Thread regarding Altice USA (Cablevision) layoffs

I know my only flaw I can admit it though 😂

the simple point being made is that Dolan has a history of opening up his checkbook and giving illegal raises to techs whenever there was a threat of a union.

Altice has a whole other approach,they love contract labor. they either want us all gone or want to pimp us all out as contractors. period.

anyone that's considering signing on to ATS, be sure to ask them if they'll continue receiving a w-2 or a 1099.

unionizing stops Altice from just doing anything they want to do. they'll have to sit down and negotiate all terms & conditions. some techs still can't understand that simple fact.

Your use of run on sentences is impressive.

With your math and raise rate no tech will ever make 50 dollars that's why they have the so called matrix so you can never achieve it I guess that's why I still work here can't have you running the plant with that bad math then none of these boxes and modems won't work

Could care less about the history of Cablevision. I guess 20 years of 3% raises will get you somewhere.

LOL @ the guy who thinks no tech is making $50/hr.... you just proved how much you know about the history of Cablevision. (especially as it pertains to the Bronx)

an excerpt from NLRB case 02-CA-085811 [CWA v Cablevision]

"....Questell testified that some employees received no increases at all as a result of the calculations but that most received at least 10% and some over 14%. While Questell testified that the average increase for the employee in Phase I was 14%, the document by Respondent reporting on increases for Phase I employees states that progression to the next level included a promotional increase and/or adjustment to market rate and the average increase per employee is 15%."

"R------ ------, a BRONX technician, who began his employment with Respondent in June of 2011, left his employment in July and started again in September of 2011. He received a raise of 23%, effective May 1, 2012."

still think techs ain't making $50/hr ?

here's special challenge for Mr Hilber. Please post a chart on the marquee showing 4 columns [tech grade level] - [years of service] - [base salary] - [depot location]. plug all technicians throughout the footprint into those columns.

perhaps that'll open some eyes.

You want to know who makes 50 dollar a hour a grade 17 tech that knows his job and actually knows the meaning of a Qam and knows how to fix a upstream issue with any kind of a cable analyzer and knows what's a spectrum analyzer does and not just 1 brand and doesn't get taught by a supervisor that never got passed field service and tells techs how great they are without knowing the losses on a 3 way splitter but I am not knocking anybody I chose to learn my craft so why should I leave I learned my craft I can fix any and all issues from the headend to the subscribers home that's why I make 50 and hour but I can't train you, I can't even show techs what I know because they say I am Pro union and new employees shouldn't know what I know and seperate them from us I'm the disgruntled evil old guy who has no qualms of imparting my knowledge to these young college grads that think they know my job because I'm just a high school grad who earned his way up I have no issue showing anybody what I know because I am secure in what I know well so when this union comes in and I am back where I belong I will show young techs what I know so you can take that knowledge that I have acquired through my 20 something years of experience we are all techs and we should share our knowledge and not fight for union or non union we are workers we should be a team the more we know the more power you have the brightest and the smartest are the c---iest why is that cause they know their job I shouldn't be scared a supervisor threatening me about not have 7 cones instead of 10 and trying to write me up on bs we have rights they want us separate, together we have power they want us fighting each other on websites like this if we are separate they win remember we are the union all as one we can negotiate our terms of employment not getting a change in policy in every new meeting. Happy New Year From the Evil Old disgruntled Pro Union Guy

You hit the nail on the head brother...very well said...@duh speaks with no experience on the matter...only with negativity and false revisions that's brought on by management...and there are techs in my building that make 50 an hour....and many more in the company that do...they earned it...putting in more than 25 years...and that's they way it should be...you earn it with time served and being a lead tech and mentor to your peers...and FYI...Verizon techs average 44 an hour...and they are union too...time warner/spectrum techs earn 40 an hour after 5 years...and they are union...I bet @duh doesn't and wouldn't complain if he was...but would b--ch up a storm if a company like Altice was trying to take that away...especially if he had a family, mortgage, etc.

@duh says guys are b--ching...we are simply voicing our matters here and starting a movement so we can have a voice in our work place...@duh does nothing but banter...dude if you don't like it...move on...and gtfo and go find another high paying job to start out...see how that works out for you...since you seem so educated....

Lol. What tech makes $50 an hour?? Lmao.

CBA = Collective Bargaining Agreement

@duh --- you're certainly entitled to your opinion, however, you're an ignorant fool with absolutely no understanding of the benefits of being union!

it seems as though you've never worked in a union AND you don't know anyone who works in one that could give you some insight. educate yourself and stop talking crap about things you no nothing about.

you can carry on with you slave mentality if you so choose. They're employees here with a lot more time vested and they choose to stand up and have a collective voice. it's our right to do so.

the perspective you been spewing sound like you're just a young 28 year-old tech with no kids & no mortgage and has only a few years in making less that $22/hr. losing this job will not affect you the same way that a 48 year-old tech with kids, mortgage, 20+ years in making $50+/hr would.

