Telecom News: Taking a Stand at Citizens/Frontier

Citizens Communications has announced plans to acquire Commonwealth Telephone for $1.16 billion. The combined company will be the seventh largest local telephone exchange company with operations in 23 states.

Commonwealth operates mainly in Pennsylvania with 800 employees, including about 425 who are union-represented. Jimmy Gurganus, CWA vice president for Telecommunications, said CWA will intervene with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, "in an effort to ensure our members and customers don't suffer as a result of the deal."

Meanwhile, in Statesboro, Ga., where a newly organized unit at Frontier Telephone has been fighting 18 months for a first contract, Local 3220 President John McInnis has asked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to help broker an agreement. At presstime, Frontier and its parent company, Citizens, had not agreed on a date to bargain.

Citizens/Frontier locals nationwide leafleted their communities in August and September, highlighting Frontier's demands for unlimited use of contractors and for workers to pay a higher portion of health care costs, and the effect using contractors would have on customer service. Hundreds of residents sent messages to Citizens' CEO, Maggie Wilderotter, urging her to bargain fairly.