U S WEST Communications and Unions Agree to Temporary Labor Contract Extension

Strategic Insights -

U S WEST Communications, a major telecommunications service provider, has secured a temporary extension to its labor contracts with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The extension follows the expiration of the contracts at midnight on Saturday, with the agreement to keep the contracts in effect while negotiations continue. According to Amy Manseth, vice president of Labor Relations at U S WEST Communications, the extension will allow the company and unions to reach a settlement without a work stoppage. The temporary agreement will remain in effect as long as either party gives 72 hours' notice to terminate it.

Key Takeaways:

  • U S WEST Communications and its unions, CWA and IBEW, have agreed to a temporary extension of their labor contracts, which expired at midnight on Saturday.
  • The extension allows contract discussions to continue without a work stoppage, giving both sides more time to negotiate a settlement.
  • Amy Manseth, vice president of Labor Relations at U S WEST Communications, expects the company's operations to continue as normal during the extension period.
  • The extension applies to three contracts, covering approximately 33,000 workers at U S WEST Communications, 500 employees in Montana, and 2,000 employees of the company's procurement arm, Business Resources, Inc. (BRI).
  • U S WEST Communications seeks a contract that enables the company to provide quality services, remain competitive, and continue to be a good place to work.
  • The temporary agreement will remain in effect as long as either party gives 72 hours' notice to terminate it.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 35,500 workers are covered by the three labor contracts.
  • The contracts cover U S WEST Communications employees in 14 Western and Midwestern states.
  • U S WEST Communications has 25 million customers in the states where it operates.
  • One-third of the covered employees are from the CWA, with the majority of the remaining employees from the IBEW.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire (August 13)
  • U S WEST Communications