01/11/2010
Preparing For A Crowd
MetroNews, Charleston, Kanawha County
http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=34581 The
state Public Service Commission is expecting a lot of
interest in Tuesday's evidentiary hearing on the proposed
sale of Verizon's landline phone service to Frontier
Communications. Because the case involves two large
companies and hundreds of telecommunications workers here in
West Virginia, it's garnered a lot of media attention.
Sarah Robertson with the PSC says they're planning for a big
turnout. "We fully expect this will be a very well attended
hearing and we're doing everything we can to try and
accommodate for that," she told MetroNews.
The PSC hearing room can seat 56 Twenty additional folding
chairs can be set up along the wall, bringing the total
occupancy of the room to 76. If that isn't enough space,
the PSC has a second hearing room where people can watch the
hearing on closed circuit TV.Robertson says they haven't
finalized anything yet.
"It's just something we're going to have to look at tomorrow
(Tuesday) and see how many people do show up." The first
part of the hearing will be for public comments. The PSC
has already received dozens of written comments from those
for and against the project.
"They [the PSC] do kind of have a gauge as to what a lot of
public comment is: the good, the bad, the ugly, etc..."
If you want to speak at the hearing, you'll need to sign up
before the hearing starts. Robertson says depending on how
many people want to voice opinions, the PSC may have to
limit comment.
If you can't attend the hearing but want to follow it, you
can log on to the PSC website at
www.psc.state.wv.us and watch the proceedings. The
hearing gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
It's expected to last through Thursday.
Gov. Manchin Joins Public Rally Against Sale of Verizon
Charleston, WV -- Just days before the first
hearing at the Public Service Commission,
Governor Joe Manchin made a surprise appearance
at a large rally of labor and community groups
opposed to the proposed sale of Verizon's
telephone lines to much smaller Frontier
Communications.
Gov. Manchin joined CWA President Larry Cohen, CWA District
2 VP Ron Collins, United Mineworkers President Cecil Roberts
and many other labor and community leaders on the stage to
say that he would do everything in his power to make the
proposed deal work for the working families of West Virginia
-- not just for the Wall Street bankers.
Other rally speakers included Sen. Jack Yost, Del. Mike
Caputo, state AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue, and
representatives from the firefighters, nurses and senior
citizens.
Pictures from the rally may be viewed on a photo sharing
website at:http://picasaweb.google.com/randwilson.aflcio/WestVirginiaRallyToStopTheSale
Over 800 people attended the rally that was one
of the last opportunities for the public to
voice opposition to the proposed deal before the
West Virginia Public Service Commission begins
its hearings on the matter on Tuesday, January
12.
"We need to bring high speed broadband to West Virginia and
communities across the country, to foster economic growth,"
Cohen said. "Instead, Verizon is using a tax loopholes to
do a tax free deal that will leave West Virginia with
without a platform for achieving the speeds that are
necessary for economic development. This deal is good for
only good for Wall Street, not Main Street."
Matt Vinci, a firefighter from Vermont, warned West
Virginian's about the impact a similar Verizon landline sale
to now bankrupt FairPoint had on 911 service in Northern New
England.
The rally took place in the Culture Center. Live music was
provided by the Carpenter Ants.
The PSC can deny the deal if the three-person panel
determines the sale isn't in the public's best interest. In
November the expert analysts at the PSC and consumer
advocate submitted testimony in opposition to the deal due
to the risks CWA and others have pointed out.
VERIZON'S NEW
"FRONTIER"
Verizon is attempting to abandon rural
customers, communities, and employees by
selling off it's network to Frontier.
There is also another "new frontier" at
Verizon-a frontier that forgets who
forged their path to success.
A new frontier that includes:
Sale of WV to Frontier
Unfair Productivity Standards
Lack of respect
Poor management
Poor communications
Unreasonable work rules
Unjust discipline
WHAT'S NEXT??? CWA
will fight to insure that our members
and customers will not be "SOLD OUT".
STOP VERIZON'S NEW
FRONTIER
___________________________
Verizon's Announcement
to Sell Off WV Access Lines
In the wake of Verizon's announcement of their plan to sell
off its West Virginia access lines to Frontier, CWA has
begun analyzing the situation and developing a plan.
We intend to be fully engaged utilizing all of our resources
which include, among other things, our members, political
allies and the Public Service Commission. To predict the
outcome or the specific impact on our members, at this time,
would be premature and merely speculation. It is now more
important than ever to be involved and stay informed. By
phone, we can be reached at 304 344-2001. Recorded
information is available by calling 304 342-8000.
Membership meetings are held the second Thursday of every
month at 7pm
In unity,
Letha "Lee" Perry
President CWA Local 2001
304 344-2001
UNION
Un-ion --
n.
organized
body of
employees
who work
together
to
upgrade
their
working
conditions
and
wages.
(Webster’s
Dictionary)
|
|
|
Turn
Around America Rally
Click Here for More Pictures
Gerry Horgan
Courtesy of CWA
Local 1103
