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CWA Presses Qwest to Bargain Fair Contract
With the clock ticking toward the Aug. 13 contract expiration, CWA told Qwest bargainers they needed to get serious about reaching a new agreement, said CWA District 7 Vice President Annie Hill.
Hill pointed out that on a number of critical issues, particularly members' concern about the abusive level of forced overtime hours that Qwest is demanding, there is no resolution in sight.
"Right now, Qwest is demanding a 100 percent increase in the number of overtime hours employees could be forced to work in a given week, from 8 to 16 hours. This was a huge issue when CWA last negotiated with the company (then U.S. West) and it took a two-week strike to reach a fair agreement on this issue," she said.
In 1998, thousands of CWA members at Qwest were being forced to work as much as 60 hours a week or more, creating a serious strain on workers' job and family responsibilities. The 1998 agreement restored balance for workers, but that is threatened by Qwest's new demand. "We hope Qwest doesn't force our members again to make such a choice," Hill said.
On other key issues, Qwest's proposals are non-existent or are far short of the fair agreement CWA members deserve. Qwest workers have endured a wage freeze for two years, helping to support the company as it was going through tough financial times. Qwest has made no wage offer at this late date. The company also wants to shift even more health care costs to active and retired workers, Hill said.
As always, "CWA's goal is to reach a fair and peaceful settlement and to negotiate an agreement by the contract expiration. However, Qwest must approach this process in the same spirit, with the same determination to reach an agreement that recognizes and acknowledges the contributions of workers," she said.
Bargaining and mobilization by members throughout the 13 states in District 7 will continue. CWA represents 25,000 Qwest workers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Hill pointed out that on a number of critical issues, particularly members' concern about the abusive level of forced overtime hours that Qwest is demanding, there is no resolution in sight.
"Right now, Qwest is demanding a 100 percent increase in the number of overtime hours employees could be forced to work in a given week, from 8 to 16 hours. This was a huge issue when CWA last negotiated with the company (then U.S. West) and it took a two-week strike to reach a fair agreement on this issue," she said.
In 1998, thousands of CWA members at Qwest were being forced to work as much as 60 hours a week or more, creating a serious strain on workers' job and family responsibilities. The 1998 agreement restored balance for workers, but that is threatened by Qwest's new demand. "We hope Qwest doesn't force our members again to make such a choice," Hill said.
On other key issues, Qwest's proposals are non-existent or are far short of the fair agreement CWA members deserve. Qwest workers have endured a wage freeze for two years, helping to support the company as it was going through tough financial times. Qwest has made no wage offer at this late date. The company also wants to shift even more health care costs to active and retired workers, Hill said.
As always, "CWA's goal is to reach a fair and peaceful settlement and to negotiate an agreement by the contract expiration. However, Qwest must approach this process in the same spirit, with the same determination to reach an agreement that recognizes and acknowledges the contributions of workers," she said.
Bargaining and mobilization by members throughout the 13 states in District 7 will continue. CWA represents 25,000 Qwest workers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.