Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q) and the Communications Workers of America reached a new tentative agreement for a 4-year contract covering about 20,000 Qwest workers.

Results of a ratification vote over the new agreement by Qwest CWA members are expected by Oct. 31. In total, Qwest employs about 35,000 workers.

The pact follows the announcement on Sept. 30 that CWA-represented Qwest workers had voted down a tentative agreement reached during normal bargaining by both parties Aug. 17.

Following last week’s rejection by members, the company and union agreed to extend the terms of their 2005 contract. Talks for a revised agreement have been ongoing since Thursday in Denver.

“The agreement continues a competitive overall compensation program for our workers that compares very favorably to national averages,” said Rich Baer, Qwest's general counsel and chief administrative officer. “While economic pressures are challenging, especially in the face of rising health care costs and the recent financial crisis, we feel it is the right thing to do to stand by the offer we made in August 2008 of fair increases in wages and modest monthly premiums.”

“We recognize that to deliver the certainty of a four-year agreement to our membership in troubled economic times is a win for our people and a win for the company,” said Louise Caddell, vice president of CWA District 7. “This agreement is reasonable and fair in terms of wages and holding back the towering rise in health care expenses.”

Highlights of this agreement include:

About Qwest

Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber-optic network and world-class Spirit of Service to meet their communications and entertainment needs. For residential customers, Qwest’s powerful combination of award-winning high-speed Internet, home and wireless voice solutions and digital TV includes a new generation of fiber-optic Internet services. Qwest is also the choice of 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies, offering a full suite of network, data and voice services for small businesses, large businesses, government agencies and wholesale customers. Additionally, Qwest participates in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by a leading technology industry analyst firm.

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Qwest Communications International Inc.
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