Friday, May 30, 2008
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The Time Is Now!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
You have a right to have all of the information you need to make the right choice.
Ask questions, give your opinion, ask how you can help, commit to supporting the union, tell us your ideas, just chat:
Call
Steve Smith (Organizer) IBEW New England:
978.302.3690
Jenn Nappi (Organizer) IBEW 2327, Augusta ME: 207.623.2901
www.IBEW.org
Ask questions, give your opinion, ask how you can help, commit to supporting the union, tell us your ideas, just chat:
Call
Steve Smith (Organizer) IBEW New England:
978.302.3690
Jenn Nappi (Organizer) IBEW 2327, Augusta ME: 207.623.2901
www.IBEW.org
I WANT TO SPEAK MY MIND
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591 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 591 Newer› Newest»I am anti union but please don't base being against a union on the fact that dues are "expensive" as the IBEW has made it known they are 1% of your check. Get a new leg and keep fighting!
VOTE NO!
Do you realize how many CMP/verizon workers have been laid off or had to take early retirement just so the company can pay the high wages they get?
ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS. Yeah early retirement must really suck when at CMP you would get free life insurance for life. Ohh and at Verizon guys taking it early too at aprox $3000 a month to leave a go somewhere else. I have worked many nights with these guys and have heard all about these from cmp and verizon. Boy they really seemed to hate the thought of retirement. WHEN CAN YOU?
ZZZ bored now...
when would be a good day to set up a meeting for you bangor techs . after work ????? . maybe saturday or sunday ????? . let me know on this site or by phone . 207-423-2998 . brent marr portland .
has any one noticed that twc has limited groop meetings for the past few weeks . maybe as an attempt to keep us apart ???? . good thing we have this site to talk and get our thoughs out in the open . free speech is your right and mine .
Anonymous said...
the union promises only one thing;
the opportunity to bring about change. if you do nothing nothing will change
June 1, 2008 11:55 AM
Here is what will change...Your benefits. The Union Can not get you anything more than what you currently have wihtout losing something you already have...IT IS A NEGOTIATION....YOU need to see the existing contracts. You want more take home pay? You may lose some holidays, free cable, 401k, Pension, Health Insurance, Dental Ins, Life insurance etc.
that is not true. you do not have to lose something to gain something. working together and united, twc workers can pressure time warner into improving their wages and benefits. yes it is a negotiation, but it is entirely possible to make gains in a contract as long as the workers stick together. verizon (and now fairpoint) workers do it every couple of years. which existing contracts do you speak of? if you mean contracts in other areas of the country with different ibew locals, they mean nothing. they have nothing to do with the twc workers in maine nor do they have anything to do with ibew local 2327 out of augusta, maine.
Yup don't believe any thing in writing just listen to the BS from the pro boys I think you really ought to take a lone hard look at the contracts before you pull the trigger and regret it.
is it just me or does anyone else remember the IBEW saying how one of the unfair practices of employers would be for us to attend manditory meetings where twc could make remarks about the union.Now Brent Marr says that TWC is not having meetings to keep us from talking.Seems that whatever TWC does will be wrong in the eyes of Brent or the IBEW.Vote no,please
you say the same thing over and over and over. and when someone trys to explain the steps to negotiating you still say the same thing over and over and over. and when someone says something about the union you want it in writing even thou there writing it? nah just kidding but hey say something else for a change. because i think everything you have said has been heard over and over and over p.s think outside the box when someone says something about oil it's probly being related to money, not actually drilling for oil. vote yes
Union dues are between 1% & 1.5% of your base pay(dues are not affected by any overtime you work). If you make $500.00 per week you will pay between $5.00 & $7.50 per week .
Someone mentioned that Comcast signed a national agreement with the IBEW? If they had do you think the IBEW would be shouting the news? I'd like to see any contract they have in place with any other cable company? are they telling us they can't come up with at least one?
one last thought - if we are the union and we negotiate contracts, would you feel comfortable with Brent leading the charge for our future? I'm afraid
Ok, I admit it, I am not a union proponent and let me explain why from both an individual point of view and a business owner point of view.
I have been in 3 unions in my life, the United Auto Works, the International Association of Machinists and the Grocery Workers. First off I must say that pretty early on in my work life I wanted a CAREER but I grew up and lived in a blue collar town so most of the work available after high school (I went to college later, I had to earn money to pay for it) required joining a union.
Here is just a short list of my experiences while working in a union:
- While in an apprenticeship program the other union members stopped my mentor from instructing me so I couldn't learn the work processes I needed to learn. This happened every day for the entire 6 months apprenticeship.
- When I would do my job with a strong effort one of my peers would always try to slow me down, make the work last was the credo.
- In one job we installed the first numerically controlled machine and I wanted to learn to be a programmer for it. I was told that maybe in 25 years I would have enough seniority to apply for the position.
- I observed multiple instances of workers chewing out the supervisor or telling him to take a flying leap for no apparent reason other than he asked them to get to work. Many times the workers did what is now called harassment to supervisors.
- I mistakenly tried to move a casting one time and was royally chewed out by a union steward because that was not my job but the person whose job it was happened to be out sick, so no work could be done.
I could go on and on but I learned many things from these experiences.
- Unions kill individual initiative; everyone is the same, my brain and my skill and my work ethic meant nothing.
- Unions are hugely unproductive entities that make it difficult for a business to operate cost effectively.
- For 6 years of my life unions cost me more than my dues, they cost me my spirit. I am glad I escaped.
- I also learned that if an employer treats employees well including pay then there is no need for a union. If an employer doesn't treat employees well then it may get what it deserves, a union.
Isn't it interesting that foreign automakers can build plants in the US, with US workers and build better cars and have satisfied employees all without a union? How can that happen?
I think much of the offshoring of manufacturing today is not just cost reduction but union reduction or avoidance.
What do you think?
Ok, I admit it, I am not a union proponent and let me explain why from both an individual point of view and a business owner point of view.
I have been in 3 unions in my life, the United Auto Works, the International Association of Machinists and the Grocery Workers. First off I must say that pretty early on in my work life I wanted a CAREER but I grew up and lived in a blue collar town so most of the work available after high school (I went to college later, I had to earn money to pay for it) required joining a union.
Here is just a short list of my experiences while working in a union:
- While in an apprenticeship program the other union members stopped my mentor from instructing me so I couldn't learn the work processes I needed to learn. This happened every day for the entire 6 months apprenticeship.
- When I would do my job with a strong effort one of my peers would always try to slow me down, make the work last was the credo.
- In one job we installed the first numerically controlled machine and I wanted to learn to be a programmer for it. I was told that maybe in 25 years I would have enough seniority to apply for the position.
- I observed multiple instances of workers chewing out the supervisor or telling him to take a flying leap for no apparent reason other than he asked them to get to work. Many times the workers did what is now called harassment to supervisors.
- I mistakenly tried to move a casting one time and was royally chewed out by a union steward because that was not my job but the person whose job it was happened to be out sick, so no work could be done.
I could go on and on but I learned many things from these experiences.
- Unions kill individual initiative; everyone is the same, my brain and my skill and my work ethic meant nothing.
- Unions are hugely unproductive entities that make it difficult for a business to operate cost effectively.
- For 6 years of my life unions cost me more than my dues, they cost me my spirit. I am glad I escaped.
- I also learned that if an employer treats employees well including pay then there is no need for a union. If an employer doesn't treat employees well then it may get what it deserves, a union.
Isn't it interesting that foreign automakers can build plants in the US, with US workers and build better cars and have satisfied employees all without a union? How can that happen?
I think much of the offshoring of manufacturing today is not just cost reduction but union reduction or avoidance.
What do you think?
Yes Vote yes; If youre a retard!!!!!!!!
NO NO NO NO SAY NO TO IBEW
SAY NO TO Chaos
SAY NO DUES
time warner has had many years to bring wages benefits and working conditions up to a reasonable standard but has not . if time warner had take steps to correct this problem we would not be forming a union now . if we work together we can help make time warner a better place to work .
time warner is a very profitable business and it is time that we received our fair share of the profits that we help generate .