UNIONIZING PROVIDES US WITH A LAYER OF PROTECTION WE WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE.

you keep bringing up Brooklyn and talk as if you know what you're talking about. Do you even realize that the fat raise you got in 2012 was because of brooklyn doing what they did. And as a thank you, they were left alone on an island to fight Dolan for a first contract.

Furthermore, whether you choose to believe it or not, brooklyn employees are the most secure employees right now.

here's some homework for you...

http://apps.nlrb.gov/link/document.aspx/09031d45819ea459

http://apps.nlrb.gov/link/document.aspx/09031d45820e7565

http://apps.nlrb.gov/link/document.aspx/09031d458209a064

please read those NLRB court cases so you can have a better understanding of what the f-- is going on... the company has been trampling all over our labor rights in an effort to stop us from unionizing... why do think that is?

UNION 2017

And wtf is cba?

@duh....eat a d--k you brainwashed moron...your too focused on Brooklyn. You can tell you are a product of micro management..you would get your own contract...and you can't have a contract to look at before voting in a union shop...no wonder your name is duh...

Their contract stated at signing that in 2 years time I believe that they had to be in the 96th percentile of all the Cablevision salaries. Meaning if you are becoming a grade 13 then you will get 96% of the avg of every other grade 13 in the company. That s---ssss!!! So they lose 4% right off the bat then they have there union dues. What happens if your the best grade 13 in the company numbers wise? You get screwed! They got killed in the CBA. And what do you know they still lost the sick and holiday.

I'm not a field tech. I work in an office. I'm just curious if any techs know the details of the contract.

Does anyone have the information from the current Brooklyn contract? Just curious if it's public or if someone can comment on what that contract entails. Thanks.

Yes please look at Brooklyn. Really, ask how the 3 years with no contract went. Ask how "guaranteed" their jobs are. There is no such thing. I would rather bet on myself and my abilities than lump myself in with a has been union. Employees with good work ethics and skills either aren't let go of or immediately sought after by other companies. Nothing was or should be "given" to me. I earn it. The last thing I want is to be lumped in with the poor attitude, non caring, dead end techs that think their job should be guaranteed. Nothing in life is. And here's a fact for you: the union can't guarantee sh--. Go ask Brooklyn.

Amen brother!! This guys gets what I'm saying!!!

Just to be crystal clear, I am not bashing unions. I thought I made that perfectly clear but just in case I wanted to make sure you understood that. I'm just saying none of us have any idea if the Union will make anything better. Signing a blank contract is just nuts to me. If there was already a contract in place and we can see before voting it's a different story. This company will do everything it can to maximize profits and I'm not sure if a Union can stop a massive company like this. With unlimited money they can always find loop holes in the system. I'm just saying be smart, stop just sitting here like little babies and do something about your future besides crying to big brother (Union) and seeing if they can help. We all are adults, it's time to put on your big boy pants and nut up! With all that said just keep in mind if the Union vote does happen I really don't know yet if I'm voting yes or no. So spare me the pro Union speeches I don't need them.

You think the company cares about you? They don't, I think I already made it perfectly clear that they will gladly ruin hundreds of life's if that means making 11 billion instead of 10. But tell him how voting Union is going to help you at all? The one Union depot we do have lost the same things we did. So tell me smart guy how did the union help? I'm not pro company but I'm not pro Union either. No one cares that you have kids, a mortgage, been with the company for 20 years. You will get the same as everyone else in the companies eyes. We are all just numbers and dollar signs to them. But not 1 of you can tell me if the Union will make things better or worse. Brooklyn contract was horrible, what makes you think this one will be better. Stop crying about having kids, mortgage, etc. like I been saying, do something to better yourself and position yourself better for the future if something does go down.

Hey duh...( the name alone makes you sound unintelligent)...how long have you worked for this company? Not long enough apparently...when your a veteran tech and have given 20 years of your life to this company...have started a family , have a mortgage, bills, kids in school, etc...it's hard to just start over and make what you are currently making...and why should you have to just leave and start over somewhere else...The majority of us are not quitters and are ready to fight for what we have built for ourselves, our careers, our families, and the company. You want to bail? Then just shut up and go...go start over at Walmart making 11 bucks an hour.

And yeah this company has tuition reimbursement ...good luck getting reimbursed. A colleague of mine has been taking classes...he paid with his own money...he still has yet to get reimbursed...after constantly going to hr...he gets the run around from hr saying..." Let me check on that for you"...or " I haven't gotten an answer for you yet"...

