EXHIBIT 99
U S WEST and CWA Reach Tentative
Agreement on Labor Contract
DENVER, Aug. 31 -- U S WEST and the Communications Workers of America have
reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. The agreement
provides U S WEST employees with an attractive wage and benefits package, and
innovative efforts which will improve customer service -- including a voluntary
pay-for-performance plan that rewards employees for improving service to
customers. Reductions in mandatory overtime are provided and for more
notification of schedule changes and flexibility on vacation time.
Over three years, the tentative agreement will increase wages by 10.9% and
pensions by 21%. The agreement also provides for more flexible work schedules,
and quality call monitoring.
The agreement ends a strike called by CWA at midnight August 15, 1998. The pact
now must be ratified by employees, who will begin returning to work as soon as
possible, at their next scheduled tour of duty.
