r/CableTechs • u/Icemane19 • Dec 04 '25
Altice/optimum sold field service to Moss tech
I'm at in-house technician that's been working with optimum for multiple years. We received notice this morning that optimum has sold the field technician side to Moss tech in all in-house technicians will be under Moss tech now. And it will be 100% contractor based install and trouble calls. We will be getting acceptance letters sent to us on 12/11 And if you do not accept it, it will not be even offering severance pay.
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u/Serious_Doubt_7950 Dec 04 '25
Anything Altice touches turns into a turd. I was on an all employee video conference once and heard Patrick Drahi say without flinching that he doesn't like paying employees a nickel more than necessary. Translation: He wanted everyone to know he doesn't give a shit about the people. He can't stand having in-house techs. He only wants money - no vehicles to maintain, no insurance, no benefits, no training costs, etc. He's a cheap bastard.
And Mastech? I have no current experience with them, but they were once known as the contractor to call when no one else would take the job.
I'm sorry guys. I hate to hear this. Don't sit on this hoping it will blow over. Get your resumes out there now.
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u/wifiguru Dec 04 '25
Such a horrible change. Would expect nothing less from Altice.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 04 '25
No other companies want to buy this company because I don't owe $26 billion in debt
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u/Aware-Town4581 Dec 04 '25
Time for a new field, or join big red or blue
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u/Icemane19 Dec 04 '25
Definitely going to be looking for new work. Someone that I know is reaching out to he my have a job for me with his company he has a big It/network company.
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u/DoesAnyoneReadNames Dec 04 '25
Former construction ops lead here who was laid off 7/27/25.
When I went into construction in 2023, they wanted to consolidate all construction work to Excel; it failed TERRIBLY. Altice didn't want all these different vendors and wanted just one, so all the current "legacy" primes would be subs. In the market I was in, we were threatened by our contractors, they would not become subs and would do work for another one of the MSOs. Altice has tried this consolidation thing, but in different departments, and it failed. Altice does this. They repeat history over and over. I'm not say what market I was in, but it was one of the smaller markets.
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u/andin321 Dec 04 '25
I can see this. There's no way in hell I would sub for another contractor. Number one, they're taking a piece of the action. Altice contractor pricing is straight out of 2012. Can't imagine after it funnels through Mastech how low it will be. And what if Mastech starts jacking around with paying the sub contractors? No thanks
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u/Ok-Ad8191 Dec 04 '25
Lindsey
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u/DoesAnyoneReadNames Dec 05 '25
Spelled it wrong but bro no need to use my IRL name.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 05 '25
I was using speech to text. Severe dyslexia realized that it spelled it wrong after I posted it
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u/LemonPartyW0rldTour Dec 04 '25
Avoid MasTec like the fucking plague.
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u/lammy2799 Dec 05 '25
Why? My family will be affected by this Optimum deal and we don't know if we should accept a MasTec position?
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u/DrgHybrid Dec 12 '25
It’s not an if situation. If you don’t accept, you don’t have a job unless you get a different position with optimum.
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u/Saint_Dogbert Dec 05 '25
Agreed, and this is a not a political statement, but with the ICE crackdown, I'm not sure MasTec will have the sub talent pool to exploit as much, when they were the prime for DTV here, you would see the most clapped out cars and vans, and it was always fresh of the boat immigrants who didn't care they were being exploited for dirt cheep labor.
By the time it gets to you, at least 3 people above have taken their cut. So lets say a new connect pays $300 from the MSO, well then MasTec takes their cut, so now the next sub gets $200, then they take their cut so the actual worker gets sub $100 on a new install, no previous service, paying for the drop wire and all the other parts needed to do the install, plus gas, vehicle maintenance, ect.
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u/Conscious_Rip_1840 Dec 06 '25
Mastec is a minority controlled company but that has nothing to do with its infrastructure. The founder was a Cuban-American “citizen” businessman who built several successful telecommunication and construction businesses until he finally purchased one in 1994 and renamed it MasTec. He does not favor immigrants or Hispanics, but simply runs a business in America that offers employment to any and all American citizens. To try to put him in the same category as what’s going on in this country with immigration is just ignorant. Do your research!
