CWAers Call Out Windstream for Extreme Health Care Demands

CWA members and supporters rallied outside Windstream Communications' corporate headquarters in Little Rock, Ark., this week, calling on the company to back off its outrageous demands for cuts in workers' health care. Windstream workers and leaders from CWA Locals 6171 and 7170 joined the protest. CWA members at Windstream nationwide are mobilizing against the company's extreme demands.

Windstream is forcing employees into a new plan that has extremely high deductibles. An employee with family coverage must pay $12,600 a year before any insurance coverage kicks in. A single employee must pay $6,300 before the deductible is met.

This company posted profits of $1.2 billion last year and paid its former top executive $10.4 million.

"Windstream is demanding that workers and their families pay more than $12,000 every year before their health care coverage takes effect. This is unacceptable, especially from a profitable company that pays its executives so well. Today, we've put Windstream on notice – stop your outrageous attack on our health care," said CWA Telecommunications and Technologies Vice President Lisa Bolton.

CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings said, "We're standing together and standing strong against Windstream's attempt to cut our health care. This is corporate greed at its worst."

Lisa Bolton, CWA T&T Vice President, rallies members outside Windstream's Little Rock, Ark., headquarters.
Right: Bolton and CWA D6 VP Claude Cummings led the protest against Windstream's attack on workers' health care.