CWA Members Vote to Authorize Strike at Optimum

Charleston, W.Va. — Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have overwhelmingly voted to give union leaders authority to call a strike at Optimum if negotiations between CWA and the telecom company fail to reach a fair settlement. Optimum is the brand name for telecommunications services provided by Altice USA and its subsidiary Universal Cable Holdings, LLC.

The current four-year contract, covering workers from Beckley to Logan, expired last month. The union workers agreed to a two-month contract extension to give the company more time to reach a fair deal that provides local workers with the pay and benefits they have earned and deserve. The contract extension expires on June 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

“We have shown up, worked hard, and delivered quality service for our community,” said Nicholas Mariano, a CWA member employed by Altice. “Now it’s time for a contract that gives dedicated, local technicians and our families a better standard of living and secures good jobs for the future.”

Altice is a telecommunications company, providing services under the Optimum brand in West Virginia. Altice is the fourth-largest telecommunications provider in the country and also operates a low-cost broadband option, Altice Advantage Internet, for eligible customers.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion