CWA ready to rally for new Frontier contract

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Communication Workers of America will rally on Saturday ust ahead of their contract deadline. The event is taking place at the Charleston headquarters of Frontier Communications on MacCorkle Ave between noon and 4 p.m.

The union and company have already started work to come up with a contract both sides can live with, but so far no deal.

CWA Representative Elaine Harris said the rally is a chance to get the workers and their families together to talk about the challenges ahead and give them some confidence that things will work out.

The rally will feature speeches, food and games. Harris predicted a large crowed with members coming from all over the region.

“We’re anticipating a whole lot of people being there,” according to Harris.

Members of the United Mine Workers will be on hand to support the Frontier employees, just as the CWA has done for the miners who work for Patriot Coal.

“It’s just so important to show the members the type of support they have as they support our bargaining team to get this contract,” said Harris.

This is the first contract negotiation with Frontier, for the CWA. The previous contract rolled over from Verizon when they sold the company to Frontier in 2010. Therein lies one of the problems. Harris said so far Frontier has balked at some of the contract articles that have been in place for years, ones they workers want to keep.

But the main sticking point appears to be healthcare.

“Currently we are not where we need to be, obviously. But we’re hopeful we’ll be able to bring this thing to a successful closure and get a contract. Not just for our members but for our customers here in West Virginia,” explained Harris.

She said the union will fight hard to keep those healthcare benefits because the workers deserve them.

“We believe, as long as the company is doing well these are people on the front line and we want them to be able to maintain the benefits and standard, of living that they’ve had.”

The CWA held a similar rally in Fairmont two weeks ago.





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