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Public Gets the Message, 'Comcast Doesn't Care'
Between its workers and customers, Comcast isn't making friends in California.
Dozens of CWA members were among more than 200 union and community activists who turned out at a recent cable TV industry convention to blast Comcast for poor service, high prices, discrimination in hiring and no respect for workers' rights. Illustrating their anger, the crowd smashed TV sets with screens reading "Comcast Doesn't Care."
"Whereas the phone companies are heavily unionized and provide stable middle class jobs, Comcast is less than 5 percent unionized and consistently takes the low road: contracting out most work, keeping wages low, and refusing to allow workers to voice their concerns," District 9 Vice President Tony Bixler said.
The rally outside the Moscone Center in San Francisco came during the National Cable Telecommunications Association convention. Media watchdog groups and CWA members from throughout the Bay Area took part. But one affected group was largely missing.
"You don't see many Comcast employees at this rally because they're afraid they'd be fired if the company found out," Local 9415 President Valerie Reyna said.
Among other promises made when Comcast acquired AT&T Broadband in 2002, the company pledged to improve its dismal corporate diversity.
"The company has broken its promise and as it surpasses $20 billion in revenues we have yet to see any true commitment to diversity," said Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
Local 9423 Organizer Josh Sperry said Comcast "creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation everywhere. This March, in Oakland, where we represent workers, they wouldn't let us into the building. They turned on the sprinklers when we stood outside. How low can you get?"
Comcast is alienating customers, too. It dropped a popular FM radio station from its line-up in Marin County. And Sydney Levy of Media Alliance said Comcast fails to provide programming requested by cities and schools.
"Cable rates are 17 percent lower when there is a competing cable company," Levy said. "We don't have that in the Bay Area, so local customers are paying the higher monopoly price. Prices go up every year, and what do we get for it? Low quality service from a company that abuses its workers and doesn't listen to the public."
Dozens of CWA members were among more than 200 union and community activists who turned out at a recent cable TV industry convention to blast Comcast for poor service, high prices, discrimination in hiring and no respect for workers' rights. Illustrating their anger, the crowd smashed TV sets with screens reading "Comcast Doesn't Care."
"Whereas the phone companies are heavily unionized and provide stable middle class jobs, Comcast is less than 5 percent unionized and consistently takes the low road: contracting out most work, keeping wages low, and refusing to allow workers to voice their concerns," District 9 Vice President Tony Bixler said.
The rally outside the Moscone Center in San Francisco came during the National Cable Telecommunications Association convention. Media watchdog groups and CWA members from throughout the Bay Area took part. But one affected group was largely missing.
"You don't see many Comcast employees at this rally because they're afraid they'd be fired if the company found out," Local 9415 President Valerie Reyna said.
Among other promises made when Comcast acquired AT&T Broadband in 2002, the company pledged to improve its dismal corporate diversity.
"The company has broken its promise and as it surpasses $20 billion in revenues we have yet to see any true commitment to diversity," said Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
Local 9423 Organizer Josh Sperry said Comcast "creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation everywhere. This March, in Oakland, where we represent workers, they wouldn't let us into the building. They turned on the sprinklers when we stood outside. How low can you get?"
Comcast is alienating customers, too. It dropped a popular FM radio station from its line-up in Marin County. And Sydney Levy of Media Alliance said Comcast fails to provide programming requested by cities and schools.
"Cable rates are 17 percent lower when there is a competing cable company," Levy said. "We don't have that in the Bay Area, so local customers are paying the higher monopoly price. Prices go up every year, and what do we get for it? Low quality service from a company that abuses its workers and doesn't listen to the public."