Portland -- When FairPoint Communications bought Verizon's landlines in Northern New England, it made commitments in all three states to improve service, add jobs and increase access to high speed internet.

 

During the "cutover" period, both unions allowed the company increased flexibility to help it staff operations. That flexibility included FairPoint temporarily using a subcontractor to outsource about 60 positions to Canada to help the Portland, Maine team with wholesale provisioning for its larger customers. 

 

But now that the cutover is complete, that work is supposed to return to the Portland office where management had promised to complete the additional staffing. 

 

Last week, FairPoint management reported that it intended to continue to outsource the 60 jobs to Canada. To add insult to injury, management says that as of July 31, it intends to permanently outsource an additional 40 Service Rep jobs from Portland to the same vendor in Canada!

 

Similarly, FairPoint has taken Collections Department jobs promised for Littleton, NH and South Burlington, VT and given them to out-of-the-region subcontractors. 

 

"Both IBEW and CWA have worked cooperatively with management to help FairPoint get federal stimulus money," said Don Trementozzi, President of CWA Local 1400. "But now FairPoint is violating our contracts and not living up to the promises it made in all three states."

 

"Even as FairPoint boasts about adding jobs in Maine, it's actually taking away the good jobs that we already have," said Pete McLaughlin, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2327. 

 

"This is our work. The revenue is generated in New England and the work should be done in New England," McLaughlin added. "In this economy, these telephone jobs are more important than ever. Hiring local people will ensure a higher quality standard of service. We can't afford to miss any opportunity for economic growth."

 

Diane Winton, President of IBEW Local 2327, says union activists won't let the company "off the hook" for the promises it has made. "If FairPoint doesn't change its mind on these jobs, there may be a lot more than just fireworks at the company-sponsored 'Employee Appreciation' night set for the Seadogs vs. Erie baseball game on Thursday night."

 

The baseball game is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Thursday June 18 at Hadlock Field, 271 Park Avenue in Portland.