Telecom News: CWA Members Ratify Qwest Contract

Members of CWA Local 7800 hold Qwest "countdown to contract" vigil.

CWA members at Qwest Communications ratified a new four-year contract by a 77 percent vote.  

Voting was conducted by the American Arbitration Association. An earlier settlement reached at the Aug. 16 contract expiration was not ratified; CWA and Qwest management then resumed negotiations for a new tentative agreement.

CWA's key objectives — maintaining quality jobs, improving workplace and respect issues, increasing wages and pensions and safeguarding health care benefits — were fully met in the agreement. It covers 20,000 employees in 13 states.

Workers will receive a 12 percent general wage increase over the contract term, with increases in base salary for sales employees who receive commissions and a 3 percent increase in pension bands.

The contract includes some important improvements in working conditions, including resolution of problems caused by "quality jobs per day" work quotas for technicians. It also includes an acknowledgment by Qwest management that frontline workers are critical to the company's success and deserve respect.

On health care, the parties negotiated a health care plan designed to mitigate cost increases for active workers and retirees. CWA District 7 Vice President Louise Caddell also noted that Qwest management agreed to work with CWA and other organizations for real health care reform.

Caddell said union negotiators achieved the best settlement possible in light of Qwest's struggle to regain its financial health and will "allow us to move forward with the company in building Qwest's and CWA members' success for the future."

"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," she said.