For nearly a year, the Rainbow Push Coalition has chosen research, education and negotiation over confrontation. We, however, reserve the right to protect the public interest through legislation, agitation and demonstration. Our protest and opposition to MCI WorldCom will continue until an enforceable, specific plan of inclusion is executed. On the other hand, good people with good intentions along with enforced public policy make good mergers. Good mergers create new opportunities for consumers and entrepreneurs.
Good mergers offer new, innovative services to everyone at competitive prices.
When good companies merge, they spin off facilities to new market entrants at a reasonable price. Good mergers benefit the public interest and do not result in thousands of layoffs. The three pending mergers offer potential to be good mergers, but only if the companies continue to make enforceable commitments to the FCC and Department of Justice that promote inclusion and protect consumer groups and labor organizations. First, there is a possibility that these mergers will increase competition among local telephone providers. Also, GTE is exploring ways to create the nation s first minority-owned independent telephone company.