New York: Op-Ed by CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor: NY’s broadband funding could be boon for jobs, if it’s done right

Excerpt from Syracuse.com. Click here to read the full piece.

The truth is that due to decades of deregulation and weakened labor laws, many ISPs are outsourcing an increasing share of broadband deployment work to contractors. This cost-cutting technique often leads to shoddy work, accidents and damaged public infrastructure, which can cost local governments and residents millions in the long run.

That’s why it’s critical that New York’s ConnectALL Office continue to ensure that the needs of New York’s communities and workforce are met throughout this process. Given the growing demand for broadband technicians created by this federal funding, my union has made significant investments in its workforce development and apprenticeship programs to help meet this need and ensure our state’s buildout is done right. The stability created in communities by long-term, good-paying career-oriented jobs pays dividends in local economic growth.

Ultimately, centering the workforce and good jobs as part of the state’s broadband deployment will be a win-win for everyone — bringing equitable and sustainable high-speed internet access to communities across the state, while creating thousands of jobs that families can thrive on.

Read the full piece here.