I really hate to say it but maby these guys who want the union way of life are the ones the person is speaking about, wanting less work and more money I think that Time Warner has been very good to me I am working reaping OT and paying bills and living. Nope I don't think I need to have some one tell me that I can't go for a better job or take a vacation because someone has more senority than me.
VOTE NO PLEASE OPEN YOUR MIND VOTE NO.
Unite Brothers
We are attempting a meeting Saturday the 13th at The Ramada Inn at Bangor.
The Information sharing session is a great time to gather share your grievances and assist the IBEW in obtaining signatures; the session will be open to all Interested Brothers. We will gather at Rm. 516 6:00 pm at the Ramada In located at the olden Rd. Bangerr Maine. I have rented a large room for us to discuss what is best for our future, at this time we can discuss current contracts and what we could expect to negotiate for you...
The forum has not been as productive as we would have expected and we should try and get a good count for The Labor relations Board...
Show your solidarity gentlemen we have several rooms reserved for the events after the meeting. Me may provide drink and light snacks for all who attend.
Solidarity Brother
Unite Brothers
We are attempting a meeting Saturday the 13th at The Ramada Inn at Bangor.
The Information sharing session is a great time to gather share your grievances and assist the IBEW in obtaining signatures; the session will be open to all Interested Brothers. We will gather at Rm. 516 6:00 pm at the Ramada In located at the olden Rd. Bangor Maine. I have rented a large room for us to discuss what is best for our future, at this time we can discuss current contracts and what we could expect to negotiate for you...
The forum has not been as productive as we would have expected and we should try and get a good count for The Labor relations Board...
Show your solidarity gentlemen we have several rooms reserved for the events after the meeting. Me may provide drink and light snacks for all who attend.
Solidarity Brother
ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS.
Management will be all over us??
Saturday is the 12th. If you are serious and want to put together a meeting please call Jenn or Steve (their numbers are on the site) otherwise posting information here about a meeting is probably not a great idea. Like the brother says just before me "Management will be all over us."
i will no longer be visting this site mangement got in and told it lies pretending to be techs that are not union but i am i have the facts and i fully understand the pros and cons vote yes!
Anonymous said...
i will no longer be visting this site mangement got in and told it lies pretending to be techs that are not union but i am i have the facts and i fully understand the pros and cons vote yes!
July 11, 2008 7:37 PM
I will ask the same thing of you that I ask of anyone. Prove this. Show me where management "got in". If management is trying this, then I will vote yes just to counter lies.
sorry bagging grocies did'nt work out, or telling the difference between 5/8 and a 1/4, but open your eyes you now work near power lines 30 feet in the air shouldn't you be compensated for it?
I was told that twc division pres and vp of opps had a meeting with the moody techs on friday about there work place problems . it would be nice to think that positive and lasting change would result from such a meeting .there is only one problem . local management has little to say about wages benefits and working conditions . some have job titles that sound very impressive but lack any real power to resolve our work place issues .
for the past 6 months i have not had any luck getting supplys from the bangor warehouse and told local management of this problem many times with no luck .
if this problem cannot be solved how can i expect local mangement to fix anything that might be related to my job .
our only chance is to stick together and work together .
has any one taken the time to look at the division safety manual ???? . if we followed all the safety steps in it we would not get all the work done that is given to us .
there is much lip service about safety and quality work but little done by twc to provide a work load that is resonable .
when we first got a safety manager for the newengland div i made a request for a sign [workers ahead] to put behind my work truck but was told by the safety manager that there was no money in his budget for this request .
because safety is important to me .i was forced to steal a sign from the windham office .
if we wait for twc to treat us with the respect we deserve it will not happen .
our only chance is to stand together, work together for employment that we can pe proud of .
at this time safety is a joke , quality work is based on wishfull thinking and the way twc treats it employees should be an embarassment to its top leadership .
brent marr
234 pleasant hill rd
hollis , maine 04042
207-423-2998
call any time if you would like to talk .
I r teh manajer at teh timez wurnered cables. I no that oniun is bad. I haxxo0rz ontu u's websytez nd stealzor infoz!!!
Give me a break, this website has to be a running joke. It can not be serious.
We have Brent, "They're gonna plan meetings to trash the union" then "We won't have meetings because they don't want us talking about the unions"
Then we have Steve "Come to a meeting lets talk" then at the meeting "Let me get back to you on that"
I just want to let all you new guys know, as a member of management I know why you don't get paid more! I have 18 techs under me, I was given an undisclosed amount to distribute among them in additional raises and I kept it. So when we had our spring bonuses I kept those too, I didn't even tell anybody about it. I even kept half of your sales returns and equipment recovery incentives! And you idiots never even knew! You are all so stupid not to know this!
AND ITS ALL TROOF CUS IT ON THE INTERWEBZ!!!!11ONE!!ELEVEN!!!
Yes, of course management is reading this. They brought up many of the "specific" issues that have only been addressed on this website during our MANDATORY meeting.
That post above about setting up a meeting sounds alot like something DATELINE NBC would do...please take a seat over there.
Anyway, the people that are for the union understand that it is a long and difficult road ahead. The people who are against it really want to continue working 60hr weeks just to make ends meet.
I personally promise that as part of the TWC Union Workers of Maine, (the union vote will pass I am confident), I will donate ALL of my overtime despite my seniority to whoever wants it.
I want to make a career here, but fast food.
Let's quit playing games. I want to see some results. No more "feel good" hold my hand and tell me you want to hear my problems. I've been very vocal about my problems everyday.
ACTION speaks.
many of us have talked to our supervisors about our work place problems . and most of us have heard the response of , if i could i would fix these problems if i could from our supervisors . once again if local management could fix these problem many would but local management has little power to do any thing about this mess we are in .
local management has there hands tied .
if we stand together we can get past this local problem and push twc for a fair contract .
JUST SAY noooooooooooo
Go Union GO GO GO
Go Union GO GO GO
Go Union GO GO GO
There will be a meeting Monday the 23rd of july at the hilton Marriot at the Bangor airport...
Be there or Beware
You Have A Pair!!!!! I quote..... By the way twc treats it employees should be an embarassment to its top leadership .
You do Have a choice if it becomes that unsafe you sholud not do IT period.. What you have expierienced in the past year has been GRowing pains Thats it..
Its not a management Plot to seek you out!!!!!!!! and make you actually work It simply is getting big real fast and that is difficult for all!!!
But do take notice Not all are complaing and causing problems, most of us are working through the change and trying to cope ... YOU are not helping..
And Quit calling folks on the off hours to solicit if they were interested your name and number is all over the place. Most of us choose not to do so so stop calling....
Hey where did the list really come from???
DO You want fries with that?
i canknot uderstood whi manegers hating us sooooo Badwe we come to the world wide worm site and complain about everything they do///
That mananger taht kweeping awl of de munee in hes budget shoowd be asshamed of heemself...
Are you guys that freaking paranoid....
This is wron and you know it....
If you dont want your rasin in 20008 weave it fur meeeeeeeeeeee
thanx
The Management
I lol'd
Whats the difference between a thief and a liar?
Cus you ask me Brent Marr is both!
he said "i was forced to steal"
"I heard that in Akron OH they just voted to decertify 57-23 after 35years. My math isn't good but thats more than 20"
Acutally theres only 19 techs in Akron and it was voted out 15-4. Theres your facts, and again 19 techs have no strenght.
July 3, 2008 12:11 PM
Hey.....Bonehead......Look at Akron OH on a map...No way 19 techs can do that
oh the great pension plan...
Go to 401k.com and log-in the same way you check your 401k. My proposed pension for the year 2038 is $638/mo.
LOL That is about 7K a year. You have any idea what that is worth 30yrs from now? NEXT TO NOTHING.
Like the anti's on here like to say. Check the numbers and do your own math. Time to vote and make ourselves heard.
YES IBEW TWC MAINE!!!
