DC Jobs with Justice Corner: Connect-DC Launches Campaign for Good Jobs, Service with DC FiOS Expansion:

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
The Connect-DC campaign launched an email campaign Wednesday to pressure DC city officials to ensure that Verizon's FiOS expansion in the District creates good jobs and provides high quality and affordable telecommunications services in DC. The campaign launch followed the DC government's announcement earlier this week that it had reached an agreement with Verizon to bring FiOS - Verizon's new high-speed fiber optics network - to the District. The Connect-DC campaign - which had been pushing for FiOS expansion in DC - celebrated the agreement but warned of Verizon's history of worker abuse and poor customer service in its race to bring FiOS to Maryland and Virginia. "In Maryland and Virginia, FiOS installation has been far from hassle-free," says the campaign. "Verizon has subcontracted the installation work to companies who used low-income day laborers and then didn't pay them for their work while moving a third of its jobs out of DC." Verizon has also cut traditional copper lines, forcing customers to pay for FiOS or lose their service, and has hired non-union workers that have cut down trees and torn up streets and sidewalks in a rush to meet deadlines. The City Council is set to vote on approval of the FiOS agreement in September. Connect-DC is working to make sure that violations do not happen in DC, and that Verizon commits to training and hiring DC residents to do this important work. Click here to participate in the email campaign.
- report by DC Jobs with Justice Organizer Ruth Castel-Branco