IP: Labor now supports media merger, Net dereg

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Jeff Chester <jeff () democraticmedia org>
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 16:17:56 -0400
To: farber () cis upenn edu
Subject: Labor now supports media merger, Net dereg

Communications Daily: FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2002 VOL. 22, NO. 115:
"CWA did about-face on proposed merger of Comcast and AT&T Broadband.
After raising concerns, CWA announced
Thurs. that it was supporting merger. Union said merger would expand
access to high-speed Internet services
and "lead to the creation of quality jobs in the industry." CWA said
that after "extended discussions" with Comcast and
AT&T officials, union leaders determined that workers would gain
greater opportunities under merged company, including
more positive labor relations."


"AFL-CIO sent letter to senators urging passage of Breaux-Nickles
Broadband Regulatory Parity Act of 2002
(S-2430). Letter said bill would "bolster the U.S. economy at an
especially critical time." AFL-CIO said more
than 250,000 jobs were lost in telecom sector during current
recession and competition between cable and telephone
companies on broadband would help jump-start Internet economy, with
positive spillover effects throughout
broader economy. AFL-CIO said proposed AT&T-Comcast merger would
create a cable monopoly with
"virtually exclusive access to 40% of U.S. households and would
likely precipitate further consolidation in the cable
industry." Letter said inequitable regulatory treatment has made
telephone companies reluctant to invest in expansion
of broadband network. USTA praised letter and Pres. Walter McCormick
said: "The AFL-CIO's support
for the Breaux-Nickles broadband bill is another strong indication of
the tremendous benefits this bill brings to the
nation's economy." -


------ End of Forwarded Message

For archives see:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/