July 6, 2008 9:40 PM
FYI....that 638/month is what you will get it you were to quit right now. You would still have that comming to you for your service at twc...log onto net benifits and run the scenario at getting a 2%,3% or 4% every year till you retire...you will be very pleased with what it will really be...Unless of course you vote in the union, and you lose the pension plan.
captive audience meetings have started . moody office , lewiston office . what office is next . maybe augusta or bangor .
more of the same song and dance we care about you . more lies and empty promises .
get involved help form for this union .
you should check out unionfacts.com I think you would be surprised take a look at the compensation your dues help to pay
Highest Paid Local 2327 Leaders & Staff Name Title Compensation
Peter Mclaughlin Business Manager $ 122,045
Diane Winton Assistant Business Mgr $ 108,317
Jennifer Nappi Assistant Business Mgr $ 107,893
(source department of labor)
You can also get an idea about the unfair practices the union uses search around the site you will also find a big list of IBEW unions that where decertified.
When most people think of violations of labor law, they think first of “Big Business.” But employees, employers, and labor organizations file thousands of charges each year – called Unfair Labor Practices – alleging violations of labor law by union officials. Just something to chew on due the research and vote NO
don't be fooled use your free internet do the research before you make the mistake of getting a union in here and your internet and other benifits you currently have get negotitated away
No Union
I think Brent needs a hug, maybe Jennifer Nappi can help him out, she should be pretty happy making 6figures a year, I know I would be.
What does the CEO of Time Warner make? I bet a lot more than that.
time warner has a dream . the dream is to have a large supply of timid and gullibly people that will accept heavy work loads for small money . and in the end retire into poverty and be forgotten .
bangor says no way . union yes yes yes yes .
if we were going to end up with less why would twc be trying so hard to talk us away from the ibew union ????? .
bangor techs say union yes .
TWC is are trying to talk us away from the IBEW because unions make it hard for them to do bussiness.Also,I spoke directly to a former Verizon now Fairpoint employee today.Whoever was claiming that they got a 12 dollar raise is full of crap.They got no more money with a 5 year contract and 3 percent per year increase.He did tell me that the former Fairpoint workers here did get a 5 dollar an hour raise.So why do these lies seem to come from the pro unions folks.
time warner has a dream and it sounds like this guy above is part of it . heavy work loads for poverty wages .
time warner must be a more profitable company than fair point . why the big difference between the wages ??? .
greedddddddddd .
bangor techs say union yes .
I don't understand it got to your supervisiors office and check out the Contracts its in writing look them over and see what a un ion will buy you a nice six figure deal for Steve and Jenn ??
LOL VOTE NO before its too late!
I don't understand it got to your supervisiors office and check out the Contracts its in writing look them over and see what a un ion will buy you a nice six figure deal for Steve and Jenn ??
LOL VOTE NO before its too late!
time warner has a dream .
one more low paid worker . who listens to managements bull and belives it all .
twc found a contract with 19 workers [ no strength ] .
we have many more than that .
time to wake up .
no one believes the written contracts ?
Just unsubstanciated promises of oh how good it will be get a grip vote no
in Akron OH they just voted to decertify 57-23 after 35years. My math isn't good but that's more than 20. Also I am a former telephone worker (not verizon) and I can promise no one starts at $19 per hour. In fact that was the top of the scale. It started at $10 but most installers started around $13. If a number sounds inflated it probably is. I'm afraid if we go union and negotiate a few bucks an hour raise, but lose other benifits like pension and free cable phone and internet plus have to pay union dues, it will be a wash for a lot of hastle. Then what if we have to strike? I have a mortgage I need to pay. I live paycheck to paycheck, can't afford to skip one. Going union is a commitment I am afraid to make.
in Akron OH they just voted to decertify 57-23 after 35years. My math isn't good but that's more than 20. Also I am a former telephone worker (not verizon) and I can promise no one starts at $19 per hour. In fact that was the top of the scale. It started at $10 but most installers started around $13. If a number sounds inflated it probably is. I'm afraid if we go union and negotiate a few bucks an hour raise, but lose other benifits like pension and free cable phone and internet plus have to pay union dues, it will be a wash for a lot of hastle. Then what if we have to strike? I have a mortgage I need to pay. I live paycheck to paycheck, can't afford to skip one. Going union is a commitment I am afraid to make.
Regarding Akron.....POPULATION:200,000+.......with 19 techs???? I don't think so. But hey, if you had looked it up you would know this. (FYI, before anyone tries to dispute that as well I'm pretty sure that Akron's city council has a better idea of how big their city is than we do.)
everyones talking about Akron isn't that a long way from Maine?
Yea, Ohio is a long way off, but why are the contracts managment gave us all look the same? I spoke to my supervisor and he said that Warner uses the same group of lawyers for all their contracts. I wonder what makes Brent and the IBEW think we can get a better deal? Maybe after years and years of having a contract we can make some ground, but what do we do in the meantime? I know I'm a better worker than a 2% increase a year. Since I started here 6 years ago I've never got less than a 3.5% increase. Who's kidding who?
Vote NO
I personally couldn't believe that fairpoint workers got a $12.00/hour raise. I called a friend who works for verizon/fairpoint to verify. "A handful of fairpoint workers got a 12/hour raise as they were in very rural areas, in vermont, and northern maine, and were way underpaid for what they did." I reiterate, a HANDFUL, the rest got a very nominal raise if any at all. This is from a Fairpoint employee...Don't take what IBEW says at face value, use your free internet and contacts you have to verify. You are all smarter than this!
I am anti union but please don't base being against a union on the fact that dues are "expensive" as the IBEW has made it known they are 1% of your check. Get a new leg and keep fighting!
VOTE NO!
July 7, 2008 4:28 PM
Math must not be your strong suite. 2% raise maybe instead of a 3.5 - 4% and you get to pay 1% of your gross to the union...sounds good to me! Tell me again how this means you will make more money, I am confused.
The IBEW didn't say that FairPoint workers got a $12 raise. Someone on this blog may have said that but not the IBEW. They did however just ratify a 5 year contract with wage increases. Under the previous Verizon contract they started at $12.11/hour and received a wage increase every 6 months for 4 years to a max of $33.10/hour. Every level received increases of 15% over the life of the 5 year contract.
15% over five years? Wow, that's way better than my measly 3.5% to 4% per year. (Which, by the way, equals 18.77% - 21.67% over five years.)Actually, to be totally honest, I did have one year where I only got 3%. Of course, I would have to factor in the mere 1% I'd have to give back for dues. But hey, you could buy me a beer.....or maybe pay for dinner again. That would be good. How much is the IBEW Christmas bonus again????
there is no free lunch .
if we gain better wages it will only be because we were willing to stick together and work together .
most of the negative talk is probably from management pretending to be techs .
look around at our union counterparts in power and phone they are so much better paid and treated than we are .
we have two choices do nothing or work together for a better future .
judgment day is ahead of us . we can be winners or loosers .
banger tech says union yes
how many of us like being on call for less than one dollar an hour .
look at on call pay and the hours we are on call [less than a dollar an hour]!!!!!! .
time warner is robing us blind !!! .
we can stop this or we can do nothing .
bangor tech says union wes
has any body given much though of what would happen if we all decided to get new jobs somewere else all on the same day .
time warner new england would come to a sudden stop .
we have much more value to time warner than it is willing to admit .
twc hopes that we do not learn to use this to our advantage .
think of what is posible??????? .
time warner has a dream .
heavy work loads and low wages .
also a carrier path that was very little money .
maybe as we go to work today . we could all think of a way we could support the union effort we have been involved in . maybe talk to our coworkers ??? .
Maybe as WE go to work today, WE are pretty fed up with being called by YOU. Save it!
my office is quiet hahaha just to bluff mangement, pretend were happy, then the vote comes and bam 27-4 haha union yes go ibew because i'm sick of the bullshit.
in bangor we are not paid fair .
there is forced overtime . and it is imposible to pass qc checks because of too much work .
i am tied of this . fair point has none of these problems .
thay are union and we are not .
management came to our office and did nothing more than talk . none of our problems have been fixed .
time to ignore management and see what ibew can do for us .
lewiston
are you serious? do you think that having a union will stop the OT? get a grip and read the existing or now decertified contracts , none of them protect us from OT or Lost vacations just what fing planet are you on ask the man about it see if he will protect us from OT, the only ones that are protected are the guys with senority, I will get screwed being a new man will have to do all the shit shifts that the older guys don't want to do.
