May 31, 2013

Cablevision seems to think it’s above the law.

On Thursday, the cable giant asked the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to prevent the National Labor Relations Board from pursing two complaints charging Cablevision with multiple violations of labor law. Since Brooklyn technicians voted to join CWA more than a year ago, Cablevision has refused to bargain in good faith.

"Rather than trying to make their case against charges of anti-union behavior before a neutral law judge, Cablevision has now resorted to trying to undermine the authority of the federal agency which reviewed the evidence and issued the charges,” said Bob Masters, CWA District 1 legislative and political director.

Cablevision is arguing that two different federal courts of appeals – the DC Circuit and the Third Circuit – have ruled that President Obama’s recess appointees to the board are unconstitutional. As a result, the company explains, the NLRB no longer has a quorum, rending it powerless to take action and make decisions. And because of this stripped authority, the NLRB’s regional offices, who are pursuing Cablevision’s illegal actions, have no standing to hold hearings or conduct any other business.

Seems convoluted, right?

This summer, senators have the opportunity to end the confusion and beat back this corporate lawlessness by confirming all five members of the NLRB. It’s the only way workers will ever get justice on the job.

Support Cablevision workers by “liking” their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cablevision99