Comcast Workers United

News from IBEW Local 2322 http://ibew2322.com August 2011

Members of Congress, two Mayors press Comcast execs to voluntarily recognize union
Representatives Barney Frank and John Tierney; Mayors William Flanagan and Scott Lang; as well as aides from Reps Keating, Lynch, McGovern and Sen. Kerry urged Comcast Senior VP for Government Relations Mark Reilly (above right) and Senior Regional VP Stephen Hackley (above left) to voluntarily recognize the techs' union in Fall River and Fairhaven. The hour long meeting took place in Mayor Flanagan's office in Fall River on August 15. "We sent a strong message of support for the Comcast techs and let management know that we have their backs," said one of the aides afterwards. "But Comcast still refuses to voluntarily recognize the union." In letters sent to the politicians prior to the meeting, Comcast claimed it was a "pro-employee" company that "respects the right of our employees to choose whether to be represented by a union." Although U.S. labor laws allow the voluntary approach, Comcast argues that if employees desire to gain collective bargaining rights, they should petition the NLRB for an election to prove their majority. At the meeting, one of the elected officials pressed the executives about the possibility of adopting a code of conduct or ground rules for an NLRB election that would prevent Comcast management from engaging in tactics that are part of its aggressive anti-union playbook. The executives would not consider it.

Comcast techs support Verizon workers

"An Injury to One is an Injury to All!"

A group of Comcast techs, including Steve Lally and Ray Pacheco, picketed in solidarity with striking workers at Verizon's Fall River Garage in on Aug. 12. "Everyone in the telecom industry has a stake in the outcome of this strike," said Ray Pacheco who has worked for Comcast for fifteen years. "It's time for working people to start standing together. Otherwise these giant corporations and the super-rich are just going to keep cutting us down." "The Verizon workers are fighting to maintain industry standards," said Steve Lally, a Comcast tech from the Fall River garage. "It was really empowering to be out there with them." "It's really great to have the Comcast techs walk with us," said Local 2322 union activist Vic Bala. "It shows that we're all in this together!" For information about what you can do to support striking Verizon workers, call (978) 302-3690 or visit
http://www.massjwj.net/content/how-you-can-support-verizonworkers.

Radio ad crashes VP Cohen's Party

Comcast VP David Cohen hosted a $10,000 a plate fundraising dinner for Pres. Obama at his house in Philadelphia on June 30. Party goers got a surprise when the IBEW took out a radio ad in Philadelphia with a strong message to Comcast executives in support of workers. "Comcast has challenged their employees' right to organize all over the country," the ad announced. "They've even turned a deaf ear to Senators, Congressmen and Mayors who've joined Comcast workers in asking for their right to bargain." "It's time for Comcast to permit their employees that request a union a real choice in their future." Listen to the entire ad at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwnwGz9SKGk