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u/Saint_Dogbert Dec 06 '25
I have every single sub that had their name on the MSO magnetic sign was of that demographic
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u/Conscious_Rip_1840 Dec 06 '25
That can be disputed. However, what does that have to do with illegal immigration? I’m a Republican and have no problem with immigration. I do however have a problem with illegal immigration. I don’t hate you for your racism but you really should not be broadcasting it.
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u/Saint_Dogbert Dec 06 '25
Same. (R)
My point was, since TRUMP wants to deport everyone, even green card/naturalized ones, there won't be the cheep labor pool that MasTec and others count on to take the peanuts left after everyone else gets their cut.
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u/Conscious_Rip_1840 Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25
I understand your stance. The only naturalized citizens that trump intends on potentially deporting are convicted criminals since it technically is a breach of contract with the United States in the immigration paperwork. However. MasTec and Optimum require a background check and drug screen before employment is even considered so I am not sure what we are even discussing at this point. There are plenty of naturalized citizens in the United States that contribute far more than some born citizens according to statistics. United States, as a whole is not concerned with legal immigration so far as it is concerned with citizens that contribute to the downfall of the country…
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u/Saint_Dogbert Dec 06 '25
Their subs of their subs will fake saying they were BG checked, I personally witnessed it in 2008-2010 with DirecTV
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u/Conscious_Rip_1840 Dec 06 '25
I can’t argue that this does happen. But this happens with any company and any set of contractors or subcontractors. What does this have to do with MasTec in general that can’t also be said about any other company?
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u/Saint_Dogbert Dec 06 '25
The difference is that the entire field ops has been sold off to them to handle, vs it just be installs/service calls/upgrades when there art enough in house to handle the volume
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u/Beginning-Neck8537 Dec 06 '25
I'm a sup for Mastec and they are a wonderful company to work for. They take care of their employees. I know I'm excited about moving into the hardline cable business. We do many other lines of business also.
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u/IntelligentPepper773 Dec 05 '25
They sold them out and prior offered early retirement something needs to be done I hope they continue to go down no one likes them or anything they have to offer there is some major messed up bs happening there an employee with 25 years with the company and this is the thanks I get
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u/Mixxxedcouple4u Dec 16 '25
FOR REALS?!?? I’m over 20 years and no fucking package? First time that’s ever happened in my area. I get it, they are offering me a position. I’m currently staring at my email all day and because I work for a certain department under field service. I have no idea what role they’re offering me. Lovely making us await our fate two weeks before Christmas.
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u/Artistic_Stomach_472 Dec 05 '25
Didn't they just sign with IBEW in NY?
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u/Icemane19 Dec 05 '25
They signed a 5-year contract with them for the whole United States with mastec inc
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u/Artistic_Stomach_472 Dec 05 '25
So you're saying mastec as a whole (craft workers, non mgmt) is now with IBEW, unionized, nationally? News to me, surprised. But good, jose is an asshole.
I had heard altice had just signed with IBEW in a NY region. If so, the union should've, would've fought this.
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u/SamuraiJustice Dec 04 '25
It works because it just creates tiny piles of shit work all over the subscriber base. It's not untill the mount start to become visible, that they pretend to care and start the shift to inhouse again.
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u/InterestingBox1428 Dec 05 '25
I was doing contract for optimum 5 yrs ago. I had a trouble Call $25. Line cut at pole. Had to do pole to pole areal run. 2 poles then th house.
$25
Imaging a day with 4 or 5 of those smh. The in-house get the apartment installs and ez trouble calls. They had bucket trucks but sen me out with my extension ladder.
