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CWA Update on CenturyLink/Qwest Merger
CWA leaders met with representatives from Qwest and CenturyLink on June 24 to express concerns about the potential merger of the two corporations and the impact of the merger on CWA bargaining unit members at both companies. The meeting, originally scheduled for 3 hours, extended for the entire day. Though there is no specific progress to report, the parties agreed to continue discussions through the coming weeks.
In the meantime, CWA has filed to intervene in the public service commission proceedings regarding the merger in four states: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota. Other states will also be reviewing the merger, but CWA will intervene in only four based on past experience with regard to their receptivity to union positions.
Other parties have petitioned to intervene in the proceedings as well.
State |
Parties Who Have Petitioned to Intervene |
|
Arizona |
CWA, Cox, Integra, Level 3, Pac West Telecomm, AZ Residential Utility Customer Office, US Department of Defense and Federal Executive Agencies |
|
Colorado |
CWA, Integra, Level 3, Staff of the CO Public Utilities Commission |
|
Iowa |
CWA, 360Networks, Cedar Falls Utilities, Cox, LISCO, MCC Telephony, Office of Consumer Affairs, PAETEC, Sprint, US Cellular, Windstream |
|
Minnesota |
CWA, 360Networks, McLeod, Sprint |
Following is a schedule of upcoming proceedings and deadlines in those four states and the FCC. Schedules are subject to change.
Date |
State |
Proceeding/Deadline |
Notes |
|
02-Jul |
MN |
Deadline for Replies to Interventions |
Companies have opportunity to reply to parties requesting to intervene. They can challenge points raised in the statements and can challenge the party's interest in the proceeding. |
|
02-Jul |
CO |
Deadline for Intervention |
CWA has already intervened |
|
07-Jul |
IA |
Deadline for CTL+Q to provide information |
The Utilities Board requested the company to provide more information to comply with Board rules about process and also asked for more detailed information about the structure and finances of the merged company. |
|
07-Jul |
MN |
Pre-hearing conference |
|
|
12-Jul |
FCC |
Comments due. |
Interested parties may file comments in response to CTL+Q's application for merger. |
|
16-Jul |
CO |
Intervenor testimony due. |
Date is tentative. Parties who wish to make comments must file written testimony. |
|
27-Jul |
FCC |
Reply comments due. |
CTL+Q must respond to intervenor comments. |
|
28-Jul |
IA |
Deadline for written testimony. |
Intervenors must file written direct testimony. |
|
09-Aug |
IA |
Reply testimony due. |
CTL+Q must respond to intervenor comments/testimony. |
|
01-Sep |
IA |
Hearing |
Utilies Board holds public hearing. |
|
02-Sep |
IA |
Hearing |
Utilies Board holds public hearing. |
|
15-Sep |
AZ |
Public hearing |
|
|
27-Sep |
AZ |
Direct testimony due |
Intervenors must file written direct testimony. |
|
27-Sep |
IA |
Post hearing briefs due |
Parties must file briefs including responses to issues raised during hearlng. |
|
27-Oct |
AZ |
CTL+Q rebuttal testimony due |
Companies can respond to comments and testimony of other parties. |
|
10-Nov |
AZ |
Surrebuttal testimony due |
Parties can respond to companies comments. |
|
12-Nov |
AZ |
Pre-hearing conference |
|
|
15-Nov |
AZ |
Commission hearing |
|
|
16-Nov |
AZ |
Commission hearing |
|
|
19-Nov |
AZ |
Commission hearing |
|
|
30-Nov |
MN |
OAH to report to PUC |
Commission had referred case to Office of Administrative Hearings to determine whether merger is in the public interest. OAH to receive testimony, hold hearings and issue report to PUC. |