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Qwest, unions schedule all-day talks; hope to avoid strike
Qwest and its chief union, the Communications Workers of America, say negotiations to avoid a strike have picked up speed. Both sides are hoping for a new deal before the contract for roughly 20,000 CWA members and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers expires at 12:01 a.m. MT Sunday.
Negotiators met twice on Thursday, and a CWA spokesman said that talks are likely to run through today and into Saturday. Both sides say they are looking to resolve the deal quickly and avoid a work stoppage. Qwest operates in 13 Midwestern and Western states.
Qwest's negotiations follow on the heels of those at Verizon, which wrapped up last week with a tentative deal. As in those talks, health care and job security are major sticking points. The Denver-based company -- which has no wireless unit like AT&T and Verizon to make up for its deteriorated landline business -- has had to cut its workforce dramatically over the past several years to stay in business. Analysts say the CWA will likely allow more latitude in its talks with Qwest than it did with the more secure Verizon.
"Qwest needs as much relief as possible," said Zachary Investment Research Analyst Patrick Comack.
For more:
See this Denver Post story
Related articles:
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Strike authorization appeared imminent last week. Strike report
Qwest wants contract talks settled. Qwest contract report
Qwest scrambles as DNC nears. Qwest report
Qwest battles retirees over insurance. Qwest retiree report
Comments (5) | Post a comment
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | August 15, 2008 - 12:36pm
The CWA needs to hold tight on all benefiets and get back equal pay on all Sales consultants. Techs and all others nedd a 10% cost of living increase. Don't be wimps CWA!We will back you!
Posted by Anonymous | August 15, 2008 - 2:13pm
as a management employee of Qwest I believe that we should support or co-workers and walk out with them.
Posted by Anonymous | August 15, 2008 - 10:51pm
CWA is the union in 13/14 Qwest states. The union in other state (Montana) is IBEW
Posted by Anonymous | August 16, 2008 - 11:58pm
I think this is a great example of corporate responsiblity to it's share holders and it's employee's, they are negotiating. I am anonymouse becase I work for ATT and from the inside out as a Manager, the attitude is to stick the union at my company with higher cost and from past experiences the savings will go into the executives pocetes as a big overpaid bonus. It is refeshing to see in today climate of corporagte coruption and greed and the outright blatant sociopathic behavior of CEO's that Unions are pushing for fair pay, benefits from these companies.
