Comcast Workers United

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

Mass. Comcast techs learn about union experience in Fairfield, NJ

Comcast techs some for, and some against collective bargaining gathered to hear from Willie Ruiz and Nick Castillo: who are both techs out of the Fairfield, NJ garage. The meeting gave techs from Mass. an opportunity to ask questions and find out more about what being united in a union is like at Comcast.

Two Comcast technicians from Fairfield, NJ were the featured speakers on Oct. 19 at a lively meeting at the Fall River Elks Club to discuss their decision to form a union with IBEW Local 827 and what it's like now that they have negotiated their first contract. The two techs, Willie Ruiz and Nick Castillo, answered questions about how their work life has changed since an overwhelming majority of techs at their garage voted to ratify their first contract. Ruiz and Castillo are both stewards for the Fairfield group. During the nearly two hour meeting, they answered questions on how they now handle job titles, pay brackets, work schedules, discipline, health & safety, and the use of contractors at Fairfield. They also answered questions about union dues and procedures. At the end of the meeting Castillo summed up their experience by saying, "We have so much more control over our area and a real voice in our future. Favoritism has practically been eliminated. We have

better job security because management must get rid of all contractors before any layoffs. With our union, we've made Comcast more of a democracy and less of a dictatorship!"

After the meeting: Comcast techs Logan Bourque, Dave Correia, Ray Pacheco, Brian Almeida, Steve Lally, and Christine Dexter gathered with Willie Ruiz and Nick Castillo.

For more information about our union, call (978) 302-3690 or visit: http://comcastunion.blogspot.com