FairPoint Communications says the National Labor Relations Board has dismissed complaints accusing the company of bargaining in bad faith, disappointing news for the more than 1,700 striking workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said they were appealing. Pete McLaughlin, head of the union negotiating committee, said the unions remain "united and committed in our fight for fairness at FairPoint."
Workers went on strike in October after the company declared an impasse and imposed a new contract.
The contract freezes the current pension and replaces them with 401(k) plans. It also requires workers to contribute to health costs, allows the company to hire contractors and eliminates retiree health care benefits for current workers.
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