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CWA Commends FCC Action in Proposed SBC-Ameritech Merger
Following is the statement by Morton Bahr, president of the Communications Workers of America, on today's Federal Communications Commission action regarding the proposed SBC Communications-Ameritech Corp. merger.
The Federal Communications Commission has cleared the way for approval of the merger between SBC Communications and Ameritech Corp., and that's very good news for workers, customers and communities.
This merger is exactly the kind of partnership envisioned by telecommunications reform. It will create jobs, expand services and options to residential and business consumers and provide real competition in a broad and expanded number of markets- all goals of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
Today's FCC action provides SBC-Ameritech a fair opportunity to compete in a highly competitive telecommunications environment and ensures that this new company will have the resources necessary to invest in and develop the services and facilities that will keep and attract all classes of consumers, from high-volume business users to residential customers.
SBC-Ameritech has put forward a comprehensive strategy-with a concrete investment plan-to serve at least 50 markets nationwide, creating at least 8,000 high- quality jobs in the process.
SBC has a proven track record in this area, demonstrated by the creation of some 3,600 jobs and new service and product development that resulted from its merger with Pacific Telesis. It recognizes that having a high-quality workforce is a critical element for success, and that telecommunications companies will succeed or fail on the basis of their ability to provide the high quality service customers expect and deserve. CWA is confident that SBC-Ameritech will succeed, and that the FCC will give final approval soon.
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The Federal Communications Commission has cleared the way for approval of the merger between SBC Communications and Ameritech Corp., and that's very good news for workers, customers and communities.
This merger is exactly the kind of partnership envisioned by telecommunications reform. It will create jobs, expand services and options to residential and business consumers and provide real competition in a broad and expanded number of markets- all goals of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
Today's FCC action provides SBC-Ameritech a fair opportunity to compete in a highly competitive telecommunications environment and ensures that this new company will have the resources necessary to invest in and develop the services and facilities that will keep and attract all classes of consumers, from high-volume business users to residential customers.
SBC-Ameritech has put forward a comprehensive strategy-with a concrete investment plan-to serve at least 50 markets nationwide, creating at least 8,000 high- quality jobs in the process.
SBC has a proven track record in this area, demonstrated by the creation of some 3,600 jobs and new service and product development that resulted from its merger with Pacific Telesis. It recognizes that having a high-quality workforce is a critical element for success, and that telecommunications companies will succeed or fail on the basis of their ability to provide the high quality service customers expect and deserve. CWA is confident that SBC-Ameritech will succeed, and that the FCC will give final approval soon.
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