Yes!!!!! The workers themselves did not chose to walk off, they had to. The company is not wanting to negotiate and that is the problem.
KELVIN - 9 years ago
I have been on both side, a stike in dextter at fay scott's as a worker in 1970's and as plant manager at vic firth in nNewport, ME. I had 100% paid ins for 5 years for my workers in 1900'S, and the GOV. PAUL LaPage took over management,, when I step down because of heart troubles. the first ..night after our ins. went from 0 to $105.00 per week.But the first snow he shut the state down ,I would like fairPoint worker get unemployment.THANK-YOU STIKERS FOR FIGHTING FOR YOU RIGHTS AND OTHERS and FROM ME ,HAVE A 2014 HAPPLY THANKGIVING
Steve - 9 years ago
Mike, Amy, Linda and Michael I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours..God Bless!!
Nathalye Boucher - 9 years ago
Yes they should be able to collect unemployment. Who want to go to work and pay their employer to work? FairPoints new contract is more then cutting health care , pension and pay. The contract states FairPoint wants to lay off with No call back , relocate with out notice and out source these jobs. FairPoint is horrible to their employees and they had no choice to strike. FairPoint doesn't care about their workers and now we can see they don't care about their customers. Thank God these workers are union.
Michael - 9 years ago
Unemployment is for people who lost there job , they have jobs and chose to walk off . So no way should they get anything !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amy - 9 years ago
Why would they feel that unemployment is an option for them? They Chose to leave their jobs! Unemployment is meant to help the unemployed while they are Unemployed and looking for another job, All of the "we only want what we deserve" really makes me angry! Why do those workers "deserve" to have everything handed to them? There are no other companies that fully fund the benefits for their employees, even the best companies share the cost with the employees. I see posts on facebook of employees complaining about the service that the contractors are providing then in the next sentence brag about chasing those same contractors around and harassing them. So NO they are not entitled and should NOT be able to collect a thing!
Mike - 9 years ago
These employees walked out on their jobs. They are not unemployed, but voluntarily chose to leave. They have the opportunity to come back to work at any time. Unemployment is for people that lost their jobs. No...Fairpoint employees should not be eligible for benefits. As for the issues...If it wasn't about the money then why doesn't the union tell the company that they accept the frozen pension, that it is OK to pay a portion of the medical coverage instead of getting it for free, have the company match their 401K contributions? If it is all about the job security, why don't they use that as their bargaining chip? See, it is all about the pay and benefits only masked by the threat of the company outsourcing the jobs. But when you voluntarily walk out on your job you should not get unemployment benefits. Sorry!!
Kim - 9 years ago
I encourage everyone to email governor Lepage and challenge him to keep employment in Maine... decent paying jobs in Maine. After all, this is what he said he would do. Support our state and our workers.
Robin Wells - 9 years ago
I hope those of you voting "NO" did your homework first!!! I used to work for Verizon and then Fairpoint. I, fortunately was in a financial situation where I was able to take a buy out in 2012. What the workers are striking over is a big deal. This company is trying to step on loyal employees that actually care about good service and customer satisfaction. Fairpoint has already frozen pensions and taken away reimbursement for child care and elder care. The employees aren't asking for higher wages or anything unfair. They are willing to negociate but Fairpoint is not. I believe that in part, it's because they were already planning to out source these American jobs.
Vicky Edwards - 9 years ago
This is 800 families that are affected! They pay taxes, attend school and live IN Maine. Go talk to one of them and get answers instead of assuming it's all about more money and that's it's not just a selfish choice they're making. Then read up on FairPoint's corporate officers (since you'll be unable to speak with any of them) and see what their contracts read. They all have contracts, and no concessions there! Now look back on the agreement FairPoint made to purchase the 3 states. See where they have misled more than just a few workers. Mainers should be upset with FairPoint. This strike is trying to protect future employees as well. Think. What if it were your child or sibling with secure employment AND they get to stay in Maine?? It's about investing in a career and building a future IN this state. It's not just about a "job". They have EARNED unemployment much more than many here who receive some sort of assistance without a contribution.
