Qwest union ratifies contract
By Kimberly S. Johnson
Denver Post
Friday, November 7, 2008

Members the Communications Workers of America union at Qwest voted today to ratify a new four-year contract.

The union, representing 20,000 employees in the Qwest's 13-state territory approved the contract with a 77 percent of members supporting it.

Workers will receive a 12 percent general wage increase over the life of the contract.  Sales employees that receive commissions will also see an increase.  Pension payments will rise 3 percent for new retirees.

Union members rejected a previous contract in late September.  The newly approved contract also has provisions for improvements in work conditions, such as a "resolution of problems caused by work quotas for technicians," said CWA District 7 in a written statement.

As for health care, workers agreed to a plan that would increase family package premiums from $33 a month to $75, with additional increases in the second and third years of the contract.

"We appreciate that the CWA and its membership carefully considered the tentative agreement and we believe that we are delivering a competitive compensation package for our workers," said Rich Baer, general counsel and chief administrative officer for Qwest in a statement.  "We look forward to working in partnership with the CWA and its members to deliver the best possible telecommunications experience for our customers."

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10927291