cablevision systems-ny grp-a (CVC) Snapshot

NJ TRANSIT board of directors authorized the agency to enter into a public-private partnership with Cablevision to offer requested amenities to NJ TRANSIT customers: high-speed wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains. The Wi-Fi access will be provided to NJ TRANSIT customers via a dedicated, trackside Wi-Fi network in the nation at no cost to the agency. Through customer forums and surveys conducted as part of NJ TRANSITs Scorecard initiative, the company announced that wireless internet service will be a welcome amenity for NJ TRANSIT customers, enabling those who wish to remain connected during their commute to do so continuously. This public-private partnership will enable NJ TRANSIT to deliver on one of the top requests from customers wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains. Wi-Fi on the NJ TRANSIT system will be implemented in phases. The initial phase will focus on outfitting major stations like Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal which together serve more than 100,000 customers on a typical weekday on all transit modes as well as Secaucus Junction, by the end of this year. Subsequent phases will include equipping additional train stations and ultimately rail cars by line. The project is expected to be substantially complete by year end 2016.

Cablevision Systems Corporation filed a petition for a writ of mandamus and a motion for a stay in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, seeking an immediate suspension of the National Labor Relations Board's pursuit of pending complaints against the Company relating to disputes with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The administrative trial in the case is currently scheduled to start in early July. The legal basis for Cablevision's filing is straightforward: The NLRB cannot act unless it possesses a quorum of three validly appointed members. As the D.C. Circuit recently held, the Board has lacked a quorum since at least January 3, 2012 and recent recess appointments by the President were not legal, Noel Canning v. NLRB decision. In addition, two weeks ago the Third Circuit Court similarly held that the purported appointment of former Board member Craig Becker in 2010 was invalid because the U.S. Constitution permits appointments only during intersession recesses of the Senate, NLRB v. New Vista Nursing & Rehabilitation decision. The NLRB chose not to seek a stay. Losing parties that do not want judicial rulings to go into effect immediately are required to file for a stay of the ruling and make the requisite showing. As a result of the NLRB's choice not to pursue stays, the DC Circuit and Third Circuit rulings are in full force and effect. Accordingly, neither the Board nor any of its agents currently have authority to issue, prosecute or decide unfair labor practice complaints against Cablevision. So, for example, because the presiding administrative law judge acts as an ongoing agent of the Board, he has no authority to hear the case. Moreover, the Regional Directors of Regions 2 and 29, the ones responsible for issuing the complaints against Cablevision, were not validly appointed because the Board did not possess a quorum when they were appointed.

Cablevision Systems Corporation announced the appointment of Media Frank J. Mansour to the newly created position of executive vice president of customer service. Mansour was previously chief customer officer at the online grocery company FreshDirect.