Members of the two unions on strike against FairPoint Communications rallied in Montpelier Thursday. They were more than a month past their last paychecks. The company has also discontinued their health insurance.
Lineman Kevin Major of Barre Town says he’s living off savings and some part time work.
“[I'm] doing some side jobs, fall cleanups and stuff like that, trying to pick up a little bit of money here and there," says Major, a 27-year veteran with FairPoint and its predecessors.
The state has now determined that striking Vermont FairPoint workers are eligible for up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.
Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan says providing the benefits is not a given in the case of strikes.
“We had to look at the situation based upon not only what Vermont statute says, but what the Vermont Supreme Court has ruled in situations where there have been strikes.”
Noonan says her department has processed nearly 300 claims so far. A few remain under review.
At Thursday's rally, Joe Smith, a line worker from Ascutney, said he'd heard that benefits were approved and hopes to see an unemployment check soon.
"I'm living on what little savings I had, trying not to spend any money on anything. It's scary stuff to maybe have to tell your kid there might not be Christmas this year." Smith says.
The claims may increase the amount of unemployment taxes FairPoint will pay in the future and the company could appeal the department’s decision.
