Qwest averts strike

Qwest Communications averted a strike Tuesday night by reaching a settlement with the Communications Workers of America that provides a wage increase and continues to limit overtime but requires workers to contribute to their health care.

Qwest and the CWA, which represents 25,000 of the telephone company’s employees, had failed to reach an agreement by the 12:01 a.m. deadline on Aug. 14, at which point the union was authorized to call a strike. Instead, negotiations continued.

According to union officials, the agreement includes a 7.5 percent wage increase over three years and perpetuates the weekly limit on overtime at eight hours. Workers are now required to make a contribution to their health care costs in the form of an enrollment fee but will pay an annual deductible for medical expenses instead of per visit fees.