Rochester Members Fight for Health Care, Job Security

Battling demands for major health care cost shifting and job security concessions, members of Local 1170 voted 400-8 this week to authorize a strike at Citizens Frontier Communications in Rochester, N.Y.  Their current contract expires Jan. 31.

The bargaining unit of 590 workers is by far the largest that CWA represents at Citizens Frontier and leaders feel that this contract will have ramifications for bargaining for smaller units later this year, said Telecommunications Vice President Jimmy Gurganus. CWA has about 1,100 members at Citizens Frontier companies nationwide.

Besides health care concessions, including payment of a large share of the premium, Local 1170 President Linda McGrath said the company is demanding "total job flexibility" and elimination of job security language in the contract.

"The company seemed to be under the impression that the local was not united," McGrath said. "I think this overwhelming strike vote shows that we are united and will do whatever it takes to get a fair contract."