The Communications Workers of America (CWA) unfair labor practice strike against AT&T in the Southeast---the union's District 3---is gaining strong solidarity from CWA locals and the labor movement. Here are some photos from the strike and strike solidarity efforts, a link to a petition for you to sign, and a video from The Valley Labor Report.
Photo from AP News
They say: Support our local unions; we're all family!
They also remind us: Don't forget to also sign the petition for our own CWA siblings on strike in District 3!
https://action.cwa.org/.../support-striking-workers-at.../
CWA 7250 Officers and Stewards in Minnesota delivered a petition to AT&T AVP for Credit/Collections demanding the company bargain in good faith with Communications Workers of America District 3 and give the workers in the Southeast great wages with real raises, strong benefits, and dignity on the job. She agreed to convey the message to AT&T senior leadership. Local 7250 has been carrying out daily solidarity actions with the Strike.
A striker met with CWA Staff Marvin Wells and CWA Minnesota State Council President Shari Wojtowicz. The striker came to Minnesota to thank CWA Locals in person for supporting the ULP strike.
An Alabama AT&T Worker Talked With The Valley Labor Report
The parties continue to engage in mediation with a federal mediator, which we agreed to at the company's request. What we have made clear to the mediator through this process is that the CWA bargaining team knows what good faith bargaining with real company decision-makers looks like. While we are now meeting with company labor relations representatives, AT&T has yet to demonstrate that we are dealing with the real decision makers or that they are interested in real bargaining with the intent of reaching an agreement. It is a slow process to begin with, made slower by the company's tactics.
When they are "bargaining" (if you want to call it that), the positions taken by the company on important issues to our members are shocking. One example is the company's refusal to make realistic proposals on wages that reflect the economic reality for our members who work hard for a living or the reality of the company's huge profits. Another is the company's refusal to budge on improving working conditions for Wire Techs, who we now know they think of only as "second-class employees." Yet another is that the company has come to the bargaining table demanding that our members switch to a new healthcare plan. AT&T’s new healthcare plan will jeopardize the livelihood of our members, as it eliminates the prescription copayments we have today, and in place of those copayments, our members would be forced to pay the full price of prescriptions, until they meet an annual deductible of $6,600 for families.
So not only are the company's bargaining tactics shameful, what they are proposing when they are "bargaining" is shameful. Remember that what the company is doing at the bargaining table is happening while CEO John Stankey talks about the company's plans to "grow subscribers and revenues, while deepening customer relationships." Apparently, Stankey has forgotten that CWA members - union members - are the people who are responsible for AT&T's growth in subscribers and revenues, and who are the front line in dealing with its customers. If only Stankey could find labor relations professionals who understand the meaning of the duty to bargain in good faith, all of us -- workers, customers, and company -- would be better off.
Our bargaining team is working around the clock trying to reach an agreement. We met into the evening yesterday, and met with the company again today. We have told the mediator and the company that we are ready to meet at any time. What we hope is that the company will wake up to the reality that it can't continue to bargain in bad faith and expect to get a contract. What we know is that we can count on our members to continue protesting AT&T’s bad-faith tactics until they change. Like all CWA members across the country, we are inspired by the unity that exists within the membership across District 3. District 3 members are united on picket lines across the southeast and are making a difference. We will continue fighting for more in 24!
Strike photo from the AFL-CIO
We are CWA members on strike at AT&T Southeast because AT&T is refusing to engage in good faith negotiations for a new contract.
We are a big part of AT&T’s success, but we have been at the bargaining table since June, unable to make any progress because of the Company's bad faith bargaining.
The National Labor Relations Act requires companies to bargain in good faith. We have filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company and are on strike to protest the Company's unfair bargaining tactics.
We want to be on the job, providing the quality service that our customers deserve and getting to work making sure every household and business in the Southeast has reliable high-speed internet service.
Tell AT&T to show us the respect we deserve and get serious about bargaining.
AT&T Southeast workers
Communications Workers of America
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