Rutland Adelphia Workers Vote CWA in NLRB Election
Election follows successful campaign by Cleveland Adelphia workers
Seeking a voice in their workplace, a unit of 15 field and maintenance technicians working at Adelphia Communications in Rutland, Vermont, gained representation with the Communications Workers of America on Sept. 20.
The workers voted 12-3 to have CWA as their union representative. The secret-ballot election was conducted by the National Labor Relation Board.
Safety, a heavy workload, and lack of respect by management were among the issues the cable workers seek to address now that they have collective bargaining rights at the company. Workers complained about not having adequate safety equipment (road signs, traffic cones, etc.) when they are out on calls. They also say that management frequently asks one worker to handle a job where two workers are needed or required.
Employees who served as leaders in the organizing drive succeeded because their workplace issues, and reasons to gain a union, resonated with co-workers.
As part of the campaign, pro-union workers signed their names to a public "mission statement" (reprinted below) which itemized their concerns and showed that they supported a union.
They are the second group of cable workers at Adelphia to gain union representation with CWA recently. On Sept. 10, Adelphia cable workers in Cleveland, Ohio, voted for CWA as their union (click here).
CWA represents more than 4,000 workers in the nation's cable TV industry including 500 workers at Adelphia Communications.
RUTLAND, VT ADELPHIA WORKERS' MISSION STATEMENT
We, the technical and maintenance employees of Adelphia Communications in Rutland, VT, are forming our union with the Communications Workers of America to negotiate a legal, binding contract with our employer.
Our goal is to achieve a work environment that is free from harassment, humiliation, and where all employees are treated equally and with respect and dignity. We want to work under a written contract to prevent unilateral reductions in our benefits and our pay. Most importantly, we demand respect and a united voice in our workplace for all workers.
The following are some our goals:
- Clear Chain of Command
- Appropriate working conditions, including reasonable workloads, and a clear and uniform point system
- All safety issues will be addressed immediately
- Immediate replacement of necessary tools sand equipment. Inspections will be done to make sure tools and equipment meet requirements
- No "at will" employment
- Guarantees on promises made
We are here to provide a valued service to our company and our customers. We are committed to be a profitable and successful business. Adelphia is entrusted by our customers to provide the newest advances in the communications industry as well as knowledgeable quality service and the most highly-trained technicians.
Click here to view the workers' signed mission statement [Acrobat 236K]
