Three US senators to CenturyLink: don’t use federal funds to outsource jobs

Three US senators have expressed “deep concern” about CenturyLink’s decision to outsource jobs funded through the federal Connect America Fund broadband subsidy.

Last August, CenturyLink accepted more than $3 billion – $505.7 million per year for six years – from the Connect America Fund (CAF), an FCC program to help carriers expand 10/1 Mbps broadband service to high-cost rural locations. The Communications Workers of America, which represents 16,000 CenturyLink employees, anticipated that the work would be done by union workers, supporting good jobs in rural America.

Instead, CenturyLink decided to outsource most CAF-funded installation, activation, test, and turn-up work – without any discussion with CWA. Now the union is fighting to protect its members and middle-class jobs.

“CWA-represented CenturyLink technicians have years of experience installing, activating, and testing broadband equipment and networks. They know the state of the current network and are already on-site to do the work,” CWA President Chris Shelton wrote in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, adding that contractors often add cost and delay to network construction project.

“We look to [the FCC] to assist CWA in making sure the federal CAF-II funds are not used to undermine good, middle-class jobs in rural and urban communities,” Shelton concluded. So far, there’s been no resolution between CenturyLink and CWA.

But three rural senators – Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) – have taken notice and weighed in, writing letters to CenturyLink CEO Glen Post urging him to reconsider the company’s decision.

“Throughout the development of the CAF-II program, we fully expected the CAF-II investment to support quality, sustainable jobs in rural communities,” Sens. Murray and Cantwell wrote in their letter. “CenturyLink’s decision to utilize contractors as opposed to its own qualified, career employees undermines the job security and middle-class living standards that are so important to the economic strength of rural communities.”  

A fast and fair resolution will ensure the federally supported build-out is completed quickly by trained professionals. “Given the importance of this project, it is my hope that CenturyLink and its partners quickly reach agreement,” wrote Sen. Klobuchar in her letter.

Links:

AT&T, CenturyLink accept more than $900 million in CAF money (Speed Matters, Aug. 28, 2015)

Letter from CWA President Chris Shelton to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler (CWA, June 27, 2016)

Letter from Sens. Murray and Cantwell to CenturyLink CEO Glen Post (US Senate, July 28,

2016)

Letter from Sen. Klobuchar to CenturyLink CEO Glen Post (US Senate, Aug. 8, 2016)