Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., has written a letter to the CEO of FairPoint Communications, urging him to “promptly” reach a settlement with striking workers.
“I strongly urge you to return to the bargaining table in good faith and find common ground with the working men and women of your company,” Welch wrote in a short letter to Paul Sunu.
“Ending this dispute promptly is the right thing to do for them, their families, your customers, and your shareholders,” Welch said.
About 2,000 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America across Northern New England began their strike October 17. The unions say FairPoint negotiated in bad faith through months of bargaining over a contract that expired Aug. 2.
At that time, FairPoint, a publicly traded company based in North Carolina, declared impasse and unilaterally imposed its own terms of employment. Company executives say in order to stay financial competitive, it’s necessary to freeze workers’ pensions, reduce health care contributions and discontinue health care for future retirees.
IBEW and CWA leaders say their proposal for alternative savings valued at $200 million were dismissed by the company.
“Mr. Sunu, your employees are struggling, anxious about their futures, but resolute in their insistence on fair treatment,” Welch wrote. He said speaking with workers on the picket line in Burlington Tuesday left him convinced of their “passionate commitment to customer service” and concern about their livelihoods.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took a similar stance Tuesday. Surrounded by striking union workers at a press conference, he too called on company officials to return to the bargaining table.
The same day, FairPoint issued a statement alleging a spike in vandalism since the strike began.
