FairPoint Agreement

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Created on Friday, 20 February 2015 14:04
Written by Tom Weineck

FairpointAROUND THE NEK -FairPoint Communications and union workers have finally come to an agreement on wages and benefits. The agreement comes after 4 months of unrest between FairPoint and its employees.

 

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin saw this as a sign of progress for FairPoint, the union workers, and Vermont.

"The news of the months-long strike coming to an end is good for Vermont," Governor Shumlin said. "Vermont's FairPoint employees will now be able to serve Vermonters again."

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders looked at the agreement from a different view pointing out FairPoint workers were fighting for better wages.

"The FairPoint workers stood up for their right to receive decent benefits and wages," Senator Sanders said.

Both FairPoint and the workers have been negotiating contracts since April 2014.

The contract originally proposed would have froze pensions, raised healthcare costs, and allowed hiring of out-of-state foreign contractors for workers.

After an agreement was not reached, the strike started in October of 2014. It included 1,700 workers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Union members will return to work for FairPoint on February 14, 2015.