IBEW Local 1228

from the Berkshire Eagle

Adelphia workers unionize in Lee
By Derek Gentile, Berkshire Eagle Staff

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - LEE -- Following what one union representative called a "venomous" management campaign, technicians at Adelphia last week voted to be represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1228.

The vote was 5-4, according to union organizer Fletcher Fischer.

It is unclear how -- or if -- the upcoming purchase of Adelphia by Time Warner will affect these unionization efforts.

"What this means is that IBEW Local 1228 will become the bargaining unit for these technicians," said Fischer. "We were made aware of the pending sale of Adelphia to Time Warner."

Time Warner Inc. and its bidding partner, cable television operator Comcast Corp., announced yesterday that they have reached a deal to buy bankrupt cable operator Adelphia Communications Corp. for nearly $18 billion.

Adelphia has 5.3 million subscribers across the country. The company is reorganizing its business in bankruptcy court, but agreed more than a year ago to seek bids for its assets.

Fischer said the union vote was limited to the technicians who work for the Lee branch of Adelphia. Asked if the union had plans to represent Adelphia's other branch, located in North Adams, Fischer said, "Not yet."

Meri Sevey, the head of the Lee branch, could not be reached for comment. Attempts to contact other Adelphia officials yesterday were also unsuccessful.

Fischer said yesterday that he was disappointed at the "aggressive" tactics used by Adelphia's local, regional and national management team to dissuade the technicians from voting in favor of union representation.

"It was one of the most venomous, intense treatment by company representatives that I've seen in any union campaign I've witnessed in the past 25 years," said Fischer.

He reported that the technicians were repeatedly subjected to verbal abuse, including profanity, as well as threats of retaliation. The IBEW was described as a "cancer" that had to be excised, said Fischer.

"You have to commend these guys for having the courage to cast those votes," said Fischer. "They've gone through a lot."

"Now that the votes have been counted, we call on Adelphia to stop its illegal harassment," said Fischer. "Adelphia should immediately focus on negotiating a fair contract for its employees."

Fischer said the principal focus for the union will be negotiating better working conditions, improved safety, better wages and a more structured disciplinary process.

Fischer said Adelphia managers have been excessively reprimanding employees for "minor offenses."

The election was administered on Friday by a representative of the Boston region of the National Labor Relations Board.