Thread regarding Altice USA (Cablevision) layoffs

Make no mistake the situation is bad but we here in the Bronx currently have no hope. At least those of us who voted union. It steams me to no end the many techs that seem to think everything is cool, and the others who seem to not care in the least. So I gave up I stopped trying to speak logic to a bunch of techs that stand in one of those two camps. Greatly out numbering those of us who built this system and invested so much because we love and care about what we do.

I came in as a tech back in 96 a time of non air conditioned vans. 15 trouble calls a day 8 installs a day (the majority of which were new connects) I watched our plant slowly upgrade from a 500 to a hybrid, and now the pending fiber. Made friends and became a member of a second dysfunctional family. But this s*t now is just sad and horrible to watch. It's a very different time. As bad as Dolan was I never dreamed it could get like this. But here we are and now I see how much better it use to be.

I've gone through so many feelings in the past few months. Everything they say you feel when you know you gonna die. Denial, despair, acceptance etc. Iam finally at the end of this whirlwind and have accepted not only mine but the fate of many of us left. My resume is ready, my job goals all in a folder and ready when needed. It took a lot of reflection and pondering to realize the situation is out of my hands. Iam part of the minority in the Bronxwhile Iam preparing for the worse I watch as others go about their business like all is well.

I watched a lot of people get fired for random crap in the months before Altice bought us. From dispatch and field service. They even came after me. But they got nothing but a mouthful from me these two supervisors trying to be sneaky on a roll up. I soon watched managers trickle out telling us to stay were all in good hands. Than the buy outs, and now what's left is barely meat on the bones running the company.

I can't even believe Iam still here after all that's happened to be honest. But Iam not sure that's a good thing. After what I've been witnessing and from what's yet to come those who were let go or took packages actually are the lucky ones. Iam actually afraid of what April will bring. April is when we go to ATS. That's when the full operation of how things are going to be rears its ugly head. I wish I could say maybe next year if I make it maybe we'll get another shot at union. But the Bronx depot has and always will be a depot that just doesn't want it. I'll never understand why it's like this here. These techs would rather be fired than involve union. They have this crazy notion that they don't need because they are awesome techs that do everything right, or techs that just don't want to risk what they have no matter how small. The thinking here is narrow and selfish. I despise the construction department they are the most self centered f*ks I've ever had the displeasure of being in the same room with.

Anyway as far as I can tell we here in the Bronx are one by one walking the plank toward a mirage. I wish things were different. I wish I understood the way the world works today but I don't. Apparently it's a world with a very different set of rules where you and all you invest just don't mean much any more. So I've learned to not take it personal instead I just take it one day at a time.

I hope we can get a "fire management" clause in our contract. You usually write some pretty insightful pieces. Not one of your best. To an earlier commenter you will still get your free cable at ATS as a stipend.

Hey Rex.... Ya gotta believe me when I tell you that I TOTALLY understand where you're coming from. We all understand that we can't conjure up the past and make it happen again. We all wish we could. The way it used to be. But when you see someone come out of nowhere and completely change almost everything that was of value to you..... it damn hurts. And the only ones who would understand that, would those who cared in what they did. The hard work, the seemingly impossible jobs, trying to satisfy ungrateful subscribers, hoping to gain enough of an impression that you'll get that bonus, raise or job opportunity that you know you deserve.

There are few guys like you.

And it bothers me.

That's why I chose to do what I can to provide important facts and real-life scenarios that many feel would "never happen to them."

But I'm preparing something that hopefully will put an end to vital, legitimate questions technicians want to know.

You can't trust management cause they'll push for their point of view. They have their agenda. And no one can blame them.

The technicians have their point of view. It's their agenda. There's no blame there.

But here's the main difference....

RIGHT NOW, being a "at-will" employee, your release or "firing" is justifiable for ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. The employer has that privilege.

But management is NOT an "at-will" employer!!

Meaning, if YOU are dissatisfied with anyone in management, for any reason (all things being equal)..... YOU CAN'T DO A DAMN THING ABOUT IT.

Now that's what I call POWER. And dictators love the sound of that word.

Like I said, I'm working on putting something together. Hopefully by tomorrow.

And may technicians finally open their eyes and mind from the eyes of one of their own.

Peace.

lol good questions. It's like this been running in this hellscape for way too long to give up my hard earned money. No way Iam taking a cut for this company. No way Iam going to deal with the pending hell at 16 or whatever dollars it comes out to. I figure I'll maintain my cash until they drop me it's all good. For me it's way better than the cut and that bs 5% bonus every quarter. I looked at the new numbers threshold for repeats and productivity and I said hell no. This is dam near impossible to achieve. Getting paid less work like a dam slave against all odds for 5% bonus that's taxed? Nope. Keep that.

I understand I might be a target but I don't give a f*k. Iam ready if the hammer drops. I voted yes to CWA union but we still failed. So now I don't have much of a choice. I thought about the next 3 or so yrs being on lock if I stay with Altice but than I thought about how that would look. It would be even more insubordinate to them and guarantee I'd be gone when they close Altice because that is the definite fate for anyone who stays.

So I figured ok yeah maybe they'll get me at ATS but I won't make it easy and furthermore I can't make that 5% bonus run but I know I'll get at least a valuable contributed on my review and keep my base pay. Short of a layoff of techs they would have to work double time to find an excuse to bag me. But I've been in the game long enough to know how these companies operate so it's all good. I've accepted that those of us who are without union are on the clock. All we can do is whatever works for us until the end. I've accepted my fate. But at least I accept it and will go down retaining some semblance of what is mine and what is mine is the base pay I earned.

Make no mistake this company is st and will always be a growing pile of st. Even now we're dealing with our fleet mechanics being cut off, and brand new newbie dispatchers that don't know s*t. I miss the skilled dispatchers that got you out the house quick. hot gloves remain on back order and god help you if you lose your iPad, meter, or phone. I honestly hate what this place is becoming and I know it's only the beginning the bs is not worth a single dime less of my pay. And if they get me for whatever stupid reason they conjure up they will be doing me a favor.

My bad me neither Luke comment two

Well said I wholeheartedly agree. If you didn't want to go with the bonus plan why did you join Ats a 2% bonus and loss of cable benefits you should of stood in Usa now you do not have the agreement of the Psc no 5 years, oh right yes you do because Ats said they would honor it not in writing because they said it. Ok so now you have voluntarily left USA for Ats for a lousy 2% bonus Jordan money good luck.

My bad.

Didn't identify myself.

Obeeone