Duluth, Minn., Qwest Workers Prepare for Strike

Aug. 12–Contract negotiations between Qwest Communications and the Communications Workers of America continued to grind on Thursday, as members of Local 7214 in Duluth, Minn., engaged in strike preparations.

Under an expiring contract, the local represents about 195 Qwest employees in the Northland, including technicians, engineers, wholesale center workers and sales representatives.

Although CWA members have authorized a strike that could commence as soon as Sunday, Ken “Casey” Cusick, executive vice president of Local 7214, said, “After talking to our bargaining agent, we’re still optimistic we can reach an agreement.”

As of Thursday, Cusick and fellow CWA members were nevertheless preparing for the worst. Those preparations included moving the local’s office from the Qwest building in downtown Duluth to another downtown location.

“We continue to bargain in good faith,” said Bob Toevs, a spokesman for Qwest. “We remain committed to providing high levels of customer service, and we fully expect to reach an agreement before the deadline Saturday night.”

CWA members last went on strike against Qwest in 1998 in a dispute that lasted a couple of weeks, said Cusick, adding, “A strike is the last resort as far as the CWA is concerned.”

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