Boycott Spectrum, Support Unions, Striking Queens Worker Urges

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS -- One electrician on strike against Charter Communications is hoping to rally support from dozens of Kew Gardens and Forest Hills locals in what's become a near 10-month battle between the media giant and its 1,800 union workers in New York.

D'Anthony Johnson, a member of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3 union, spoke at the Community Board 6 meeting on Wednesday, urging audience members to cancel their cable service with Spectrum - which is owned by Charter - and offering a glimpse into the lives of union workers without work for nearly a year.

"We’ve been on strike for 10 months now - That’s unheard of in this city," Johnson said. "We are struggling, we're all hurting."

IBEW has been on strike against Charter Communications in a dispute over their benefits package that began last April, when the company offered workers a contract that would eliminate Charter's contributions to their pensions and medical plans.

"These benefits have saved a lot for so many of our children," Johnson said. "They’re trying to take all this stuff from us. We need to stop the trend of these companies taking millions in profit and short-changing our workers."

But Charter claims it's offering a "generous" compensation package for any Local 3 member who chooses to come back to work.

"Our offer, which we implemented in July, includes an immediate average wage increase of 22 percent — with some employees eligible for a 55-percent increase — complemented by the same excellent health insurance choices we offer to the rest of our 92,000 employees and a 401(k) savings plan with a generous six-percent dollar-for-dollar match," said John Bonmo, communication director for the company's NYC region.

Both sides have met for negotiations a handful of times - roughly once a month - since the strike began, but have yet to come to an agreement.

"They're still offering their proposal, which doesn't include the (pension and medical) benefits," Johnson said.

Johnson, who lives in St. Augustine, told Patch he came to the Community Board 6 meeting not only to garner union support, but to clear the names of striking union members being blamed for power outage since the walkout began.

"This area’s been hit hard with outages and a lot of vandalism and they’re blaming the union workers for that, but it’s not us," he said. "It’s the scabs that they have working. They’re not qualified."

Bonomo says that's not the case, claiming there were only four acts of vandalism against Charter in the three years leading up to the strike, but 130 since the strike began. Charter filed a complaint with the New York Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the union in October.

But several CB 6 members seemed to back Johnson and his colleagues, offering murmurs of support and agreement throughout his speech.

"It's a very tough time for unions - The atmosphere is not good," said Board President Joe Hennessy. "I know what it's like, and I hope you are successful."

The strike has indeed taken a heavy financial toll on Johnson, who told Patch that since walking out he's lost his car and had to move in with his sister to save money.

"Thank God I have her," he said. "She’s understanding, she’s supportive, but I can’t just live for free with her. I’ve been taking odd jobs and things just to keep things going. It's like I'm back to square one again."

Lead photo by Patch Reporter Danielle Woodward.

Caption: D'Anthony Johnson, a member of the IBEW Local 3 union, chats with supporters after speaking at a Community Board 6 meeting on Wednesday.