Bronx Cablevision Workers Face Brutal Campaign

Members of CWA Local 1109, Cablevision technicians in Brooklyn, send a message of support to other Cablevision workers.

Cablevision workers in the Bronx, N.Y., faced tremendous pressure and a brutal management campaign in their effort to get CWA representation.

Despite strong support from members and leaders of Local 1101, who worked with the technicians; Local 1109's stewards, leaders and members, including the Brooklyn Cablevision techs; and many elected officials, union supporters in the Bronx unit weren't able to overcome the attacks that seemed to come from all sides.

Management was determined that technicians in the Bronx wouldn't take the same route as Cablevision technicians in Brooklyn, who won their CWA voice in January in a stunning election victory. So this time, management pulled out all the stops. It hired a union-busting law firm that helped create a "vote-no" committee that waged an ugly anti- campaign against union supporters.

Cablevision CEO James Dolan came to the Bronx location twice. On his first visit, he announced huge pay increases of up to $9 an hour, raises that won't apply to Cablevision workers at the Brooklyn location, of course. The CEO's second visit wasn't so pleasant. Then, he threatened technicians that if they voted for CWA, they wouldn't get any of the new technology work that the company is rolling out.

CWA Brooklyn Cablevision techs have sent messages of support to their brothers and sisters in the Bronx. Listen to this great song the Brooklyn techs wrote.

CWA has filed unfair labor practice charges based on the company's illegal actions.