Speed Matters goes global through UNI global union-telecom

As CWA’s Speed Matters campaign champions the fight to build a truly universal high-speed Internet accessible to all in the United States, unions all over the world are working towards the same goal through the UNI global union telecom's For The Long Run campaign.

The UNI campaign’s latest target is Europe, where the European Union is debating a telecom package that would rewrite the operating rules governing the telecom regulations in all EU countries.

The specific provision that UNI-Europatelecom – a part of UNI telecom that represents more than 400,000 telecommunications workers across Europe – is advocating for surrounds the regulations involved in making investments in next generation networks.

UNI Europatelecom recently wrote to the Members of the European Parliament letting them know why Speed Matters:

“At a time when Europe is facing a serious economic recession and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the union, the telecom package can be an important part of an economic stimulus plan for creating quality jobs by making needed investments in high-speed Internet. … These objectives can only be reached if we encourage long-term investment in networks and technologies such as a true universal high-speed Internet by ensuring an appropriate degree of risk sharing, concerning investments as well as by establishing regulatory coherence and predictability.  Above all, it is important that all stakeholders have a voice, including trade unions, on telecommunications issues impacting them.” 

National affiliates of UNI-Europa telecoms will also be writing letters and meeting with their Members of Parliament letting them know why Europe needs a telecom package for the long run.  A vote on the telecom package is expected sometime in April ahead of the European Parliamentary elections in June. 

UNI is the Global Union for skills and services that represents 900 trade unions and 20 million workers worldwide. UNI Telecom is the Global Union for the telecom industry representing 195 trade unions and 2 million workers worldwide.

UNI Global Union