Mr. Cronin

            How come every time Paul comes out with a letter he is always making it a Cox versus Verizon thing? This not about that, this is not about our corporations dueling it out on the poles. This is about what is right and just. This is about your half-truths and how you manipulate words into propaganda for your profit-hungry growth machine. In your recent letter you spoke about an “unsuccessful attempt to organize your Connecticut field techs” what you didn’t say was that you were found guilty by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for violating a federal law. If you need proof you can find this document that you signed on our blog section. But I will remind you of a few key points (in case you forgot them.)

Form, join, or assist a union

Bargain collectively through a representative chosen by employees

Act together with other employees for your benefit and protection

Choose not to engage in any of these protected activities

• WE WILL NOT ask you to tell us about union activities of your fellow workers, hmm once again violated by a high-ranking official at a Christmas party at Mohegan Sun.
• WE WILL NOT tell you that the Union will have to start bargaining from scratch if it wins an election.
• WE WILL NOT threaten you with loss of wages, benefits, or other terms and conditions of your employment if the Union wins an election.

            You then had to apologize and admit on paper that you were wrong for doing that. Posting it in all CT field offices, but why not RI field offices, is it because you didn’t want them to know that you couldn’t intimidate them, or harass “your” field techs? Personally I think it was because you were embarrassed because you broke the law. Then again your not the only one who broke the law, I believe a high ranking Cox official (who is in charge of field technicians some where in New England) was arrested, charged and found guilty of DUI. He still kept his job; I bet he even got a raise that year, along with his productivity bonus. The field tech would have lost his job in a second because he needs his license to drive your truck. But wait so does he drives a Ford focus, so how could he keep his job? That’s right find a tech that is on light duty and has him cart this official around from meeting to meeting, perfect.

            Mr. Cronin once again in your letter you assert that Bill McGowan’s comments in a press release, intends to put you out of business. (Ironically, just yesterday Bill McGowan, business manager for IBEW Local 2323, touted Verizon as having "the best technology and workforce to deliver broadband and cutting-edge cable TV services to customers” in a Verizon-issued press release) Of course any business manager would want the company that employs his membership to succeed. That would only provide job security for us. But wait a minute what did Cox think they were doing to all the hard-working union brothers at the IBEW when they launched telephony. I believe Cox took a huge market share from Verizon more than 40% if correct, but please do not quote me on that. So you blame the IBEW for Verizon getting into the CATV business, that’s a little hypocritical on your part, don’t you think? Also answer me this Paul, you talk about your struggle in RI then how come CT was the first to have a vote, the IBEW does not even represent anyone from Verizon in CT because Verizon does not own any territories there. So clearly your arguments are unfounded and erroneous. I find it very difficult that you have the technician’s best interest in mind when you get paid off their backs. The more they do the more you’ll make. With IBEW representation they will have someone looking out for their well being. Isn’t that why you don’t want them to have a choice?

Membership has its rewards

Coax Monkey