AT&T Workers Strike: 17,000 Walk Out Over Unfair Labor Practices, Impacting Services Across Nine States

August 18, 2024
AT&T Workers Strike: 17,000 Walk Out Over Unfair Labor Practices, Impacting Services Across Nine States
  • Over 17,000 AT&T workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union initiated a strike on Friday, impacting operations across nine states, including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

  • The strike was triggered by accusations of 'unfair labor practices' during contract negotiations, following the expiration of the previous contract on August 3.

  • The CWA claims that AT&T did not negotiate in good faith, alleging that the company sent unqualified negotiators to the bargaining table.

  • In response, AT&T denied these allegations, asserting that they have been engaged in substantive bargaining and have successfully reached agreements with other CWA districts this year.

  • Additionally, the AFL-CIO has filed a federal unfair labor practice complaint against AT&T, accusing the company of engaging in 'surface bargaining' without genuine intent to negotiate.

  • This marks the first strike by CWA District 3 since August 2019, when a five-day strike resulted in a new five-year contract.

  • The striking workforce includes technicians, customer service representatives, and wire installation workers, all of whom play critical roles in maintaining AT&T's telecommunications network.

  • Beth Allen, CWA communications director, emphasized that striking workers will not be available for service calls during the strike, potentially affecting service delivery.

  • The strike coincides with reports of prolonged internet outages affecting AT&T customers in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area and northern Charlotte neighborhoods.

  • In Durham, residents have reported internet outages since at least Wednesday, particularly around downtown and Duke University, with AT&T assuring some customers that service should be restored by Tuesday morning.

  • Picket lines have been established in Morrisville, with local rallies organized to support the striking workers, attended by political figures such as U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel.

  • A union executive criticized AT&T's contract negotiators for lacking the authority to bargain in good faith, stressing that union members are eager to return to work and provide quality service.

Summary based on 3 sources


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