Union useless

Sisters and Brothers,

We want to share an important update on where things stand regarding Optimum’s planned transfer of work to MasTec.

Today, CWA Local 1103 and CWA Local 1109 met with Optimum (Altice) to address the impact of this transaction on our members and to discuss a formal proposal submitted by the Union. That proposal was focused on protecting jobs, preserving service time, limiting the sharing of employee information, and ensuring members have meaningful choices. Optimum has rejected this proposal.

Below is a summary of what the Union proposed and the company’s response:

Option to Remain with Optimum — Rejected
Protection if MasTec Does Not Hire You — Rejected
Severance for Employees Hired by MasTec — Rejected
Recall Rights if Optimum Re-Enters the Business — Limited Response
The company indicated it may consider rehiring former employees within 365 days of February 1, 2026, should Optimum re-enter the fulfillment business.
Limits on Employee Information Shared
At this time, Optimum states it is still “reviewing” what information it intends to provide.

Company Position Overview

Optimum has rejected key protections, including continued employment options, severance, and the no-layoff provision. The company claims there are no available positions in other disciplines and asserts that employees not hired by MasTec would be treated as voluntary resignations—a position the Union strongly disputes and considers a layoff.

Important Guidance for Members

We understand that the compressed timeline being imposed is causing significant stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.

We recognize that this is a personal decision and that your job and livelihood are critically important. Therefore, we recommend that Field Service members apply for positions at MasTec before the January 9, 2026, deadline while this process continues.

Please understand that applying does not mean you are giving up your rights, nor does it stop the Union from continuing to fight on your behalf. The Union will continue to do everything in our power—using every legal and contractual resource available—to challenge the company’s position, demand answers, and protect your jobs. We will continue pressing both Optimum and MasTec on all fronts as we work through this transition.

The Union has already taken all available steps to protect you, including filing grievances and engaging in Effects Bargaining, and we will soon pursue full bargaining. We are also scheduled to meet directly with MasTec on January 8, 2026, to discuss expectations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

We will share additional updates as soon as they are available. If you have any questions or need further guidance, please contact your union leadership.

Thank you,
Mike Gallo
Executive Vice President
CWA Local 1109

#CollectiveBargaining #EmployeeRights #Layoffs #Severance #Union

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12 replies (most recent on top)

The only time my union shows up is under deductions on my check

@ae Maybe getting rid of the union was part of the thought process, glad I never paid union dues!

I lost over 13 days of PTO. Thanks union.

@1ke

No one is striking. Every union contract I read has a no strike clause in it. The purpose of all of this is for fair wages and fair treatment. I’m sorry that you want the company(s) to win so bad. So working class people continue to get sc--wed and the c-level criminals pad their pockets and get large bonuses. I wonder if they care about your incoherent a-s. Most likely not.

you guys sat and took it up the a$$. when the union was supposed to be monitoring and watching out for you. dont worry they hope you strick or transfer over.if you guys strike does no good as contractors have all the work already or if you move then mas will lay you off as you get paid to much or low work...ect and you dont have any time. Stuck between a rock and hard place. like a repeat of how the union got out in twc

The union is doing more than you are doing for yourself . What negotiating power do the “At will” employees have? Good luck!

Is this legit? I can't find anything on CWA Local 1103 and CWA Local 1109 to confirm this.

Yeah, clearly the best move is to go to MasTec without a union and just hope they treat you better than the company that sold you off. You’re losing 3 holidays, over 100 hours of PTO, and your 2025 raise (a pathetic 1%… if you even get a raise anymore). Pension gutted, Christmas bonus gone, lied to nonstop… but sure, let’s take another blind leap of faith. Maybe this time a different executive gets a family trip to Hawaii.

all depends on how that "successor" clause is written

The Union will be of zero benefit or help. Like someone said in a previous comment…”checkmate.” The union is lazy and was never prepared for dealing with these people. The union is use to management caving to their demands and have never had to do much of anything other than collect dues and live off the backs of their people until ALTICE came along. Union leadership is fat and lazy and ALTICE does not fear nor respect unions. I can’t believe you all are just now finding this out.

@ae sad but true... Its the unions fault in that it should have been a part of the contract and they negotiate that. You hire a Union to be the experts. But, at this point, there is no reason the company would not just stick to whatever is in the contract.

Was there a successor clause in your contract? If not shame on you for not bargaining that to begin with. Why would you think the company would renegotiate with you? Not the unions fault at this point, your contact never protected you from this move. You got checkmated.

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Union useless

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