After reading this, too bad the chicken littles and the lawyers of  the union fell for the poor qwest sob stories. WE could have gotten more.

Did you notice that one of the first things the article mentions is the decrease in headcount?  Reducing costs that will enable Qwest to do the things it wants to do?

Isn't that surplussing?  Cutting back on benefits?  Taking cost out of the business.  It always amazes me how the stock goes up or attaboys are handed out with every surplus declaration, the business becomes more attractive to investors.  Blood money.

I have yet to see an announcement where the CEO and other officers of Qwest are willing to take a pay cut or pay more for their benefits.  Will the stock market and Cititgroup respond to that action as favorably as they do when 'the little people' lose their jobs or have to pay more for their healthcare? 

My sentiments exactly after reading it!

What I'd like to know is the tipping point, the point where Qwest has stripped itself of so many employees (techs, sales, and support) that it is no longer able to provide and maintain the services they offer.  As they become bundlers of others' services (Verizon, DirecTV and Microsoft) and lose wired land lines they will need fewer techs, more sales.  With their nationwide gov't contracts, we will be the ones transporting our customers' data over another company's facilities (AT&T, Verizon, spare capacity on PUD fiber, etc.).  We won't be the backbone any longer. 

  In our area=Southern Ariz. the so-called "tipping point" has been attained and the mandatory overtime has already been forced on techs and the ole' threat "Are you refusing to work??" has been used by a NEW supervisor that has been here 4 days!!!  Yes--4 days!!  Hired off the street.  Isn't it extremely obvious that there is a hidden agenda here and if we are very,very quiet--like Elmer Fudd--we shall soon find out what it is.  But make no mistake--it will not be good for the employees!!!

4 whole days.....lol....put that  SOB in his place really quick...welcome to Qwest....and what was your name again...I need it for the grievance form

yup we just had a skip level meeting for stuff like that, now me and the other steward on the crew are branded trouble makers OH WELL I have been called worse.  

  Isn't it funny how they are always going to WHIP THIS PLACE INTO SHAPE!!  Damn, when will they ever learn??  We have craftsmen working here with so many STRIPES they reach the ground and these "new-bees" talk to us like we are just off the boat!!  Wasn't there a good Rock-n-Roll song that sang "Another one bites the dust"?????????

Also related......

 

I read this article and what struck me is that Qwest may have a plan yet in no way are they ever going to ask us what we the frontline sees as the inefficencies. Everyone of us see small changes that if implemented they would save thousands, I see so many talented and smart people ignored, both managers and craft alike.

 

I saw some slams against the bargaining team, I can hardly wait to see who runs next time.