Comcast News and Bargaining Updates

Bargaining resumed for the Cortland facility on June 5, 2007. The company would not budge on its ridiculous wage offer of 2.25%. Your bargaining committee held its ground and said no, WE want justice and equality. We want this company to treat us fair.

Bargaining continued on Friday June 8, 2007. The company came to the table with another wonderful offer which the company claimed quote “… pretty generous”. Well folks here are the facts - Comcast proposed a 2.25% for some and up to 4.6% for others. 2.25%, 4.6% on wages - that is over 30% lower than non-represented employees. We don’t know about anyone else but does that sound pretty generous? COMCAST GET REAL! You really are a low road predatory employer.

It’s obvious that Comcast is not listening, but the efforts on the streets are really what it is all about. Local 21 President-Business Manager Ron Kastner met this week with Mayor Daley’s office to discuss the union’s complaint filed with the cable commissioner. The union wants to be clear that we are not asking the city to resolve our labor dispute but the union is demanding that the cable commission should conduct hearings with respect to the discrimination by Comcast on wages and benefits. As you know by now, Comcast filed an EEO/AA plan with the city of Chicago and promised to maintain and pay equitable wages and benefits to all Comcast employees in the city of Chicago. Simply put, Comcast vowed not to discriminate against minorities.

The mayor and his office are troubled by Comcast’s actions, in which Comcast has chosen to violate its own policy by discriminating against some of its own workers. How? By paying 7 to 9 dollars an hour less to employee’s doing the same work. The actions of Comcast work against what the Mayor believes, that working families should not be discriminated against, and they should be able to make an affordable living so they can afford to shop and live in the city of Chicago.

As stated before Brothers and Sisters in the Cortland facility, it is imperative that you talk to your alderman if they have not received a packet from you. TAKE them one. If they have your packet follow up with them let them know that you want them to support immediate hearings on the complaint filed by your union. See a Steward or bargaining committee member for more information.

Some members in various shops have been getting disciplined for high repeats some of which are out of their control. Management doesn't seem to care what the reason for the repeat is they just want to issue discipline. The Union is looking into the issue.

Our Union wants ALL members in all shops to protect themselves against repeats. Do your job safely and follow all company practices when doing your job. Go to whatever means necessary to avoid a customer repeat. The customer is number one. They pay exorbitant rates to Comcast - give them the service they expect. Remember Safety First - Quality Second - and the rest doesn't really matter.

In a few garages there is an issue on the drug and alcohol policy. We cannot stress enough if you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol - please seek help. People are testing hot and losing their jobs. Know your rights - talk to your stewards - you can get help before a termination.

Remember to get involved; ask questions, read your Union bulletin board. Stay strong and lock arms with one another and we will last one day longer