AFL-CIO backs the proposed AT&T buy of DirecTV, said...

AFL-CIO backs the proposed AT&T buy of DirecTV, said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in a filing Friday at the FCC in docket 14-90. The deal serves the public interest and the interests of the workers who will be affected, the filing said. There are few antitrust concerns with the deal, which will result in a stronger competitor to the dominant cable industry, “providing consumers with more options, putting pressure on prices and improving service in the video market,” the filing said. It will “improve the economics for high-speed broadband expansion, which is critical to economic growth and job creation in rural and urban communities across our nation,” it said. It also will bring benefits to employees, and AT&T respects the rights of its employees “to make their own choice about union representation,” it said.