What's the Latest on the Century Link/Qwest Proposed Acquisition?

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An acquisition between CenturyLink and Qwest Communications is in the works. CWA has raised a number of questions about the impact on our jobs, our bargaining rights, investment, quality service and communities. CWA is meeting with management of both companies; those discussions will continue as part of our effort to negotiate safeguards.

What We Need to Know

We are concerned about jobs, so we have asked CenturyLink to describe for us how the new company will be structured and how it will interface with our bargaining units. We have asked the company for information on the impact of the acquisition on jobs and movement of work. We want to know how call center work will be structured. We are also interested in the plans for broadband build-out and how that will affect jobs. We also are very concerned about how the acquisition will affect our ability to provide quality service. We want to ensure that the financial aspects of the deal will not squeeze our quality of service and maintenance.

We know that both companies are losing landlines — it is a trend throughout the industry. If the new company is to compete successfully, it must become an aggressive seller and supplier of 21st century services, adding wireless and video to its offerings. Company documents suggest it intends to expand along these lines. We need to hear more specifics about these plans and win assurances that as the company moves forward, CWA members will grow with the company in these new areas.

CWA already has met with the companies; we will sit down again with management on June 24.

What’s important for CWA Members

Jobs and Quality Service
We want to make sure that this deal works for communities and workers, not just Wall Street. All too often, terms like “synergies” mean job cuts, pay cuts or both. In initial documents, CenturyLink said it plans to find $625 million in “synergies. We want to guarantee that those synergies do not mean job cuts or less investment.

Investment
We want to be certain that the CenturyLink/Qwest deal does more than acknowledge the need for investment in high speed broadband. Our jobs depend on the expansion of high speed Internet and the availability to consumers of cutting edge technology and services. We’re looking for specific commitments to meet the goals that the Federal Communications Commission has outlined in its new national broadband plan, especially concerning service to rural and other underserved communities.

Workers’ Rights
Workers need to know that their rights will be respected in any new company. Right now at Qwest, anyone can join the union without interference from management. We seek to ensure those rights throughout the corporation.

What We’re Doing Right Now

• CWA has filed a petition with the public service commissions in four states to intervene in this proposed merger and to testify before state regulators. The states are Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota and Arizona.
• CWA will continue to provide information to members following meetings with the company and on financial and other developments. Find out the latest at http://www.cwa-union.org/issues/entry/c/centurylink_qwest. And contact your local union with any questions. You can find contact info for your local at www.cwa-union.org.