Illinois Telecommunication Law Rewrite

Call to Save Telecom Jobs

February 19, 2013

The law regulating telecommunications providers in Illinois is set to expire this year. The Illinois Legislature will be looking to make changes to the regulations based on the information it receives from all interested parties. 

IBEW Local 21 leaders have already met with AT&T executives to discuss the changes the company is seeking. IBEW Local Union 21 has not yet taken a position on whether it will support or oppose these changes.

IBEW Local 21 President- Business Manager Paul Wright, Vice President Bill Henne, Lobbyist Rosetta Shinn and COPE Director Dennis McCafferty have begun meeting with members of the Illinois legislature to discuss the Illinois Telecom Rewrite.

Their message to the legislators is clear. Quality communications in Illinois depends on the highly skilled unionized jobs our IBEW members perform for our customers in Illinois. If our elected representatives make changes to the Illinois Telecommunications Act those changes must protect the jobs our members perform.

Telecom providers have started their lobbying efforts to sway the Illinois legislature to make changes. Many elected representatives are only hearing one side of the story. They are not hearing from the thousands of workers who maintain Illinois’ telecommunications infrastructure.

This infrastructure now supports the United States high-speed broadband data network. It is the backbone of many cellular networks. It provides the platforms for profitable product offerings like high-speed internet, television and telephone operations, that telecom companies provide for their customers across Illinois. If job protections are not included in the telecom rewrite these systems will fail. 

Now your elected representatives need to hear from you. They need to understand protecting your job is essential in maintaining quality communications in Illinois. We ask that you call them now.

If you know who your State Senator is and you just need their contact information you can click here.

If you know who your State Representative is and you just need their contact information you can click here.

If you don’t know who your legislators are and need their contact information you can visit our website ibew21.org A guide in the center column will help you contact your representative. 

You can also find your representative by clicking here.

When your reach your state senator or representative or their liaison be respectful.

Tell them you are an IBEW member. 

Stress to them that the IBEW is in talks with AT&T over the changes they are seeking.

Ask your representative to wait on the rewrite until they talk with representatives of the IBEW.

Inform them that when they consider making changes to the Illinois Telecommunication Act that the new legislation must contain provisions that protect jobs. Quality communications in Illinois is dependent upon the highly skilled unionized jobs IBEW members perform for our customers in Illinois. 

Communicate to them telecommunication jobs must be saved in order to protect Illinois’ telecommunications infrastructure. If job protections are not included in the telecom rewrite the system will fail.

Then thank them for their time.

We are all in this together. It will take action by every one of us to be successful. Our livelihoods and families depend on us to do whatever it takes to protect them. Please take the time now to call your Illinois representatives.

After you complete your calls we ask that you please tell us your results by completing a very short response survey. Go to the survey now by clicking here.

Solidarity!