Verizon has announced their desire to sell off nearly 3.4 million telephone lines in the Midwest. Verizon is ready to abandon thousands of local telephone consumers in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. The proposed sale would be a disaster for workers and consumers.

Ask your state legislators to speak out against this plan and in favor of quality service and good jobs.  Add your own comments to our sample letter below, then provide your name and address information to send the message.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Verizon has announced their desire to sell off nearly 3.4 million telephone lines in the Midwest. Verizon is ready to abandon thousands of local telephone consumers in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. The proposed sale would be a disaster for workers and consumers.

Over 3,000 good, union jobs would be directly affected.

Potential buyers who have demonstrated interest are private investment firms that seek a quick buck on their telecommunications investments. They can be expected to do so either by piling on debt or by squeezing costs through cutting wages, slashing jobs, eliminating job security and eliminating health care coverage for active and retired employees. The economic ripple effects of such cutbacks would be devastating to the rural communities in the Midwest.

In addition to the economic effects, telephone consumers will be left out of high quality universal service, including high speed internet, in many rural communities.

If Verizon gets away with the sale of these areas who or what will be next?

We need your help.

Please speak out in favor of quality service and good jobs in the communities that you represent. Contact the Communications Workers of America's regional headquarters to offer your support. Contact: Larry Handley lhandley@cwa-union.org or Crystal Roberts croberts@cwa-union.org . (440) 333-6363, (440) 333-1491-FAX, 20525 Center Ridge Road, Room 700, Cleveland, OH 44116.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 02, 2006