Verizon, 2 unions agree to new 3-year contract
Telecommunications giant Verizon Communications Inc. and two unions said today they have new contracts, avoiding a Monday morning strike by 65,000 workers.
The nation's second-largest local phone company said the contracts include wage increases totaling 10.5% over three years.
The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers had threatened to strike the New York company at 12:01 a.m. Monday if no agreements were reached. The unions say they're pleased with the tentative three-year contracts, which are subject to ratification by their members.
Meantime, in Denver, CWA members voted to authorize a strike next week at Qwest Communications International Inc., the smallest of the nation's three major local phone companies, if talks fail to produce a new contract.
The union said 93% of voting members had authorized union leaders to call a strike if needed.
A contract covering about 20,000 union workers at Qwest expires 12:01 a.m. Aug. 17, a little more than a week before the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The Republican National Convention begins Sept. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.
The Denver carrier is providing communication services at both conventions and has committed $6 million worth of cash and in-kind services to each one.
Even if a new contract isn't reached before the existing one expires, union members wouldn't necessarily go on strike, but leaders could choose to call one.
The last time CWA held a strike at Qwest was in 1998, District 7 spokesman Al Kogler said Sunday. Critical issues include health care, retirement benefits and raises.
