AT&Ts Landline, U-verse Sale to Frontier Gets Unlikely Ally

**Editor’s Note: Please click here for a recap of the biggest communications mergers in Q2 2014.**

AT&T, in the process of selling its U-verse and landline operations in Connecticut to Frontier Communications, just got some support from a source that is often contentious with the telecom giant.

William Henderson, who heads up a local Communications Workers of America branch in the Constitution State, originally opposed the deal. But he changed his tune this week, telling The Day that since Frontier has guaranteed that it won’t lay off any employees until at least 2018, he’ll back the $2 billion sale. He’s also encouraged by Frontier’s promise to continue to provide health care, pensions and a match for their 401(k) retirement plan.

“Frontier has shown that they’re a company that’s concerned with service and the people who work for them,” Henderson told The Day. “We’re very positive on this.”

The endorsement from someone who is typically a rival might do wonders for the companies’ attempts to get regulatory approval, which is expected to come in October.

In a statement last month, Frontier said it will provide 85 new union jobs and 100 shares of company stock to union workers when the transaction closes. The acquisition will give Frontier 1 million customers in Connecticut and 3,000 in-state employees.

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