CWA union charges Frontier with unfair labor complaint

The union representing workers at Frontier Communications Solutions filed an unfair labor charge against the company for allegedly dealing directly with employees instead of the bargaining unit.

The Communications Workers of America District 13 said the company has refused to bargain collectively as required by law and has been meeting with individual employees.

According to the charge filed with the National Labor Relations Board on April 30, the company “has been directly dealing with employees concerning alteration of existing contract terms, conducting attitude surveys” and “attempting to directly engage employees in discussions pertaining to an unsuccessful ratification vote.”

An NLRB representative said an agent has been assigned to investigate the allegations.

Messages left with the union’s attorney, Nancy A. Walker of Philadelphia, were not returned Thursday.

Frontier spokeswoman Pat Amendola said the company has bargained in good faith over the past five months and the union leadership signed three tentative agreements. The company, she added, believes the charge stems from meetings company management held with employees last week about holding another vote on the last offer.

“We have the right under the National Labor Relations Act to communicate with our employees regarding the terms of the March 25 tentative agreement with the union and on our position on a re-vote,” Amendola said.

Since the old three-year contract expired on Nov. 30, members of union locals 13570, 13571, 13572 and 13573 have voted down the tentative agreements. At issue are health care, job security, pay equity and pensions for the approximately 400 union members.

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District 13 alleges company met with employees individually. Frontier says it’s bargaining in good faith.

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