Seattle Press on Line - U. S. West Workers Riled By Forced Overtime, Work Quotas

U. S. West Workers Riled By Forced Overtime, Work Quotas

Aug 29, 1998 -- Three thousand Seattle telephone workers are locked in a bitter struggle with US West as we go to press.

The workers, who are members of Local 7800 of the Communications Workers of America, are conducting round the clock picketing at all US west buildings in the city.

Meanwhile, bargaining is continuing in Denver where US west headquarters is located.

Spirit on the picket lines is high as the strike moves into its second week. Strikers are counting on belt-tightening, scrimping and other family income to get them through the strike. Striker Keith Benjamin said he is limiting himself to one cigarette a day until the strike is over.

Benjamin, a sales consultant who just finished training, says "A union contract is very real and very important. It gives security and stability to workers. It's a clear, written-out message that shows that we're serious and united."

Several strikers who talked to the Seattle Press recently said the main issue in the strike is that they want to spend more time with their families.

US West has a policy of mandatory overtime, and that is one of the issues on the bargaining table. Jeanne Viramonte, who works in credit management, says they shouldn't have mandatory overtime. "It means every Monday I'm away from home for 13 hours. It takes away from our family life."

Over last weekend US West appeared to be backing down in its demands to continue the practice of compulsory overtime. "We Get It." The company said in full page ads in the Seattle Times and other newspapers. "You want more time with your families. We understand."

Another US West proposal that workers object to is a new incentive program in which workers would get paid only 80% of their pay unless they meet certain performance standards set by the company. They would also have an opportunity for 20% in bonus payments, for exceeding the standards.

"They tried that in the business office," another striker said. "Everybody liked it at first. Everybody worked hard, met their quotas, and got that extra 20%. Then the company raised the quotas."
"It would be insane of us to accept that," Viramonte said. "You should get 100% of your pay for doing your job, not 80%. We already have to meet quotas and standards.

"Its a high-stress job," she said. "We have to handle 9.5 calls an hour. We have to help people all day long. We try to do what's best for the company and for the customer too. If the company makes us do more calls an hour, we won't be able to do as good a job for each customer.

Steward Diane Heaton said, "The company is stretching us to the breaking point. Mandatory overtime means you don't have a life. All the company cares about is the bottom line and the value of their stock."

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