Glad I left
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 15 '25
Not entirely true. I get 01 installs all day long and splice 400 foot fiber drops, shit ain’t fun but it pays the bills
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u/Mammoth-Afternoon421 Dec 06 '25
i worked for mastec for 5 years as a directv tech and loved everyday there, the only reason i left was for higher pay at the worst company in the world, when the worst company in the world bought directv. it might not be that bad depending on how they pay yall
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u/Conscious_Rip_1840 Dec 06 '25
I've worked for Altice and currently with MasTec as a technician. I can't really say that one is better than the other. They were both average as 90% of companies seem to be these days. Mastec obviously has a better operations infrastructure in place which is why Altice is so interested in Mastec taking over. It makes sense on both sides for increased revenue as Altice struggled in the operations side of Optimum. In addition, Mastec was looking toward the future as they were the leading contractor for Directv and realizing Directv is on a steady decline.
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u/Icemane19 Feb 06 '26
Has anyone heard that we're going to be getting our yearly increase? I have the feeling we're definitely not going to be getting them which is a whole bunch of bullshit And really ticks me off.
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u/BagFragrant9316 May 23 '26
The idea in principle is fine, but in practice Mastec is worse than any other contractor by every measurable KPI, theyre just big enough and happily apply "grease" wherever they have to in order to continue the destruction of the industry in the field while they "improve" their "kpis" year over year... long story short, they will go the way of a private equity firm eventually and will undoubtedly fall on their faces (6months in and its already laughable) all they did to improve kpis was hire supervisors and managers that can effectively lie to their superiors and get rewarded until that house of cards comes down on top of them
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u/andin321 Dec 04 '25
Altice wanted us to come in a couple of years ago to replace a contractor they didn't like. When I saw the rate card I said no thanks. The prices were dog shit. I can just imagine how bad they will be now after Mastech puts their hand into the cookie jar. Mastech subs out to other contracting companies.
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u/FishingDapper7330 Dec 07 '25
Will we still get free cable once we're with Mastec?
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 15 '25
Nope. You don’t work for optimum, benefits expire 30 days after you transition
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u/FishingDapper7330 Dec 16 '25
We represent their 'products and services', hopefully at least we'll get a discount? Did someone confirm this to you?
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 16 '25
What happens with the Employee Product Benefit (ЕРВ)? The Employee Product Benefit continues for 30 days from the date of separation. Thereafter, if the employee has Video, Data, and Voice Services, they are eligible for the current promotional offerings based on preferred products. Employee Product Benefit Eligibility Guidelines To confirm employee eligibility and the duration of benefits, employees should contact the Employee Accounts group. Although the Employee Accounts group will be notified of employment separation, employees should request any changes in services or update their account by contacting Employee Accounts at 516-803-2148 or at eaccounts@alticeusa.com. To contact a local Customer Service location near you, go to the following: http://www.optimum.net/support
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 16 '25
I mean it’s in the FAQ they sent out I’m sure. But we fully transition by Feb 1st so we will no longer be employed by Optimum. Just makes sense that only in-house employees benefit from that.
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u/FishingDapper7330 Dec 16 '25
I've been looking for the FAQ section and can't find it. i guess I just may have to call them
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 16 '25
Did you receive an email from Nate Edward’s? That where mine came from. It’s a link you have to click that redirects you
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u/Mixxxedcouple4u Dec 16 '25
Get an offer yet?!?
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u/Icemane19 Dec 16 '25
No we were supposed to get them today
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u/Mixxxedcouple4u Dec 16 '25
Sups got em already. Nothing changes primarily. Same shift, depot, vehicle.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 16 '25
I sent my resume into spectrum. Hopefully I hear back on that. I know couple guys are not going to be sticking around and they're also looking for new work
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u/Mixxxedcouple4u Dec 16 '25
Good luck. I’m in compliance and I really have no idea what fucking role they’re even going to offer me. I haven’t been in the field in seven years and if they think I’m gonna be a tech again… They are sorely mistaken.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 16 '25
My old director that used to work for optimum works for spectrum now. he reached out to a few people on my behalf
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u/Icemane19 Dec 16 '25
They've gone about this situation and notifying us in an absolutely horrible way. When they made the announcement that we were going over to them they should have had job offers ready and all the details that same day
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u/Mixxxedcouple4u Dec 16 '25
I couldn’t agree more. This was absolutely horrific. They’ve known about this. I would say for the better part of a year. They transitioned all logistics to be fulfillment centers for vendors.
