This week the Communications Workers of America, representing more than 700,000 workers, joined The Alliance for Digital Equality in our quest to increase the availability of broadband Internet access. The CWA brings not only the strength of its membership but also its ongoing commitment to affordable high speed Internet for all Americans through programs such as its Speed Matters campaign.
In announcing its support, CWA President Larry Cohen described the union’s common objectives with The Alliance: “Given that millions of Americans are still without high-speed Internet, our work to decrease the digital divide experienced in rural communities is a natural companion to The Alliance’s focus on eliminating the same disadvantage in the nation’s urban core.”
CWA brings incredible momentum to a partnership that already includes AGL Resources, AT&T, Viacom’s Black Entertainment Television Networks (BET), Hollis & Company and Northrop Grumman.
This is not new ground for the CWA. In representing workers in the communications industry, the union recognizes the importance of high-speed Internet service to families and communities. Its Speed Matters initiative, which launched almost two years ago, follows the mantra of “high speed Internet access for all.”
“Speed determines what is possible on the Internet and can transform the quality of life, especially for those in underserved communities,” Cohen says.
Thanks to lower prices and increased deployment, adoption rates are on the rise in low-income and minority communities. We must continue this trend. For those individuals with access to broadband unprecedented opportunity is available.
Now with the addition of this partnership with CWA, we’ll continue to build momentum toward the day when every American has access to this critical element of 21st century life.
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