Union AT&T workers begin strike against telecommunications giant

AT&T workers with the Communications Workers of America union have officially gone on strike against the telecommunications company.According to the Communications Workers of America, the strike was authorized to “protest unfair labor practices committed by management during negotiations for a new union contract.” CWA said AT&T has not been bargaining in good faith with the union, which represents around 17,000 AT&T employees. CWA also said the company has failed to send representatives to the bargaining table that have the authority to make decisions, and the company reneged on agreements made during bargaining, among other complaints.AT&T responded to the strike in a news release online, saying, in part, “CWA’s claims of unfair labor practices are not grounded in fact. We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1 and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits our hard-working employees.” The company said it has also reached agreements with three other unions this year.Striking AT&T employees represented by CWA work in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. These employees are people like technicians, customer service representatives and others who maintain and support AT&T’s telecommunications systems, according to CWA.The previous contract between AT&T Southeast and CWA expired on Aug. 3. Key issues for the CWA at the bargaining table include wages and scheduling issues. The CWA claims these are important factors causing high employee turnover and problems for customers.AT&T announced a tentative agreement between itself and CWA members in California and Nevada earlier in August. The company highlighted 15% compounded wage increases, enhancements to employee health care benefits, expanded tuition aid and new double-time pay for certain technicians.AT&T made over $15 billion in net income for the 2023 fiscal year.