Vermont Business Magazine In a joint announcement dated today, FairPoint Communications, Inc (Nasdaq: FRP); System Council T-9 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (AFL-CIO) Locals 2320, 2326, and 2327; and the Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO) Local 1400 have reached tentative agreements on the terms for new collective bargaining agreements. The strike affected approximately 1,700 workers in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Unionized workers in Northern New England went on strike October 17, 2014, after negotiations on a new contract failed. The previous contracted expired in August. The two major sticking points were based on reduced benefits for union workers that would more closely align them with other FairPoint staff and replacement and temporary workers that would not necessarily be part of the union. SEE STORY
The Company and the Unions agree that the terms of their new collective bargaining agreements will address, in meaningful and constructive ways, the objectives of the parties and that the new labor agreements will provide employees with wages and benefits that are among the best in northern New England. At the same time, the agreements permit the Company to achieve a much more competitive position in the marketplace.
Union members will vote on ratification of the tentative agreements as soon as possible. Effective with the signing of the tentative agreements, the parties agreed that striking employees will return to work on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.
The parties said that further comments will be withheld until the ratification vote is complete.
Governor Peter Shumlin, who has pushed for the two sides to get back to the table, issued the following statement after news that they had reached a tentative agreement:
“The announcement that this months-long strike is coming to a close is good news for Vermont. I’m pleased that Vermont’s dedicated FairPoint employees can now get back to work serving Vermonters. I want to thank both sides for coming to this agreement. I’m glad the long wait for the workers and their families is coming to an end, and that FairPoint will have a better chance to succeed in its competitive industry under this new agreement.”
US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement: “I applaud the extraordinary courage of the FairPoint workers. They have stood together month after month in opposition to a massive assault on decent wages and benefits. Their efforts deserve the thanks of all Vermonters.”
Source: February 19, 2015 - Joint Statement FairPoint, IBEW, CWA. Vermont Business Magazine photos are from the South Burlington headquarters in October and from the steps of the State House in Montpelier in December.