Chris Koecher

Koecher is vice president of Communications Workers of America Local 7270, based in Burnsville, which represents workers at Frontier Communications. Last week, he participated in a national CWA Next Generation conference at the Minneapolis Hilton.

The 32-year-old works in dispatch and operations at Frontier, but got involved in his union as he and his fellow workers struggled with job transfers, layoffs and pay cuts.

As the company’s stock price plummeted, losing 60 percent of its value, CEO Maggie Wilderotter was awarded a 77 percent increase in compensation.

“Why is that OK?” Koecher asked. He said the company has turned a deaf ear to workers’ ideas, noting “The union has got ideas on how to make the company functional and profitable. They never listen to us.”

“We have to fight now before there’s nothing left to fight for,” Koecher said.

The key, he said, is to “build coalitions and reach out to community groups,” he said. “It can’t just be about the labor movement. It can’t just be about us. It can’t just be about our jobs anymore. It has to be about the 99 percent.”

A Christian, Koecher said he draws on his faith and Biblical teachings about loving your enemies and helping the poor. “My faith is my drive to do this,” he said.

Koecher said he was excited to learn new skills at the Next Generation conference and see other young people who are stepping up to be leaders.

“The older generation is stuck on the ways that worked in the ‘60s, ‘70s and even ‘80s. In order to be successful, we’re going to have to change.”

Related article
Young workers stage ‘die-in’ at Wells Fargo