AT&T workers continue to strike across nine Southeastern states, as its employees in the West have rejected the telco’s tentative agreement, prompting fears an additional 8,400 employees may also strike.
More than 17,000 AT&T workers across nine Southeastern US states have taken industrial action against the carrier over a contract dispute and have been on strike for more than three weeks.
The CWA said the workers are on strike due to "AT&T’s failure to bargain in good faith."
Providing an update yesterday, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which represents the AT&T workers, said it will continue to strike for what it calls a fair contract for its members.
“AT&T workers across the country have made it clear that they are not willing to settle for a subpar contract or bad faith negotiations. CWA members are the face of AT&T and eager to continue their work keeping their customers connected,” said CWA president, Claude Cummings Jr, in a statement.
“I will be doing everything I can to ensure that AT&T puts proposals on the table with the wages and healthcare benefits that our members deserve.”
Last week, the CWA told the telco to "get serious," about negotiating what it calls fairer contracts.
In response to the ongoing strikes, AT&T confirmed it reopened negotiations with the CWA on September 8.
“We continue to aim for an agreement that will provide competitive market-based pay that exceeds projected inflation, provides benefits that improve employees’ total well-being, and sustains a competitive position in the broadband industry where we can grow and win against our mostly non-union competitors. We are hopeful that the CWA will engage with us in the same spirit and work towards an agreement to get our employees back to work.” the company said in a statement.
AT&T technicians, customer service representatives, and others who install, maintain, and support AT&T’s residential and business wireline telecommunications network in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have been on strike.
AT&T previously told DCD it's committed to reaching a deal with striking workers. The carrier also called the claims of unfair labor practices during negotiations false.
Are further strikes likely in the West?
An additional 8,000 workers could be joining those in the Southeast on strike.
Last week, employees represented by CWA District 9 voted against ratifying the West tentative agreement which includes wages and benefits, which AT&T states are among the best in the US.
According to AT&T, the tentative agreement, which was announced on August 2, included wage increases that exceed projected inflation, comprehensive retirement benefits, increases in the company’s financial contributions to employee healthcare and wellness up to 25 percent per year, expanded tuition aid, better schedule stability, job security, and more.
The contract covered about 8,400 employees in California and Nevada, for employees mainly working in technician, call center, and other customer service roles.
“We’re disappointed this competitive, market-based tentative agreement didn’t ratify,” said Jamie Barton, AT&T SVP of global human resources and labor relations.
“The company negotiated in good faith to reach this agreement, and we will quickly work with our union partners to reach a new tentative agreement that can be put up for an employee vote as soon as possible.”
AT&T said it has reached 13 agreements with the unions since 2022, including two contracts ratified this year.
“We will continue to bargain with AT&T for as long as it takes to reach the best possible agreement for CWA members in the Southeast,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt.
“This may be the wake-up call AT&T needed to get these negotiations done. Our members want to be back at work serving our customers.”
Update: On September 11, 2024, CWA confirmed that its executive board has authorized a strike against AT&T West, which it noted is subject to Cummings Jr. setting a date.
