CWA, AFT, SEIU urge Congress to prioritize access to affordable, reliable broadband

Presidents of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) urged Congress to make access to affordable, reliable broadband a priority. In an op-ed published in The Hill, they stressed that millions of families in the United States do not have access to affordable, reliable broadband internet connections.

The frontline workers that our unions represent have done a heroic job responding to this crisis. Every day they are out there keeping people connected, teaching our children, and providing health care and essential public services. But technicians can’t install high-speed internet service for households without fiber optic cable in their neighborhoods. Teachers can’t keep children who cannot access online materials engaged and learning. Health care workers can’t provide telemedicine services to patients who lack broadband or can’t get a reliable cell phone connection. Any plan for reopening our society and keeping it functional as we navigate life in a post-COVID-19 world will require increased connectivity for students, working people and first responders alike.

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As we persevere through the current public health and economic crises, and begin to recover from them, our elected leaders must recognize the urgent need to transform our nation. It's time to ensure affordable, high-speed broadband access, as well as access to health care for everyone, unimpeded voting rights and the opportunity to join a union no matter where you work. The time for bold action is now.” 

Read the full op-ed here. 

Links:

Congress must make access to affordable, reliable broadband a priority (The Hill, June 3, 2020)