STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than 100 union members and supporters rallied outside the Spectrum store in New Springville on Wednesday in support of the strike against Spectrum/Time Warner Cable.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 members have been striking at the store, located at 2845 Richmond Ave., since March 28, when they walked off the job after breakdowns in contract negotiations. Wednesday's rally accounted for day 121 since the strike began.

"This is considered skilled labor," said foreman Mark Dandrea of Local 3. "We're skilled labor. What they want is unskilled labor. I care about my customers. I've been here for 30 years."

Main reasons for the strike are the elimination of contributions into workers' pension, wage benefits and medical plans. Workers also claimed they were disciplined over repeated service calls from customers expecting unobtainable Wi-Fi speeds the company promotes.

"Charter is offering Local 3 a generous compensation package that includes an average 22-percent wage increase -- some employees up to a 55-percent wage increase -- and comprehensive retirement and health benefits, including a 401(k) that provides a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6 percent of eligible pay," said John Bonomo, a Charter spokesman. "This competitive offer will have a positive, lasting impact on employees' standard of living and allows us to grow a well-paid, highly skilled workforce for the benefit of our customers."

Local 3 explained that, although they are being offered higher wages, they would rather keep the benefits that were in place already instead. Many workers and their families are concerned that both parties will not reach an agreement.

Jillian Reyes, whose husband works for the union, said she is concerned every day about being able to feed her family or keep a roof over their heads.

"There's so many benefits on my life and my kids lives that they're trying to take away," Reyes said.

Council members on the technology committee and zoning and franchises subcomittee in New York City sent a letter to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, secretary to the commissioner, to voice concerns over the proposed settlement last month between the New York State Department of Public Service, New York State Public Service Commission and Charter.

Last month, the Council's committee on Technology, which I am a member, and subcommittee on Zoning & Franchises held a... Posted by Joe Borelli on Monday, July 24, 2017

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a suit against Charter Communications and Spectrum Management Holding Company for allegedly defrauding New Yorkers over Internet speeds and performance and not providing services to all neighborhoods.

Charter Communications closed on its $67 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks last year. The deals made Charter the second-largest home internet provider and third-largest video provider in the United States.