CWA Optimistic as Cablevision Vote Looms

Saturday may bring a truce in the three-year stalemate between Cablevision and unionized Brooklyn workers for the television company.

Tony Spina, president of the Communications Workers of America Local 1109, told City & State that he would present the Brooklyn branch's first-ever collective bargaining agreement to its 262 workers for a vote this Saturday.

“We’re pleased and looking forward to laying it out to the members first,” Spina said. “We have made a fair contract with Cablevision.”

When asked if the deal would bring Brooklyn workers’ wages up to those paid to the company's other employees, Spina said yes, but then later declined to clarify or provide details.

“Yes, it brings the wages up,” he said “I’m sorry, you’re not going to get those details before the members.”

The conflict between Cablevision and the union dates back to January 2012, when Brooklyn workers aiming to increase their wages to those paid by competitors and to receive better benefits voted 180 to 86 to join the CWA local. Cablevision has said that the Brooklyn technicians are the only unionized workers in the company. 

Roughly a year later, a group of Brooklyn workers grew frustrated with the pace of bargaining and requested to meeting with Cablevision management. The workers allegedly refused to go back to work when the company declined, and were then fired.

Their departure caught the attention of Democrats in a crowded mayoral primary contest, including eventual victor Bill de Blasio, who expressed support for the workers. They eventually got their jobs back.

However, a three-year battle ensued between the union and the cable company, with CWA filing charges of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Review Board. Also, about 30 percent of the Brooklyn employees’ petitioned to withdraw from the union, and the request was sent to an administrative judge.

Spina said he believed a new contract would not impact the fate of any complaints standing with the NLRB.

Cablevision would not disclose what an agreement might mean for matters before the board or judge.

“The collective bargaining agreement for our Brooklyn employees is balanced and fair and was hard-fought by both sides over many months,” the company said in a statement. “With this agreement, our focus in Brooklyn will continue to be providing the best connectivity and service to Cablevision customers.”