FairPoint, workers return to table but no breakthrough as strike continues

The first meeting of FairPoint Communications and representatives of striking workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont since late August has failed to produce a breakthrough.

Unions representing more than 1,700 workers announced that FairPoint declined to modify its demands on Tuesday. The talks in Boston were arranged by a federal mediator and lasted about an hour.

Workers have now been on strike for a month.

FairPoint declared an impasse in late August and imposed a contract that froze the old pension plan and required workers to contribute to health care costs for the first time. Other provisions allow the company to hire contractors and eliminate retiree health care benefits for current workers.