It’s now been two months since some 1,700 union workers at FairPoint Communications walked off the job.
The unions and the company are at an impasse over changes FairPoint management wants to make to workers' pensions, health benefits and work rules. Right now, there's no end to the strike in sight.
That means, far away from the picket lines, workers must adjust to the financial and emotional challenges of life on strike.
VPR visited the Jericho home of striking union worker Derek Whitney to learn how he and his family are dealing with the situation - and how long he plans to hold out.
VPR has requested an interview with FairPoint CEO Paul Sunu to discuss the strike's two-month mark and what's next for negotiations, but a company spokeswoman denied that request.
In a letter to Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin this week, Sunu wrote the company would “respond to any serious counterproposal that meaningfully addresses the company’s core issues.”
