PORTLAND, Maine - Broadband and telephone company, Consolidated Communications, and the two unions representing 1000 employees in Northern New England have a tentative contract.
Union negotiatiors say the agreement was reached just before their contract was set to expire at midnight Saturday.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Communications Workers of America (CWA) each reached slightly different terms with the company, but representatives from both unions say the agreements include affordable health care, enhanced retirement benefits, and protections for local jobs- while allowing for a changing communications business landscape.
The company and two unions had been bargaining since April.
CWA Local 1400 president, Don Trementozzi, described the last four months as "contentious" at times. The unions recently voted to approve a strike if no agreement could be reached. The contract which expired on midnight August 4, was only reached with the company- then FairPoint Communications- after almost a year of difficult negotiations, followed by a four month strike.
“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.” said Consolidated Communications President and CEO, Bob Udell. Udell also said the company was satisfied with the agreement.
The contract does not go into effect until union members in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont vote to ratify it. Ratification meetings are planned in all three locations.
If approved, the contract will remain in effect for three years.
Consolidated Communications, based in Illinois, provides telephone and broadband internet for businesses and consumers in 23 states.
