Urge CenturyLink to negotiate fair contract with CWA

SEATTLE (Sept. 12) — The Communications Workers of America urges all union members, community supporters and CenturyLink customers to join them TODAY from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside CenturyLink’s Northwest Regional Headquarters, 1600 7th Ave. in Seattle, to urge the company to negotiate a fair contract with its workers.

When contract negotiations began Aug. 15 with the country’s third largest telecommunications company, CenturyLink and CWA leaders committed to a spirit of partnership that would ensure the long-term success of the business and deliver value to all stakeholders. The key goals established by both parties were to improve growth, productivity, quality, customer service and financial performance of the company, while maintaining the standard of living and providing long-term employment, job satisfaction, and safety for employees.

The CWA CenturyLink Contract — which covers about 12,000 workers in the District 7 states of Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and Washington — contains 28 Articles. In the days since discussions began, the company has brought 23 regressive proposals to the table.

The company’s take-back proposals include eliminating the Diversity Committee, increasing the number of hours an employee can be forced to work overtime (CWA went on strike in 1998 to achieve the current 9-hour limit), and eliminate illness absence and require employees to use entitlement time or unpaid time for personal illness.

The big issues for CWA at the table are contracting, outsourcing and retiree health care. It is a top priority for CWA to protect retirees’ health care.

Please join CWA in asking CenturyLink to treat their employees fairly.

Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012
11 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Century Link’s Northwest Regional Headquarters
1600 7th Ave, Seattle

Learn more at the CWA District 7 website.