Campaign Heats Up to Stop Verizon Landline Sale

More than 200 CWA and IBEW members rallied in Burlington, Vt., on June 2 to tell Vermont's Public Service Board that Verizon's proposed sale of its landlines to FairPoint Communications would leave northern New England stranded with outmoded telecommunications. Verizon has proposed selling its landlines in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont for $2.72 billion.

"Even though it's one of the richest telecom firms in the world, Verizon has failed to include much of Vermont in its plans to build a high-speed broadband data network," said Meg Collins, an 18-year Verizon service rep and executive vice president of CWA Local 1400. "If this sale goes through, Vermont's and all of Northern New England's citizens will be 'road kill' on the information superhighway."

Her message was echoed by other Verizon workers and lawmakers. State Rep. Ernie Shand, a former telecom worker, stressed the community service aspect of the campaign. "We are here to do what we do best – take care of our people. Mergers can be a painful process, but the great thing about telephone people is they care about the people they serve."

Recently, Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington, Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin and key House and Senate committee chairs – honoring an amendment to the governor's telecommunications bill – wrote to Vermont's Public Service Board and Department of Public Service, recommending "that any company seeking to acquire the assets and network of Verizon New England, Inc. have the capabilities and intentions to furnish broadband services that are sufficient to meet the rapidly evolving needs of Vermont residents, businesses and institutions."

Meanwhile, with further hearings scheduled in all three states, the campaign is urging union members and the public to call, write or e-mail their state senators in Maine, urging them to support LD 1866, a bill based on similar language, essentially requiring that any purchaser of Verizon's landlines have sufficient assets to provide state-of-the-art services. A vote is expected soon.