Feb. 22, 2015 (World News Trust) -- Workers at FairPoint Communications voted to ratify a new labor contract with the company.
The result of the three-day vote announced Sunday ends a strike that began Oct. 17, 2014, by about 1,800 Fairpoint union members in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Workers are to return to work Wednesday.
In the agreement, neither side got all they wanted: A sheet given to workers Sunday said pensions will continue for existing employees at a reduced rate capped at 30 years; retirees will receive stipends for health care until age 65 and employees will pay 15 percent of health premiums, CentralMaine.com reported
“Ultimately, FairPoint agreed to a union administered health insurance plan with better benefits that will cost workers and the company less,” according to the union’s release Sunday. “FairPoint also agreed to eliminate the two-tier wage structure.”
