Citing problems that befell Verizon customers in northern New England, several state organizations, including first responders to emergencies, joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA) at a news conference at the Capitol on Monday to oppose the proposed sale of Verizon operations to Frontier in West Virginia and 13 other states.

Participating organizations represented a broad spectrum showing the proposed deal could adversely affect a lot of the state’s residents.

In a similarly structured deal, Verzion sold its operations in northern New England to a much smaller company, FairPoint Communications, which has gone bankrupt.

A first responder veteran of 16 years, Matt Vinci, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont, spoke about his experiences following FairPoint’s acquisition of Verizon’s land lines. “When seconds count, citizens depend on firefighters and paramedics,” Vinci said. “We depend upon a high quality information superhighway to obtain it.

“In Vermont we once had ‘Ma Bell’ provide our telephone service.  Then we had ‘Baby Bell’ service. 

“Sadly, with FairPoint’s acquisition of Verizon’s northern New England properties, we now only have “Tinker Bell” service,” Vinci added.

Vinci said he’s concerned West Virginia is now facing the same situation as Vermont and is speaking out as a warning to his first-responder brothers & sisters and those whose lives depend on them.  “The Verizon Frontier sale poses similar risks that your firefighters and other first responders do not want to take,” Vinci said.

Other groups attending the news conference were the Professional Fire Fighters of West Virginia, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, the West Virginia Troopers Association, West Virginia Citizens Action Group, the National Association of Social Workers-West Virginia chapter, the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, West Virginia Association for Justice, West Virginia Alliance for Retired Americans and the West Virginia AFL-CIO.

“We’re happy to see the public awakening to the real dangers this proposed deal could have to the people of West Virginia,” said Ron Collins, CWA Vice- President, District II.  “It’s because of the public’s concerns that these organizations are standing here with us today.

“As more people learn about this deal and how it can adversely affect their lives, not just their phone service, we expect more groups to join in telling the PSC this deal is not in the public’s best interest and should be rejected,” Collins added.