VOTE NO NO NO or you will get screwed too
Poor new guy
oh the new guy don't want to pay his dues like the seasond vetrans have for all these years, o.t don't scare me and if someone don't want it it can't forced per the state of maine so i'll be glad to take it . just because i want a union dosen't mean i'm scared of work all it means is that were able to have a equal playing field and if i have a problem i can tell a third party to get it fixed not the company that makes the rules and also has to enforce them.
poor new guy wants it easy with out earning his way .
now i know we need a union to protect me from these kind of people.
work hard like the rest of us and earn your respect .
if we had a resonable work load tame warner would have to hire more people and the new guy would not be the new guy for long .
he would move up in seniority .he would start to see the good side of a unionized work place .
sounds simple .
what do you think .
many of us want a voice in our work place and respect from management . the solution is simple .
work together .
look at what one person can do and multiply that by 250 plus techs .
we have the numbers . all we need to do is work together for the same goal .
what do you think .
You new techs, grow the F up! We used to go out with 120 points and get it done without whining! We actually enjoyed some overtime, (accept for a useless few) Young punks today have NO work ethic. Be glad you have a job, tough times are coming. Oh poor you, what does the company owe me......
Unions suck and are nothing but LIBERAL crap. The grass is greener without a stupid union. Probably you all still have mommy though. Some of us are raising a family and are actually happy with our hourly rate and don't want to pay union dues.
NOPE I'm not management.....I'm a technician......On call pay at least you got it!
Grow some balls and just go to work.
Attention Brothers
after several failed attemppts to get a meeting together I have found a Venue that will work.
Jeffs Catering In Brewer can accomidate up to 150 people and it would have enough priacy to get the message out..
The Time Is Now!
It is my Understanding that Steve and Jen will put up the funds for the hall Saturday at noon for you all to gather and help the cause. Please contact them with any questions.
Steve Smith (Organizer) IBEW New England:
978.302.3690
Jenn Nappi (Organizer) IBEW 2327, Augusta ME: 207.623.2901
www.IBEW.org
I WANT TO SPEAK MY MIND
**YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER .
THIS IS AMERICA! YOU MAY SPEAK FREELY**
The Union Difference
Sincerly Robert J
how many of you people that claim to be happy with your wages are still living at home with mom and dady ..
not paying rent
not paying a mortgage
not supporting a family
not paying for heating oil
if your one of these people leave this site and have mom
fix you some warm milk and play with your i pod .
the rest of us have problems to solve .
maybe 20 years from now you will understand what its like to support your self and a family .
grow up and go away .
It's pretty amazing how being anonymous lets some people show just how disrespectful of their co-workers. So atleast the union has accomplished one thing, they have helped to divide the techs.
After seeing how some of the pro-union people are treating their co-workers, it is showing that I want nothing to do with the union if that is what the 'seasoned' techs are gonna be like.
Yeah, I am one of the "new" guys (only new to the field though), I bust my ass, help out the other guys and get home to my family. I just don't see how acting like a child and insulting others is helping any of us (new and old alike).
I am 23, I have a wife and a small child. I think our wages need work.
I do not live with my parents.
I do support my family.
I do heat with oil.
I do pay rent and other bills.
But most importantly I do not NOT see how a Union can fix this issue. Our raises are adequate. They are actually very nice. The problem is where we start. And Time Warner said they need to fix that. I am failing to see where a Union is needed here.
If we were over worked to the point of being dangerous, if I told my boss something wasn't safe and he said to do it anyway or I'd lose my job, I'd support a union.
If Time Warner fired people with little to no provocation, I'd support a union.
If Time Warner violated any of my constitutional rights, I'd support a union.
The point is those are some basic examples of what unions can help to prevent. They can also help some industries to make more, but ultimately the career path that is in place for us is adequate. If we all started at 13dollars an hour, and made 2dollar an hour extra PLUS your 4%~ raise every year. That would put 2years in at 17dollars or more an hour. That is a damned good wage for an entry level position. Not to mention we get certified on a national level? We have a nice pension *at least if you passed 8th grade you'll be able to figure it out* We have decent health care benefits with relatively low premiums. Hell you start with 2weeks paid vacation and more sick-time then you could ever really use (trust me, I've tried).
I understand people want change, and a Union will bring that about. But please, don't be so short sighted to think that just because our starting wage is low that a Union is the only way to fix it. Just ask what happened last time they talked about a Union, everybody made more. They were throwing stacks of money at techs through courses to keep them happy. Well if we want more money, and thats the approach Time Warner is taking again, Bravo for the scare tactics. We have made them listen, and they have said they will change the wages. NOW we can not become complacent and let them forget just how important we are. And there is no reason we need to pay dues or risk strikes, or give up other benefits to make that happen.
For all of you mathematicians out there, the reason time warner does not want a union is NOT because they don't want to pay us more. It is because when its a Union getting more then 70 points out of us will take an act of congress. Even if you personally wish to do more, you CAN NOT.
****mathematicians part two****
Our pension is good, its great when supplemented with our 401k. If you look at our pension now, you won't see the years of interest. Please, pass a math course and come back to this discussion of intelligent thoughts. Secondly, our 401k is amazing. HOWEVER, we are losing on it. But you pick up a Wall Street Journal and tell them how to invest it better with our economy going through the recession that is clearly present.
Your all obligated to make an intelligent decision. Its your right. Please, exercise it and vote for whichever party you feel is best. Either way lets put it to a vote to get the damned tension our of the air. I am sick of the animosity these talks are bringing to my workplace.
Again back to the carrer path and their thought of giving a $2 an hour raise. Umm 2 years and the career path really hasnt gone anywhere. And the thought of more money is just a thought to shut us up. Lets see some thing happen with the company and we wont vote yes. Just thoughts and promises again and again with this company, il try option 2 this time.
"I do not NOT see how a Union can fix this issue. Our raises are adequate. They are actually very nice. The problem is where we start. And Time Warner said they need to fix that. I am failing to see where a Union is needed here."
If you believe this, you'll believe anything.
"Our raises are adequate" For what? Homedepot? Sams Club?. We do climb poles in the rain, snow and even at dark. Why arent we paid similar to others on the same pole?. Just asking?
if your happy with the way things are thats cool, alot of us arent, and the company will never change, so we look elsewhere for help. Your either for it or agaist it. Theres no need to fight with everyone on here. The vote will be soon enough and that will be the end of this one way or the other.
many of us have the same problems . wages and work load .
some of you have made suggestions about fixing our problems with out a union .
if any one reading this would like to talk to managenent and get these problems fixed do so and come back to this site and tell us all .
p.s. make sure you get it in writing so thay cant take it away after .
if you can do this i will be convinced that we dont need a union .
and by the way a union is a group of people working together to improve there jobs .
lets see the union activity has been going on for about 5 months or more and what has time warner done to resolve our work place problems ????? .
from what i can see not one thing .
they are playing a waiting game .
waiting for us to take action or do nothing .
i hope we work together for a job we can be proud of .
i agree that time warner will not fix any of our problems .
why shoud they ??? .
when one person gets fed up enough and quits they just hire a new person .
with out a union contract time warner can do as it wants to us .
cmp and fair point were not working in the lighting storm to day but we were .
if we were treated properly we would not need a union .
one of my coworkers was chewed out to day for calling dispatch and telling them that we should not be working on the poles in storm weather .
wow what a safty policy .!!!!!!
if we get hurt on the job we will be told that it is our own falt .
how much of this are we going to put up with before put a stop to it .
go union , go union , go union
I couldnt agree more . no one has ever called me and told me to stop working until the storm gos by they just want the work done .
we need a union , its that simple .
I have been reading many of the coments on this site and they are the same , we need change , we need to be treated better .
time warner will not resolve our problems now or ever . we must be the ones to do it .
p.s. ignor the anti union coments it is probably management pretending to be techs .
ct of po
It has become abundantly clear that most of the workers that are supporting this have completely divorced themselves from reality.
