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Join Call for Scrutiny of Sprint/MCI WorldCom Merger
CWA and unions abroad are turning up the heat on the proposed $115 billion merger of MCI WorldCom and Sprint, as the deal faces increasing scrutiny by the Federal Communications Commission and the European Union.
Union Network International, representing 15 million members in 920 unions worldwide — including CWA — has called upon the European Commission of 14 member states to take strong regulatory action against the megamerger.
“Combining these two telecommunications giants would be a gigantic step backward for Europe’s developing telecommunications industry, for workers of the two companies and for European consumers,” said Philip Boyer, UNI deputy general secretary.
In an editorial drafted for European newspapers Jan. 14, Bowyer pointed out that the merger would thwart competition by combining Europe’s largest Internet backbone, owned by MCI WorldCom, with its second largest, owned by Sprint.
“History shows that MCI WorldCom and Sprint, two avowedly antiunion companies, will contemplate layoffs after the merger,” Boywer said. “Without trade union support, employees will be helpless to protect their livelihoods.”
CWA International Affairs Director Eduardo Diaz said UNI has encouraged thousands of European workers to express their concerns through letters to their elected representatives in the European Parliament, urging them to demand from the commission “a full and comprehensive review of the implications of the merger for Europe’s Internet backbone.”
They join Sprint employees in the United States, who, at the urging of CWA Telecommunications Vice President T.O. Moses, are directing similar letters to FCC Chairman William Kennard.
Union Network International, representing 15 million members in 920 unions worldwide — including CWA — has called upon the European Commission of 14 member states to take strong regulatory action against the megamerger.
“Combining these two telecommunications giants would be a gigantic step backward for Europe’s developing telecommunications industry, for workers of the two companies and for European consumers,” said Philip Boyer, UNI deputy general secretary.
In an editorial drafted for European newspapers Jan. 14, Bowyer pointed out that the merger would thwart competition by combining Europe’s largest Internet backbone, owned by MCI WorldCom, with its second largest, owned by Sprint.
“History shows that MCI WorldCom and Sprint, two avowedly antiunion companies, will contemplate layoffs after the merger,” Boywer said. “Without trade union support, employees will be helpless to protect their livelihoods.”
CWA International Affairs Director Eduardo Diaz said UNI has encouraged thousands of European workers to express their concerns through letters to their elected representatives in the European Parliament, urging them to demand from the commission “a full and comprehensive review of the implications of the merger for Europe’s Internet backbone.”
They join Sprint employees in the United States, who, at the urging of CWA Telecommunications Vice President T.O. Moses, are directing similar letters to FCC Chairman William Kennard.