Qwest and Communications Workers of America Announce Voluntary Separation Program Offered to Local Network Employees

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q) and the Communications Workers of America have agreed to a voluntary separation program to be offered to certain employees in Qwest’s traditional local telephone business. The program, which offers financial incentives based on years of service, would impact less than 2 percent of the company’s total work force. The program offer is expected to be completed March 27. "Over the years, we have turned first to our natural attrition rate to balance the loss of traditional access lines,” said Bob Tregemba, Qwest’s executive vice president of Network Operations. "This program is part of our continuing effort to match our workforce to our work load.” "We are always saddened by the loss of even one job, but the continued loss of access lines is a reality of the entire industry,” said Reed Roberts, Administrative Director to Vice President of CWA District 7. "With that in mind we are pleased that we were able to reach agreement with Qwest on a viable solution that addresses the reality of the marketplace and provides a voluntary opportunity for those of our members who were considering either retirement or moving to other endeavors.” The company is committed to maintaining exceptional customer service levels and is proceeding with its broadband deployment plans, including fiber-to-the-node buildout. About Qwest Qwest offers a powerful combination of award-winning broadband, video and voice solutions for residential customers, businesses and government agencies. Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber optic network to meet their evolving communications and entertainment needs. Qwest employees are the driving force behind the company’s nationally recognized Spirit of Service. Qwest is a participant in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, to provide innovative voice, data and video services. For more information on Qwest please visit www.qwest.com. For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the Networx contract, visit www.gsanetworx.com Forward-Looking Statement Note This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives, among others; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to further de-lever our balance sheet; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the effects of consolidation in our industry; changes in demand for our products and services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies; and our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts. The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest’s present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest’s assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest’s assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts’ estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility. Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements and other statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material.