Frontier, CWA Sign New Labor Agreement for 2,700 California Workers

Frontier Communications and the Communications Workers of America District 9 (CWA) have signed and ratified a new labor agreement amending and extending existing contracts with the union in California through September 2020.

The CWA represents about 2,700 Frontier employees in California and said it supported the company’s 2015 acquisition of Verizon’s wireline assets.

Under the new agreement, Frontier has agreed to extend current collective bargaining agreements. Highlights of the revised agreement include: extending the existing contracts by 18 months with a no layoff provision; pay increases of 2.25 and 2 percent; filling 40 new customer service technician jobs and 35 new call center jobs; job upgrades for specific job classifications; and continued operational flexibility to enhance the service experience.

“We have reached an agreement that is in the best interests of telecommunications workers and will also strengthen Frontier as we move forward in this continuing partnership,” said Tom Runnion, CWA District 9 vice president. “Our experienced and trained CWA members will continue to provide Frontier’s customers with the quality service they expect and deserve.”

The current CWA contracts would have expired in March 2019.

“We enjoy a positive relationship with our CWA labor partners and are pleased to have collaboratively reached a new agreement that forges a better working relationship and enables Frontier to enhance its operational condition and competitiveness,” said Joe Gamble, Frontier’s west region senior vice president of operations. “We are proud to have these dedicated men and women providing quality customer service and focused on expanding broadband connectivity throughout the state.”

In March, 1,400 Frontier workers in West Virginia and Ashburn, Virginia, went on strike after several months of contract negotiations. Three weeks later, they returned to work after reaching agreement on a new contract.