•  HOME 
  •  ARCHIVES 
  •  BOOKS 
  •  PDF ARCHIVE 
  •  WWP 
  •  SUBSCRIBE 
  •  DONATE 
  •  MUNDOOBRERO.ORG
  • Loading


Follow workers.org on
Twitter Facebook iGoogle




Atlanta protesters

AT&T: Where Is the Love?

Published Feb 16, 2012 9:53 PM

Feb. 14 — Several hundred Communication Workers of America (CWA) and other union members, and Occupy Atlanta and Jobs with Justice activists among others took over the plaza fronting AT&T's office tower in midtown Atlanta, demanding no layoffs for landline technicians.

Company security guards quickly locked the doors and the impressive main entrance to the building stayed locked all day.

With drums, whistles, chanting and singing, the atmosphere vibrated with solidarity and energy, all focused on defending workers and their jobs and denouncing AT&T's corporate greed. Everyone there was aware of the cascading effect of the loss of good-paying union jobs with benefits, not just to the individual worker and his or her family but also to the larger community.

Atlanta's unemployment rate, foreclosure crisis and number of homeless people are already staggering indictments of the "profit at all costs" policies of corporations.

Organizers made good use of the Valentine's Day theme with demonstrators wearing heart-shaped signs and singing a revised version of Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You." At one point, the protesters formed themselves into the shape of a giant heart while speakers from unions and community groups declared their love for the threatened workers.

The Teamsters parked their huge, decorated, "Union Power" semi-trailer truck on the adjoining street, providing sound for the rally.

This was the second day of action against the AT&T layoffs.

Yesterday, simultaneous "occupations" took place at AT&T's office. Around noon, one set of protesters entered the expansive ground floor lobby and sat down in a circle, declaring their intention to stay until AT&T rescinded the plans to lay off hundreds of skilled workers who install and repair landline phone service.

Outside the building on the broad sidewalk fronting busy W. Peachtree St, fifteen tents were set up in no time and some 70 sign-carrying demonstrators stationed themselves on the steps leading to the building. People will be maintaining the encampment for as long as needed.

Randall Stephenson, AT&T CEO, was paid more than $27 million last year. Although the exact number of workers to be laid off keeps shifting as AT&T responds to union pushback, it is definitely in the high hundreds. AT&T is one of the largest companies in the U.S. and one of the most profitable. Its CEO says the cuts are necessary since the number of landline customers is dropping. Yet the technicians claim they are forced to work excessive overtime hours, and still, landline customers often have to wait days to get their service. For many people, including seniors and rural residents, landlines are both more usable and less expensive.

AT&T's expansion into new technology communications gives them cover to reduce their skilled unionized workforce and hire lower-wage, no benefits workers, who also may be contract workers.

Determined to take a stand against this kind of "profits first, workers be damned" policy, union and community activists are mounting a multiple prong fightback. Social media were used to blast news of the "inside, outside" occupation of AT&T headquarters.

The arrests of the dozen valentine-wearing protesters in the lobby were streamed live. They were arrested from inside the lobby, charged with criminal trespass. They were released at different times, starting at about 10 p.m. on Feb. 13, and then the last one today at 5 a.m.

Appeals for supporters to call CEO Stephenson went out on Facebook and Twitter and by email. Supporters are urged to call Michael Matthews, vice president, SE Labor Relations at 205.977.0722 and email CEO Randall Stephenson at [email protected]