Kim - 9 years ago
Of course the Fairpoint workers deserve unemployment!!! It is not the worker's fault that this company is unwilling to negotiate. These workers are people... with families; people who contribute to the economy of our state. Fairpoint owes these people more than what they are asking for (which is nothing - as stated previously, they only want to keep some of what they have fought for). These people went through hell and back again when Verizon switched over to Fairpoint, not to mention 9/11. Many people who work at Fairpoint have been there for YEARS and don't have options of finding other jobs. Do nurses who go on strike deserve unemployment??? YES How is this any different. Fairpoint wants to bust unions by hurting the people of Maine who rely on their phone lines for 911 calls. They want to bust the union by forcing families of Maine into poverty just to prove a point. Most people are only 3 paychecks away from homelessness and denying unemployment could change a lot of lives. The stockholders in this company make much more than the employees and somehow everyone is focusing on what the bottom line workers make. These people took these jobs and have stayed through everything BECAUSE of their benefits. If the Fairpoint workers are denied unemployment, it will affect way more than their families and could indirectly affect us all (so if you are a selfish person and need this as a reason to support them, then here you go). The majority of Maine families have an income of $40,000 combined. Not supporting the Fairpoint strike will ensure that this will always stay the norm, or decrease over time. Fairpoint bought out Verizon when these employees had all of the benefits that they are trying to keep - blame Fairpoint for thinking they could just come along and bust up Maine's hard working middle class.
Adam Edwards - 9 years ago
There aren't enough good paying jobs in Maine. Health care is too expensive. There are no skilled jobs available for the next generation. These are just a few of the complaints we all hear or feel about the job market here in Maine. The FairPoint workers are on strike to negate some of the negatives of the employment market in Maine. Why is it when a union stands up for it's workers, the tone changes? People then say. They make too much. They should pay for healthcare. If they don't want to accept substantial cuts to their job security, let out of staters have the work. Come on people. What's wrong with someonehaving a good job in Maine? The workers have been working and unemployment isn't welfare. FairPoint and it's predecessors have paid into the unemployment fund.
Peggy - 9 years ago
We went on strike to protect the jobs in the future. People are under the impression that we want more money...we DON'T... We just want a fair contract and keep jobs in New England like FairPoint promised when they bought out Verizon. If it wasn't for the 2000 employees on strike, FairPoint would've never gotten out of bankruptcy. We have dedicated 7 years to a company who was too cheap to buy the systems that we were all used to using with Verizon and found workarounds to get the orders to go thru the new systems. We are dedicated workers and we want to make sure that the people you talk to on the phones, the techs showing up at your door are qualified, drug free, non-criminals, and people who love in your community. Does that make sense? We all deserve unemployment! Or we should've just let FairPoint contract out the jobs and lay us all off, and no one would know who is actually walking into homes and not be able to understand the person on the other end of the phone! Then we would qualify for unemployment. That is ridiculous. We all want to return to work the way it was! We don't want more money! We are even ok with paying health insurance premiums. I beg and pray everyday that I can return to work with my family! I've spent many hours with these people and we are one! We are all very strong individuals and we will make it thru this hard time! And GOOD LUCK CONTRACTORS WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL SNOW, we mariners love it!
Steve Elrick - 9 years ago
I have payed my taxes for over 35 years. I have never collected unemployment in this time. We may have went on strike but we are trying to save our jobs for the future. We were willing to make concessions but the company wasn't. Not one of the upper level management employees have taken any cuts. Fact is the CEO received quite a bonus last year. For once I believe I deserve to receive unemployment with all my years of contributing. Happy Thanksgiving to All !!
Heather - 9 years ago
Linda, your assuming there will be jobs to go to. The reason for the strike is to keep these jobs in Maine. The imposed contract would allow FairPoint to outsource the jobs. Today FairPoint is paying tens of millions of dollars on unskilled workers who will send the money out of this state. This is sad and should not be allowed by ANY resident of Maine.
