The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Union: Frontier should have faced ‘Stronger conditions’
A union representing Frontier Communications workers in Connecticut said the state’s approval of a plan for the Norwalk-based utility company to leave bankruptcy was “a missed opportunity.”
“(Wednesday’s) decision commits Frontier to expanding its fiber footprint and provides additional protections for Frontier technicians and customer service representatives who are necessary to improving service in Connecticut,” said Dave Weidlich, president of the Communications Workers of America, Local 1298, in a statement.
“However, we believe this was a missed opportunity to follow the lead of other states who have put stronger conditions on Frontier related to capital investment, broadband deployment and workforce retention.”
The union had called for stronger commitments from the telecom company in the lead up to Wednesday’s decision. Those commitments included deploying fiberoptic cable to 200,000 homes in the state, and agreeing to $400 million in capital investments in the state.
A draft decision by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority last month only asked that the company expand fiber broadband to 100,000 homes by 2024. It also stipulated the company remain headquartered in the state for two years, during which it commit to no layoffs.
The Federal Communications Commission approved the plan last month.
A Frontier spokesman said the company was pleased to receive PURA’s approval regarding the change of control proceedings , but he declined further comment.
The union statement also said the union appreciated the work of PURA staff, and other state officials who reviewed Frontier’s reorganization plan.
Weidlich said CWA “remains committed to working with Frontier to provide the best possible service to Connecticut customers and to ensure that Frontier lives up to both the letter and spirit of this decision.
“We hope that this decision will serve as a starting point for Frontier’s continued investment and that Frontier makes a strong, ongoing commitment to Connecticut homes and businesses to provide Connecticut with the connectivity we deserve,” he said.