An agreement has been reached between Communications Workers of America (CWA) and AT&T that will stop the industrial action in the Southeast of the US.

The CWA confirmed yesterday (September 15) that it had reached "strong tentative agreements" with AT&T Southeast and AT&T West for new union contracts. The contracts were bargained separately, the union noted.

Significantly for AT&T and the workers, it brings an end to the 30-day strike, which has been the longest in history at the carrier.

More than 17,000 AT&T workers across nine Southeastern US states have taken industrial action against the carrier over a contract dispute. The strikes began on August 16, and even saw workers take to the picket lines on Labor Day.

Last week it emerged that there could be potential strike action in the West, impacting an additional 8,000 workers.

“I believe in the power of unity, and the unity our members and retirees have shown during these contract negotiations has been outstanding and gave our bargaining teams the backing they needed to deliver strong contracts,” said CWA president Claude Cummings Jr.

"I’m not just talking about AT&T members in the Southeast and West, although the determination of our striking AT&T Southeast members was remarkable. CWA members and retirees from every region and sector of our union mobilized in support of our bargaining teams, including by distributing flyers with information about the strike at AT&T Wireless stores.”

CWA workers are set to report back to work for their scheduled shifts today (September 16).

The CWA said that the new contract in the Southeast covers more than 17,000 workers, including technicians, customer service representatives, and others who install, maintain, and support AT&T’s residential and business wireline telecommunications network in the nine states.

According to the union, the five-year agreement includes across-the-board wage increases of 19.33 percent, with an additional three percent increase for wire technicians and utility operations.

Additionally, the health care agreement holds health care premiums steady in the first year and lowers them in the second and third years, with modest monthly increases in the final two years.

As for the agreement in the West, it covers four years and more than 8,500 workers in California and Nevada. Employees will receive a wage increase of 15.01 percent, plus improvements to overtime and scheduling.