CWA says Verizon isn't fixing copper plant [teleocm]

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Verizon's Biggest Union Claims Carrier Isn't Fixing Broken Landlines

Verizon says CWA's allegations aimed at pressuring in advance of contract talks

By RYAN KNUTSON

Verizon Communications Inc.'s largest union says the company is refusing to fix broken landlines.

The Communications Workers of America, which represents about 35,000 Verizon employees, says Verizon isn't repairing copper lines in some areas in the Northeast. Instead, the union says, the carrier is steering customers to buy a wireless home phone service called Voice Link.

The CWA plans to file public information requests this week with a handful of state regulators including in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to see whether it can uncover data showing the extent of the problems. Verizon is required to report information about service issues to local regulators, but the union says not all of that information is likely being disclosed to the public.