CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the Communications Workers of America are in an agreement with Frontier Communications to continue negotiations and extend their current contract through August 19.
The current contract was originally scheduled to expire on August 5 at 11:59 p.m. Bargaining committee members and Frontier met late Saturday night and came to the agreement right around 11:15 p.m., according to Local 2001 Executive Vice President J.D. Thompson.
The Communications Workers of America on Sunday issued the following statement:
“Our members want to be on the job, delivering quality service for their customers and providing for their families. This contract extension will give Frontier executives the opportunity to do the right thing and move towards a fair contract so that we can all stay focused on providing quality service to our customers and building fiber connections to as many homes and businesses across West Virginia as possible.”
Thompson said some slight progress was made between the union and Frontier Communications in a meeting over the weekend, leading to the additional time added on for more contract talks.
“During that two week extension, the plan is for the company and the bargaining committee to continue to meet to try and resolve the issues that they’re still at odds over,” said Thompson.
The main issues are still job security and benefits for the CWA-represented workers. The current contract covers around 1,400 employees of Communications Workers of America.
“If you don’t have a job none of this stuff really matters,” Thompson said. “The big sticking points are benefits reducing contractors and the work that they’re getting, which we think our members should get.”
Thompson said union members are still prepared to go on strike with the company if they believe a fair settlement isn’t reached.
“They’re ready to do what is necessary to secure a fair contract,” said Thompson. “If that means going on strike, we’re ready.”