.

The settlement meets CWA's key objectives of maintaining quality jobs, improving workplace and respect issues, increasing wages and pensions and safeguarding health care benefits. It covers 20,000 employees in 13 states.

Workers will receive a 12 percent general wage increase over the contract term, with increases in base salary for sales employees who receive commissions and a 3 percent increase in pension bands. 

The agreement includes some important improvements in working conditions, including resolution of problems caused by "quality jobs per day" work quotas for technicians. It includes an acknowledgment by Qwest management that frontline workers are critical to the company's success and deserve respect.

On health care, the parties negotiated a health care plan design to mitigate cost increases for active workers and retirees. CWA District 7 Vice President Louise Caddell also noted that Qwest management agreed to work with CWA and other organizations for real health care reform.