Bias Complaint Filed Against Us West

The National Black Chamber of Commerce and seven black-owned businesses have filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, accusing US West of discrimination.

Two years after filing a discrimination lawsuit against the regional telephone company, the chamber and businesses lodged their latest complaint with the government in hope of using the federal lawsuit to block the company’s plans to offer high-speed Internet service over existing telephone lines.

The suit alleges US West initiated a “pattern and practice” of discrimination in 1991 that curtailed its procurement business with black-owned businesses.

US West spokesman David Beigie said Wednesday’s action will hurt “the very people they claim to be representing.”