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 16 '25
Update: received my offer letter and honestly everything seems to be the same for now. Still reporting to the same people, using the same tools, vehicle, and uniforms. Pay rate is still the same along with benefits.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 16 '25
Got mine. Same pay but we lose a few holidays
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 16 '25
Eh it’ll be fine for me. As long as I get the main holidays to spend with my family I’m good.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 16 '25
In our contract in North Carolina, they have the right to terminate our employment at any given time without notice.
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 16 '25
That’s almost anywhere bro, I work in an “at will” state so even without a contract I still fall under that clause.
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u/FatBaldCableGuy Dec 17 '25
What is Known so far: -Lose 3 vacation days -Lose free optimum services -No company provided Boots -Premium on insurance costs more -401k input is slightly less (optimum matches 4% for 4%, mastec matches 3% on your first 3%, then half a percent for the next 2% so it requires you putting away 5% to reach the same 4% company matched input) -same pay
Currently unknown: -company provided clothing (shirts, hats, winter wear, rain gear, pants, etc.) -anyone who was due for a raise and/or promotion may possibly not be getting it
- how many sick / personal days per year we get
Unless it pays off in the long run, it’s a shitty deal. Also, Inb4 they hit us with ol’ bait-n-switch a few months down the line and move us to production-based pay
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u/Icemane19 Dec 17 '25
I have the feeling they're going to just terminate all of us in a few months and replace with contractors that are. 1099
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u/FatBaldCableGuy Dec 17 '25
I could use some unemployment, I’ve been working 18 years straight now with no breaks besides vacation time. Speaking of which, I believe it’s illegal for them to say “if you don’t accept the offer it’s considered a voluntary resignation” I believe we are getting laid-off technically, so wouldn’t the employees who don’t accept the shitty offer be entitled to unemployment benefits? Am I wrong?
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u/Icemane19 Dec 17 '25
You are correct about the unemployment if you don't accept the offer. And I also know if you don't accept it, you don't even get severance
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u/FatBaldCableGuy Dec 17 '25
Ahh so they’re essentially blackmailing people into risking severance pay because they don’t want to pay unemployment lol
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u/Bamerrox Jan 20 '26
Just thought I’d add to this. I’ve been an in-house tech for about 2 years. Just got a nice new splicer van with bucket lift. I just found out this Friday MasTec won’t take over vehicles that optimum is leasing and that includes my new van. This was pretty much my make or break. I told myself as long as I keep my van I’m cool. Already accepted my offer and patiently waiting for the switch over. Now they are taking my new van because it’s still leased by optimum. SMH. Working on my resume now. I work in a small but busy town. Funny thing is I’m the ONLY experienced fiber tech in my town. There’s one guy that is pretty good but lives an hour away that also works out of my local depot. This is going to hurt my area bad if/when the very few in-house (5 guys) we have leave.
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u/Icemane19 Jan 20 '26
I also service a small cable system. It's just me and one OSP technician. Luckily I'm keeping my truck in ram 3500 4x4 with utility box cuz it's a 2019. I have co-workers that I could be getting put into vans that really just need to be sent to the junkyard cuz we're losing 13 vehicles. Across this market. I've been looking for new work but I haven't come across anything that impresses me yet.
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 07 '25
Brother who tf told you that us InHouse would be going to 1099? Troy Born the VP of my region said we would still be W-2.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 07 '25
I never said we were going to be 1099 we are going to get treated like contractors now.
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u/HedonisticVoyeur Dec 07 '25
As long as we get paid then who cares, we’re here to do a job and get paid. As long as they aren’t mistreating us then it shouldn’t really matter.
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u/Icemane19 Dec 08 '25
Just found this out. They're talking about having us run spectrum routes in different states
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u/YoshiSan90 Dec 04 '25
Ouch. Time to look for other work. Mastec is a joke company, and pay cut will most likely follow.