Striking Spectrum workers cut cable lines as acts of sabotage: suit
Striking Spectrum workers took their frustrations out on tens of thousands of customers — by cutting cable lines at “optimal locations” in blatant acts of sabotage, a new lawsuit charges.
Spectrum’s parent company, Charter Communications, is asking a judge for an emergency order blocking the 1,800 members of IBEW Local 3 from coming within 25 feet of any facilities, threatening workers or damaging equipment.
“Charter has been subjected to numerous acts of sabotage undertaken . . . at Local 3’s behest or direction . . . in an effort to interrupt television, internet and telephone service for thousands of homes and businesses throughout New York City and northern New Jersey,” the suit says.
The cable technicians have been on strike since March when contract negotiations broke down.
The Manhattan Supreme Court suit says multiple arrests of strikers have not deterred the activity, including more than 125 occasions of cables being cut.
“The saboteurs clearly knew the optimal locations where they could quickly cut cable lines to multiple customers without being harmed or observed, suggesting they are cable technicians who work for Charter,” the suit says.
In the most egregious case, a damaged node containing 143 lines in Queens on June 26 resulted in the loss of service to 35,000 customers, according to court papers.
Reps for the union did not immediately return calls for comment.
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