District 3/AT&T Mobility Bargaining - January 27, 2014 - Union's Opening Statement

We, the CWA Bargaining Committee, are proud to represent over 13,000 Mobility employees in the District 3 Contract.

We are committed to reach an agreement that meets legitimate needs of the Company while at the same time, achieving economic gains for our members as well as improving the working conditions they deal with every day.

We feel confident we can achieve both.

AT&T states that Mobility is the future of their business. The employees of Mobility, our members, are the core of that business. They are the ones that help make the company’s billion dollar profits. AT&T needs to recognize the value of the employees rather than treating them as mere numbers that are required to make unrealistic goals, goals that are ever changing. Our members deserve to be recognized for what they achieve everyday in the workplace. If not for them, AT&T Mobility would just be another Wireless company.

The corporate parent, AT&T, knows the success of the company is tied to the success of the wireless side and we want a share of that success. There is no reason for any concessionary proposals from the company.

The Union does not propose significant changes in the existing contract; however, we do expect a substantial wage increase and improvement in language that has not met the needs of the membership.

Gerald W. Souder
CWA Representative
Chair