Comcast News and Bargaining Updates

Last week, bargaining resumed for the Cortland unit and while we can report that we are close to parity on most benefits, Comcast’s most recent offer is still far away from parity on wages.

In addition to our continuing requests for the information on the company’s ComTech program, Local 21’s bargaining team continues its demand for wage parity with the non-represented shops.

To reinforce those demands, members from the Cortland unit and the West Area demonstrated against the unfair treatment at Chicago’s City Hall Building. Workers were elated by the large number of passers by that stopped to talk about Comcast and the fact that they are a company that is not a good corporate citizen. After this hot demonstration on a cold November day, workers joined together inside City Hall to warm up and to thank several Chicago Aldermen for their ongoing support. These actions were a great show of solidarity for all involved and should serve as yet another wake up call to Comcast that we are united, strong, and completely fed up with their anti-worker and anti-union way of thinking.

In Merrillville,

Local 21 has grieved and requested binding arbitration over the closing of the Merrillville payment center. Our union’s position, per the contract, is that Comcast cannot layoff and contract out at the same time. More will be reported on this item as soon as news is available.

In other news for the Merrillville unit, Comcast refuses to provide a satisfactory answer as to why they are not replacing people when workers they leave the bargaining unit, for any reason. Since the signing of the contract in September 2005, fifteen employees have left and Comcast has not hired anyone. Comcast has fired seven workers in the last two months alone, with only one of those being close to justified for just clause.

While Comcast does have the contractual right to contract-out work, the union believes the company is in violation of the recognition clause of the collective bargaining agreement. We will continue to pursue this issue and will keep you posted as new information breaks.

Here’s an update on the vacation arbitration award. By now each member should have been notified on how many hours they will receive. According to the arbitrator's ruling, up to eighty (80) hours goes into Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used within one year of the award, and any hours over eighty are to be to be paid-out as cash. If there are any questions or concerns in regards to the ruling, contact Jerry Rankins at 630.222.9100.

Brothers and Sisters, as we all fight for equality in our workplaces, it is extremely important to understand the strategy Comcast uses to retaliate. They will stop at nothing while simultaneously avoiding fairness, honesty and overall just being upfront. One way they do this is with discipline. As a group, we must not let ourselves become victims. We must show up for work, every day we’re supposed to be there, do a good quality job, and do it while working safe. This will protect us. We have a contract. Comcast must abide by it.

Speaking of honesty and being upfront, guess who got caught again being dishonest? You guessed it – Comcast Corporation. Just a few weeks ago, the FCC fined Comcast for running a fake news story during a consumer-issues segment about non-prescription sleep aids. While the FCC only fined Comcast $4000 dollars, it just goes to show that anyone watching Comcast can see through the lies and distortion. One more thing, maybe it would be a good idea for Comcast to quit spending their time pushing herbal sleep-aids like they did here. Then – maybe they would wake up, clear their corporate minds of all that muck, and stand up and be honest for a day.

Brothers and Sisters utilize your union bulletin board daily, your bargaining committee, your local shop stewards and pay attention for upcoming events. Always request union representation when in meetings with management if needed, stay involved if you are and get involved if you’re not, because together we always stand stronger.