Brooklyn Cablevision workers vote for CWA

On January 26, 282 Cablevision technicians and dispatchers in Brooklyn made history by voting 180-86 to join Local 1109 of the Communications Workers of America.

Workers in the overwhelmingly non-union cable industry make just two-third of what their unionized counterparts at Verizon make. And these Cablevision workers have been subject to arbitrary discipline and favoritism by managers, inadequate health care coverage, an unreasonable workload and insufficient 401(k) retirement plans.

Moreover,  they could not help but notice a shocking disparity between their pay and that of outgoing chief operating officer, Tom Rutledge. As COO, he made $28 million in 2010 - twice the combined pay of all voting technicians, or more than 600 times the average technician's pay. And, they discovered that Cablevision paid no federal income taxes in 2010 - despite posting $361 million in profits.

These brave workers withstood the company's campaign of harassment and intimidation. They were forced to attend threatening, high-pressure, anti-union "captive audience" meetings - orchestrated by the notorious union-busting law firm of Jackson Lewis LLP. Faced with repercussions and possible loss of jobs, though, they voted to become the first unit of Cablevision to choose union representation.

So far, only 2 to 4 percent of eligible cable TV workers are members of a union, compared to 90% in the traditional telecommunications industry. But CWA is hoping that this vote signals the beginning of a long-overdue change.

Said Chris Shelton, CWA District One Vice President:

"Over the past few months these courageous workers withstood a blistering assault on their right to form a union. Cablevision truly took the low road by pressuring workers with endless amounts misinformation, but these workers,  backed by countless community leaders and elected officials, stood strong.  Now we will bargain collectively for a contract that gives the Cablevision 99 percent equity and dignity on the job."

Watch the videos that the Brooklyn cable workers made druing their fight for union recognition.

Cablevision Workers Triumph: Brooklyn Technicians Vote To Unionize (CWA press release, Jan. 26, 2012)
http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/cablevision_workers_triumph_brooklyn_technicians_vote_to_unionize#.TyMYiyNI5rQ

Stand with the cable 99% (video, 2012