The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has told AT&T and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service that it's no longer interested in the mediation process.

In a statement yesterday, the union accused AT&T of a "disingenuous use of the mediation process to stall negotiations."

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 nearly three weeks.

The CWA said the workers are on strike due to "AT&T’s failure to bargain in good faith."

The workers, who have been on strike since August 16, have accused the carrier of unfair labor practices during contract negotiations this summer.

In the union's latest statement, the CWA has warned AT&T to "get serious."

“Our bargaining team was optimistic that AT&T’s suggestion that we enter mediation with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) meant that the company was finally ready to bargain in good faith. Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case. Instead, the company was using the mediation process as another delaying tactic,” said CWA District 3 vice president, Richard Honeycutt.

“We appreciate the mediator’s efforts. Our message to AT&T is: no more excuses. It’s time to get serious about bargaining so we can get back to work serving our customers.”

Since the strikes began, 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.

Although yesterday was Labor Day, a national bank holiday in the US, the company's workers in the nine states still took to the picket line.

AT&T has 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.

“The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 3 has decided it no longer wants to involve a skilled federal mediator to assist in negotiations," said an AT&T spokesperson in a statement to DCD today.

“This decision was unexpected, since withdrawing from mediation seems inconsistent with the union’s allegation of unfair labor practices. This also goes against their stated intention to bargain toward a mutually agreeable resolution. We thank the mediator for their efforts throughout this process. Regardless of whether a neutral third-party is present, progress will not be made without a willingness to compromise.

“As we have said from day 1, we are focused on reaching a fair and competitive agreement that benefits our hard-working employees as quickly as possible, and this won’t change. In the meantime, we will remain prepared for all contingencies to ensure our customers receive the excellent service they deserve.”