Make FiOS Count for All DC Residents!

After a year long labor and community campaign, Verizon is finally bringing FiOS – its cutting-edge fiber-optics network – to the District. But if Verizon has its way, many city residents will be left behind. Currently, many of the city's neighborhoods have been left out of the plan entirely and Verizon has not made firm commitments about the number of jobs the project will create for DC residents. DC City Councilmembers will hold a hearing on the plan this week. Tell Councilmembers to require Verizon to create good jobs for DC residents, expand FiOS throughout the city by 2015, and partner with CWA and the District on a job-training program.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Make FiOS Count for All DC Residents!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to express my excitement over Verizon's plan to finally bring FiOS to the Nation's capital. FiOS provides a huge economic development opportunity, with the potential to create hundreds of good jobs and link us to the newest technology, but the current agreement does not seize on this opportunity.

I am concerned that the interests of DC residents will be left out of the plan. Like much of the country today, DC is a victim of the "Digital Divide." While much of Ward 3 will get FiOS immediately, plans to install FiOS in large parts of Ward 5 and Ward 8 are not even on the drawing board. Meanwhile, Verizon has not made any commitment about the number of jobs the FiOS project will create for DC residents. We cannot allow Verizon to leave DC workers behind.

The DC Council has the responsibility to ensure that as DC's economy develops, all DC residents benefit too. Verizon must commit to: 1. Good jobs for DC residents, 2. Expand FiOS throughout the city by 2015, 3. And partner with CWA and the District on a job training program.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 24, 2008

Background Information

For years, DC residents watched as Verizon abandoned the Nation's capital, moving money, good jobs and service centers out of city to build FiOS, a Fiber Optic Service network, in the suburbs.

In 2007, Connect-DC, a project of the Communications Workers of America, the Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO and DC Jobs with Justice launched a campaign to improve service quality and bring FiOS to the District. This month, Verizon and the city negotiated a tentative Cable Franchise Agreement, which will grant Verizon the right to expand into the Cable TV business in exchange for building a fiber network in the city.

FiOS has contributed radically to job growth on a national and local scale and according to Verizon, it's not just the FiOS technicians who benefit, but “every fiber related job we create leads to another four jobs created elsewhere in the community.” Never before has Verizon made such a massive investment in DC's infrastructure and the Cable
Franchise Agreement offers a key economic development opportunity. But to ensure that all DC residents benefit the agreement needs to include the following provisions:

* GOOD JOBS. Over the last 3 years Verizon has moved a third of its workforce and several service centers out of the District to build FiOS in the suburbs. In order to ensure quality FiOS service, Verizon needs to establish a FiOS facility in DC, staffed by Verizon maintenance administrators and clerks.

* VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM. By law Verizon is required to make a good faith effort to hire 51% of its workforce from DC. But in reality such a law has little impact when there are no job training programs available to prepare DC residents for these cutting edge jobs. Verizon should partner with its union and existing career academies in the District to develop a career training program that can put youth and unemployed persons in the District on the path for good Verizon jobs. Not all DC residents will have access to Verizon’s FiOS Package but the City has the responsibility to ensure that as DC’s economy develops, working families benefit too.

* 100% FiOS BUILDOUT BY 2015. In our nation’s capital, we need the best technology, not just for lawmakers and government officials, but also for the DC community. DC residents need FiOS in their homes, enabling residents to stay connected to our fast-paced global economy. Like much of the country today, DC is a victim of the “Digital Divide.” While Ward 3 will get FiOS immediately, plans to install FiOS in Ward 5 and large swaths of Ward 8 are not even on the drawing board.

Throughout the Fall, Connect-DC will be meeting with Councilmembers, attending hearings, and organizing events to demand equal access and good jobs.