Comcast Fires Worker for Speaking Out

Will Goodo, a longtime employee at Comcast, was fired after he testified before the Oakland, Calif., City Council and at a Workers' Rights Board hearing on Comcast's violations of workers' rights.

Goodo was working as a dispatcher at a nonunion Comcast facility when he joined the International Human Rights actions in Oakland and spoke out for fair treatment for Comcast workers. A Navy veteran, he has worked at Comcast for ten years.

Labor supporters won a first round in their campaign to require that franchises doing business with the city of Oakland follow a card check procedure so employees can make a free and fair choice about union representation. In a preliminary vote, the Oakland City Council approved the measure; final passage is scheduled for Feb. 21. 

The labor community in Oakland and Alameda County is rallying around Goodo, calling on citizens to contact Comcast's East Bay Division Vice President and demand Goodo's reinstatement.

"It shouldn't cost a loyal employee his job just to speak out in favor of workers' rights," is the message union supporters are sending to VP Hank Fore at 510-567-9301. An e-activist campaign also is underway, and a Valentine's Day picket outside Comcast in Oakland will call on the company to rehire Goodo.