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CWA Local #7270

Communication Workers of America - Farmington, Minnesota

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Recent developments regarding MN PUC and Frontier Bankruptcy

February 19, 2021 By Mark Page Leave a Comment

The following is a note from our President Mark Doffing:

We tried. Unfortunately we didn’t get a agreement from Frontier for us

To become a investco property.

I can only assume we will be labeled as improveco which tells me and others we will be dealing with the same old Frontier.

Im sorry tried my best to convince them.

The up side is another investigation will emerge after the bankruptcy finalization.

Mark Doffing

Local #7270

This is a summary of the recent developments by Dan Reynolds:

 

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission won’t reconsider approving Frontier Communications’ bankruptcy reorganization. Though two commissioners promised continued investigation, the PUC voted 5-0 Thursday to deny petitions by the Minnesota Commerce Department and unions citing better promises to other states (see 2101070027). On the West Coast, consumer and local government advocates praised the California Public Utilities Commission’s proposed OK.

The telco might have to leave its Minnesota entities in bankruptcy, while moving forward in the rest of the country, if the PUC reconsidered, Frontier General Counsel Kevin Saville warned commissioners at the virtual hearing: “We don’t have time to negotiate a settlement.” Informal talks occurred but weren’t productive, said Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Richard Dornfeld.

PUC Chair Katie Sieben said she understood how reconsideration could disrupt Chapter 11 emergence. Communications Workers of America and others should continue raising concerns in the commission’s Frontier service-quality docket (18-122), she said. Sieben pressed Saville on union concerns about staffing and training.

“We’re going to keep watching them,” said Commissioner John Tuma, noting he doesn’t think the commission has authority to require fiber deployment. The agency will soon launch an investigation of the carrier’s “virtual separation,” said Tuma. The probe should also include questions about the company missing Connect America Fund Phase II FCC deadlines, he said. “I don’t know if this company is committed to Minnesota.”

Frontier is open to a fresh probe in the service-quality docket after it exits bankruptcy, Saville said. Just don’t attach it to the bankruptcy docket (20-504), because that would put a “cloud” over the approval order that might threaten the company’s ability to emerge from Chapter 11, he said. Frontier plans to exit immediately after the CPUC votes March 18, he said.

“Past mismanagement and neglect of their customers” requires more investment and stronger commitments to workers, said CWA Local 7270 President Mark Doffing. CWA asked the PUC to adopt some Pennsylvania requirements because Frontier’s network in each state is about the same size. The phone company probably will divert resources to other states where it made promises, said Doffing. “We deserve the same assurances so Frontier won’t once again leave us behind.”

Denying reconsideration is “a missed opportunity to impose accountability on Frontier,” Doffing said in a statement. CWA supports opening “a new investigation that will provide much needed oversight on Frontier’s business plan in Minnesota following the company’s emergence from bankruptcy,” he said.

The state commission’s decision pleased Frontier, which “remains committed to Minnesota and to fulfill the obligations to provide quality telephone service” from a January 2020 service quality settlement, a spokesperson emailed.

The CPUC plans to vote March 18 on conditionally approving

the reorg, said a Feb. 12 proposed

decision in docket A.20-05-010. It would adopt settlement agreements between the carrier and the California Emerging Technology Fund; the Yurok Tribe; and CWA, The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and CPUC Public Advocates Office. The commission added other possible conditions, including an enforcement mechanism and a municipal government clause.

TURN supports the CPUC clearing the proposed decision with the agreed-to commitments, said Managing Director-San Diego Christine Mailloux. The proposal “correctly finds that the package of settlement agreements supports a public interest analysis and that these conditions are necessary, in part, because Frontier’s initial application did not go far enough to demonstrate how this restructuring would benefit California consumers.”

The carrier is reviewing the CPUC proposal, its spokesperson said. “We look forward to a final approval that will enable Frontier Communications to emerge from Chapter 11 restructuring as a sustainable business better positioned to provide benefits and quality services to our customers, employees, partners and the communities we serve.”

California is the last state OK needed. The FCC cleared the deal in January (see 2101140032).

—

Dan Reynolds (he / him / his)

Communications Workers of America

Assistant Director of Research

Office: 202.434.1196

Cell: 202.713.9326

Filed Under: Announcements

Happy New Year!!

January 17, 2021 By Mark Page Leave a Comment

On behalf of CWA 7270 officers and stewards, Happy New Year to all of our members!! May 2021 prove to be prosperous, safe, and healthy!!

Filed Under: Announcements

PUC letter from President Mark Doffing

October 13, 2020 By Mark Page Leave a Comment

Our President Mark Doffing recently participated in another meeting with representatives from Frontier and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. (PUC)  A prepared letter was submitted and relayed to the PUC commissioners.   At Mark’s request, that letter is posted here for the review of our members.

2020.09.24 Mark Doffing Remarks to MN PUC

Filed Under: Announcements

CWA Local 7270 State Union Meeting was held

October 12, 2020 By Mark Page 1 Comment

The CWA Local 7270 meeting was held on October 11th, 2020 at the Lakeville, MN Holiday Inn.  Thank you to everyone who attended.  Nominations were taken for officers for the next term.  Mark Doffing was nominated for the office of the President.   Carson Turnquist was nominated for the office of Vice-President.   And Janelle Schadt was nominated for the office of Secretary/Treasurer.  Only 1 person was nominated for each of the offices.  So, the results are as follows.  In accordance with our CWA work rules, each of the nominees have been elected by acclamation.  Congratulations to Mark, Carson, and Janelle.   Their new term begins January 1st, 2021. 

  Election Committee chairman Mark Page taking nominations

 

New Vice-President Carson Turnquist beginning 1/1/21

Filed Under: Announcements

CWA Local 7270 State Meeting

October 10, 2020 By Mark Page Leave a Comment

The CWA Local 7270 State Meeting will be held on October 11th, 2020 at the Holiday Inn in Lakeville, MN.  Brunch will be served starting at 11:30am.  The meeting will begin at 1:00pm.  Officer nominations will be accepted. 

Filed Under: Announcements

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Communication Workers of America Local #7270 Farmington, Minnesota

Recent Posts

  • Recent developments regarding MN PUC and Frontier Bankruptcy February 19, 2021
  • Happy New Year!! January 17, 2021
  • PUC letter from President Mark Doffing October 13, 2020
  • CWA Local 7270 State Union Meeting was held October 12, 2020
  • CWA Local 7270 State Meeting October 10, 2020

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