Organizing Update

New York Lotto Technicians Join CWA

In a National Labor Relations Board election, G-tech workers have voted 19-8, with two abstentions, to join CWA Local 1101.

A four person organizing Committee overcame a blistering anti-union campaign for this victory for workers. The workers, who fix New York State Lottery machines in the tri-state area, lost an election last year but the local maintained contact with the group. Organizers Ken Spatta and Keith Hogarty worked on the campaign.

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57 New Mexico Communications Technicians Gain Workplace Voice

57 workers at the Space Communications Network Services White Sands Complex, employed by Exelis Inc. in Las Cruces, NM., have voted 29-19 to join the Communications Workers of America.

They work in classifications that include Communications Services Controller, Satellite Controller, Site Specialist, and Space Network Real-Time Scheduler. Their functions include working in the Operations Department in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Operations Control Center at the Second Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Ground Terminal and the White Sands Ground Terminal TOCC.

Eric Hayes was the leader of the organizing committee, with support from President Jim Clark, Al Kogler and the IUE headquarters staff.

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New England Verizon Workers Poised to Join CWA

The Everett, MA, Verizon workers are not deterred by the telecommunications giant's patented hostile anti-union campaign. They will vote Dec. 10 on their future. In response to repeated forced anti-union meetings, the workers have signed a statement to Verizon management asking them to stop and let them do their work.

Watch this video of Brooklyn Verizon workers dispelling some of the company's misinformation and this video of the New England AT&T Mobility members talking about the job security having CWA representation brings to them. For instance, a worker identified as Adam, who has been with AT&T Mobility for seven years, spoke of a wrongful termination situation. (Videos also embedded below.)

"My manager somehow got me fired. The union fought every day. I got my job back. I got back pay – lost pay so I got back over $100,000, one check, and then I got my seniority back. All the money that I paid out of my pocket for health insurance, I got all that reimbursed. I got all my vacation time paid out to me and everything I would have lost, I got back because I'm in a union," Adam said.

From Brooklyn with Love video:

AT&T Mobility New England video: