Comcast Workers United

News from IBEW Local 2322 http://www.ibew2322.com March 14, 2011

Springfield adopts stronger workers' rights

language for inclusion in future cable license
with Comcast
Springfield, MA -- The Springfield City Council unanimously passed a resolution on March 7
supporting stronger workers' rights language in the city's next cable TV agreement with
Comcast. The resolution calls on all businesses with city contracts to, "comply with the National
Labor Relations Act and all applicable state and federal wage and hour laws."

The city's previous ten-year contract for cable and internet services expired on January 28, 2010.

The resolution also urged that all city contracts include language in their agreements to,
"encourage a healthy relationship with its employees by respecting their right to organize and to
bargain collectively with their employer, and to engage in other protected, concerted activities to
improve their wages and working conditions."

The resolution was proposed by Ward 6 City Councilor Amaad Rivera. "Now more than ever
during these tough economic times, we have to fight to protect the rights of working families,"
said Rivera. "I am proud to help lead that fight."

Springfield resident and IBEW Local 2324 Verizon technician member Brian Moran spoke
forcefully in favor of the resolution. "This language will encourage Comcast to respect their
employees' right to organize; to allow their employees to bargain collectively, and to respect
worker's rights."

In addition to Moran, the city council meeting was also attended by IBEW Local 2324 Business
Manager John Rowley, President Martin Feid, member Steven Thomas and IBEW organizers
Steve Smith and Donald Cronin.

"With so many Comcast workers in Massachusetts seeking to form unions, this resolution should
really give them more confidence," said IBEW organizer Steve Smith. There are about 20
Comcast garages in Massachusetts.

Similar workers' rights language has also been proposed by six towns on Martha's Vineyard and
by the City of Cambridge.

Comcast techs in the Fall River and Fairhaven garages are leading an initiative to begin talks
with management about their wages and working conditions. However, despite having proved
that a strong majority want to collectively bargain for improvements, Comcast management is
still refusing to discuss these issues with its employees.

To learn more about Comcast workers struggle for justice, visit their "Virtual Bulletin Board"
where letters of support and other items of interest regarding the union are posted at:
http://comcastunion.blogspot.com.