Striking FairPoint workers say they have received a letter urging them to return to work next week.

More than 1,700 workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have been on strike since Oct. 17 in a contract dispute.

Ken Tremetozee, union president of CWA Local 1400, told WZON-AM the letter from FairPoint said in part the North-Carolina-based telecommunications company would prefer to pay their own workers instead of contractors hired during the strike.

Tremetozee called the letter insulting and said the workers would not return to the job on Monday.

A spokeswoman for FairPoint says the company is willing to negotiate at any time if the union makes a viable offer.