Solidarity

1,800 former Time Warner Cable employees who have been on strike in New York City since 28 March, over a contract dispute with Charter Communications.

For years, members of the New York City local 3 chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) had enjoyed a contract with Time Warner Cable, which gave them good healthcare and a generous 401(k), a retirement savings scheme. But when Charter bought Time Warner Cable that changed. Charter wanted to switch Time Warner Cable workers over to its Spectrum cable and internet arm contract. The union refused and resisted.

Chris Erikson, an official of Local 3, said the differences between the union and the Charter offer would have real consequences – particularly in healthcare, where the Local 3 plan offers exceptionally low premiums.

“The practical side of the medical plan that the members have is: my son had a kidney transplant and I got the bill from Columbia Presbyterian hospital and it was $96,000. My share of that was 200 bucks. If I was in Charter’s medical plan I’d probably have to take a loan to pay the hospital bill – that’s with coverage.”