This is about keeping good-quality jobs and keeping access for our members to these good-quality jobs. That's really the biggest issue.

Right now it's our understanding that the jobs would be cut in management.

The association will work to negotiate a contract that will cover everybody.

We're going to keep bargaining down to the very last minute, but it seems increasingly unlikely that we'll reach a deal.

I think it's a good agreement for both sides. I think it reflects that Qwest recognized that the union work force is value-added and a critical party in helping the company.

We think it's just not good corporate governance to have a system where a person who owns less than 3 percent of the company controls about one-third of the [share votes].