Qwest, union talk contract ahead of conventions (possible strike?)

Seattle Times ^ | 7/11/08 | SANDY SHORE

[Libloather]

Qwest, union talk contract ahead of conventions
By SANDY SHORE
AP Business Writer
Friday, July 11, 2008 - Page updated at 02:10 PM

DENVER — Qwest Communications and its largest employee union have started negotiations with the hope of agreeing on a new contract ahead of two political conventions that are counting on the company for telecommunications services.

A contract covering about 21,000 workers is scheduled to expire Aug. 16, a little more than a week before the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The Republican National Convention begins Sept. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.

Denver-based Qwest committed $6 million worth of cash and in-kind services to each convention to provide telephone, Internet and data services.

Qwest is the primary telephone service provider in Colorado, Minnesota and 12 other states, mostly in the West. It also operates a nationwide fiber optic network.

The company said it has plans in place to cover operations in its vast territory and the two conventions in the event of a strike.

Qwest spokesman Bob Toevs said contingency plans are standard procedure during contract talks and noted that they have a good working relationship with the union.

Communications Workers of America spokesman Al Kogler said the union wants to get a deal before the contract ends.

"Our attitude right now is we're working hard, hoping to get this done before the expiration date and come out with a contract that both sides can feel good about," he said.

[Libloather]

"Can you, uh, hear ma, uh, now?"

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Qwest has been in bad shape financially since the late ‘90s.

The convention promised to be a major revenue windfall for them but the union will do their best to use this opportunity to strangle the company. The CWA has been against competition in the telecom industry since Judge Green’s time. If they can use this to kill any chance Qwest has to get their heads above water they will.

AT&T took a bit of a hit when Hillary dropped out. Their former CEO Ed Whitacker had been cultivating relations with both Hillary and John McCain for some time - Laura Tyson, one of Hillary’s dearest friends, is an AT&T board member. If a labor action disrupts phone service during the convention it may provide an opening for AT&T to move on Qwest and further re-establish their monopoly.