CenturyLink and union fail to reach new deal, extend expired pact (13,000 workers in 13 states)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Denver Post

By Andy Vuong

CenturyLink and the union representing 13,000 workers in 13 states failed to reach a new deal when the existing contract expired Saturday.

The Communications Workers of America District 7 announced that the sides have agreed to a day-to-day extension of the expired 4-year pact.

“During this extension, negotiations between the parties will continue while workers remain on the job,” CWA spokesman Al Kogler said in a statement.

The union, which represents 2,000 workers in Colorado, had authorized a strike in the event that a new deal couldn’t be reached.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://blogs.denverpost.com/techknowbytes/2012/10/07/centurylink-union-contract-reach-deal-extend-existing-pact/6646/

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CenturyLink and the CWA extend existing contract while bargaining continues. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

[Julien Sorel]

1. This thread has been around for how long now?

And mine is the first reply. People wondering why modern liberals have such a hard time connecting with working folks should look at the lack of interest posts like these generate, and they'll find one answer.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. You might want to cut people a little slack.

LBN doesn't move as fast as GD and it is a Sunday -- people often have that day booked for off-line activities.

[mrs_p]

2. this affects my sister

hoping for the best outcome for the workers

[hillary]

3. Contract ended at midnight

My husband has worked for Bell/USWest/Qwest/Centurylink for 33 years. They have been trying to bust the union for years. Centurylink wants to slash wages, reduce pensions, reduce healthcare benefits, all so the fat cats at the top can get wealthier and wealthier. I stayed up last night waiting for word on whether or not he would be striking today, guess we are safe for another day, but one day at a time. REALLY dont want a strike, but if people dont start standing up and demanding fair wages and treatment the 10% will demand more and more.

[mrs_p]

4. mom and sister both have worked for the bell system

Mom retired with a great pension and benefits (hired 1976). Sister barely gets benefits and sick and vacation time are all bundled together (hired 2006). It used to be that someone like my mom with a high school education could raise a family on a job like this - things were tight, but doable. Not so much anymore, and it seems the union gets weaker and weaker.

[IDemo]

5. I was hired in '79, joined the union on day one and felt assured of a job for life

I was laid off nearly twenty years ago and it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

Glad to see CWA still hanging in there despite everything that has happened to that company, the industry and the global economy.

[hillary]

6. The union is weak

If he could find a job with benefits (I am self employed) he would retire while his pension is safe, but dont want to be without health insurance and not sure if he would qualify for an individual plan due to pre existing.........you worry about staying too long, but at 55 yrs old options are limited.