20,000 workers at AT&T Southeast strike over unfair labor practices

The following press release was issued on Aug. 23, the day before CWA workers went out on strike.  For more information, go to cwa-union.org.

Communications Workers (CWA) members at AT&T Southeast plan to go on strike at midnight over unfair labor practices committed by management during negotiations for a new contract.

CWA has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against AT&T for not bargaining in good faith and not sending representatives to the bargaining table with the authority to make decisions.

“We entered these negotiations prepared to bargain in good faith with AT&T to address our members’ concerns and to work together to find solutions,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “Our talks have stalled because it has become clear that AT&T has not sent negotiators who have the power to make decisions so we can move forward toward a new contract.”

The strike will involve over 20,000 technicians, customer service representatives and others who install, maintain and support AT&T’s residential and bu

siness wireline telecommunications network in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Additional unfair labor practice charges have been filed against the company in Florida for illegally disciplining members for wearing union memorabilia and for participating in activities that are protected under the National Labor Relations Act. 

CWA members in South Florida initiated a strike over the company’s unfair labor practices on August 22.