Linda - 9 years ago
They are not unemployed. They have jobs when the strike is over. Unemployment are for those that have lost their jobs. They have not lost their jobs. They chose to strike.
AWaz - 9 years ago
a ULP Strike is their right as workers under the NLRA. Subsequently, the unfair practice of the employer is the nexus in the situation, meaning they should be entitled to all assistance as if the employer terminated them without cause for the time being.
Jen - 9 years ago
The company is paying their replacement workers 3 times more then they are paying the real workers. There is an ad out for a tech job making 5000-6000 a WEEK. Yes a WEEK! That is FAR more than any employee has ever made.
beth pierce - 9 years ago
I work for Fairpoint and we are not asking for more money as a matter of fact even with the proposals our union put on the table for Fairpoint we would end up with less pay because we would be paying for healthcare which is fine by us as employees. The problem is the company wants to outsource all of our work which means they will eventually get rid of all of us. FYI as of right now they are not hiring scabs from New England our calls are being re routed to call centers in Louisiana, Florida and Ohio and technicians are coming from Texas and NY. Why should all the other states benefit vs Maine, NH and VT. We all want to get back to work because frankly I cannot afford to be out of work with no paycheck any longer and I am currently looking for work however so are 2000 of my union brothers and sisters. We cannot let them outsource our jobs it will do nothing but hurt our economy which is fragile enough.
Kate - 9 years ago
Fighting to keep good paying jobs in New England ! Hats off to the strikers for making that sacrifice this time of year that benefits everyone !
tara - 9 years ago
the workers are NOT asking for more money. I'm told one of the main things is to keep jobs local, not sub contracted/out sourced. We need to keep jobs in Maine.
prgrmr - 9 years ago
Do you mean their not asking for more money?
havey - 9 years ago
They are not UNEMPLOYED they are on STRIKE.
erwin martin - 9 years ago
Try to put yourself in their shoe, s at your job of employment . it, s company greed again if they was taking away your pension subcontracting your job u might think their way ,no I, m sure u would feel the same way. they pushed them out the door or loose all u worked for retirement.
Al Traverse - 9 years ago
They have been disrespected by the company by taking away many of their benefits. They only want to keep what they have. Nothing more.
Yes!!!!! The workers themselves did not chose to walk off, they had to. The company is not wanting to negotiate and that is the problem.
I have been on both side, a stike in dextter at fay scott's as a worker in 1970's and as plant manager at vic firth in nNewport, ME. I had 100% paid ins for 5 years for my workers in 1900'S, and the GOV. PAUL LaPage took over management,, when I step down because of heart troubles. the first ..night after our ins. went from 0 to $105.00 per week.But the first snow he shut the state down ,I would like fairPoint worker get unemployment.THANK-YOU STIKERS FOR FIGHTING FOR YOU RIGHTS AND OTHERS and FROM ME ,HAVE A 2014 HAPPLY THANKGIVING
Mike, Amy, Linda and Michael I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours..God Bless!!
Yes they should be able to collect unemployment. Who want to go to work and pay their employer to work? FairPoints new contract is more then cutting health care , pension and pay. The contract states FairPoint wants to lay off with No call back , relocate with out notice and out source these jobs. FairPoint is horrible to their employees and they had no choice to strike. FairPoint doesn't care about their workers and now we can see they don't care about their customers. Thank God these workers are union.
Unemployment is for people who lost there job , they have jobs and chose to walk off . So no way should they get anything !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would they feel that unemployment is an option for them? They Chose to leave their jobs! Unemployment is meant to help the unemployed while they are Unemployed and looking for another job, All of the "we only want what we deserve" really makes me angry! Why do those workers "deserve" to have everything handed to them? There are no other companies that fully fund the benefits for their employees, even the best companies share the cost with the employees. I see posts on facebook of employees complaining about the service that the contractors are providing then in the next sentence brag about chasing those same contractors around and harassing them. So NO they are not entitled and should NOT be able to collect a thing!
