Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

Episode: EU Extra: Troy Walcott
Date: September 6, 2018
Host: Richard D. Wolff
Guest: Troy Walcott (IBEW Local 3, Spectrum Cable strike spokesperson)

Overview

This episode of Economic Update features a deep dive into the ongoing strike of Spectrum Cable workers in New York led by IBEW Local 3, represented by Troy Walcott. The conversation explores the intersection of union solidarity, the possibilities of worker cooperatives, company malfeasance, the potential for city and state intervention, and the broader movement for workplace democracy. The episode spotlights the workers' innovative proposal for a worker cooperative, aiming for radical change in both workplace governance and city economics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Union Solidarity and Co-Op Vision

• Broad Focus Beyond Union Members
  Troy emphasizes that the union's objective isn't limited to protecting union benefits; the fight includes non-union workers as well, seeking a collective uplift for all employees.

  • "[…] it's not just about the union part of it. The union and the workers work side by side. Any benefit that we give sets the standard." (01:00, Troy Walcott)

• Restoration of Pensions
  The company’s removal of pensions for non-union workers is highlighted as a key injustice. The union’s cooperative proposal would reinstate these lost benefits.

  • "There's no reason they shouldn't have it. There's enough profit there to have it. The only thing was the greed of the company taken away from them." (01:10, Troy Walcott)

• Rejecting Division Among Workers
  Spectrum tried to pit union and non-union workers against each other to weaken worker power, but Troy underscores the need for unity.

  • "Unions shouldn't be against the non union […] Co working together to try to move towards a better situation for all of us […]" (01:19, Troy Walcott)

2. Legal and Regulatory Pressures on Spectrum

• Violations and Pushback
  Richard asks about Spectrum’s troubles with state authorities. Troy describes major violations of their merger agreement, such as falsely claiming to expand services to underserved areas and flouting hiring quotas for NYC residents.

  • "[...] the Public Service Commission has told Spectrum Cable that they have to leave the city, that they violated their merger agreement." (02:23, Troy Walcott)

• Regulatory Action Escalates
  The Public Service Commission and City Council are both moving to oust Spectrum from NYC, creating a potential opening for a new kind of enterprise.

  • "We want you out of New York City. And they basically told him, you have, I think it's, I don't know how many days left. It was 60 days to formulate a plan to switch over to somebody else and get out of New York City." (03:25, Troy Walcott)

3. A Worker-Cooperative Alternative

• Historical Opportunity for Public Ownership
  Richard underscores that this situation creates a unique moment for a worker-community owned cooperative to take over New York’s cable infrastructure, with governmental support.

  • "New York City would be a pioneer. In a whole new way to pioneer. And it would create an enormous amount of money and income for the city." (04:10–04:44, Wolff and Walcott)

• Revenue Potential and Civic Benefits
  Troy notes billions in annual revenue are at stake, and a co-op could direct profits towards public benefits like better transit.

  • "Who wouldn't want to own a piece of the New York City cable market? It's not going anywhere. Even people that are getting bad service, like they're getting it now, still have to have it. So if we can do it and make it good, it's a beautiful [opportunity]." (05:35, Troy Walcott)

• Building Support Among Experts and Public
  Richard publicly offers the help of professionals (economists, accountants, lawyers) and stresses the need to mobilize broader support.

  • "It would be a pleasure to help mobilize […] Economists and accountants and lawyers, if you need help doing this, there are people out there who have the skills." (05:45, Richard D. Wolff)

4. Media Suppression and Social Media’s Role

• Spectrum’s Control Over the Narrative
  Troy highlights that controlling television content allows Spectrum to suppress strike news. Social media is pivotal for outreach, though more is needed.

  • "Since this strike started, we've been on strike 15 months. [...] people, they don't know that we're on strike. This is one of the most, the major parts of the problem. They've squeezed out everything we've seen." (07:34, Troy Walcott)

• Social Media as Alternative
  The workers rely on social channels and grassroots organizing to break through the media blackout.

5. Broader Implications: Democracy at Work

• Struggle for Systemic Change
  Richard places the strike in context as part of a wider movement for workplace democracy and economic alternatives to shareholder-dominated capitalism.

  • "The fight is not just about giving workers decent wages and working conditions. Important and valuable as that is, it is this fight for a whole new change of how industries are run, how enterprises are Run what the real democratic control of the majority might mean in, in the economy, long overdue." (08:30, Richard D. Wolff)

• Catalyst for Worker Self-Organization
  Troy attributes the strike's momentum to the company's own greed, pushing workers to collectively seek structural change.

  • "Honestly, it's their own fault that's going to be their demise because they got too greedy [...] You only could get beaten down so much before you have to take control." (09:50, Troy Walcott)

6. Advice to Other Workers

• Value of Sacrifice for Progress
  Troy encourages workers nationwide not to fear hardship and to think collectively about building alternatives rather than accepting the status quo.
  • "What I can say best, I would say don't be afraid of the pain of sacrifice. It seems like if you're comfortable, there will be no. There's no change in progress. Sometimes you have to sacrifice to fight for something and take a step back to move forward." (11:11, Troy Walcott)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "There's no reason they shouldn't have it. There's enough profit there to have it. The only thing was the greed of the company taken away from them."
  — Troy Walcott (01:10)

• "Who wouldn't want to own a piece of the New York City cable market? [...] If we can do it and make it good, it's a beautiful [opportunity]."
  — Troy Walcott (05:35)

• "The fight is not just about giving workers decent wages and working conditions... it is this fight for a whole new change of how industries are run..."
  — Richard D. Wolff (08:30)

• "You only could get beaten down so much before you have to take control. And like, you know what, it's time to stand up and rise up and do something."
  — Troy Walcott (09:50)

• "Don't be afraid of the pain of sacrifice... Sometimes you have to sacrifice to fight for something and take a step back to move forward."
  — Troy Walcott (11:11)

Important Timestamps

• Union & Worker Solidarity, Co-op Proposal: 00:12–01:43
• Spectrum’s Legal Troubles and State Pushback: 02:05–03:55
• Worker Co-op Opportunity, Public Benefits: 04:09–05:45
• Call for Expert Support and Public Awareness: 05:45–06:57
• Media Suppression, Social Media Solutions: 07:16–08:30
• The Larger Movement for Workplace Democracy: 08:31–10:54
• Advice for Workers Nationwide: 11:04–11:47

Tone and Language

The conversation is passionate, urgent, and visionary, balancing sobering realism about the obstacles facing workers with optimism about collective action and systemic change. Both Wolff and Walcott speak in accessible, frank terms, aiming to galvanize listeners toward solidarity and activism.

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers an on-the-ground look at how striking Spectrum workers are moving beyond traditional union demands to propose a pioneering worker cooperative as a solution for New York’s cable industry. It outlines the threats posed by anti-worker corporate practices, the possibilities opened by regulatory actions against Spectrum, and the broader hope for democratic control of key industries. Its lessons are both immediate and widely relevant for workers and activists everywhere.