ow Jones Newswires
CWA Supports Proposed Global Crossing-US West Deal
WASHINGTON -- Communications Workers of America warned 14 governors whose states are
served by US West Inc. (USW) that Qwest Communications International Inc.'s (QWST)
proposed takeover of US West would further undermine phone service while cutting jobs and
reducing investments in network and other infrastructure.
The states are Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico,
North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
In a press release Monday, the union said it supports Global Crossing Ltd.'s (GBLX) proposed
merger with US West, a deal which calls for just $1 billion in operating expense cuts, with plans to
grow revenue by $36 billion through new investment in technology and global business expansion.
The union said Qwest's plan to cut US West's operations would exacerbate the difficulties it
already has providing quality local telephone service.
As reported earlier today, Qwest said it sent letters to its would-be merger partners, US West and
Frontier Corp. (FRO), reiterating its desire to merge with both.
Qwest is competing to buy the companies with Global Crossing, which has agreements in place to
acquire them.
Qwest, Denver, is a multimedia communications company. Global Crossing, Bermuda, is an
emerging telecommunications company.
Frontier, Rochester, N.Y., is a local and long-distance phone company. U.S. West, Denver, is the
smallest of the regional Bell local phone giants.
-Consella A. Lee; 201-938-5400.
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