AT&T Southeast Bargaining Report #44

Yesterday, 17,000 CWA members across the southeast went on an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike against AT&T.  At the same time our members were heading to the picket line, CWA leadership met with AT&T's bargaining representatives to discuss the current status of contract negotiations and the bad faith bargaining tactics that AT&T has been engaged in at the bargaining table.  While we hoped this meeting might be constructive, it was unfortunately just more of the same from AT&T.  The company's rhetoric during this meeting made it clear to us that AT&T has no interest in bargaining in good faith with CWA or trying to reach an agreement.  

Following that meeting, our bargaining team went to the table to meet with AT&T's representatives.  The company came to the bargaining table claiming that they wanted to know why CWA was asking for so many improvements for Wire Technicians.  Our bargaining team spent more than an hour answering the company's questions and educating AT&T's representatives on the working conditions that our members have to deal with on a daily basis.  During this discussion, the company's bargaining representatives stated that there are two different classes of employees at AT&T, and Wire Technicians are second-class employees.  Our bargaining team made sure that AT&T's representatives clearly understood the absurdity of their statement.  

Our bargaining team will be returning to the bargaining table this morning with our eleventh comprehensive package proposal, trying to reach an agreement.  This comprehensive package proposal includes improvements for all CWA members in District 3, in every job title.  We know that the members of District 3 are standing strong against AT&T’s bad-faith tactics, and you can rest assured, knowing that your bargaining team is standing strong alongside you.