Labor Update (3/14/08)
Friday, March 14, 2008
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Critics Say Verizon Agreement 'Hoodwinks'
DC: A March 5 "Price Cap Settlement" with local phone/cable giant
Verizon "Hoodwinks DC residents," say local labor and consumer advocates. "This
agreement offers false solutions to serious quality of service complaints," Ruth
Castel-Branco of DC Jobs with Justice told UNION CITY. "Verizon's systematic
failure to meet standards is the result of continuous divestment from the city
and a failure by government agencies to hold them accountable," added CWA 2336
President Jim Pappas. Local 2336 represents Verizon employees. "Slow internet
speeds, chronic static on the lines, billing problems -- resident after resident
testified to these issues during the recent Quality of Service hearings for
regulated utilities," added Castel-Branco. "City agencies must ensure that the
public has safe, equal, reliable and quality access to utility services. Its
time to put the 'govern' back in government." Click
here for more info.