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HOLD VERIZON ACCOUNTABLE!
Dropped calls, static on the lines, corroded wires, slow internet, massive job cuts – the list of Verizon service failures in DC is endless. And now, in an attempt to fend off public scrutiny, Verizon has begun to scapegoat its own employees. Enough is enough! This Thursday, the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) will have the opportunity to hold Verizon accountable for its poor DC service performance. Tell PSC officials that Verizon needs to provide access to equitable, reliable quality phone service for DC residents.
The PSC will hold a closed hearing this Thursday on a substandard settlement reached between the city and Verizon earlier this year. The settlement ignores many serious quality of service complaints of DC residents and Verizon’s continued refusal to invest in new infrastructure in DC. It is time for the DC government to stop giving into Verizon’s demands and hold the company accountable. Let the PSC know that it is their responsibility to ensure DC residents have access to equitable, reliable quality phone service.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: HOLD VERIZON ACCOUNTABLE!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to express my outrage at the recent Price Cap Settlement negotiated between the Office of the People's Counsel and Verizon. The quality of service hearings held in February exposed Verizon's egregious quality of service record in the District and I am very disappointed that the city has granted Verizon a Price Cap Settlement without any provisions that would ensure improvements in the company's services for District residents.
As a proud DC resident, I find it shameful that the Nation's capital has a deteriorating copper network, no access to high-tech services such as FiOS and that under such conditions we have let Verizon divest from the city. In the last three years, Verizon has moved a third of its jobs out of the city and closed multiple service centers. No amount of customer service training will improve these systemic problems. It's time to hold Verizon accountable. I urge you to include stipulations in the Price Cap Agreement that ensure DC residents equitable, quality, reliable phone service.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
May 13, 2008
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On March 5, the DC Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) reached a Price Cap Settlement with Verizon. While the OPC touts this Settlement as an important step towards ensuring consumer protection standards in the District, unions, community groups and quality-of-service advocates are concerned over what they consider to be a substandard agreement with false solutions to serious quality of service complaints.
Three out of the 15 Settlement conditions relate to training customer service and technical personnel. Verizon’s systematic failure to meet quality of service standards over consecutive years is the result of continuous divestment from the city and a failure by government agencies to hold them accountable. In Maryland, for example, the Public Service Commission pushed Verizon to actually commit to increasing material investment.
Quality-of-service advocates in the District also expressed concern over the precedent the Settlement may set for future agreements negotiated between city agencies and private companies. The City Council is already giving into Verizon’s demands by deregulating internet-based phone service, despite the fact that all evidence shows that Verizon can’t meet quality of service standards for its regulated services.
“Slow internet speeds, chronic static on the lines, billing problems – resident after resident testified to these issues during the recent Quality of Service hearings for regulated utilities,” added Castel-Branco. “City agencies have the responsibility to ensure that the public has safe, equal, reliable, quality access to utility services. It’s time to put the ‘govern’ back in government.”
The Verizon Price Cap Settlement is currently before the Public Service Commission (PSC) for approval and on May 15th the PSC will hold a closed hearing on the matter. Join community groups and quality-of-service as we call for the inclusion of the following stipulations in a final agreement:
1. That Verizon build Fiber Optic Service (FiOS) in all parts of the city by the end of 2008.
2. That Verizon rebuild and maintain its existing copper telephone network for all DC residents and businesses.
3. That Verizon employ DC residents in DC facilities to build FiOS and sustain existing infrastructure. Over the last 3 years Verizon has moved a third of its jobs out of the District.
For more information click here or contact Ruth Castel-Branco at Rcastel@dclabor.org or 202.974.8281.
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