Frontier Communications, Communications Workers of America Settle Contract in Connecticut

A four-year contract has been settled between Stamford-based Frontier Communications Corporation and the Communications Workers of America District 1 (CWA).

The agreement is described as a step forward in the process to complete Frontier’s planned acquisition of AT&T’s wireline business and statewide fiber network and U-verse video and satellite TV customers in Connecticut. The CWA supports the proposed acquisition.

After the AT&T transaction, Frontier will employ nearly 3,000 employees serving about 1 million customers in Connecticut.

Frontier has agreed to honor and extend the current collective bargaining agreement until April 2018.  

Highlights of the agreement include:

• The addition of 85 new union jobs;
• Employee job security and guaranteed workforce size;
• Priority routing to Connecticut call center representatives;
• A new service center for Dispatch and U-verse technician support;
• Single Tech Out, allowing all technicians to service all customers, resulting in better and faster service for installations and repairs; and
• All union employees will receive 100 shares of Frontier stock upon closing of the transaction to demonstrate Frontier’s commitment to its newest employees and their ownership in the company’s success.

All commitments by Frontier are designed to ensure that the workforce is highly motivated and trained to deliver the best possible service to the citizens of Connecticut.

"We are very pleased the CWA acknowledges the transaction’s benefit to the public,” said Daniel J. McCarthy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Frontier.  “We value our positive relationships with our employees and unions and rely on them to 'Put the Customer First’ to deliver an exceptional communications experience to our customers.” 

McCarthy added, “Our discussions with the CWA about the Connecticut acquisition have been open, honest and ongoing. We look forward to a strong partnership that will mean the best service and products for our customers and their evolving communications needs."

Bill Henderson, President of CWA Local 1298, added, “After several months of complex negotiations, we are very pleased with the agreement reached today with Frontier. We believe it is in the best interests of Connecticut’s telecommunications workers and consumers, and we look forward to continue providing our customers with the best possible quality service.” 

After the completion of the acquisition, which is expected in the fourth quarter of this year, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as its state operations, will be located in Connecticut. Connecticut has been Frontier Communications’ home since 1946.

The agreement between Frontier and CWA is contingent upon the approval of the proposed transaction by the Federal Communications Commission, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the consummation of the proposed transaction.