If you wanna believe Altice has your best interests in mind you are out of your mind. Stay an at will employee and continue to let them bleed you dry...they have already taken away so much in the first 6 months...2017 will be worse...they are doing it to get rid of you or make you miserable so that you leave. It's called strategy. And many have been brainwashed and conned by the dolans that the grass will be green down the road are still stuck in that ignorant frame of mind.

No thanks...the majority of us are smarter than that...we see where this run away train is heading...voting in the union will be more of a saving grace than constantly losing grace in months to come...and your one of the few that are talking negative...and btw their are some women techs also you turd...and they feel the same as we do...and you feel Dexter has the right to be where he his and make what he makes and give out the orders he does? Wow you are so ignorant...it's like your brain shuts off and your mouth keeps moving....Dexter is from Beverly Hills California..his father was a high profile gynecologist ...he went to Georgetown university...in essence he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth...money goes with money...his family and friends are in that circle...the circle we aren't...how else does an investment banker become Ceo of an industry he knows nothing about...so I guess that makes it ok for him to make 24 million a year...buy an apartment building in nyc for 31 million and will spend more millions converting it into his own private residence...I guess his homes in the hamptons and Switzerland aren't enough...the rich are all about the rich...10 rolex watches aren't enough...they want 20...and so on...and you aren't allowed to get a holiday bonus, and less sick days, and complimentary cable service, and it's ok...we'll fork over more for our health insurance...and while your at it...take a 10% pay cut...we didn't earn it...working in nasty environments, irate customers, 95 degree heat and subzero wind chills.

Yeah let's not stand up for ourselves...lets just keep letting them take away...lets not have a say in our workplace...lets vote in a union so we can line the pockets of union reps...

Your stupidity is mind blowing and you nothing about what you blurt out.

You pay union dues...2%...a small price to pay for representation...in the form of union business managers and union lawyers who work for YOU and look out for your best interests first...would you go into a court room without representation? Maybe you would..your so smart you can defend your case and not lose...brooklyns contract is not perfect...but they have one...and we would get our own contract...won't be the same...as more shops go union the contracts can be aligned...and Brooklyn has more security than we do...and they still will keep a lot of things we will get taken away...and if more shops go union you have better bargaining power ..there's power in numbers...and better contracts to be gained...better leverage by numbers...you have more power ...more of a say....strikes don't happen unless you vote on it...union dues don't increase unless you vote on it...it's a brotherhood...and union workers make a better salary and get better benefits and it's statistically proven...and a little FYI..local 1 time warner techs make $40 an hour after 5 years...do you?

Maybe if you did more research you know these things....

" The friggin greed by the 1% is insain!! " Start adapting with your spelling.

I graduated with a B.A in business studies and worked as a tech for 14 years at CVC after college. Sort of got the job as a fluke because I knew somebody and wanted out of my dead end retail job. Wasn't glamorous or high paying work at first but the benefits and hours were great (M-F 7-3:30) and I loved not being stuck in a cubicle 40 hours a week like the characters in Office Space. Slowly worked my way up the pay scale over the years (finished as a grade 12).

For you thinking of leaving or about to leave because Altice pushed you out the door...there are jobs outside of cable. I transitioned into working consultant jobs with cellular companies based on my experience. If I can do it so can you...think outside your own box.

Over 600 employees from Shelton did not have a voice. This was within the first year of the the sale of the company after the workers were told there would be no changes in the first year. There were a bunch on highly educated and driven employees who had no voice. Years of hard work invested with the company just flushed down the toilet. Acting as one will allow us to speak and be heard.

The union can't guarantee anything ...but neither can the company...especially this company..your still better off having a union contract than being an at will employee at the companies disposal..if they are tools to reduce head count..that's what they will do...all to please their investors...at the end of the day..you are just numbers to them...doesnt matter how good a tech you are or if your a supervisors pet...do your research kid...I have..I've been in cablevision 19 years..I've never seen morale this low before...I've been through 3 acquisitions...and it's never hit the tech level...this company doesn't play...and they don't wanna pay...and they wanna ax people...so they can please the other 30% of investors that own this company...do your research...not by what company people tell you...I knew Altice and drahi had a bad rep before they even took over...I know people in other cable company's that told me it was going to go down...and our best bet was to unionize...and this was coming from ex cablevision people who were anti union!!

Did you think it was coincidence that all these cablevision executives starting jumping ship?

Do your research...

And it's statistically proven that union workers earn more than non union...all the best utilities and municipal workers have union contracts....do your research...

Yes please look at Brooklyn. Really, ask how the 3 years with no contract went. Ask how "guaranteed" their jobs are. There is no such thing. I would rather bet on myself and my abilities than lump myself in with a has been union. Employees with good work ethics and skills either aren't let go of or immediately sought after by other companies. Nothing was or should be "given" to me. I earn it. The last thing I want is to be lumped in with the poor attitude, non caring, dead end techs that think their job should be guaranteed. Nothing in life is. And here's a fact for you: the union can't guarantee sh--. Go ask Brooklyn.

