CWA: AT&T/DIRECTV Merger Will Advance Broadband Buildout and Benefit Consumers, Workers

The proposed AT&T/DIRECTV merger will advance the deployment of high-speed broadband, strengthen competition in the video and broadband markets, and promote collective bargaining and good, career jobs, the Communications Workers of America said in comments filed today with the Federal Communications Commission. CWA urged the Commission to move forward expeditiously to approve the transaction.

Read the full filing here.

The AT&T/DIRECTV merger will improve the economics for AT&T's investment in high-speed broadband, the critical infrastructure for the 21st century, CWA said. Video is the major driver of broadband expansion, producing the revenue stream to support investment in high-speed networks. As a stronger video competitor, a merged AT&T/DIRECTV will have the economic incentives to increase investment in the high-capacity networks that are so essential to drive economic growth, jobs, and the social benefits enabled by high-speed digital technology.

"The AT&T/DIRECTV transaction is good for employees and good, career U.S. jobs," CWA said.

AT&T has the largest full-time union labor force of any company in the United States and its collective bargaining agreements define pay and benefits, rights, protections, and fair treatment. AT&T respects the collective bargaining process, and as guaranteed by CWA's collective bargaining agreements, AT&T's labor relations policies that support collective bargaining will extend to DIRECTV's non-management workforce after the transaction.

CWA represents 110,000 employees in AT&T's wireline, wireless, and broadband lines of business.