CenturyLink Workers in Florida Picket to Defend Collective Bargaining RightsFebruary 18, 2011
Members of Fort Myers, Fla., Local 199 picketed at a busy intersection on Feb. 10 to protest contract proposals from telecommunications provider CenturyLink that would eliminate their right to collectively bargain over major changes in benefits.Business Manager Richard Craddock says the company is seeking the right to make unilateral changes in medical benefits, job classifications and work rules under a new contract to replace the prior agreement which expired in June 2010.
Craddock told the News-Press that agreeing to the company’s demands would effectively concede rights that workers have under the National Labor Relations Act. Click here to read the story. CenturyLink, a copper landline telephone provider, is now building an Internet-provided TV service to compete with Comcast.Craddock says his members are deeply concerned that, if they are forced to strike, the disruptions in service would hurt the company’s competitive position and customer base.
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