In more than five years on the job as a satellite TV technician for DirectSat, Josh Bennett had held his tongue. Working long hours were one thing. Bennett had spent his share of 12-hour days on the road installing and maintaining service for customers just southwest of Chicago. And while he said that management was "less than ideal," Bennett let most things roll off his back. But when a controversial performance policy started affecting wages, and employees found themselves working harder but making less money, Bennett and his co-workers decided it was time to balance the scales. After reaching out to the IBEW for help last July, nearly 50 DirectSat employees overcame strong management pushback, the firing of a union supporter and CEO intimidation to vote by a two-to-one margin Jan. 29 to be the newest members of Downers Grove, Ill., Local 21. "I've been in the business for 10 years, and I take a lot of pride in my abilities." Bennett said. "But when you look at all the challenges, they really add up. If a customer gets a bad piece of equipment, the workers are held accountable, even though we have nothing to do with that. Anyone who calls and complains about anything, it comes back on us and our paychecks. "The job is very demanding," he said. "We have great techs, and no one has a problem with working hard, it just makes it tough when you don't get compensated for things that are beyond your control." Technician John Bribiesca was the first DirectSat worker to reach out to IBEW activists — a move he said he would recommend for anyone in his industry. "You've got to take a stand against an unfair situation," he said. After a July meeting with Local 21 organizers drew interest from more workers than expected, word about the effort got back to the company — which is a contractor for DirecTV and is owned by UniTek Global Services, Inc. Days later, management hit back hard by firing one of the campaign's most vocal early supporters for "very suspicious reasons," Local 21 Business Representative David Webster said. "When they terminated that employee, I thought it would scare off the workers — but instead, it fired them up," Webster said. Thirty-two techs showed up for the next meeting. It was a major turning point in the campaign, Local 21 Recording Secretary Bob Przybylinski said: "It was unbelievable. These guys really wanted a voice." The local's organizers built a strong relationship with the workers and members of their volunteer organizing committee. A steady and consistent effort using phone banking, handbills, email and text messages unfolded, gathering momentum throughout the next few months when tensions ratcheted up on both sides. DirectSat's CEO flew out to the workers' facility in Mokena several times to hold captive audience meetings. Rather than relent, Bennett said, the workers amplified their voices in the meetings. "He told us all the reasons why we shouldn't vote for the union, but we had been doing our research and we knew how we could benefit," Bennett said. Capitalizing on the group's growing solidarity, Local 21 organizer Mike Andel asked the employees at a later meeting if they wanted to sign a petition for an election — which is public — rather than signing authorization cards and remaining anonymous. More than 70 percent of the workers signed their names to the petition. "These guys wanted to be out in the open rather than conceal their identities," Webster said. "You can't 'whisper the union in,' I always say." Employees arriving at the company's office on the morning of the vote were met with warm support, as fellow Local 21 members and other activists turned out to welcome the DirectSat workers. "The whole roadway was lined with IBEW signs," Bennett said. "I think that spoke to the techs, when they saw how many people were behind us." Local 21 Business Manager Paul Wright expressed his pride in the new members' efforts. "Their perseverance, determination and unity are what helped them overcome their employer's anti-union campaign. I believe the Local 21 members and those in the labor community who were outside in the bitter cold on election day cheering them on may have swayed some votes. It showed our sense of community and definitely displayed the power of solidarity." As the employees and organizers prepare to strategize for upcoming negotiations, Bennett says he feels more solid in his job and looks forward to the future. "The company told us there wasn't enough of us to make a difference," Bennett said. "But winning this vote, there's no telling what we can do. This opens up the door to make changes." Bribiesca agreed. A four-year employee with 12 years in the industry, he said, "It feels great to have won. We are laying good groundwork for ourselves, and for the employees who are coming behind us."







Downers Grove, Ill., Local 21 members and area labor activists greeted DirectSat employees ahead of their successful Jan. 29 NLRB election win.









