Federal mediators are taking a more active role in resolving the labor dispute between FairPoint Communications and striking workers.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) announced Friday that it has requested that representatives of the company and two unions meet with mediators in Washington, D.C.
In a news release, the unions said the meeting will occur Sunday, Jan. 4. The unions and FairPoint representatives last met on Nov. 18.
In a statement, the FMCS said it has, “assigned a team of experienced mediators to assist the parties in reaching mutually acceptable agreements to resolve the work stoppage.”
A spokesman for the FMCS declined to comment on the agency’s request or the mediation process.
In the past the parties have met in New Hampshire and in Boston and a federal mediator has been present, but bringing the parties together in Washington and holding the meeting under the auspices of the FMCS indicates that mediators will now have a greater role in resolving the dispute.
Approximately 1,800 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America went on strike against FairPoint on Oct. 17 after their contract expired and the company imposed new terms.
The dispute involves a number of issues, including health coverage, retirement benefits, worker pay and the use of non-union contract workers.
