They locked us out and fired us

Below is an email from La'kesia Johnson, a Cablevision technician who worked with the Communication Workers of America to create a petition on SignOn.org, the nonprofit site that allows anyone to start their own online petition. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.

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Dear MoveOn member,

I got fired just for speaking my mind about my working conditions. That's not just wrong, it's illegal. 

I've worked as a Cablevision/Optimum technician for more than 6 years. A year ago, my coworkers and I voted to form a union, so we could have a voice on the job. But a year has come and gone, and Cablevision/Optimum management hasn't negotiated in good faith for a contract. 

Along with my co-workers, I asked to talk to my managers. They say they have an "open door" policy, but when we wanted to talk, they said they were too busy. Then they fired 22 of us, telling us we were "permanently replaced". 

They locked us out and fired us for speaking out about working conditions. That's illegal and just plain wrong. 

I'm without my paycheck just as my rent is going up. I have two children, Alexis and Rayshawn, one of whom has had serious medical care needs which has left us with a stack of bills. Meanwhile, Cablevision's CEO, James Dolan, made $11.5 million last year alone. 

That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org to James Dolan, the CEO of Cablevision/Optimum, which says:

I urge Cablevision/Optimum to reinstate all 22 of the workers they illegally fired and locked out on January 30 and to bargain with the union in good faith.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–La'kesia Johnson

This petition was created on SignOn.org, the progressive, nonprofit petition site. SignOn.org is sponsored by MoveOn Civic Action, which is not responsible for the contents of this or other petitions posted on the site. La'kesia and the Communication Workers of America didn't pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on February 24, 2013. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.