I amaking this statement because there is no way they will be able to negotiate higher wages better treatment of the workers..
When is someone from the Union going to step up and say this is what we can do and put it in writting?? and be completely honest about it.. Just like they did for the airline industry, the paper industry, and the auto makers.
Just look at how the union has taken care of all the auto workers and thier pensions!! What a freaking joke..
Stop trying to drive the cost of doing buisness up...
If you make it more costly for your employer you will eventually have to pay for it.. one way or another..
Yea I want to pay 80.00 a month plus 1 1/2% then pay 27 to 35% Income taxes and be traped in a contract .
Thanks but no thanks I will keep my 80.00 and 1 1/2% for my household needs rather than support a couple of union reps making 100K a year..
Look them up the info is available. Do you really want someone you have never met taking that much cash from your paycheck every week...
Think about what you are doing, ask questions.
I am confident if you get realistic about this, you will see there is not alot to gain from this Nonsense..
Hey who is buying dinner at this meeting?? and what time is it????
There are not to many that feel as you. We are glad that you have an opinion, but step back and wait for the vote. You will see that theres more of "YES" voters than you.
No Union
Not good for someone who lives check to check like most americans.
Do the research
look at cmp,biw,fairpoint,postal workers,ups drivers,portland police,scarboro police,portland metro bus drivers , etc etc etc .
they are much better off than we are because they belong to a union and we do not .
we are being taken advantage of by big business and it will only stop if we join together and form a union .
union dues are a small price to pay for this .
it will not be easy but it can be done if we work together .
wouldnt it be nice if we didnt have to live pay check to pay check . union worker average 33 percent better pay than no union .
union yes . union now .
"Yea I want to pay 80.00 a month plus 1 1/2% then pay 27 to 35% Income taxes and be traped in a contract."
Complete lie. You are a moron.
And the next dinner is on you (if your man enough to show up).
A world wide company like time warner should not be hiring people at 11 dollars hour when it counts its profits in the billions .
many of us would like good pay and a work load that would alow us to be safe and do quality work .
if we donot form a union now we will pay a heavy price in the years to come as the cost of living rises faster than our pay and benefits .
now is our time to get involved and help ourselves .
if we wait for someone else to fix our problems it wont happen .
brent marr portland
Brent marr said,brent marr said,brent marr said... is that all some of you pro union guys can say.Vote no,and we won't have to live to regret it.
if there is any anti union techs out there i will give you a chance to voice your concerns to me by calling me on the phone .
call me any time day or nite .
if i donot receive any calls i will have to assume that the anti union comments have been from management pretending to be techs on this site
brent marr
207-423-2998 union yes
I am anti union and not a member of management...
Seriously Brent this has got to stop ///
Are you being paid to do thiss or are you just losing it?
Really I am not attacking you but what is your deal hear how much do you get per member at the meeting??
Is there a meeting today and what time....
you people were notifyed of the meeting . when you get there call me .
207-423-2998
if you are not mansgement there should be no reason why you cant call me .
see you at the meetingm .
brent marr
brent marr portland said...
A world wide company like time warner should not be hiring people at 11 dollars hour when it counts its profits in the billions .
this is the kind of statement is what discredits your whole agenda.
These companies are for profit and that is why they have folks like you working for them.
If you want all the profits delivered to your bank account start your own MSO.
OHHHHHH you can't !!!! That is why you are here to work and pay your bills You should not bite the hand that feeds you.
again just like the last attempt you will not have nearly the support you think you do.. Come on pal where is today's meeting and what time is it......
Keep up the great work brent. Today is the day to see if we can get all of us together. Their the last stop.. VOTE YES. So close
yes Brent. keep up the good work. your efforts (as well as the efforts of many others) will be well worth it. good luck and vote UNION YES!
Brent what is the bounty you are getting for each card you get signed? Most of us live check to check unlike you we can't afford to be out on strike we have a house payment and other bills along with kids to raise. Unions are not a non profit organization now are they the only one who will win if you vote the union in is the people running IBEW not the employees of TimeWarner. I don't know many asst. managers who make 6figures So whats in it for you Brent?
the people who will run the union for Time Warner workers in Me. will be the people you the workers elect to represent you from your work groups.
Nice! I get to help contribute to Jen and Steve's huge salary and have someone else "Run my Union". No Thanks!I make my own decisions.
OK then...so, just to see if I've got this straight....I can pay Jenn Nappi and Steve Smith(and God knows who else!!!) for the privilidge of letting two guys that I don't even like do my talking for me while they move on to the next group of gullible suckers willing to finance Verizon's retirement fund. You know, I think I'm pretty capable of speaking up on my own behalf if I have a beef...and I DON'T EVER recall that Jason, Phil or anyone else ever charged me money for the time a conversation took. Sorry Brent, just like last time....my money stays in my wallet!
They never charged you, but things havent changed. Its a lawyer fee that you are paying. These two people make good money, yes..So could we. Do you know the average lineman makes around $80000. You vote no, I will vote yes to help out in the work place. We had over 150 units of work yesterday. The company does not care about you at all. How can you do 15 hours a work in just 8 hours. The compnay doesnt care as long as you get it done. We need help and if the company wont help when we ask, we need someone to help us. If that requires me to pay 1% of my pay, so I can possibly make more money and have a safer workplace, you would be stupid not too. When they over book everyday, you can take my fucking extra work you idiot.
They never charged you, but things havent changed. Its a lawyer fee that you are paying. These two people make good money, yes..So could we. Do you know the average lineman makes around $80000. You vote no, I will vote yes to help out in the work place. We had over 150 units of work yesterday. The company does not care about you at all. How can you do 15 hours a work in just 8 hours. The compnay doesnt care as long as you get it done. We need help and if the company wont help when we ask, we need someone to help us. If that requires me to pay 1% of my pay, so I can possibly make more money and have a safer workplace, you would be stupid not too. When they over book everyday, you can take my fucking extra work you idiot.
Again if you dont finish all your work, things look bad on your behalf. How many hours OT do I have to work everyday. I have almost 30 hours OT this week. How safe am I? Dispatch can keep putting jobs in our ques, they dont care, they go home same time everyday. Lunches, what are those? Things need changing. I dont mind overtime either, but come on. The way things will work now for me is no matter what I have for work at the end of the day come 4:30 will be turned back in. I dont remeber anything ever written about mandatory overtime unless there large storms and help was needed. There doesnt need to be mandatory overtime because someone fucked up quota and forced in work. Let them stay later and call customers and tell them why we are not coming. BE SAFE GUYS. Enough is enough.
Did i hear some one say that they live pay check to pay check .
if you have it tough now how will things be 1-3 years from now . a 3 % raise wont keep up with gas , heating oil , food ,rent , how will you support your self and a family .
you better pray for a great contract with IBEW or move back in with mom and dad .
how many people have a second job ??? .
union yes or big trouble .
WOW 11 $ AN HOUR . $ 1232 A MONTH AFTER TAX if your lucky !!!!! . how can any body pay rent , heat , electric , food ,car on the road ETC ETC ETC .
forget about supporting a family .
time warner pay is a joke .
union yes , union now or lean times ahead .
To apply to fairpoint again
living pay check to pay check so that time warners CEO can make 13 million a year [ 50 grand a day] .
am i the only one that sees a problem with this ????? .
union now or lean times later .
some of you guys that want a better job . nows your chance to step up before its too late .
Union now or lean times ahead .
ctfp
All i want is to be payed good . overtime is ok just dont pound it to me . TWC can do this but havent .i think that a union can help . Twc has used us all very poorly . if we all get involved and help the union effort we can fix these problems .
portland I/R
to many resposibilites for to little pay, union yes for me
lewiston i/r
does it seem wierd to anyone that our district is being run by someone who dosen't know what a node is and has been doing satelite longer that cable? slup, slurp.
ass kisser maybe?
Give me fair money and a work load that lets me work safe and do quality work and i will be happy .
why wont time warner do this ???? .
union yes portland I/R .
Wow Guy's I can clearly see why management has the highest of reguards for your opinion!!!!
You all need some serious counselling...
