CWA wants US broadband funding to include worker protections

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) urged Congress to incorporate worker protections in a proposed infrastructure deal that includes billions in broadband funding, aiming to ensure its members aren’t cut out of buildout efforts. Specifically, CWA’s newly launched Build Broadband Better campaign calls for the legislation to include enforceable provisions which protect workers’ right to organize and prohibit companies that receive federal broadband funding from subcontracting construction work to circumvent union workers. While the infrastructure package is expected to be the primary source of broadband funding in the coming years, CWA's Communications Director Beth Allen said “these protections should be attached to any federal funding for broadband deployment moving forward.” She added there is “widespread support on the Democratic side of the aisle” for such provisions.