Union may refuse Time Warner contract

YOUNGSTOWN — A union leader said he wouldn’t be surprised if workers at Time Warner Cable turn down the company’s latest contract offer in a vote today.

A 30-day contract extension expires at midnight, so workers could go on strike, said Bob Bernat, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 377.

The company’s offer doesn’t meet the needs of workers in terms of wages, medical leaves and subcontracting, he said. The union and company have been at odds over Time Warner’s desire for more flexibility in using outside suppliers.

Many of the 30 union members make $9 or $10 an hour, with the highest-paid earning $20 an hour, he said.

The union workers install and maintain cable lines.

Heidi Mock, a company spokeswoman, said Time Warner officials think the five-year contract offer is competitive. It includes wage increases of up to 20 percent over the term of the contract and includes pension and health-care benefits, including short-term disability, she said.

“We feel it’s a fair offer,” Mock said, adding there is language in the proposed pact that ensures there won’t be layoffs directly tied to subcontract labor replacements.

Bernat said he wants the company to guarantee the 20 percent raises. Some of that amount is tied to incentives that can be taken away, he said.