New Qwest Contract Preserves Workers Health Care Benefits

CWA reached a tentative early settlement with Qwest Communications that protects health care and other benefits and sets up a bonus plan that ensures workers will share in Qwest's profitability when the company's financial outlook turns around, CWA District 7 Vice President John Thompson said.

The contract also includes a management commitment to remain neutral during organizing campaigns among non-represented workers.

Thompson pointed to Qwest's serious financial problems as one of the reasons the union sought an agreement that would expand workers' employment security, improve daily work life and maintain benefit coverage for workers and retirees while helping the company move toward financial success.

The former management of Qwest "literally ran the company into the ground, both financially and in the public's opinion," he said. With a new leadership team in place, headed by Richard Notebaert, he said the company appears to be heading in the right direction, although challenges remain.

The two-year agreement maintains fully paid health care premium coverage, with some limited increases in co-pays 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

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.

The agreement covers Qwest workers in 14 states. A ratification vote will be conducted before Aug. 1.