Gov. Cuomo Says Charter Broke Promises to Workers, Unserved New Yorkers

Charter Communications “lied” to New Yorkers and “abused the workers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) told a union rally Wednesday in New York City. Charter broke promises in its state franchise agreement to keep its trained workforce and to bring broadband to underserved households, he said. The state wants to fine it $20 million for violating the broadband agreement, he said. The union audience, including International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and AFL-CIO, chanted “Kick them out!” Cuomo later led another chant: “Workers united will never be defeated!” IBEW Local 3 has been on strike for nearly two years (see 1810230034). The operator also is defending against broadband complaints by the New York attorney general (see 1809250023) and Public Service Commission (see 1811270015), with the PSC ordering the company’s exit from New York. The union last week turned down a “fair offer” including “key concessions,” including the union’s top demand -- continued funding for the union’s medical and benefit plan, Charter blogged Wednesday. The offer “would have allowed many returning workers to have the choice to receive substantial wage increases, along with the company’s robust benefits; be covered by the union’s benefits; or receive a generous buy-out package with the union’s benefits." More than 97 percent of striking employees would be allowed to return to work, it said. “Only bad actors -- such as those who vandalized Charter’s network used to provide critical communications services to customers including to public safety, schools and hospitals, or blocked employees and customers from entering or exiting Charter facilities, or engaged in acts of violence -- would be unable to return.” The company claimed New York service quality remains at “an all-time high.”