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Consolidated Communications And Unions Reach Tentative Agreement

Unions representing Consolidated Communications workers say they’ve reached tentative three-year contract agreements with the company that will avert a strike.

According to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workersand Communications Workers of America, the new agreements "maintain high quality affordable health care and good local jobs for the life of the agreements. Both agreements provide enhanced retirement benefits through a new 401K savings plan."

Workers and the company have been bargaining for four months. The current contract expired Aug. 4.

The unions went on strike against FairPoint Communications in 2014 and last month members voted to authorize a strike if negotiations failed. Consolidated Communications purchased FairPoint's landline, internet and telecommunications business last year.

In a news release the company said simply that is pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached. "Since our acquisition of FairPoint a year ago, we have seen a notable improvement in the relationship between the Unions and the Company, and this agreement reflects that progress,” the statement said.

The contract is subject to ratification by union members.

Steve has been with VPR since 1994, first serving as host of VPR’s public affairs program and then as a reporter, based in Central Vermont. Many VPR listeners recognize Steve for his special reports from Iran, providing a glimpse of this country that is usually hidden from the rest of the world. Prior to working with VPR, Steve served as program director for WNCS for 17 years, and also worked as news director for WCVR in Randolph. A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Steve also worked for stations in Phoenix and Tucson before moving to Vermont in 1972. Steve has been honored multiple times with national and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for his VPR reporting, including a 2011 win for best documentary for his report, Afghanistan's Other War.
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