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Unions Set Global Telecom Agenda
In a multi-nation video news conference this week, leaders from CWA and some of the world's other major telecom unions outlined initiatives to promote universal service and growth in high speed Internet access and to end corporate corruption in an industry in turmoil.
The session was organized by the World Telecom Sector of Union Network International, representing more than 2 million telecom workers in 100 countries. Attending the videoconference were leaders from telecom unions in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Mexico and the United States, plus journalists at all three sites in Washington, London and Mexico City.
Larry Cohen, CWA's executive vice president and president of UNI's Telecom Sector, stressed that the industry's continuing meltdown requires that unions, management and governments focus on providing full financial disclosure, universal affordable service and good jobs with quality service.
"Regulatory policies should be adopted in each nation that encourage investment and universal broadband services, rather than competition at the expense of investment and services," he said.
Jeannie Drake, deputy general secretary of the UK's Communication Workers Union, repeated that message, noting that unions had engaged the government to some degree in the United Kingdom, but much work was yet to be done to make broadband access available to all citizens. This is an issue of national interest and should not be left to the market alone to deliver, she said.
Francisco Hernandez Juarez, general secretary of the Mexican Telephone Workers Union, stressed his opposition to a government proposal that would provide big subsidies to telecom companies and outlined the union's alternate proposal that focuses on improving infrastructure and the availability and cost of service.
In London, remarks also were made by Simon Petch, general secretary of the UK's Connect, and Bo Larsen, president of the Danish telecom union, TKF. The session was moderated by Neil Anderson of UNI's Telecom Sector.
Research papers prepared by the unions on broadband, the meltdown in the communications industry, job losses and other topics also were released. These materials and more information are available on UNI's website, www.union-network.org
The session was organized by the World Telecom Sector of Union Network International, representing more than 2 million telecom workers in 100 countries. Attending the videoconference were leaders from telecom unions in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Mexico and the United States, plus journalists at all three sites in Washington, London and Mexico City.
Larry Cohen, CWA's executive vice president and president of UNI's Telecom Sector, stressed that the industry's continuing meltdown requires that unions, management and governments focus on providing full financial disclosure, universal affordable service and good jobs with quality service.
"Regulatory policies should be adopted in each nation that encourage investment and universal broadband services, rather than competition at the expense of investment and services," he said.
Jeannie Drake, deputy general secretary of the UK's Communication Workers Union, repeated that message, noting that unions had engaged the government to some degree in the United Kingdom, but much work was yet to be done to make broadband access available to all citizens. This is an issue of national interest and should not be left to the market alone to deliver, she said.
Francisco Hernandez Juarez, general secretary of the Mexican Telephone Workers Union, stressed his opposition to a government proposal that would provide big subsidies to telecom companies and outlined the union's alternate proposal that focuses on improving infrastructure and the availability and cost of service.
In London, remarks also were made by Simon Petch, general secretary of the UK's Connect, and Bo Larsen, president of the Danish telecom union, TKF. The session was moderated by Neil Anderson of UNI's Telecom Sector.
Research papers prepared by the unions on broadband, the meltdown in the communications industry, job losses and other topics also were released. These materials and more information are available on UNI's website, www.union-network.org