Shenna Bellows Announces Support For Union Employees In Fairpoint Labor Dispute, Calls On Management To Negotiate Fairly

Press Release

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Shenna Bellows today announced her support for unionized Maine employees at FairPoint Communications in their push for a fair labor contract and called on FairPoint executives to drop efforts to replace them with non-union temporary employees. Bellows met with representatives of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2327 and Communications Workers of America Local 1400 this morning to discuss the unions' pending vote on a strike authorization and the need for strong wage and labor protections.

"These negotiations aren't just about good Maine jobs, they're about the future of telecommunications in our state," Bellows said. "Maine needs skilled workers who have the experience and the training to strengthen and expand our telecommunications infrastructure for the twenty-first century economy. Instead of replacing experienced Maine union workers with temporary outside labor, FairPoint executives should sit down and negotiate a fair agreement. I am proud to stand with the workers at FairPoint to protect Maine jobs and strengthen our technology infrastructure for the entire state."

"On behalf of all FairPoint employees, I want to thank Shenna Bellows for standing shoulder to shoulder with us in our fight for fairness," said Peter Keefe, a 17-year phone company veteran and Treasurer of IBEW Local 2327. "She's proven yet again her commitment to the working families of Maine. This is exactly why our union endorsed her campaign for the Senate."

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