Dec. 5, 2002 – Three areas on St. Croix were affected, the Innovative release said: In Gallows Bay, 200 businesses and residents lost service. In Estate Work and Rest, 400 residents did so. And in La Grande Princesse, 200 residents did.
Repairs were ongoing Thursday afternoon, with no time set for restoration of service to be completed, Innovative Telephone spokesman Tom Dunn said. "However, the Innovative Telephone crews will work straight through until the repairs are completed," he said.
The company has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the line damage that has affected thousands of customers over the last two months.
The vandalism began shortly after members of the United Steelworkers of America, which represents the telephone and cable employees, went on strike after contract negotiations failed.
Innovative and the union recently reached an agreement that will put most of the more than 300 striking employees back on the job. However, some 75 workers were replaced during the eight-week walkout, and the company intends to leave those new hires on the job in place of the individuals who previously held the positions.
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