Communications Workers of America
The Gigapower Gamble
In 2023, AT&T announced a 50/50 joint venture with the investment firm BlackRock to form an open-access fiber network company called Gigapower, with AT&T Fiber as the anchor tenant. The Communications Workers of America (CWA), which represents the majority of AT&T’s frontline workforce, has closely tracked the Gigapower build-out in several markets. This report is the first in a series of market spotlights looking at Gigapower’s deployments nationwide, and finds the following:
A Report Card for Broadband Projects Funded by the American Rescue Plan
States and localities find themselves in a historic moment in relation to broadband investment.
CWA members urge Congress to pass the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act (Communications Workers of America)
Submitted by zwalker@benton.org on Mon, 01/29/2024 - 15:12CWA urges state broadband offices to prioritize fiber and fair labor practices (Communications Workers of America)
Submitted by zwalker@benton.org on Mon, 01/29/2024 - 15:08CWA and Frontier Communications Reach Agreement on New Contract (Communications Workers of America)
Submitted by dclay@benton.org on Mon, 08/28/2023 - 12:49CWA exposes Frontier Communications’ dangerous use of subcontractors in an ad campaign (Communications Workers of America)
Submitted by dclay@benton.org on Fri, 12/09/2022 - 13:55National Labor Relations Board orders T-Mobile to disband illegal workplace organization (Communications Workers of America)
Submitted by dclay@benton.org on Fri, 12/09/2022 - 13:54
Unions Write a Letter of Support to the Senate for Gigi Sohn's Confirmation to the the FCC
Unions representing millions of workers in telecommunications, tech, and media as well as most sectors of the US wrote the US Senate to strongly support Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society] for the role of Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and urge swift action on her nomination. The FCC needs a fully seated commission in order to make critical decisions during a period of increased federal investment in broadband networks and digital equity initiatives.
Communications Workers of America, in Partnership with Community College District, Wins Grant for Fiber Apprenticeship Program
The Communications Workers of America District 9, in partnership with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, has been awarded a $5.8 million grant to expand its apprenticeship training programs for fiber technicians at its existing training center in San Jose and three additional sites across California. Large-scale public investment in broadband will require a statewide workforce of well-trained fiber technicians, which CWA aims to expand by offering high-quality training and financial support for apprentices. These programs will increase awareness and adoption of the apprenticesh