Union members at Consolidated Communications have voted to authorize a strike amid ongoing negotiations between management and union leadership over contracts set to expire Aug. 7.
Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represent over 1,000 workers in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. There are more than 150 union members in Vermont alone.
Consolidated Communications is a legacy phone and internet provider headquartered in Mattoon, Ill.
Management and labor continue to clash over the company’s use of outside contractors.
Sandy Tumosa, the business manager of IBEW in Vermont, said that bringing in outside contractors hinders employees’ abilities to work overtime, and takes opportunities away from Vermont workers.
“We want to make sure the opportunities are there for local union members in Vermont,” she said. Tumosa said many Consolidated Communications employees live in the communities they work in.
“I don’t think subcontractors have the same investment in the community,” she said, adding that it’s beneficial for Vermont’s economy when local workers have stable employment with opportunities for growth.
Ryan Whitlock, senior vice president of operations at Consolidated, said in a statement that the company “has a long history of positive and respectful labor relations.
“We are committed to continuing this track record and are hopeful to negotiate contracts that allow us to continue to provide better service to our customers, benefits to our employees and ensure we are operating a sustainable and competitive fiber broadband company,” he said.
In a statement issued Wednesday, IBEW Chairman Pete McLaughlin said the union’s members want to continue serving customers.
“No one here wants a strike,” he said.
Tumosa echoed that sentiment, saying “nobody ever wants that. Our employees suffer and our customers suffer if we strike.”
The last strike involving Consolidated Communications was in 2014, when disputes over pension and health care changes came to a head. At the time, the operations were run by a subsidiary, Fairpoint Communications. The strike lasted 131 days and caused service delays for customers throughout northern New England.
Three years ago, Consolidated Communications employees threatened a strike again over similar issues, in addition to the company’s use of subcontractor labor. However, minutes before contracts were set to expire, the union and management reached an agreement, including the use of subcontractors, job security and retirement benefits.
“We want to make sure that the company is honoring what they agreed to three years ago,” Tumosa said. The union continues to negotiate with the company and hopes to reach an agreement that union members can approve ahead of Aug. 7.
“Our members are passionate about their jobs, everybody wants to go to work and take care of customers,” she said.
