Photo by Partha Banerjee.
America’s 1% and Their Depraved Greed.
Look at the picture above. The man on the left — Tom Rutledge — is the CEO of Charter-Spectrum, the big Internet, cable TV, and phone service company.
He made $98,000,000 last year alone, which translates to $47,000 per hour, calculating a 52-week year, and a 40-hour week. I’m sure I’ve missed his lavish perks, bonuses, stock options, and other luxurious compensations. This is only his reported earnings in 2016.
But this man won’t give his workers a decent pay, and is denying health benefits, retirement benefits, and pension. And Corporate America, its president, and pro-Wall Street media are all on his side. He thinks he is invincible. He wants to break union.
Therefore, after a long wait for a fair contract, 1800 IBEW Local #3 union workers have decided to strike against him and his company, and they’re striking for over seven months now. I was at a Times Square rally today, where labor leaders and workers again pressed their demands. I doubt, mainstream media will ever cover this rally.
Our media is our word of mouth, and our media is our social media, such as this blog. We need to maximize the reach of our awareness campaign, to let people know how grotesque the injustice is. Tell them the numbers I’ve shown above. People will know.
Workers rally at Times Square today, October 30, 2017. Photo by Partha Banerjee.
This is a very precious labor strike in America today. Corporate America knows if they can break the unions in New York, they can break them anywhere.
But they don’t know the resolve of these workers. Speaker after speaker after speaker today — leaders and striking workers alike — loudly and clearly voiced their resolve. They are united, and they are strong. Many other unions came out to support the striking brothers and sisters. I saw brothers and sisters from CWA, 32BJ, teachers’ union, health care workers’ union, hotel workers’ union…and some more.
Among the speakers, IBEW Local #3’s Business Manager Christopher Erikson, NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NYC Centra Labor Council’s Vinny Alvarez, NY State Senator Jose Peralta, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Building and Construction Trade Union’s President Gary LaBarbera, et al. electrified the huge rallying crowd, with their message of solidarity for Local 3, as well as the union movement in New York.
NYC mayor Bill De Blasio spoke too.
They all chanted, “One Day Longer…One Day Stronger.”
We shall overcome. Corporate America and their one percent will be defeated.
Support the striking workers, wherever you are.
Sincerely,
Partha Banerjee
Brooklyn, New York
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IBEW Local 3’s Business Manager Christopher Erikson speaking at the rally. Photo by Partha Banerjee.
Humanity College 