FRONTIER EMPLOYEES PICKET IN CHARLESTON - Contract Extended Six Times, Legacy Workers Left Behind With Wages

(08/01/2014)

Communication Workers of America took to the streets of downtown Charleston Wednesday afternoon to raise awareness about their ongoing contract negotiations with Frontier Communications. The union's current contract ran out on Aug. 2, 2013, followed by a half-dozen extensions. CWA members said they're tired of waiting. They want a new contract, something they said was promised by the company when it bought out Verizon back in 2010. Frontier, after purchasing Verizon, paid the new Verizon employees about $6 more per hour, leaving behind their 150 longtime legacy employees, mostly in West Virginia's most rural counties, including Calhoun. "(Frontier) made promises and commitments to former Verizon workers, the PSC and the people of West Virginia. We want them to keep their promises," said CWA Local 2001 President Kenneth Williams. During past talks, health care was one of the sticking point. Williams said there's more than just one issue holding both sides back. Frontier spokesperson Dan Page said, "We are continuing to bargain at the table and are hopeful to get an agreement in the near future." The CWA represents 1,500 Frontier workers across West Virginia.

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