CWA Reaches New Tentative Agreement at Qwest

CWA reached a new tentative contract settlement with Qwest Communications that includes numerous improvements in workplace respect and other issues that members believe are critical at Qwest, along with improvements in wages and other gains.

CWA bargainers won agreement by Qwest management to resolve long standing job quota issues and performance expectation concerns, an acknowledgment by management that workers deserve respect for their contributions to the company.

The new proposed settlement is a four-year agreement that boosts wages by 3 percent each year, providing a compounded 12.55 percent increase over the contract term, a change from the previously negotiated three-year agreement.

"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 7 Vice President Louise Caddell.

The new agreement also includes the previously negotiated 3 percent increase in pension bands and a new health care option, maintaining affordable, quality health care for workers and families. There will be no health care increases in the contract's fourth year.

"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 said.

The ratification vote is underway, to be concluded by Oct. 31. The vote is being conducted by the American Arbitration Association.