Allison Beck, Acting Director of the USFederal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement today on behalf of FairPoint Communications Inc, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The bitter strike affecting workers in Vermont, New Hampshire and Mainebegan on October 17.
Statement:"FairPoint Communications, Inc, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Council T-9 and the Communications Workers of America Local 1400, collectively agree to announce that the parties continue, with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to work towards new collective bargaining agreements and that progress is being made.Any statements or assertions made by any other party are not authorized by the Company or the Unions."
As is Agency practice, the FMCS is not releasing additional information regarding meeting dates and locations. In addition, the FMCS will have no further comment at this time regarding the status or substance of the negotiations.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent USgovernment agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered inWashington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.
SOURCE: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.WASHINGTON,Jan. 23, 2015. PHOTO: FairPoint union members and supporters rally at the State House in November. 08-02-14 refers to the day the previous contract expired. VBM photo.