IBIB LONGWORTH HOUSE BUILDING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS WASHINGTON, DC EOSIS SUSCOMMITTEES: AGRICULTURE. RURAL RELATED AGENCIES PHONE: l6 FAX: 202-225?5590 INIERIOR. ENVIRONMENT. AND RELATED AGENCIES CHELLIE PINGREE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES IST DISTRICT, MAINE December 19, 2014 PaulH.Sunu Chief Executive Officer FairPoint Communications 521 Morehead Street, Suite 500 Charlotte, NC 28202 Dear Mr. Sunu: I am deeply disappointed that the strike has continued for over two months. It is nearly Christmas, and yet hundreds of dedicated, skilled and experienced workers are still off the job, out in the cold, walking a picket line. The workers have offered significant concessions of over $200 million and shown a willingness to discuss a labor agreement at any time and in any place, yet the company seems to be stuck on a demand for $700 million in cuts. Maine?and the rest of New England?depends on FairPoint for maintaining a critical telecommunications infrastructure. This infrastructure is best maintained by the experienced and highly qualified workers who have been on the job for years. It doesn't seem to me that the company's push to outsource jobs to low paid and less experienced contractors is the best way to maintain this infrastructure. The ongoing strike and what seems like an unwillingness to compromise on the part of the company is bad for the workers and their families, bad for the telecommunications systems in New England and bad for our region's economy. The company?s insufficient response to these contract negotiations causes me to question whether taxpayer dollars are being wisely spent on government contracts with FairPoint. I urge FairPoint to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract so these highly skilled employees can go back to work repairing and maintaining our telecommunications infrastructure. Sincerely, Chellie Pingree Member of Congress a PORTLAND FISI-I PIER, SUITE 304 [08 MAIN STREET PORTLAND, ME WATERVILLE. ME O49CJI PHONE: PHONE: 207?873?5?13 FAX: 207 ~87 I 20 FAX: 207 ?873?57 7