DOJ Seeks to Block AT&T Deal with T-Mobile, Jeopardizing New Jobs

Just as AT&T announced this week that it would return 5,000 wireless jobs to the United States following its pending merger with T-Mobile USA, the U.S. Justice Department announced it was seeking to block the deal.

CWA and AT&T sharply criticized the DOJ's decision, but said the battle is only beginning. Both CWA and the company have argued that the merger would create nearly 100,000 jobs as AT&T accelerates the build-out of high-speed broadband to 97 percent of the nation.

"The DOJ's action would put good jobs and workers' rights at the bottom of the government's priorities," CWA President Larry Cohen said, noting the news one day earlier that AT&T would bring home a net 5,000 jobs once the merger is complete. "That is the kind of corporate responsibility that more employers in the U.S. should demonstrate if we are ever to have an economic recovery.

"Instead of acting to block this merger, our government should be looking to support companies that create, keep and return good jobs to the United States," Cohen said.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said, "These jobs will provide quality wages and benefits and good working conditions for U.S. workers — exactly what's needed to help turn around our struggling economy."