CWA FIGHTS MARYLAND SETTLEMENT OF SERVICE COMPLAINTS AGAINST VERIZON

摘要

A settlement on service standards proposed by Verizon, the Maryland Public Service Commission and the state People's Counsel doesn't serve consumers, the Communications Workers of America said. The union filed as an intervenor in the case. Commission hearings this week continue an inquiry prompted by thousands of complaints by Marylanders in 2007 about poor Verizon service. If the proposal takes effect, Verizon would pay $1 million total to customers who have experienced service lapses and missed appointments. Verizon's charge in the state for basic dial-tone would rise $1 in July, then be frozen three years, according to media reports. The carrier would get flexibility in pricing other services -- a break Verizon says it needs to compete with providers not under the regulation it faces. The proposed settlement "allows Verizon to keep its service failures a secret from the public, avoid service standards altogether and raise rates," the CWA said. "This is a deeply flawed agreement, one that allows Verizon to avoid the settlement's 'incentive plan' once the company has passed a 'secret' percentage of market share of the Maryland public," said Vice President Ron Collins of CWA District 2. "It also limits Verizon's liability to customers who receive poor service."