CWA: Possible Deal Between T-Mobile and Metro PCS Means More Jobs Loss, Decline for Workers

Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America expressed serious concern tonight as rumors swirled around a potential link up between T-Mobile USA and Metro PCS.  Discussions are ongoing but it seems that Deutsche Telekom is looking to use the proposed deal as a way to monetize T-Mobile USA and potentially sell assets over time.

Since the collapse of the AT&T-T-Mobile merger, the T-Mobile USA workforce has experienced continued job loss and decline.  Seven call centers were closed cutting 3,300 employees.  Much of the work is performed offshore, costing jobs in critical communities at a critical time. Metro PCS outsources and offshores customer service work as well.

The operating systems of the two companies are based on different technologies and are incompatible, despite the prospect of LTE over time.  There are significant spectrum concentrations issues as well and overlapping markets including Atlanta, San Francisco and others, suggesting serious regulatory hurdles.   

At Deutsche Telekom, employees have full participation in every aspect of the firm’s German operations. The contrast between this worker participation and management strategies of T-Mobile USA and Metro PCS could not be more stark, or severe.  If this deal progresses, once again the rights of US employees will be last in line.

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Contact: Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, cjohnson@cwa-union.org