Very well spoken and well said comeback to duh...he writes like he has no real concept of what this movement is about...and what the agenda of Altice really is....

@duh --- you clearly have no understanding what's been going in this company over the past several years. you also have no idea what it means to be unionized at a mega company.

"crying like babies" <--- really? - all we're doing is trying to secure the terms and conditions of our employment here. this can ONLY be accomplished by unionizing.

"you are entitled to nothing" <--- incorrect. I suggest you check the company handbook and then check nlrb.gov for a complete listing of our LABOR RIGHTS (and entitlements).

"Most of the people screaming for Union are the bottom of the barrel techs that are too lazy to change a fitting at the tap" <--- negative..... that is a off based assumption on your part buddy. There are plenty of hard working veteran techs with 15+ years experience that are "screaming" for union. (AND ARE ALSO COLLEGE EDUCATED) --- can't speak for you and your shop tho

"Don't vote Union, I really don't care" <--- why don't you care? how are old are you? Do you still live at home with mommy? Do you care if they were to lay you off tomorrow? have you ever spoken with a Brooklyn technician?

"I'm just sick and tired of this" <------ It seem like Altice has completely broken your spirit to carry on. (which is part of their agenda of course)

my suggestion to you would be to educate yourself about EVERYTHING that has been and currently taken place within this mega company. after doing that, you'll see why it's necessary for us to be unionized.32

No one is crying for hand outs here college or not i know college people,uneducated people, that make money and lose money people are people hard workers, lazy workers if someone had all the answers they would bottle it up and make billions I tell my kids from now on be a leader make your own business bet on your self if you fail so what keep trying as long as you succeed one time that is all, all we want to do is what's right if a union is the answer then we get a union obviously we was wrong by taking the money because we are back at square 1 trying to save what we have some people are ready to retire some people are just beginning their life but we need a voice apparently we lost ours not to long ago but I want mines back and with a union I will have it and if it doesn't and we fail and I get fired and we all lose our jobs I will start my next quest but at least I tried to make a difference and not just sat down and talked junk on a website so don't bash people because of their education because that uneducated person might of worked his butt off to put you through college go union

There may be a few exceptions of techs that been here a long time that have college. But not many.

Yes I am aware. I know teachers who can't find jobs. But then there is also steps you can take. I will give you a perfect example of my cousin who has a 4 years of college and a job working in the city for a big company doing accounting. He has been there 8 years and soon realized that all the new people being hired all have their masters. So what did my cousin do you ask? He is currently taking night classes to get his masters. Working full time, with a wife and 2 small kids. That is what I'm talking about. And I would bet dollars to donuts that the people working as techs with college are not the ones posting on here crying like babies who think they are entitled to anything. And let's be honest I have been a tech for over 5 years. 90% don't have a 4 year let alone masters or doctrine. People with college do not become techs. And if they do its just a job until they found what they are really looking for. Don't play stupid and kid yourself with that comment. I have numerous examples of techs that started at my depot with college that didn't stay long.

@vwq, How do you know who went to college and who didn't? I guess you consider it impossible that there are techs who have a college education. Are you aware that we have people coming out of college lately who are taking fast food jobs to pay their bills?

If you guys think you should have the same job opportunities or securitys as someone who went to college. You are all diluted. Sorry if it hurts but it's the truth.

No sh--!! But If you go to college and get your masters or doctrine maybe you won't be a CEO but you will have a job with a lot more security and money than the people who don't. Also if you do lose your job you will have the credentials to get hired again. Stop crying like little babies about the choices you made in life. I didn't finish college and I know why that's in the position that I'm in. I'm not sitting her crying with entitlement like most of you. Like I said what Altice is doing is the complete norm for this country. I think this country system s---s and needs change, but there is nothing I can do about it. Will Union help?? I really don't know. The one thing I hate about the Union is signing my name to a blank contract. We have no idea what that contract is going to say, and that scares me. I'm not anti Union but I'm not pro company either. Bottom line is that Altice is doing the same thing that every mega company in this country does. Again, blame the USA for allowing it.

@zvk Here is why you're a d--k head. No matter how smart you are or how much school you go to, we still can't all be CEO's. There is no way 100 million workers in this country can be all be CEO's. Some people have to be plumbers, garbage men, cable installers, truck drivers, etc. Still honorable wok, still deserving of not having to take less while the billionaires tell you that you need to tighten your belt.

He most certainly does..he has a contract..looked over by his attorney(his representation)and he even gets all his money even if he gets fired!

So why shouldn't we have contracts with our wages, job description , benefits, etc in writing and be represented by union business managers and union lawyers?!