Quality Jobs, Improved Working Conditions Highlight Qwest Pact

Members of CWA Local 7717 near Denver were ready for the Qwest contract expiration with mobilization and informational picketing.

CWA's tentative settlement with Qwest Communications meets the union's key goals of quality jobs, improvements in a range of workplace issues, wage and pension increases, and maintaining adequate health care benefits, reported District 7 Vice President Louise Caddell.

The three-year agreement covers 20,000 employees in 13 states and was reached early Monday morning after marathon negotiations following the expiration of the previous contract at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 17.

General wage increases total more than 9 percent compounded over the contract term.  Sales employees receiving commissions received a raise in their base salary as well. The settlement also provides a 3 percent increase in pension bands.

Workers providing directory assistance services were brought under the main CWA agreement and will receive a wage increase in the third year of the contract. 

Other improvements include new language governing work quotas for technicians under the "quality jobs per day" provision that has been a source of contention. Job security was strengthened for building maintenance workers and other job titles. 

CWA and Qwest negotiated a health care plan design that mitigated cost increases for actives and for retirees. "Ultimately I think we all agree that America faces a health care crisis, and it cannot be solved at the bargaining table alone. It demands a national solution. Qwest shares these concerns and is working with us to achieve national health care reform with universal coverage," said Vice President Caddell. 

"We didn't get everything we wanted," she noted, "but we achieved the best settlement possible in light of Qwest's struggle to regain its financial health.  This is a settlement that protects careers and living standards for our members and allows us to move forward with the company in building Qwest's success for the future."

Caddell stressed that, "The unity of our locals and members, their mobilization activities in support of the bargaining teams, and their willingness to strike if necessary was critical to achieving this settlement."

CWA represents Qwest workers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.