Chicago, IL
The AFL-CIO has long advocated telecommunications policies that guarantee working families have fair, affordable and universal access to information technology and services.
Whether it is the basic telephone service in the home or workplace, full access to computers and information technology in the schools, or an open gateway to the wealth of information on the Internet, no American should be prevented by lack of money or opportunity from acquiring either information technology skills or access to the world of knowledge those tools can unlock.
Yet, lack of access to information and technology is becoming a new and ugly dividing line separating the "haves" and the "have nots." In many communities, local schools or libraries that serve less-affluent or minority neighborhoods are finding themselves without the resources to "wire in" to information technology.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provided the telecommunications industry with multibillion dollar breaks and benefits to stimulate its growth. In return, those companies promised to continue universal service and expand it to schools and libraries. The "Educational Universal Service Rate" (E-Rate) for schools and libraries can help that expansion in every community.
The AFL-CIO supports the implementation of the E-Rate, and urges all affiliates to encourage their members to work with their local schools and libraries to assure that they gain access to the information technology and services working families need today and into the future.