Qwest Union to Forgo Raises Through 2005

DENVER (AP) -- The largest union at Qwest Communications International Inc. will seek a short-term contract and forgo raises through 2005 because of the telecommunications company's financial problems, a union official said.þþThe Communications Workers of America District 7, which represents 28,000 employees, will seek a two-year contract instead of its standard three-year contract, said John Thompson, union vice president.þþ``They're going to be profitable by then, and it will be time for them to pay for what we may not be able to get at this point,'' Thompson told The Denver Post in Monday's editions.þþThe union began bargaining talks with Qwest representatives this month. The current contract, a two-year extension from 2001, expires in August. Thompson said pay raises would be discussed in 2005.þþQwest officials wouldn't comment on negotiations.þþThe Denver-based company is the dominant local-phone provider in 14 states. It is struggling with $20 billion in debt, stagnant revenue and probes of its financial statements.þþ