Well by this time most all of you have sent in your ballot on the re-negotiated contract. With the extension of the voting, hopefully we will get an answer mid-month.
I voted a reluctant “Yes” on this contract. I’m sure most CWA members who work for Qwest felt like I do, that you really don’t have much of a choice at this point. Nothing like having a gun put to your head in the form of more layoffs and a tumbling economy. With absolutely no leverage available to union members now, we pretty much have to take the contract offered and be thankful to have a job.
Overall, I can’t shake the anger and displeasure I continue to feel for our so-called union leadership. They blew a golden opportunity to win us a great contract, and for that they should be ashamed. They sold out to the Democratic Party rather than all us hard working, union-dues paying men and women.
Unfortunately what can you do about it? The AFL-CIO threw more than $20 million dollars at some anti-union amendments here in Colorado in order to protect their cash cow, and they won again. Not where I like seeing my dues go, how about some progress on our grievances, working conditions, etc.
I do think this will be the last contract CWA negotiates with Qwest. The latest rumors have Verizon buying Qwest, and I don’t think any of us would be opposed to that. Verizon has much more financial muscle, and some vision for the future with their FiOS service. Not to mention Verizon wireless, which is a monster player in the industry.
Current Qwest CEO Ed Mueller has shown nothing other than a caretaker management approach since he took over. He switched out Sprint with a resale agreement with Verizon Wireless, and has now decided to kill off Qwest’s limited TV offering, Choice TV in favor of a resale agreement with Direct TV. He has done nothing other than indicate he is trying to keep this ship afloat for someone else to take over.
So we take our 3% raise, and our increased health care premiums. Thanks CWA and Qwest, you’ve both managed to piss us off.
