Having averted a strike, two unions representing about 1,000 Consolidated Communications workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have approved three-year contracts.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Communications Workers of America (CWA) released a statement Friday announcing that the collective agreements had been ratified. CWA local 1400 president Don Trememtozzi says that members had tough decisions to make, but voted overwhelmingly to ratify.
“We're hopeful that the company is successful, and when that happens the members will be successful and hopefully jobs will grow in northern New England,” he said.
Union officials say that while members agreed to some concessions, the agreements maintain high quality affordable health care, provide enhanced retirement benefits through a new 401K plan and protect many jobs.
Illinois-based Consolidated provides telephone and broadband internet in northern New England and 21 other states.
