May 14, 2010
Union Weighing Options in Wake of PSC Approval of Verizon/Frontier Sale
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
The Communications Workers of America said Friday, May 14, 2010 that they are weighing their options after yesterday’s (May 13) approval by the West Virginia Public Service Commission of the sale of the Verizon’s phone lines in the state to Frontier Communications.
“We’re in the process of evaluating the order,” said CWA District 2 Vice-President Ron Collins. “After full review we’ll look at what we can do that will best serve West Virginia consumers and CWA members.”
The union has 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration. It can also appeal directly to the state Supreme Court.
“Of course, we’re disappointed but we’re heartened by the fact that at least one person on the three-member commission agreed with us and more than 80 legislators, several county commissions and a broad coalition of consumer, union and first responder organizations that this deal is too risky and not in the public’s interest,” Collins said, adding that “The split decision shows our arguments about the deal had validity.”
Collins also pointed out the commission’s ruling earlier this week requiring Verizon to put $72 million into an escrow account to improve the company’s aging copper network shows the commission agrees with the union on the issue of Verizon’s quality of service.
“The ink was barely dry on the first ruling which, in essence, says Verizon hasn’t done its job in taking care of its operations,” Collins said. “To give them a pass to leave the state and turn over these problem-riddled lines to a smaller company doesn’t make a lot of sense to us.
“The $72 million ruling also shows Frontier didn’t know what it was buying when it entered into this deal. Had they known the true conditions of the operations and that the PSC would require $72 million of improvements, would they have committed billions to this deal?”
CWA, which has opposed the deal since it was first announced one year ago, maintains Verizon shouldn’t be allowed to leave West Virginia without first fixing its problems. As a public utility, the PSC has the power to take action and Collins said the $72 million isn’t enough. Today is the deadline for Verizon to put the $72 million into an escrow account.
The PSC ruling also set out conditions that must be met by Frontier. CWA is reviewing those conditions, too.
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Union Weighing Options in Wake of PSC Approval of Verizon/Frontier Sale
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
The Communications Workers of America said Friday, May 14, 2010 that they are weighing their options after yesterday’s (May 13) approval by the West Virginia Public Service Commission of the sale of the Verizon’s phone lines in the state to Frontier Communications.
“We’re in the process of evaluating the order,” said CWA District 2 Vice-President Ron Collins. “After full review we’ll look at what we can do that will best serve West Virginia consumers and CWA members.”
The union has 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration. It can also appeal directly to the state Supreme Court.
“Of course, we’re disappointed but we’re heartened by the fact that at least one person on the three-member commission agreed with us and more than 80 legislators, several county commissions and a broad coalition of consumer, union and first responder organizations that this deal is too risky and not in the public’s interest,” Collins said, adding that “The split decision shows our arguments about the deal had validity.”
Collins also pointed out the commission’s ruling earlier this week requiring Verizon to put $72 million into an escrow account to improve the company’s aging copper network shows the commission agrees with the union on the issue of Verizon’s quality of service.
“The ink was barely dry on the first ruling which, in essence, says Verizon hasn’t done its job in taking care of its operations,” Collins said. “To give them a pass to leave the state and turn over these problem-riddled lines to a smaller company doesn’t make a lot of sense to us.
“The $72 million ruling also shows Frontier didn’t know what it was buying when it entered into this deal. Had they known the true conditions of the operations and that the PSC would require $72 million of improvements, would they have committed billions to this deal?”
CWA, which has opposed the deal since it was first announced one year ago, maintains Verizon shouldn’t be allowed to leave West Virginia without first fixing its problems. As a public utility, the PSC has the power to take action and Collins said the $72 million isn’t enough. Today is the deadline for Verizon to put the $72 million into an escrow account.
The PSC ruling also set out conditions that must be met by Frontier. CWA is reviewing those conditions, too.
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