FairPoint deal divides unions, state businesses

By Anne Ravana
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - Bangor Daily News

As the Maine Public Utilities Commission travels the state this week to hold public hearings on the proposed sale of Verizon’s northern New England Internet and telephone lines to FairPoint Communications Inc., unions and business representatives remain divided on the deal.

Despite promises from FairPoint to honor existing union contracts, add jobs, improve Internet and phone service and maintain current Verizon rates, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America unions have banded together to dispute FairPoint’s ability to pay for the takeover and the $16.1 million in Internet service upgrades it has promised.

On the other hand, Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors said Monday that his members have responded to the sale favorably. Connors has urged Maine State Chamber members, who include FairPoint and Verizon, to testify about the benefits of the acquisition.

"Their commitment to employees, whether it’s new jobs or retaining jobs, is very clear," Connors said Monday. "What we know is what we hear the company say. … And they will be held accountable to that."

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