Frequently Asked Questions 

How can CWA and IBEW fairly represent Bresnan workers, when they already represent Qwest?
First and foremost, we represent members who work at Qwest, not Qwest. And while there may be head to head competition between the companies that our members work for, union members stand together in solidarity. Our goal is to raise the standards of wages and benefits of all telecommunications workers to those that have been developed through over 50 years of collective bargaining with the telephone companies, so that regardless of who our members happen to work for, the wages and working conditions will be similar.

Can I be disciplined, discriminated against, or fired for being involved with a union?
The National Labor Relations Act is a Federal law that protects your right to: attend meetings to discuss joining a union; wear union buttons, t-shirts, stickers, and hats; sign cards, petitions, and file grievances; read distribute and discuss union literature and ask other employees to support the union, (when done in non-work areas on non-work times such as breaks). Your employer cannot legally punish or discriminate against any worker because of union activity. CWA has an expert legal staff, which will defend the rights of any worker who may have been punished for union activity.

Who decides what will be in the contract?
Your staff representative will meet with your work group to determine what specific bargaining priorities your group has. A representative from your unit will be present at all bargaining sessions. Once a contract has been tentatively agreed to, it will be presented to the entire membership for a ratification vote.

What about strikes?
97% of all contracts are settled without a strike. Strikes are used only as a last resort and only after a majority of your work group has voted to authorize one.

Who determines what happens in the union?
The local members are the union. Members democratically vote on nearly every aspect of union activity including their leadership, strike authorizations, where and how money is spent, and whether to accept or reject a contract.