Food for thought

Some truths to consider...based on real life events.

The union does not work for you, they represent you. Even though you pay them. Yes there is a difference like it or not. The job term Representative they use is very accurate.
The union also represents some of your competition. Now ask yourself which group (kid) is more important to them. Simple math. Example...How many technicians are employed by Verizon compared to the number of Altice technicians. Consider also how much money that is. Remember the union is a business as well and they need to make a profit too. How many union locals have declared bankruptcy and closed their doors?
How long did it take for Brooklyn to get a contract vs. What they lost while waiting for a contract. Did the contract help them recover anything they lost out on during that time. Do they have better pay or benefits or anything that a non union shop has?
Did you know that it is legal for a company that is unionized to close it's doors and resume it's operation as a business as long as the business name and agent (owner) is changed. It has happened to members of the Teamsters and why truckers who used to make so much make so little in comparison now. Personally know people that were offered their job back for $8.00 an hour. Was making between $25 - $30.00 an hour. How's that for job and benefit security. Union did nothing about it because they couldnt. Now a lot of places pay by the load instead of by the hour. Similar to paid by the job vs. by the hour.
Altice has started a new and separate company called ATS. The current plan calls for ATS to run the day to day operations after the fiber rebuilt for a ftth system is completed in 2 years. Anyone that elected not to go to ATS will have to hope that they will be given a chance to do so when the rebuild is complete or they will be looking for a job. Wonder how that will work out. Altice will need to recoup all that money spent on the fiber rebuild. Will Altice USA be kept in business at that point? Will they still employ technicians? Possibly not.

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Yes. Non profit. No stockholders and no owners making profit. But, BUT, the employees of the union, the organizers and lawyers and president, etc are all 'for profit' employees. They're not just 'brothers' who volunteer their time. #pyramidscheme

The IBEW is not a business.. It is a NON PROFIT organization....ALL dues money collected is used for representation of the MEMBERS...US....There are federal laws and procedures in place to make sure of that....

Stop spewing garbage cause you mad oakland went union they seen the writting on the wall. We the only utility company climbing that pole working in all kinds of weather with no contract and no protection. Altice showed their true colors. Definition of insanity! Is trying the same thing over wishing for diffrent results im not buying what altice is selling. Nor the garbage you spewing . Unions built this country pay some respect.

Excellent post. Let me add to it.

1: union reps hire lawyers, know the ins and outs of labor laws, and defend you from any unjust actions for as far as the law allows. You basically pay them as you would any lawyer in a time of need like insurance. If your union is deemed corrupt. or you feel they are not helping much. they can be voted out with a minimum of 50% votes. But it's harder to get them out than it is to get them in it's a long process.

2: the larger company will get the premium attention and extra effort. It's just business you can't lose your main source of revenue anyone else is just extra. Have a look here at why many unions fail.

http://theamericapartyusa.blogspot.com/2013/08/why-are-unions-flailing-failing.html

3: 3yrs. They lost parity of wages with other non union depots. 96% parity. May not sound like much but it's still lost income. They received absolutely nothing extra or different due to the "me too" clause. They tried for 3yrs to get a decent contract but could not take it anymore caved and took what was given. An example of going on strike without leverage or ability to dent a companies profits being a mistake.

4: this is what comes after employees receive a 60 day notice of impending layoffs called the "warn act"

This is done to offset any legal restrictions in place and to write off debt loads.

5: Altice cannot be stopped. It is a multi billion dollar global company. The shareholders are more important than any needs of the common employee. But that's why unions are a thorn on their side.

But this isn't 1920. Unions are much weaker today, and grow weaker by the day. Especially with new laws that further weaken a unions ability to stifle a companies plans.

Bottom line you either go with ATS when it's offered. Hope for the best. Or you prepare yourself for a new career. Not trying to sound negative. Just want you all to understand union or not the cable industry is changing and will be what it must with or without you. Profit is all that matters in a business that is costing owners more to maintain every year.

Excellent!

Thread regarding Altice USA (Cablevision) layoffs

Food for thought

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