Press Release
07-30-09 - D&E Communications Employees in Birdsboro, PA Ratify New Three-Year Labor Contract
D&E COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2009 | CONTACT PERSON: |
EPHRATA, PA, (July 29, 2009) - D&E Communications, Inc. (D&E) (Nasdaq: DECC), a leading provider of integrated communications services in central and eastern Pennsylvania reported a contract ratification with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 1671, representing 62 D&E employees in Birdsboro, PA. The agreement was ratified on July 15, 2009. The company and union bargaining committees worked together during the last several months to address issues that were priorities for both parties recognizing the increased competition in the telecommunications business, the challenging economic times and the importance of hiring and retaining the best employees with competitive wages and benefits.
The new contract calls for discontinuation of future benefit accruals under the Union Pension Plan as of January 1, 2010. All active participants will continue to have accrued benefits reflecting their service credit and eligible wages through December 31, 2009. A one-time payment will be offered to all union employees who are or will be eligible for unreduced retirement benefits by December 31, 2009 and who elect to retire by December 31, 2009. This is similar to the onetime payment opportunity offered to eligible non-union employees in January, 2009 who are or will be eligible for unreduced retirement benefits by December 31, 2009 and who elect to retire by December 31, 2009. The IBEW and the Company agreed to no wage increase for 2009 and a 1.25% increase for years 2010 and 2011. A five-hundred dollar ratification payment was made to union employees on July 20, 2009.
About D&E Communications
D&E is a leading integrated communications provider offering high-speed data, Internet access, local and long distance telephone, business continuity services, co-location facilities, data and professional IT services, network monitoring, security solutions and video services. Based in Lancaster County, D&E has been serving communities in central and eastern Pennsylvania for more than 100 years. For more information, visit www.decommunications.com.