San Gabriel Valley

PASADENA PROTEST: Members of the Communications Workers of America in Pasadena protested Wednesday against Pacific Bell, complaining that a company’s recent subcontract translates into job losses for union members.

Joe Mejia, the union’s spokesman, said Pacific Bell has subcontracted with a Kentucky-based company to install 21,000 computers in facilities statewide. He said this will result in job losses for members of his Pasadena-based union who are under contract to install and repair Pacific Bell’s internal telephone and computer systems.

“They’re going to start cutting jobs,” Mejia said. “That’s what we’re fighting for.”

Pacific Bell spokeswoman Linda Bonniksen said that in replacing the work stations, her company chose to lease computers rather than buy them. She said the Kentucky company, as part of its leasing contract, offers cheaper and more convenient maintenance.

Union workers will still maintain Pacific Bell’s existing work stations.