AT&T/Lumen Deal Raises Serious Concerns for CWA Members

Last week, Lumen Technologies (formerly CenturyLink) announced its intention to sell its residential fiber network to AT&T. Lumen would continue to own the copper network that CWA members built and still maintain. The more profitable fiber network, also built and maintained by CWA members, would be transferred to a new subsidiary that AT&T is calling “NetworkCo.” The subsidiary will then be partially sold to an as yet unnamed private equity partner. The structure of this transaction raises serious concerns for Lumen’s workers and customers.

“We are taking a close look at AT&T’s plans for Lumen’s home fiber business to assess the impact on our members and communities,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Our union’s leadership will work with both companies to ensure that our members are respected and protected so that they can continue providing the high-quality service that customers deserve.”

CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister stated, “Our members care deeply about the customers and communities we serve. We have fought to ensure that fiber buildout is done right, with high-quality networks built by experienced union technicians. AT&T’s stated plans for Lumen’s home fiber business put that at risk. CWA members are going to make sure that regulators and elected officials understand and address our concerns as this process moves forward.”

CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt also addressed the issue, saying, “AT&T should be putting its customers and workers first, not its shareholders. Lumen’s customers deserve a first-class fiber network, and that’s what CWA members deliver. Before this transaction is approved, AT&T and Lumen must commit to maintaining a well-trained, directly hired union workforce and make sure that customers who depend on Lumen’s copper network are not left behind.”

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.