FairPoint, union officials hold 1st talks in more than a month

FairPoint and unions officials representing more than 1,700 striking workers have resumed negotiations for the first time in more than a month.

Top leaders from negotiating teams met in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. They were brought together through federal mediation.

Last time they met with a federal mediator in November, the closed-door session ended after an hour with no progress. This time, officials say, the mediator is expected to play a more formal role in the discussions.

Both the company and the union declined comment Sunday evening.

The workers staff call centers and maintain the telephone networks in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. They have been on strike since October.

The company has declared an impasse and has imposed terms of its final offer, including freezing the old pension plan.