TWC Wins Big With CWA Loss

Los Angeles, CA - Employees at four Adelphia locations in Los Angeles have voted to decertify the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as their union on Friday, May 12, 2006. The vote was a significant loss for CWA which represented the same work group through four changes in ownership over a period of thirty years. However, the news was welcomed at Time Warner Cable (TWC) which is expected to assume ownership of Adelphia and Comcast franchises in the region by August.

After months of wrangling that pitted Adelphia and CWA against each other in bankruptcy proceedings and bitter contract negotiations, employees grew disillusioned by the constant uncertainty over the future of their jobs. “In many ways, Time Warner is regarded as a knight in shining armor.” According to CWA 9000 President T Santora, “Our members were simply worn out by worry.”

The contentious relationship between CWA and Adelphia ends just in time for TWC to take over the beleaguered cable company without having to negotiate a union contract. CWA believes the timing is no coincidence. In fact, CWA filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Adelphia after TWC representatives made presentations to Adelphia workers days before the representation vote. The presentations made in what Santora describes as “captive audience” meetings were supposedly about what cable workers could expect from their new employer.

CWA contends the TWC meetings were far from innocent. “The message delivered was clear; lose the union or lose the pension, 401(k) and tuition aid plans.” Santora says he doesn’t blame the workers. “If you worked for a bankrupt, poorly managed company with the worst reputation in the business and someone comes along to buy the business, promises to replace the managers and offer better benefits, what would you do?” Apparently, it worked. Workers voted against CWA by a 2 to 1 majority.

TWC maintains they did nothing illegal. Adelphia claims they are not responsible for TWC actions. CWA’s charge against Adelphia is now pending investigation by the NLRB. Previously, five prospective witnesses backed out of being interviewed by the NLRB for fear of being exposed. “Retaliation is a reality in this industry.” explains Santora.

TWC isn’t counting their chickens just yet, however. Several NLRB charges filed around the country are still under investigation including the one here in Los Angeles. In addition, the Los Angeles City Council is looking into the union’s allegations and discussing the adoption of new protections for cable workers. CWA is also attempting to add worker protections to the controversial new state franchise legislation introduced by Speaker Fabian Nunez.