LATEST NEWS

March 26 , 2007

Hawaiian Telcom, IBEW Announce Extension of Collective Bargaining Agreement

HONOLULU (March 26, 2007) -- Hawaiian Telcom and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 1357 today announced a tentative agreement to extend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for union employees.

The agreement is subject to ratification by union members and approval by Hawaiian Telcom's Board of Directors.

The current pact had been scheduled to expire on Sept. 1, 2007. The extension agreement will run from Sept. 2, 2007, to Aug. 31, 2008.

The agreement covers roughly two-thirds of the company's approximately 1,700 employees.

"The extension agreement is significant because it will allow the management team to maintain a total focus on improving customer service and proceeding with vital network investments and modernization," said Hawaiian Telcom CEO Mike Ruley. "The company appreciates our ongoing dialogue with IBEW and their efforts to help the company establish a solid foundation for future growth."

“IBEW members have worked hard to serve customers through some very tough times since the company changed ownership,” said Scot Long, Business Manager for IBEW 1357. “In light of recent announcements by the company, these negotiations were challenging. The contract extension is a step toward stabilizing the environment, and it secures benefits and a wage increase for IBEW members. The union will continue to vigorously pursue all avenues to protect the rights of our members.”

About Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom is the state’s leading telecommunications provider, offering a wide spectrum of telecommunications products and services, which include local and long distance service, high-speed Internet, wireless services, and print directory and Internet directory services.