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Early Qwest Pact Preserves Benefits
CWA reached a tentative early settlement with Qwest Communications that holds the line on benefits and sets up a bonus plan that ensures workers will share in Qwest's financial success when the company's financial outlook turns around, reported CWA District 7 Vice President John Thompson.
The two-year agreement maintains fully paid health care premium coverage, with some limited increases in co-pays, for doctors' office visits, for example, and the establishment of a mail order prescription drug benefit to help keep costs down. The agreement also secures health care benefits for current and future retirees.
The bargaining committee came to the table with a set number of priority issues in order to focus on obtaining the best possible agreement to provide greater employment security for workers, improve their daily work and lives and help move the company to financial success, Thompson said, adding that the union achieved those goals.
On job security, Qwest agreed to limits on outsourcing and the transfer of bargaining unit work to salaried employees. CWA also gained new provisions requiring that workers receive at least 24 hours advance notice of work schedule changes. If advance notice is not given, workers will receive a premium wage rate for all hours worked outside their normal tour.
Qwest agreed to remain neutral during organizing campaigns among non-represented workers. It also will maintain its 401(k) match of 81 percent for the first 6 percent invested.
The agreement covers Qwest workers in 14 states from the mid-west and mountain states to the Pacific Northwest. A ratification vote will be conducted before Aug. 1.
The two-year agreement maintains fully paid health care premium coverage, with some limited increases in co-pays, for doctors' office visits, for example, and the establishment of a mail order prescription drug benefit to help keep costs down. The agreement also secures health care benefits for current and future retirees.
The bargaining committee came to the table with a set number of priority issues in order to focus on obtaining the best possible agreement to provide greater employment security for workers, improve their daily work and lives and help move the company to financial success, Thompson said, adding that the union achieved those goals.
On job security, Qwest agreed to limits on outsourcing and the transfer of bargaining unit work to salaried employees. CWA also gained new provisions requiring that workers receive at least 24 hours advance notice of work schedule changes. If advance notice is not given, workers will receive a premium wage rate for all hours worked outside their normal tour.
Qwest agreed to remain neutral during organizing campaigns among non-represented workers. It also will maintain its 401(k) match of 81 percent for the first 6 percent invested.
The agreement covers Qwest workers in 14 states from the mid-west and mountain states to the Pacific Northwest. A ratification vote will be conducted before Aug. 1.