Posted on 08/15/2008 5:17:11 PM PDT by Libloather
Qwest union contract expires Saturday
The Associated Press
Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
NEW YORK The labor contract with the largest union at Qwest Communications International Inc. expires Saturday, little more than a week before the company is to provide phone and Internet service for the Democratic National Convention.
The Communications Workers of America has voted to authorize a strike, which could theoretically begin as soon as Sunday. The union organizes 20,000 Qwest workers in 13 states.
The same union was involved in contract negotiations with Verizon Communications Inc. recently. The parties were unable to reach an agreement before the expiration of the old contract, but workers stayed on the job for a week until a new deal was reached.
The Democratic convention starts Aug. 25 in Denver, Qwest's hometown.
"We remain hopeful that we'll see a tentative agreement this weekend," said Qwest spokesman Robert Toevs.
The company has extensive contingency plans in case of a strike and plans to maintain service across its network if one does occur, he said.
Qwest will also be providing telecommunications services for the Republican National Convention that begins Sept. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.
**SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at tri-cityherald.com ...
Bwahaha!
We will see on Monday...work / no work by Union members.
I worked with someone who moved here and worked for Qwest. They said they’d rather be beaten with sticks than ever go there again.
They said it wasn’t the company it was the union that made t hings bad.
Minneapolis is also in Qwest country.
Anyone want to bet that the CWA will keep working through the dem convention and disrupt communications for the Republicans?
The union will not allow communications to be disrupted to “their” party’s convention in Denver.
The same cannot be said for their “enemy” party’s convention in St. Paul.
This is interesting. My son-in-law’s mother was the head housekeeper for Phil Anshutz (owner of Qwest) at their home in Denver. She had nothing but wonderful praise for him and his family. He is a BIG Republican and was a close friend of President Reagan. She even accompanied them to Reagan’s funeral in California.
Thank you, RR. Qwest is my ISP, so if they strike and I disappear, you’ll know what happened.
If my prediction comes true, it will not be Qwest’s doing but the union's.
Hope there is no disruption of anyone's service!
You’ve opened my eyes to behind the scenes finagling with unions. What do you think is going on, and why did they allow a strike at this time??
Qwest is mine, also. I shall disappear with you.
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