Standing Strong at Cablevision

They use every opportunity to talk about their fight for respect, and for a fair contract. From building a strong coalition of community and civil right activists and elected officials in New York, to carrying that message to the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, to testifying on Capitol Hill, Cablevision workers are fearless in fighting for their union and very first contract.

Don't forget to check out their latest video, "Dear Mr. Dolan." And check out www.thecablevision99.org for the latest news in this fight.

In January 2012, 280 Cablevision workers in Brooklyn voted for CWA Local 1109. Just about a year later, when workers tried to take advantage of the company's "open door" policy to talk about stalled contract negotiations with a manager, Cablevision illegally fired and "permanently replaced" the 22 workers. The massive support of religious leaders, NYC mayoral candidates and union and community activists forced the company to rehire all 22 workers a few weeks later.

That and other illegal actions and unfair labor practices by Cablevision are the focus of a National Labor Relations Board hearing underway in New York. Cablevision has hired more than 50 lawyers, working 10 hours a day, to defend their illegal actions. In fact, the company has spent more on union busting than it would cost to settle a fair contract.

Clarence Adams

In DC, Cablevision technician Clarence Adams resently testified before the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. Adams, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the Iraq War, has worked as a Cablevision field technician in Brooklyn for more than 14 years. He and his co-workers deserve the respect and fair treatment a union contract brings. He told the committee:

"Ten years ago, I put my life on the line 6,000 miles away from home in the name of protecting the basic rights of American democracy. I believed I was fighting so that the rights of every American would be protected. I never thought that I would see the day that I, as an American citizen, would have my basic rights trampled on and no one would do anything about it. I never thought that a big corporation could violate my rights and the government would let them get away with it.

"I am proud that my 21 co-workers and I who were fired stayed strong through this ordeal. We had faith in our union. And when we walked back in the door, we showed our fellow workers that this is still a fight that we can win. Workers who dream of reaching the middle class and who hope for some job security shouldn't have to endure months and even years of fear and intimidation at work."