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No Thanks on Thanksgiving from Charter Communications

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Originally Posted On: https://bayoubugle.com/state-news/no-thanks-on-thanksgiving-from-charter-communications/

 

A dust-up may be developing among telecommunications giant Charter Communications (often known under its brand Spectrum) and multiple contractors that performed extensive services for Charter in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Following the storm, Charter engaged companies including BTR, Elite, Infinite Communications, Seals, and System Services to perform the work necessary to restore critical communications infrastructure.

Multiple news reports show that the contractors worked quickly to help stand up Louisiana’s most hard-hit communications infrastructure under what could easily be described as difficult circumstances. Charter seemed happy to tout the work done by its contractors–one news report from October 2021 noted the company said, “it had more than 900 crews working in Southeast Louisiana to restore internet, phone and TV services, with over 80% of customers now back online.”

Some contractors assert that Charter is holding back tens of millions of dollars in payments owed to them by moving the goalposts on repayment requirements and disregarding reports provided at the time by the subcontractors of work performed. There is some chatter that at least one of the contractors may soon file a lawsuit against Charter.

Perhaps Charter has not considered that the way it treats contractors could severely hurt the workers who worked hard to help Louisiana residents? This issue is of concern to more than just Charter and the other private parties involved. Louisiana officials should ask hard questions about whether Charter’s business practices put Louisiana at risk of contractors being unwilling to perform work here in the likely event of future storms. Contractors often hire local labor and expend significant resources providing post-disaster services. They depend on payment from companies like Charter to function. If they cannot rely on companies like Charter to pay them, they may not be willing to provide the services again. The State has no choice but to get to the bottom of this and make sure appropriate contractor payments are made–quickly.

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