Local 4107 Reports That Government Charges Against Comcast are to be Remedied, With Comcast to...

Business & News/Assignment Editors

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2002

The following was released by Communications Workers of America Local 4107: Government unfair labor practice charges against Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. are to be remedied, with Comcast

The charges against Comcast were brought by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the government agency that enforces employee workplace rights under federal law. The charges were made in a series of Complaints issued by the NLRB, the most recent on December 5, 2001.

The charges were based on information provided to government investigators by Comcast employees and by Communications Workers of America Local 4107. Local 4107 represents technicians, customer service representatives, and other employees at Comcast's New Haven, Michigan facility.

Comcast's trial, scheduled for January 15, was avoided by a last-minute resolution approved by the NLRB, which requires that Comcast remedy the conduct described in the December 5 Complaint.

Among other things, Comcast is to refrain from conduct that "interferes with restrains or coerces" its employees, is not to "threaten" or "coercively interrogate" its employees, and must "bargain in good faith" with Local 4107.

In addition, Comcast is to implement a new premium wage rate for "on call" technicians, post job openings to permit employees to apply, and put into place a higher stipend and wages for "on call" technicians. Further, Comcast is to make a "remedial payment" to "on call" technicians, computed retroactive to October 1, 2001, consisting of the higher stipend, higher wages, and stipulated interest.

"We are gratified that Comcast will be required to treat its employees fairly and obey federal labor law," said Local 4107 president Janet Rich. "We hope that this resolution of the government's charges against Comcast will cause Comcast to return to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith," Rich said. Local 4107 has been in negotiations with Comcast since January 2001, but the employees are still working without a contract. "This situation hurts Comcast workers and customers. It is bad business, bad policy, and contributes to Comcast's bad reputation," Rich said.

Additional unfair labor practice charges against Comcast addressing the New Haven facility are currently under investigation by the NLRB. Also, Comcast has been under siege in various Michigan locations, with dissatisfaction expressed by Detroit officials and Comcast customers and employees. See e.g., "Mega Hurts -- City Staff Bemoans Comcast's Service and Technology, But Their Bosses Have done Little to Require Reforms" by Lisa Collins, Metrotimes (Jan. 9-15, 2002) pp. 10-13.

Source:
Stuart M. Israel
Martens, Ice, Geary, Klass,
Legghio, Israel & Gorchow, P.C.
1400 North Park Plaza Building
17117 West Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075