CWA Reaches Favorable Settlement in Verizon Copper Network Case before Pennsylvania PUC

In a big victory for Pennsylvania consumers, CWA has reached a settlement with Verizon that will require the company to repair and replace bad cable, defective equipment, faulty back-up batteries, and to take down 15,000 double telephone poles.

The settlement is the result of a CWA complaint before the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) against Verizon for failure to maintain its copper infrastructure in violation of its statutory obligation to provide safe and adequate service to customers.

CWA filed the complaint with the Pennsylvania PUC in October 2015, providing substantial documentation of Verizon’s failure to maintain its copper network. In April 2016, the PUC opened a proceeding to investigate CWA's complaint. CWA submitted exhaustive testimony documenting Verizon's inadequate maintenance of copper facilities and service problems that also endangered public and worker safety.

"For nearly two years, CWA documented Verizon's failure to repair the copper network and equipment, in areas where Verizon has chosen not to build out its FiOS fiber network," said CWA District 2-13 Vice President Ed Mooney. "We submitted those findings, along with substantial and expert testimony about the issue, spotlighting the threat to service quality and public safety. This settlement is a big victory for Pennsylvania consumers, who pay for and expect their telephone service to work."

"This settlement shows that Verizon cannot neglect its copper infrastructure and provide unsafe, inadequate service to its customers in order to maximize profits," Jim Gardler, CWA Local 13000 President, said. "CWA's testimony and evidence of Verizon's neglect spoke volumes. This settlement will help improve service quality and safety for Pennsylvanians. CWA will continue to monitor the issue and regularly meet with Verizon to review progress."

Learn more here.

Read the Philadelphia Inquirer's story here.