If approved, as currently structured, the merger would present significant public internet harms to Lifeline subscribers and competition in the wireless market, impacting the ability of low-income households to access critical communications services.“

"I'm ecstatic at this settlement, it's a huge win for me and all contract employees at Google and other Alphabet companies," said Shannon Wait, a member of CWA Local 1400's Alphabet Workers Union (AWU). "It's far too easy for contractors like Modis to make us believe that we aren't allowed to publicly discuss our working conditions or join unions, and Alphabet and Google turn a blind eye to this gaslighting. Now, because I had the support of my union to call them out on it, they'll be forced to inform us all of our rights."

"Verizon's acquisition of TracFone as it stands today could harm millions of low-income families during a pandemic," said CWA Senior Researcher Brian Thorn. "The FCC has a responsibility to step in and ask what Verizon will do to protect consumers from further consolidation of the wireless industry."