CWA Evaluates Impact of AT&T-Bell South Merger

CWA President Larry Cohen said the proposed merger of AT&T and Bell South could provide a real opportunity for job growth and opportunity if carried out properly. "The merger has enormous implications for workers, as well as millions of customers. But CWA needs to ensure that the change is beneficial to our members and the communities they serve," he said.

CWA has not yet endorsed the deal. The union is holding meetings with Bell South management over the regulatory process and will continue discussions about the company's commitment for jobs to remain in Bell South territory, said CWA District 3 Vice President Noah Savant. Only then will a decision be made about endorsing the merger, he said.

The United States has slipped from leading the world's economies in telecom services to 16th, and likely will fall to 18th in the weeks ahead because of a patchwork approach to the rollout of high speed communications for all citizens, Cohen said. Unlike much of the world, U.S. policy has not even clarified basic standards for broadband speed. This has resulted in lagging development for U.S. users, he said.

Government, policy makers and citizens must understand the true promise of high speed communications, Cohen said. "Equally important is that our potential to regain the global lead in communications services as the backbone of our economy not simply be an adjunct to entertainment for the rich and upper middle class," he said.

Our country must acknowledge that universal service should be defined on the basis of universal broadband deployment, not the U.S. voice dial tone standard, Cohen said.

CWA represents about 200,000 workers at AT&T, Bell South and Cingular Wireless, the joint venture of the two companies.