Statement from James A. Williams, General President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, on the Proposed AT&T and T-Mobile Merger

HANOVER, Md., June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) supports the merger between T-Mobile and AT&T because of the positive impact it will have on workers, businesses and the broader U.S. economy. This merger will help move America ahead by delivering the economic benefits of advanced broadband to more than 97 percent of the population and providing the option of union membership to 20,000 men and women in the T-Mobile workforce.

Advancing technology has made access to wireless broadband a fundamental requirement for economic growth and job creation. As a result of this merger, AT&T is committing an additional $8 billion investment in wireless broadband infrastructure. This is the kind of private investment we need to accelerate the pace of national economic recovery.  Construction of this expansion will provide good jobs in the short-term, and the availability of the technology will enable the creation of new jobs in the long-term.

Additionally, this build-out will cover many traditionally underserved areas, so communities and families which have previously not had access to current technology  will be able to benefit from 4G LTE, the next generation of high speed broadband. They will not be left stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide.

And finally, we cannot overstate the importance the potential impact this merger will have on the quality of life for T-Mobile employees.  At a time when the right to collective bargaining is under attack in some political circles, this merger will give 20,000 T-Mobile employees the option to choose representation in the workplace and the associated benefits of collective bargaining and workplace protection.

The IUPAT believes the merger is the right move at the right time for workers, families and consumers and looks forward to expeditious review and approval by the appropriate regulatory agencies.

About the IUPAT

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades represents men and women in the United States and Canada who work in the Finishing Trades - commercial/industrial painting, glazing/glasswork, drywall finishing, floor covering installation and sign/display/tradeshow, among other crafts.  Learn more about the IUPAT by visiting www.IUPAT.org, www.Facebook.com/IUPATfan, @GoIUPAT on Twitter.

SOURCE International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

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