The freedom of speech is greeted by angry words from both sides. Everyone calling the other a--holes, punks, etc. Each side NOT understanding why the others are in disagreement. Instead of an intelligent debate or conversation, WE (that's both sides) respond with verbal "judo" at each other.
I have never referred to anyone in any way in such a manner on this website. But if attacked, the same will go your way. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. WE ALL react in a similar fashion.
The freedom of choice is clearly the first to go. Your "choices" or options are slowly being cut down. Slowly we are all being "forced" to adhere to new rules and regulations. "If you don't like it..... TOUGH.... that's the way it is." And when choices are taken away, then the fear of being "boxed" in a no-win situation causes people to react in fear and irrationality. The fear of watching what you say. Of what you do. Of how you feel. These are the times we live in. There is "no choice" in the matter. If you don't like this country.... LEAVE. If you don't like this job..... QUIT. If you don't love your wife.... GET A DIVORCE. Don't like the neighborhood?...... MOVE. But if you can make an effort to try to make your current circumstance or situation more acceptable, then you'd be crazy not to try.
This is why some technicians want to the union in.
If you've read ALL my responses, then you would know that I voted "against" unionizing 3 times. Once in management and twice as a technician. So I've been on both sides. There's probably a couple of guys here on this website who know who I am. I thank you for keeping me hush-hush. They know where I'm coming from. It's comforting to know the right to privacy still exists. Thank you.
What was shared in this website with you guys was supported with facts, data and a little bit of experience. PERIOD. Nothing made up. But I must emphasize that during THOSE TIMES (the past), conditions were different. DURING THOSE TIMES, the economy was different. DURING THOSE TIMES, Cablevision WAS Cablevision. DURING THOSE TIMES. But THAT WAS THEN.
The point is this. It was about negotiating. It was about compromise. The economy was different then. There was no ISIS. And burgers were only 33 cents at White Castle. THAT WAS THEN.
AND THIS IS NOW.
From what I've read and heard, THE TIMES have REALLY changed for your company. It's going the other way around. And the fear technicians have DURING THIS TIME is valid. It's easy to say "quit if you don't like it" or "if you do your job, you have nothing to fear." Oh really? Technicians also know that the job market is thin. To get 40 hours a week is pure luck. Sure I.T. and networking markets have plenty of jobs, but not everyone is into computers. Not everyone is into fixing cars. Not everyone is into cooking burgers. Technicians like what they do. The job offers independence, challenges, and interaction with different people. They enjoy the physical part. And more importantly... they like and want to keep their job. Of course, there are exceptions, but few.
They see the trend of things to come. Now uncertainty sets in. How long will it last? When will it start? Will it happen to me? How bad will it be? What will I do? ALL LEGIMATE CONCERNS. Instead, I read responses like "QUIT".
Guess what? Their fears are your fears. If the union is voted in, then THOSE WHO OPPOSE would be forced in. New York is not a Right-To-Work state. If the union is voted down, then nothing changes and the fear remains. Those who oppose don't wish to be forced into something they did not vote for. And those who are for it, and lose, don't wish to be forced into something they did not support. So, you see, both sides are equal in many respects.
Joining a union TODAY is the same as signing a lease for an apartment. There are rules within the agreement you may not like. But one thing is for sure..... your rent amount is agreed upon for the next 1 year, 2 years or three. IT WILL NOT arbitrarily change. Whatever the terms are... IT IS BINDING. It doesn't prevent the owner from selling the building nor a promise there will never be a fire. But it does add a bit of certainty monetarily. Technicians are asking for certainty during these uncertain times. They're looking for a minimum 2 or 3-year window to sort things. If all else fails, unions can be voted out. It's not an eternal signature your the devil. And when things don't turn out well, then you're back to square one. Nothing changed.
40 hours per week will soon disappear. The number of technicians needed will lower. Those who were staples in the company are gone. The pride in working for what use to be Cablevision is gone. Mixing it up and joking with management is gone. Issues brought up in meetings are looked upon as coming from a militant or troublemaker, so you stay silent. Changing company trucks into pieces of Skittles... an embarrassment.
Those whom you've known for a long time have left. Only veterans can understand this. Not little by little, but in masses. Yes, they took the money and ran. Good for them. It was their option. And if the company offered the same option to ALL TECHNICIANS using the same mathematical formula, MUCH MORE would've left. That indicator alone is enough to express the dissatisfaction and faith they have for Altice. The money received is simply "seed money" for a new start. AN OPTION. So, is there any wonder why technicians have a fear? A fear they DID NOT CREATE.
Instead of calling them idiots, stupid or unintelligent, try to put yourselves in their shoes. Offer a logical answer instead of ridicule. For most of them, this is their livelihood. They like what they do. They realize things will never be like the old days. They know buying a house might be impossible. But for Christ's sake... THEY'RE NOT STUPID.
I only hope the best for you guys. Pro and con. I have offered a link to current IBEW contracts. If you read them you'll see GOOD stuff as well as BAD. And, if I were an IBEW rep, then I'd be shooting myself in the foot, by even showing you a current valid contract. It would be stupid on my part, don't you agree? (I hope that answers corporate's question).
It's there for you to get "an idea" of what it looks like, for those who've never joined a union before. Keep in mind, it's all about give-and-take. It will NOT be one-sided. The good-old days WILL NEVER RETURN. Much like Elvis. But it will be Rottweiler versus Pit, David against Goliath. And if I were still with the company (Cablevision was my company... Altice is yours), I would sign for the union, if only to preserve what I currently have..... FOR THE TIME BEING. If the business is going downhill, then yes, layoffs will occur, union or not. That's a no-brainer.
If you're against union then say so and why. If you're for it, say so and why. It's possible someone may be getting the wrong information. Inquiring minds want to know.
In either case, remember this.... their fear is no different from yours, but both of you do have something in common.
Peace.