International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) urged FCC ...
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) urged FCC to leave state regulators in charge of determining wholesale line rates for competitive telecom companies. “The IBEW urges you to maintain the FCC’s support of a strong UNE- P policy nationally,…
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because I believe it fosters competition, economic growth and job creation,” IBEW Pres. Edwin Hill said in Dec. 19 letter to FCC Chmn. Powell that was made public Wed. “We oppose the imposition of a one- size-fits-all approach on this issue. State regulators have the best grasp of local conditions that would affect the setting of wholesale line rates, and they should be allowed to continue to make decisions in best interest of consumers, workers and communities.” Hill said adopting regulations that would curtail local competition would create fewer jobs, noting that about 485,000 telecom workers have already lost jobs. House Commerce Judiciary Ranking Democrat Conyers (Mich.) praised IBEW for its position, calling it “win-win for working people” and “enlightened approach for organized labor.” Conyers release joined Hill in criticizing Bell companies for laying people off while earnings, profits and executive competition for RBOCs rose. Hill’s criticism of Bell layoffs came in press release, but weren’t mentioned in letter to Powell.