I read a lot of complaining about wages and your employer making profit on this blog, even the occasional rant about work load.
What the FUCK ?????
why are YOU!!! worried about starting wages??? you are working here....
Workload another stupid fucking complaint. Just do a reasonable amount of work and you will be fine..
Although I do agree that someone that worked for a satelite tv provider who changed sides and kissed alot of bottoms should not be dictating quota!! but that does not and will not change the fact he got the job!!!! So Just get over it..
If you worry about quality and not quantity you can easily make the quota persons head spin!!!! FOR REAL YOU JUST SLOW DOWN AN DO YOUR JOB WELL^^^^^^^ THE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE SCHEDULING WILL GET NOTICED>>>> Less repeats and less work will help YOU>>>>..
<<<<<<<< All of the hostillity and negative energy sucks and 98.99% of the technical staff is sick of hearing it and discussing it>>>>>>>>
All of the Meeting bullshit needs to stop as well, If they can't be bothered to visit you personally they do not desrve your vote!
They do not respect you they wany your money...
I have noticed that most of the discussion about meetings has gone "UNDERGROUND" That just shows how weak and degraded the support is for the Union is\..
Hey Steve And Jen focus on those guys that proudly denounce the company they work for, and leave the rest of the state alone..
We have had enough ....
MY VOTE IS NO!!!!
This song is the best way to communicate what I have to say...
I think it says it all I dedicate this Mr Marr respectfully the message is abundantly clear, QUIT BEING A FUCKING VICTIM>>>>
Eagles
From the album Hell Freezes Over (1994)
I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people cryin' 'Don't blame me'
They point their crooked little fingers ar everybody else
Spend all their time feelin' sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma's too thin; your daddy's too fat
Get over it
Get over it
All this whinin' and cryin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it
You say you haven't been the same since you had your little crash
But you might feel better if I gave you some cash
The more I think about it, Old Billy was right
Let's Spank all the lawyers, Spank 'em tonight
(edited for The Politically Correct crowd)
You don't want to work, you want to live like a king
But the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing (BM)
Get over it
Get over it
If you don't want to play, then you might as well split (BM)
Get over it, Get over it
It's like going to confession every time I hear you speak
You're makin' the most of your losin' streak
Some call it sick, but I call it weak (BM)
You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' EVERBODY down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and spank ( edited for Management) its little ass
Get over it
Get over it
All this bitchin' and moanin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it
Get over it
Get over it
It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
Get over it, get over it
LYRICS INDEX
Ok Thanks for reading this ..
I do make this statement with utmost respect! and certainly I do not wish to offend my co workers but enough is enough....
Seriously we all want you to get over it..
Your health insurance does pay for couselling, and certainly the Individual that is clearly identified the most here should seek It...
The above statement is my PERSONAL oppinion and in no way reflects that of any management or company representative..
So Get over It
NICE
I heard there was a meeting coming up.
In wesbrook, at the physcaiatrists office LOL
See you there
Hey Management
Isnt iT time to clean house?
There are several employees tha constantly complain about thier wage the hours they work ..
Send The Message Send it soon..
Do you need names Call that fella that tried to organize before. Rumor has it if he gets a little scratch he has a phone list..
Stop The Insanity
Portland I/R
IMPOSSIBLE
Is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they have been given than to explore the power they have to change it .
Lewiston I/R
I have only worked for this cable company a short time but i am very concerned about the person that posted the song about the eagles 1994 hell frezing over . i hope he dosent work out of my office i want nothing to do with a person that talks that crazy and irrational . maybe if some one knows this person they can get them some help before this problem gets any worse .
lewiston i/r
That tech that talks about the eagles song dosent work at my office . some one like that would be easy to spot , most of us want the the union to help us .
augusta Tech
HAS any body given much thought to what will happen when it comes time to sign union cards ? .
we will find out who the anti union techs are . and posibly who has been posting the anti union comments .
very interesting is it not !!!!!!
Letting you guys know that I don't want a union will be a pleasure.Bring on the cards.I'm still hoping that TWC has a majority of people who are smart enough to see through the union lies and bull@#$%.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
HAS any body given much thought to what will happen when it comes time to sign union cards ? .
we will find out who the anti union techs are . and posibly who has been posting the anti union comments .
very interesting is it not !!!!!!
I have no problem saying who I am. So far, I am leaning to no. A lot of that has to do with the anonymous cowards who like to insult the other techs for having a different opinion than them. That just shows a lack of class and manhood.
And I will say it again, so far IBEW has accomplished one thing: Turned techs against each other.
LLets all stay focused on gaining improvments not fighting with each outher . brian from lewiston is right about that . most of us want our jobs and our lives to improve . working together is the only way for that to happen .
portland tech
YEA BABY LETS WORK TOGETHER .
mangement wont fix our problems we have to .
union yes augusta supper TECH
I like my job and the people i work with but the money needs some work .
The idea of a union helping us with this sounds good to me .
united states
50 states working together for a common goal .
timewarnerworkers
200-300 techs working together for a common goal .
sounds simple to me .
no brainer .
united we bargain
devided we beg
union yes victory now
92,000 digital phone customers .
40 dollars a month .
-----------------------
48,576,000 a year .
not to mention cable tv profits as well as road runner and data and business accounts .
big busness .
big proffits .
small pay checks to us .
lets change this .
union yes
union yes
union yes
tech tired of low pay in portland
Why does't TWC double our wages.Then they can raise the rates for customers and lose them to the competition.Than they can lower quota and get rid of lots of employees.That would make real sense.Believe it or not TWC and other bussinesses are in bussiness to make money,not to just give IBEW workers a job. Lets give management a chance.a lot has happened in the last couple of years.Say no to the IBEW and Brent
We have given time warner many chances over many years to fix our problems with little or no results .
[ IF , IF ,IF ,IF ] we work together we can have a voice in our work place and respect from management .
if any body can go to local management and get these problems fixed permanently [ in writing ]
please let the rest of us know .
until then forming a union is our only chance .
brent marr
207-423-2998
call me any time lets talk .
once again brent is making alot of sense . we are just a # on sombodys bottom line .
bangor has had enough of being a # .
JUST A #
JUST A #
SUST A #
can sombody hit the easy button and get rid of management from this site .
the only on that wants to give management an other chance is management .
Imagine
A job were the pay was based on our hard work and how profitable the company was .
and a job were management not only told you and i that we were the companys best asset but were truly treated as such .
guess what !!!!!
a job like that is posible if we work together .
I think most of us are tired of unfair pay and a company that tells us contantly that we are respected and valued but never actualy treats us that way .
If you would like more info on how we could make this happen call my # .
brent marr
207-423-2998
end of my shift but i see more work in my que . this happens too much . forced ot . had enought .
lewiston i/r
Too much work
Too little pay
Too little respect
rode hard and put away wet .
portland I/R says union yes .
what will i have for a work load this week ? . good bad or reasonable .
will i be treated as a valuable employee or just a number on somebodys bottom line .
good worker in lewiton
i love my job i take pride in my job and that's why i believe a union will help, this is a utility boys lets get the pay we deserve and the respect we earn, union yes!!!!!
the ot king, bangor
when i take a course in the carier path and expect to get a raise for it my work is QC to death to stop me from geting the money .
had enough of the games .
portland I/R UNION YES .
What are we waiting for..We have more than a 51% vote .. Lets go, we the workers need some help
So todays meeting in Augusta. Phil Rippa " I know you guys are under paid, I know you havent had the career path for the past 2 years to increase in money at all, I know the work loads are to large to really complete well enough for our QC's" So Phil, If I only do 8 hours of work and turn in the rest, I will be talked to by my supervisor. Where does it say I work 8:00 to whenever we are done. But it will get better. Come on, we need some help for the techs, this company is showing that they dont care if we get home before 10 everynight as long as we get our work done and make the company more money. Well guess what Phil, theres a union coming and I hope your prepared for this. Unions were brought in to help protect the workers for abuse of long hours and to help with safety. How safe am I after working 15 hours straight without even a lunch. Whens the last time a I/R tech had lunch in Augusta? Im tired of waiting for this company to do things that they promised 2 years ago, and still waiting to happen. Timewarner promises alot, do they live up to their promises. Its time to try something else to help us. I dont want to be the next person that gets killed at work just because the company wants more. Sorry Phil, im sure your a nice guy in all but we are not just a EID# we have familys that want us to come home. Ohh yeah alttle money from the company would go along way for us.
GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT, our new timewarner logo !!!
this company doesn't give to shit's if we take lunch or not. As long as they make their money they are happy. This career path is bullshit also, they expect us to go home and study after doing 20 hours worth of work in an 8 hour day. I think it is time for a change.
I heard that the big dogs went to bangor today and presented the career path to the techs as a way of improving wages .
beware !!! of what the career path promises . many of us in portland have found out the hard way that what looks good on paper dosent always come true .
we have horror storys from techs that have taken courses in the career path only to find that there work is [ Q C ] very hard to prevent them from getting there raise .
also we had a tech that took many courses and made more money than time warner wanted to pay him and he he ended up geting fired as a result .
If any of us take these career path courses we should not be suprised if there are road blocks when it comes time to get the money .
the career path is not a binding contract it can and will be changed at the companys whim .
Our only chance is to join together and form a union and fight for a fair contract .
If you feel like just a number call my number and lets talk about what we can do to fix this problem .
brent marr
maint tech
207-423-2998
time warners empty promises have gotten old . too many lies too many broken promises too much talk with no action .too many management people shoved out on the front line to con us out of what is rightfully ours .
fair pay
fair bennifits
fair wook loads
and respect .
if your tired of feeling like a number call my number and lets talk .
brent marr
207-423-2998
Brent how we looking?
He didn't get fired for making too much money, he got fired because they pay you for learning more and being able to do better work. We all know who you are talking about and we all know why he is no longer employed. Stop the lies! Let people make their decision based on facts not propaganda! I encourage anyone to get the facts and make a decision based on facts not lies from either side of this issue.
He didn't get fired for making too much money, he got fired because they pay you for learning more and being able to do better work. We all know who you are talking about and we all know why he is no longer employed. Stop the lies! Let people make their decision based on facts not propaganda! I encourage anyone to get the facts and make a decision based on facts not lies from either side of this issue.
when is enough.. enough they have known we are looking for help with wage/work load/safety so they have done the "lets see what want" they heard they had many "meetings" to quell the crew and to divert us to career path and to our immediate supervisors to "work" out problems..well...according to phil ripa "we know you are underpaid, but with the career path in 4 to 5 years you can be at the wage you should be at"............then a tech asked"we havent had a opportunity to take the career path in two years can we at least a bump in wage?phil states timewarner doesnt "throw money for nothing" you'll have to earn it... so i guess when they stated to us they we would get a cost of living for 2007,a merit raise/ and a cost of living in 2008 i guess that equalled our 3.1% in march and management said we are sorry but we put everone for 4% but twc said it was to much(for two years of no raises)....promises promises
when asked "what if i have done 10 hours worth of work in 8 hours and its past quitting time and i have 2 jobs left can i reschedule them?".. the answer from my boss is no.... but i explained i have had no lunch "oh you must take a lunch its the law!" but i state i dont have time.. well he states you know how quota is we cant change that..problem is i dont care how quota is or has been or will be...!!!he states its not good customer service to reschedule . i say its not good customer service to have pissed off techs whom are overworked/cutting corners/stressed and work for a company that has a mindset of get the work done or else... the time for holding hands and kumbyyah with hr/keith/management is over...
according to keith this is a great company...maybe for him...but lets look at facts cost of living in maine has skyrocketed . the average tech makes 13$/hr thats $2080 every month less taxs/insurance/401k if you can contribute.. end of month it looks like around $1400 .. average 2 bedroom apartment in augusta area (non ghetto) is 650 to 750 ..add food/lights/god forbid heat/maybe small car payment guess what the tech is broke maybe $100 left in his pocket...makes me want to strive for a company who makes millions and shares little....
SO, we negotiate for higher pay... thats great. But doesn't negotiate mean give and take? What am I going to lose to gain more money. I have a family and I can't lose benefits. They will not just agree to give us more money and not take anything else away. Negotiate means give and take. If we could guarantee we wouldn't lose anything we have now and still get more pay, then I would sign a card. But I don't live in that dream world.
Unions are senority based. How many techs will get screwed based on senior techs passing down their work to the bottom third? How will you like picking vacation time by open availabiity based on senority? Haven't seen a contract that outlawed mandatory overtime, do you think the workload for the bottom half of the senority will increase or decrease based on senority? Hannaford hired a non-union workforce to work side by side with the union. How strong of a union is that? If they had to strike, the non-union workers would step right in just like the air traffic controller who went out on strike and ended up losing their jobs. All the noise makers in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland are the senior guys who stand to gain the most from new found seniority. They already make more than most anyway. It's not like for the last 10 to 20 years they haven't gotten themselves out of bed not knowing what they were getting themselves into. That's called free will and a union will take that away from most of the brothers. Ask the Fairpoint employees who were focked out of their verizon pension how much the union helped them with that? TWC could sell to someone here in NE just like verizon did and then what? What's the union going to do then? UAW, Airline workers... they all counted on their unions to preserve their jobs and look at what happens. They drive the companies into bankruptcy and/or selling themselves. Unions are weak. This one especially. 250 times 5 bucks a week is all they really care about. Think about it...
300 techs ....real weak...Work side by side with non union employees..come one. If they can aford that, then share alittle with us
For every 1 person that doesnt want this union to come in, boy seems like 6-7 that do. We dont want to have a seperated crew or to ruin our workplace. We feel we can make it better and make it a place to retire. How many people can you say ever retired from cable?
time warner profits are very large due in part to the great work we all do . i and my coworkers only want what is fair and reasonable .
like the augusta tech pointed out it is tough to make ends meet on time warner pay .
we cannot afford to trust and wait for time warner to resolve our problems .
ask anybody that has tryed that it didnt work then and it wont work now .
if your tired of feeling like a number call my number and lets talk .
brent marr
207-423-2998
can some one hit the easy button and get management off this site again
what about the tech that has been waiting three long years to get his raise .
too many games .
union yes for portland .
the career path sucks . myself and a coworker sighed up for some courses and when we finished the courses we were told that they were CATCH UP courses and we would not get any money for completing them .
when we said that we had paperwork from HR that said we were supposed to get a raise for completing the courses we were told that the career path had changed .
dont fall for the BAIT AND SWITCH tactics of the CAREER PATH its a SUCKERS GAME that you cant win .
portland tech
no more career path games . i am doing the work just give me the money .
I head that phone workers get double time pay on sunday .
they also get the next day off with pay when they work 13 hrs in one day .
they dont work alone at nite for safty reasons .
they also have work loads that they can manage .
they also have a retirement plan wich is good enough to retire on .
time warner is much more profitable than some of these phone companys .
has anyone looked an what we will get when we retire ? . it dosent look good at all .
I have seen and heard enough to know that we need a union to help us get better treatment .
ot king portland .
I know that without the career path that you all are complaining about, I would be making a lot less than I am now. I take the courses as soon as I am eligible and have gotten every raise. When career path has been changed, I got whatever raise was promised. It is called grandfathering. I then had to continue on from where i was in the career path. I just wish that we would get honesty on both sides of the issue instead of people making stuff up. How do you expect people to make a decision either way if you can't get honest information. TW management is guilty of this, but so are most of the techs on this site. Most of you are no better than them.
IR for honesty!
You know what gets me is the fact that you all want an uneducated man who can't even type or speak clearly to represent us when the union comes in. I have signed my card, but Brent, get a clue and an education! You are definately not someone I want representing me. Lets get someone with an education who can stand up to these people.