These employees walked out on their jobs. They are not unemployed, but voluntarily chose to leave. They have the opportunity to come back to work at any time. Unemployment is for people that lost their jobs. No...Fairpoint employees should not be eligible for benefits. As for the issues...If it wasn't about the money then why doesn't the union tell the company that they accept the frozen pension, that it is OK to pay a portion of the medical coverage instead of getting it for free, have the company match their 401K contributions? If it is all about the job security, why don't they use that as their bargaining chip? See, it is all about the pay and benefits only masked by the threat of the company outsourcing the jobs. But when you voluntarily walk out on your job you should not get unemployment benefits. Sorry!!
I encourage everyone to email governor Lepage and challenge him to keep employment in Maine... decent paying jobs in Maine. After all, this is what he said he would do. Support our state and our workers.
I hope those of you voting "NO" did your homework first!!! I used to work for Verizon and then Fairpoint. I, fortunately was in a financial situation where I was able to take a buy out in 2012. What the workers are striking over is a big deal. This company is trying to step on loyal employees that actually care about good service and customer satisfaction. Fairpoint has already frozen pensions and taken away reimbursement for child care and elder care. The employees aren't asking for higher wages or anything unfair. They are willing to negociate but Fairpoint is not. I believe that in part, it's because they were already planning to out source these American jobs.
This is 800 families that are affected! They pay taxes, attend school and live IN Maine. Go talk to one of them and get answers instead of assuming it's all about more money and that's it's not just a selfish choice they're making. Then read up on FairPoint's corporate officers (since you'll be unable to speak with any of them) and see what their contracts read. They all have contracts, and no concessions there! Now look back on the agreement FairPoint made to purchase the 3 states. See where they have misled more than just a few workers. Mainers should be upset with FairPoint. This strike is trying to protect future employees as well. Think. What if it were your child or sibling with secure employment AND they get to stay in Maine?? It's about investing in a career and building a future IN this state. It's not just about a "job". They have EARNED unemployment much more than many here who receive some sort of assistance without a contribution.
Of course the Fairpoint workers deserve unemployment!!! It is not the worker's fault that this company is unwilling to negotiate. These workers are people... with families; people who contribute to the economy of our state. Fairpoint owes these people more than what they are asking for (which is nothing - as stated previously, they only want to keep some of what they have fought for). These people went through hell and back again when Verizon switched over to Fairpoint, not to mention 9/11. Many people who work at Fairpoint have been there for YEARS and don't have options of finding other jobs. Do nurses who go on strike deserve unemployment??? YES How is this any different. Fairpoint wants to bust unions by hurting the people of Maine who rely on their phone lines for 911 calls. They want to bust the union by forcing families of Maine into poverty just to prove a point. Most people are only 3 paychecks away from homelessness and denying unemployment could change a lot of lives. The stockholders in this company make much more than the employees and somehow everyone is focusing on what the bottom line workers make. These people took these jobs and have stayed through everything BECAUSE of their benefits. If the Fairpoint workers are denied unemployment, it will affect way more than their families and could indirectly affect us all (so if you are a selfish person and need this as a reason to support them, then here you go). The majority of Maine families have an income of $40,000 combined. Not supporting the Fairpoint strike will ensure that this will always stay the norm, or decrease over time. Fairpoint bought out Verizon when these employees had all of the benefits that they are trying to keep - blame Fairpoint for thinking they could just come along and bust up Maine's hard working middle class.
There aren't enough good paying jobs in Maine. Health care is too expensive. There are no skilled jobs available for the next generation. These are just a few of the complaints we all hear or feel about the job market here in Maine. The FairPoint workers are on strike to negate some of the negatives of the employment market in Maine. Why is it when a union stands up for it's workers, the tone changes? People then say. They make too much. They should pay for healthcare. If they don't want to accept substantial cuts to their job security, let out of staters have the work. Come on people. What's wrong with someonehaving a good job in Maine? The workers have been working and unemployment isn't welfare. FairPoint and it's predecessors have paid into the unemployment fund.
