Congress must make access to affordable, reliable broadband a priority

The COVID-19 pandemic has made something clear that the members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have known for a long time: millions of families in the United States do not have access to affordable, reliable broadband internet connections. Technicians can’t install high-speed internet service for households without fiber optic cable in their neighborhoods. Teachers can’t keep children who cannot access online materials engaged and learning. Health care workers can’t provide telemedicine services to patients who lack broadband or can’t get a reliable cell phone connection. Any plan for reopening our society and keeping it functional as we navigate life in a post-COVID-19 world will require increased connectivity for students, working people and first responders alike. We are calling on Congress to support these workers, their families, and our communities by making affordable, universal access to high-speed broadband a priority in our response to this pandemic.

[Chris Shelton is president of Communications Workers of America, Randi Weingarten is president of the American Federation of Teachers and Mary Kay Henry is President of Service Employees International Union.]