On Dec. 5, around 100 union workers and their allies braved the brisk New England cold to demand fair wages and benefits from Fairpoint Communications at a rally in Portsmouth, N.H. Fairpoint workers have been on strike for over 50 days, resisting corporate attempts to slash much-needed health care and pension benefits in order to secure a higher profit for the corporation’s Wall Street benefactors.
Since 2009, the company has cut nearly 1,000 jobs instead of creating the hundreds of jobs that were promised at the time of a corporate merger. Now, Fairpoint is targeting the decent union jobs and benefits that the company’s workers have fought so hard to win. While official negotiations between the union and Fairpoint have been ongoing since November, the company has failed to let up on its relentless attack against its workers. Why should workers’ hard-earned health care benefits and pension funds be used to make up for the effects of the economic crisis and corporate mismanagement/greed?
Despite the conditions, the tone of the rally was spirited and optimistic. Celebrating the 50th day of the strike, workers and allies chanted “One day longer, fifty days stronger!” to emphasize that this struggle will go on until Fairpoint respects its own workers’ basic rights. It was inspiring to see the level of organization and enthusiasm this far into a strike in an area of the country that does not tend to see much political activity of this kind.
Union organizers also set up an inflatable corporate pig, which was well received by those who drove or walked by. Community support for the striking workers runs high because customer service has deteriorated due to the company’s negligence and brazen dismissal of its highly skilled and dedicated employees. Fairpoint Communications maintains telephone/Internet landlines in northern New England. Due to Fairpoint’s irresponsibility and unwillingness to compromise, complaints skyrocketed after service was not restored in a timely manner after an early snowstorm. Besides the customer services issues, people in the area understand that a threat to their neighbors’ working conditions means their own might come under attack one day.
These continuing actions, despite the worsening weather and financial burden of the holiday season, demonstrate how organized labor has won and can continue to win gains for working people. Under socialism, this kind of organization will yield the society we deserve. We will no longer have to stand out in the cold to demand our rights and the rights of others but will be able to democratically organize the economy to meet every worker’s needs. Education, health care and a dignified job will be guaranteed. Until then, we will fight to wrest every reform possible from the ruling class and corporate cronies.
One day longer, one day stronger!
An injury to one is an injury to all!