We went on strike to protect the jobs in the future. People are under the impression that we want more money...we DON'T... We just want a fair contract and keep jobs in New England like FairPoint promised when they bought out Verizon. If it wasn't for the 2000 employees on strike, FairPoint would've never gotten out of bankruptcy. We have dedicated 7 years to a company who was too cheap to buy the systems that we were all used to using with Verizon and found workarounds to get the orders to go thru the new systems. We are dedicated workers and we want to make sure that the people you talk to on the phones, the techs showing up at your door are qualified, drug free, non-criminals, and people who love in your community. Does that make sense? We all deserve unemployment! Or we should've just let FairPoint contract out the jobs and lay us all off, and no one would know who is actually walking into homes and not be able to understand the person on the other end of the phone! Then we would qualify for unemployment. That is ridiculous. We all want to return to work the way it was! We don't want more money! We are even ok with paying health insurance premiums. I beg and pray everyday that I can return to work with my family! I've spent many hours with these people and we are one! We are all very strong individuals and we will make it thru this hard time! And GOOD LUCK CONTRACTORS WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL SNOW, we mariners love it!
I have payed my taxes for over 35 years. I have never collected unemployment in this time. We may have went on strike but we are trying to save our jobs for the future. We were willing to make concessions but the company wasn't. Not one of the upper level management employees have taken any cuts. Fact is the CEO received quite a bonus last year. For once I believe I deserve to receive unemployment with all my years of contributing. Happy Thanksgiving to All !!
Linda, your assuming there will be jobs to go to. The reason for the strike is to keep these jobs in Maine. The imposed contract would allow FairPoint to outsource the jobs. Today FairPoint is paying tens of millions of dollars on unskilled workers who will send the money out of this state. This is sad and should not be allowed by ANY resident of Maine.
They are not unemployed. They have jobs when the strike is over. Unemployment are for those that have lost their jobs. They have not lost their jobs. They chose to strike.
a ULP Strike is their right as workers under the NLRA. Subsequently, the unfair practice of the employer is the nexus in the situation, meaning they should be entitled to all assistance as if the employer terminated them without cause for the time being.
The company is paying their replacement workers 3 times more then they are paying the real workers. There is an ad out for a tech job making 5000-6000 a WEEK. Yes a WEEK! That is FAR more than any employee has ever made.
I work for Fairpoint and we are not asking for more money as a matter of fact even with the proposals our union put on the table for Fairpoint we would end up with less pay because we would be paying for healthcare which is fine by us as employees. The problem is the company wants to outsource all of our work which means they will eventually get rid of all of us. FYI as of right now they are not hiring scabs from New England our calls are being re routed to call centers in Louisiana, Florida and Ohio and technicians are coming from Texas and NY. Why should all the other states benefit vs Maine, NH and VT. We all want to get back to work because frankly I cannot afford to be out of work with no paycheck any longer and I am currently looking for work however so are 2000 of my union brothers and sisters. We cannot let them outsource our jobs it will do nothing but hurt our economy which is fragile enough.
Fighting to keep good paying jobs in New England ! Hats off to the strikers for making that sacrifice this time of year that benefits everyone !
the workers are NOT asking for more money. I'm told one of the main things is to keep jobs local, not sub contracted/out sourced. We need to keep jobs in Maine.
Do you mean their not asking for more money?
They are not UNEMPLOYED they are on STRIKE.
Try to put yourself in their shoe, s at your job of employment . it, s company greed again if they was taking away your pension subcontracting your job u might think their way ,no I, m sure u would feel the same way. they pushed them out the door or loose all u worked for retirement.
They have been disrespected by the company by taking away many of their benefits. They only want to keep what they have. Nothing more.