A city decision to exclude People’s Choice Communications—a worker-led cooperative founded by striking Spectrum employees—from the Big Apple Connect program paved the way for incumbent providers like Spectrum to secure the contract, undercutting worker-led, community-focused models.

The OpenSecrets profile reveals that Charter Communications, operating as Spectrum, contributed $3,811,401 and spent $10,870,000 on lobbying during the 2024 cycle, showcasing significant corporate influence in public policy.

Spectrum, one of the largest Southeastern internet providers, was reported to have 31,500 customers still disconnected as of October 16 due to slow network infrastructure repairs and damage to network hubs following Hurricane Helene.

The NLRB docket for Spectrum (Charter Communications, Inc. d/b/a Spectrum) details labor classifications that include field, maintenance, and broadband technicians while excluding office clericals, managers, and supervisors. The docket activity includes a Letter Approving Withdrawal Request filed on 03/15/2024 and a Signed RC Petition, indicating ongoing disputes over union representation and worker rights.

Charter, operating under the Spectrum brand, announced its continued collaboration with federal, state, and local governments to bring Spectrum Internet to unserved and underserved communities. This initiative emphasizes digital inclusion and equitable access to technology, supporting marginalized communities.

Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum, issued a detailed Political Activities Policy on January 30, 2024. The policy outlines ethical guidelines for political contributions, lobbying, and engagement with policymakers, with clear oversight mechanisms and compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

The OpenSecrets profile indicates that Charter Communications, operating under the Spectrum brand, spent $10.42 million on lobbying activities during 2023, signaling a significant effort to shape public policy.

The EEOC has filed a lawsuit against Charter Communications, alleging that the company, operating under the Spectrum brand, failed to provide proper accommodation for a vision-impaired employee by granting only a temporary shift change. The lawsuit charges that this conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not consulting with the employee for ongoing accommodations.

The OpenSecrets report indicates that Spectrum Group engaged in lobbying activities in 2023, filing reports that detail its efforts to influence political processes. This event highlights the company’s involvement in political lobbying, which raises concerns about corporate influence over democratic policymaking.

An NLRB docket reveals a dispute over union voting eligibility at Spectrum's North Windham, Connecticut facility, where full-time and regular part-time field and maintenance technicians are included in the voting unit while the eligibility of Construction Coordinators and TQA Technicians is unresolved, with their ballots set to be challenged.

On December 15, 2022, the National Labor Relations Board certified the results of a union representation election at Spectrum (Charter Communications, Inc. dba Spectrum). The voting unit included all non-executive employees, thereby supporting worker rights and adherence to NLRA guidelines by ensuring fair labor representation.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified the results of a union election representing full-time and regular part-time field and maintenance technicians at Spectrum's Erie, Pennsylvania location on 2022-06-29. This certification supports worker representation and labor rights.

A report revealed that internet service providers, including Spectrum, spent over $230M on lobbying and political donations during the 116th Congress. The spending was aimed at influencing legislation regarding broadband access expansion while opposing proposals to support municipal broadband, negatively impacting low-income and rural communities.