Union members picket Windstream stockholders meeting

[Omaha Steve]

http://arkansasnews.com/2010/05/05/union-members-picket-windstream-stockholders-meeting/

Posted on 05 May 2010
Tags: AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America


Union members picket a Windstream stockholders meeting in downtown Little Rock. (John Lyon photo)

By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Windstream Corp. stockholders arriving in downtown Little Rock for a meeting today were greeted by about 100 union workers and retirees protesting the company’s efforts to cut retirees’ medical benefits.

The protesters picketed outside the Capital Hotel holding sings that read, “Windstream, your attack on retiree healthcare is a sick idea.” They said the Little Rock-based traditional phone company is trying to cut health benefits for its retirees and retirees of its predecessor companies, even though the benefits had been negotiated by the workers’ union, the Communications Workers of America.

“We have to send a message to Windstream that they can’t bargain in bad faith,” said Linda James of Little Rock, who is retired from the company now known as Verizon. Windstream was spun off in 2007 from Little Rock-based Alltel Corp., which Verizon bought last year.

Windstream spokesman David Avery said the company never promised not to change the benefits.

“The company has always reserved the right to make changes to the plan, including changing benefits and premiums,” Avery said.

Windstream announced in December that as of July 1 it would change some health benefits and eliminate others for retirees, saying a decline in traditional land-line telephone business and the economic downturn made “difficult decisions” necessary if the company was to remain viable.

FULL story at link.

[SocialistLez]

1. Local news actually covered this

The company is also suing workers who criticize the company.