CWA union running anti-Verizon TV ad in Pennsylvania

The union representing Verizon employees is taking to the airwaves to complain about a deal they don’t think is good for consumers, or the union.

 

“Behind closed doors Verizon and the Big Cable Companies have cooked up a cable deal that would raise prices and cut jobs,” begins the ad from the Communications Workers of America (CWA).  It goes on to say that if Verizon makes deals with cable companies to sell their services, it won’t build its own. The ad says that will stifle competition with Comcast and others. The union worries it would mean less work for its members.

CWA’s Candice Johnson says the union wants people to complain to the Federal Communications Commission about the proposal. “Lots of parts of Pennsylvania throughout Scranton and Wilkes-Barre just have no choice when it comes to broadband,” said Johnson.

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Ed McFadden of Verizon says the ad is a negotiating tactic during protracted contract talks. He says the company continues to roll out FIOS service to lure away cable customers.

“Given the level of revenue that Verizon FIOS represents for the company there is no way that we would not be competing for the lifetime potential of the customer over the long term using our services, compared to a one time small commission from another company,” said McFadden.

McFadden says 60 percent of Verizon’s non-cell phone revenue comes from FIOS.

This disclosure, WHYY content partner NBC-10 is owned by Comcast.

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