ON THE HEELS OF BANKRUPTCY ANNOUNCEMENT, SCHUMER CALLS WINDSTREAM CEO TO URGE HIM TO PRESERVE ROCHESTER’S ROUGHLY 700 JOBS; RECEIVES COMMITMENT THAT BANKRUPTCY FILING WILL NOT CREATE JOB CUTS & ROCHESTER OPERATIONS WILL REMAIN UNAFFECTED

Windstream Services, Which Employs Roughly 700 People In Monroe County, Recently Declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Following Loss Of Lawsuit To Hedge Fund 

Schumer Calls Windstream CEO Anthony Thomas To Urge Him To Keep Jobs; Windstream CEO Confirms Commitment To Rochester And Promises To Preserve Jobs 

Schumer To Windstream CEO: Protecting Windstream’s Rochester Employees Must Be A Top Priority

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, on a personal call with Windstream Services CEO Anthony Thomas, pushed for and received assurances that no jobs in their Rochester operation would be impacted by the company’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Schumer explained that Windstream declared bankruptcy following a judge’s ruling that the company had to forfeit $310 million to a hedge fund, forcing the company to conduct a financial reorganization under the bankruptcy process.

Schumer said that Windstream Services is a critical provider of internet and phone services and, most importantly, roughly 700 jobs in Monroe County. Not only did Schumer push for and secure a commitment from Mr. Thomas that none of these jobs in Rochester would be impacted by the bankruptcy process, he also pushed for and received a commitment that Windstream’s day-to-day operations in the Rochester-Finger Lakes would continue unaffected as well, ensuring that customers will continue receiving quality services. Schumer called Windstream a well-run company in Rochester and applauded its dedication to the local workforce and economy.

“I spoke with Windstream Services CEO Tony Thomas, and told him that protecting the roughly 700 jobs in Windstream’s Rochester operation is crucial and should be a top priority during the company’s bankruptcy proceedings and financial reorganization. I was very pleased by Mr. Thomas’s assurances that the company will not be cutting any jobs in Rochester and that day-to-day operations will remain unaffected,” said Senator Schumer. “Windstream is a top-notch provider of internet and phone services in the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, and most importantly, of roughly 700 good-paying jobs. Windstream’s dedication to the Rochester workforce – which can compete with any in the world – is admirable and well-founded, and I’ll keep doing whatever I can to help – and will continue to watch like a hawk to see that jobs are preserved in Rochester.”

Windstream Services was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Windstream moved into Rochester’s Seneca Building in 2011, following their acquisition of PAETEC Holding Corp for a reported $2.3 billion. Today, Windstream employs roughly 700 people in Rochester and roughly 12,000 across the country.

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