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CWA Urges NY Legislature to Prioritize Union Jobs, Safety Standards in Broadband Work Following Changes to Federal Requirements

“Twenty years ago, CWA members constructed the first fiber optic network in the Northeast in a town called Syosset in Nassau County. I can confidently say that those twenty-year-old cables have yet to reach their capacity. According to Starlink’s own website, their satellites perform what they call a ‘controlled re-orbit’ after five years, so without further investment to launch more satellites into orbit, the 25% of locations awarded to satellite will be left with nothing.”

On January 8th, Nick Hoh, CWA Local 1104 Legislative & Political Action Team Coordinator, testified in Albany, NY before the Assembly Standing Committee On Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions about the dire impact of BEAD program changes that have been made by Washington.

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) Program, promised $42 billion in public funding to build out broadband across the country to connect unserved and underserved communities to the internet. CWA members worked hard to make sure projects that will build reliable, durable fiber connections and create good, union jobs were at the top of the list. But in late 2025, the federal National Telecommunication Infrastructure Administration (NTIA) completely rigged the rules removing the fiber preference and labor standards, and requiring States to just go with the lowest-cost bidder.

“As experts in our field, we know that fiber technology is the best investment, as it offers the most reliable service and fastest speeds,” Nick testified. “Additionally, we know firsthand the importance of utilizing a directly and locally employed and highly trained workforce. Unfortunately, changes made by the NTIA forced New York to adjust its scoring mechanism and put cost above all, resulting in 25% of BEAD funds provisionally awarded to Elon Musk’s satellite company Starlink and 44% provisionally awarded to fixed wireless companies.”

With Washington changing the rules to give federal funding preference to non-union companies, CWA is fighting this year on the State-level in New York for:

  • NYS oversight of broadband
  • Investment in fiber technology
  • Strong enforcement of safety standards

You can read Nick’s full testimony here and watch video of his testimony here.