Who has said anything about Brent representing us?. That will be picked by the workers. Brent just has helped out in everyway to try and form this union for all of us.
brent might not be right about every thing but he is willing to stand up and be counted and speak his mind the way he sees it . maybe if more of us did the same we could have some success when it comes to our jobs and the problems we have like the pay and too much work .
fed up in portland
who is this person that has signed a card ? . we havent handed out union cards yet .
do we have an imposter on this site ? .
if anyone was looking for proof that management got onto this site you got it now .
some one hit the easy button again .
if your are tired of imposters and want the real thing call my # .
brent marr
207-423-2998
i think we are finding out who is educated and who is not . dosent twc require at least a GED to get into management jobs .
new guy portland
Brent again when are the cards coming ?..We are waiting in Augusta..
i think we need to get management a career path . there are some dummys out there that need some help .
how many imposters do we have on this site ????????????????????? .
maybe all the anti union coments were by twc posing as techs .
all my coworkers are pro union .
heavy work loads with chump change on pay day . smoke and mirriors when we speak up about it .
too many games .
we need a union to help us with these problems .
union yes lewiston
fair to say local management is in a bind [caught in the middle] . some of these people might like to fix the problems we have but are very limited to what they can do . if we are to make gains in our wages benifits and working conditions we must look past local management and try our best to get ourselves to the barganing table with the people at the top of time warner .
the more of us that get involved the better our chances are of gaining improvements in our jobs .
i have tryed my best to do all that i can to help this process .
if we want a better job now is our chance to take action and get involved . words alone will not be enough .
brent marr
207-423-2998
call any time lets talk .
Holy Shit Batman!!!!
I have not posted any Anti Union stuff here in a week and lokk at you all GO>>>
I do personally feel MR M is full Of himself I am from rockland and I am changing my vote soon!!!! If the workload does not let up I will give 80 a week to the cause...,
Rockland I/R 3 years
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe , nor politic , nor popular , but he [she] must take it because his conscience tells him it is right .
martin luther king .
The true test of a person is not were you stand during times of comfort and conveience .
but were you stand during times of risk and controversy .
martin luther
Good saying, but dont I hate those NIJAS
Good saying, but dont I hate those NIJAS
Anonymous said...
Good saying, but dont I hate those NIJAS
Please explain this one. It sounds racist from first look. If that is the case, allow me to be the first to say you are pathetic and a coward.
many people have fought for fair treatment and it looks like the strugle is not over yet .
the only people that i dont like are the ones that deny me and my coworkers the respect we deserve .
ot king portland .
"Please explain this one. It sounds racist from first look. If that is the case, allow me to be the first to say you are pathetic and a coward".
Please brian go and see a dentist, use our well paid for dental plan provided by our non union company.
Lewiston tech
Wow another Lewiston tech tired of hearing brian on here and at work. Hey we work side by side, just relax and if you idea of a non union workplace is going to happen than it will. But we all have a hope that something can change for us. Some of us are not the new guy like yourself, so shut up and sit back.
Another Lewiston tech
dont i wish my pay check was as big as my work load .
one more portland tech that aint happy .
maybe we could have another tear jerker meeting with phil and have him tell us he would like to help us but he cant .
fed up in portland
Unions are senority based. How many techs will get screwed based on senior techs passing down their work to the bottom third? How will you like picking vacation time by open availabiity based on senority? Haven't seen a contract that outlawed mandatory overtime, do you think the workload for the bottom half of the senority will increase or decrease based on senority? Hannaford hired a non-union workforce to work side by side with the union. How strong of a union is that? If they had to strike, the non-union workers would step right in just like the air traffic controller who went out on strike and ended up losing their jobs. All the noise makers in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland are the senior guys who stand to gain the most from new found seniority. They already make more than most anyway. It's not like for the last 10 to 20 years they haven't gotten themselves out of bed not knowing what they were getting themselves into. That's called free will and a union will take that away from most of the brothers. Ask the Fairpoint employees who were focked out of their verizon pension how much the union helped them with that? TWC could sell to someone here in NE just like verizon did and then what? What's the union going to do then? UAW, Airline workers... they all counted on their unions to preserve their jobs and look at what happens. They drive the companies into bankruptcy and/or selling themselves. Unions are weak. This one especially. 250 times 5 bucks a week is all they really care about. Think about it...
Guys + Gals- Unions have ruined this country. There are more union employees trying to de-certify in the United States than ever before.(for all of you rocket scientists) this means to invalidate a certificate or license that had been granted. Or even easier to understand they want out.
Brent Marr use your spell check.
The last thing anyone needs is an imbecile like yourself representing us in a union. As far as I am concerned I think you should be doing an install route like I am.
It just goes to show you who they prey on.
Brent please tell all of us who you have not manipulated yet with broken promises just how much Jenn Nappi and Steve Smith have offered you as a headhunter? Because if it is the same song and dance I got when I talked with them-then I would be as aggressive as you are. I bet you did not share that with all of the employee's you have fooled already. The only difference is that I actually have the intellegence to read through there tactics. Don't fool everyone here as none of us will be representing the IBEW during the deal and negotiations process this- will be done by union presidents, Time Warner Cable and many lawyers. I have family in a union and have worked in a union before. What makes you think that a Maine union represented by the IBEW will be any different than the current contracts in place between TWC and IBEW that are openly displayed to us as employees?
Ok, I admit it, I am not a union proponent and let me explain why from both an individual point of view and a business owner point of view.
I have been in 3 unions in my life, the United Auto Works, the International Association of Machinists and the Grocery Workers. First off I must say that pretty early on in my work life I wanted a CAREER but I grew up and lived in a blue collar town so most of the work available after high school (I went to college later, I had to earn money to pay for it) required joining a union.
Here is just a short list of my experiences while working in a union:
- While in an apprenticeship program the other union members stopped my mentor from instructing me so I couldn't learn the work processes I needed to learn. This happened every day for the entire 6 months apprenticeship.
- When I would do my job with a strong effort one of my peers would always try to slow me down, make the work last was the credo.
- In one job we installed the first numerically controlled machine and I wanted to learn to be a programmer for it. I was told that maybe in 25 years I would have enough seniority to apply for the position.
- I observed multiple instances of workers chewing out the supervisor or telling him to take a flying leap for no apparent reason other than he asked them to get to work. Many times the workers did what is now called harassment to supervisors.
- I mistakenly tried to move a casting one time and was royally chewed out by a union steward because that was not my job but the person whose job it was happened to be out sick, so no work could be done.
I could go on and on but I learned many things from these experiences.
- Unions kill individual initiative; everyone is the same, my brain and my skill and my work ethic meant nothing.
- Unions are hugely unproductive entities that make it difficult for a business to operate cost effectively.
- For 6 years of my life unions cost me more than my dues, they cost me my spirit. I am glad I escaped.
- I also learned that if an employer treats employees well including pay then there is no need for a union. If an employer doesn't treat employees well then it may get what it deserves, a union.
Isn't it interesting that foreign automakers can build plants in the US, with US workers and build better cars and have satisfied employees all without a union? How can that happen?
I think much of the offshoring of manufacturing today is not just cost reduction but union reduction or avoidance.
What do you think?
You people want prrof of what really happens...
got too love the 166 dollar bonus every year we get. I guess that is all we are worth. Oh, management get in the thousands. Glad they show the respect we deserve (not) We do all the work and make this company shine. 166 bucks thanks my kid will enjoy the 1 extra Christmas gift every year.
one more management boot licker that found out that he had to earn his way and didnt like it . the only people i hear talking anti union are techs that want to get ahead without working for it .
put in your time , work hard like the rest of us and stop trying to get ahead by kissing managements ass .
another lewiston tech .
Anonymous said...
Ok, I admit it, I am not a union proponent and let me explain why from both an individual point of view and a business owner point of view.
Hey long winded one, did you go back and cut and paste what you had written before.. Thanks again for the same info
I have 15 years with this company. I have done everything they ever asked me too. I have worked hard and put my time in and have got nowhere. 15 years. $32,000 a year. that is sick. I'm tired of 1 too 5 year Techs getting supervisor jobs over the people that have put in the time. It's all how good you kiss ass. (Phils ass). We need to come together my brothers, the time is now. VOTE YES.
fuck all you non union kiss asses that are happy living paycheck to pay check, i'm not i work to hard and my job is to dangerous to fuck around with a monoply, vote yes stick together.
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