Cablevision claims to take pride in its open-door policy for employees. So two weeks ago, a tight-knit band of cable television installers gathered at a company depot in Brooklyn to pick up equipment, then trooped inside to ask a vice president for a few minutes of his time. They wanted to ask if Cablevision was serious about a contract agreement, or if it wanted only to break their new CWA union. After a long wait, the vice president walked in and asked, essentially: Who’s supposed to be working now? Every worker, 22 in all, raised a hand. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the vice president said, according to multiple accounts, “I am sorry to tell you that you’ve all been permanently replaced.” Photo: Cablevision workers celebrate their union election victory in early 2011.
