D7 CenturyLink Workers Standing Strong for New Contract

CenturyLink management is demanding a lot of givebacks from workers at the former Qwest Communications, but CWAers are standing strong with their bargaining committee to get the fair contract they deserve.

The agreement covers 11,000 workers in the 14 District 7 states: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa. It expires Oct. 6.

At the opening of negotiations last month, CWA District 7 Vice President Mary Taylor told the company that workers' priorities are job security, bringing back jobs that have been offshored to the Philippines, absence and time-off scheduling policies, and more. The bargaining team has been pushing for these and other positive changes and fighting back against the company's giveback demands. CenturyLink wants "flexibility" so it can compete with Comcast and other cable companies, it said.

The 32 retiree chapters of D7's Retired Members' Council sent a strong message of support to CWA's CenturyLink Bargaining Team: "We are 25,000 strong...and we want you to know we are behind you 100%. We are ready and willing to do what it takes to reach a fair contract. We are part of the history to gain better contracts during the past 60+ years and we will support your efforts any way we can.

"We know it was the collective power of all of us that has given us a standard of living that allows us to care for our families. With CWA we have a voice and collective bargaining. Let us know what you need from us; we'll be there!"