Qwest Communications and its largest union, the Communications Workers of America, have reached a new agreement, thus nullifying the possiblity of a strike. The agreement includes a 7.5% wage increase over three years, changes to healthcare coverage to reduce overall costs for many employees, and an eight-hour cap on mandatory overtime. The hike in basic wages is the first since 2003.
See "Qwest Reaches Pact With Union, Averting Strike", Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, August 16, 2005