What drove the workers to strike were concerns about Frontier layoffs and outsourcing that work to contractors instead. According to CWA, the decisions made by the Company have resulted in many CWA members losing their jobs and reduced service quality from Frontier customers.
Unsurprisingly, customer complaints have been on the rise over the past few years. Frontier reported 639 customer complaints in 2014 and 1,072 complaints in 2017, a 69% increase. Quality customer service depends on quality jobs.
Vice President of CWA District 2-13 had this to say about the strike.
“Going on strike is never easy. It’s a hardship for our members and the customers who we are proud to serve. But the job cuts at Frontier have gone too far—we know it, and Frontier’s customers know it. It’s time for Frontier to start investing in maintaining and rebuilding its network in West Virginia.”
Frontier has stated that it will work with CWA to find common ground and deliver a contract agreement with competitive union wages.
“When bargaining can’t get you a contract, unions have the ability to strike,” said CWA Local 1170 President John Pusloskie. “Once employees are out on strike, the community chips in to help the cause. Next time the Company and the employees come together for bargaining, the employees have built support. It makes the company think twice about not getting a negotiated settlement.”