CWA, Qwest Reach New Tentative Agreement

Contact: Al Kogler, CWA District 7, 303-770-2822 or Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168
                                                                
Denver -- The Communications Workers of America reported that the Union Bargaining Team has reached a new tentative contract settlement with Qwest Communications. The negotiations resumed Thursday, October 9, 2008 after the union membership's rejection of the tentative 2008 agreement that was completed in August. 

This agreement, which covers 20,000 employees in 13 states, was reached after two days of renewed talks. The contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2008. (MDT).

The four-year settlement provides for a 3 percent wage increase in each year (12.55% cumulative), along with a previously negotiated 3 percent increase in pension bands. Healthcare premiums for family coverage will increase from $33 a month to $75 a month for the PPO offering in the first year. "We recognize that to deliver the certainty of a four year agreement to our membership in troubled economic times is a win for our members and Qwest," said CWA District Vice President Louise Caddell.

The new agreement is reasonable and fair in terms of wages and holding back the towering rise in health care cost for both our members and the Company. "Qwest's represented labor force is very important to our future," said Rich Baer, executive vice president and chief administrative officer. "We believe that the overall package the bargaining teams delivered recognizes the contributions of those employees to our continued success."

"This settlement is an improvement over the earlier tentative agreement, in that it further addresses workers' key workplace issues, including respect. In the face of our current economic crisis and Qwest's financial circumstances, we believe this allows us to move forward in building our members' futures and Qwest's success," Caddell added.

The agreement will be presented to the membership for a ratification vote.