Getting your player ready...
Officials of Qwest and its chief union, the Communications Workers of America District 7, continued negotiating early this morning in an effort to reach a deal after the existing contract expired at 12:01 a.m.
Both sides had reported progress in recent talks, which had accelerated to multiple daily sessions since Thursday. Rising health care costs for the 18,900 Qwest workers who are CWA membvers are the key issue in negotiations.
CWA workers and their leadership have authorized a strike, although both sides said they hope to reach an agreement without a work stoppage.
