MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Communications Workers of America, or CWA, is now on its 18th day on the picket line after they say AT&T failed to negotiate with them in good faith.
More than 17,000 workers in states across the southeast, including Tennessee, have spent the past two and a half weeks calling for fair negotiations.
CWA Local Union 3806 members spent most of their Labor Day on the picket line, 18 days after the strike with AT&T first began. AT&T released a statement on Aug. 23, saying they are committed to reaching a deal with fair wages that outpace inflation and recognizing the hard work of their employees.
"I'm so proud to be here with my brothers and sisters on the picket line," said Randall LaPlante, Local Union 3806's vice president. 'We wish we were at home celebrating with our families and getting ready to return to work tomorrow to serve AT&T customers we care about. But unfortunately, AT&T will not come to the table with people who can make decisions to bargain in good faith."
According to CWA, more than 17,000 customer service representatives and technicians across southeastern states like Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi have been on strike since Aug. 16. If this strike extends five more days, it will be the longest strike with AT&T since 1983, when more than 700,000 workers went on the picket line.
"All we want to do is come to the table and be able to make some decisions and get us back to work," said Marshall Boswell, Local Union 3806's president.
Since this strike began, LaPlante said some customers have complained about disrupted services. ABC24 obtained a statement from CWA:
In response to AT&T's disingenuous use of the mediation process to stall negotiations, the Communications Workers of America have informed AT&T and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service that the union is no longer interested in the mediation process.
"Our bargaining team was optimistic that AT&T's suggestion that we enter mediation with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) meant that the company was finally ready to bargain in good faith. Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case. Instead, the company was using the mediation process as another delaying tactic," said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. "We appreciate the mediator's efforts. Our message to AT&T is: no more excuses. It's time to get serious about bargaining so we can get back to work serving our customers."
Over 17,000 technicians, customer service representatives, and others who install, maintain, and support AT&T's residential and business wireline telecommunications network are on strike in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee in response to AT&T's failure to bargain in good faith.
As a result of the strike, AT&T is using undertrained managers and contractors to perform maintenance and repairs. As a result, AT&T customers have experienced widespread outages and long wait times for repairs and service.
"We hope that AT&T will come back to the table — be reasonable so that we can get back to serving our customers," LaPlante said.
AT&T responded to the failed negotiations, saying:
"The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 3 has decided it no longer wants to involve a skilled federal mediator to assist in negotiations.
This decision was unexpected, since withdrawing from mediation seems inconsistent with the union’s allegation of unfair labor practices. This also goes against their stated intention to bargain toward a mutually agreeable resolution.
We thank the mediator for their efforts throughout this process. Regardless of whether a neutral third-party is present, progress will not be made without a willingness to compromise.
As we have said from day 1, we are focused on reaching a fair and competitive agreement that benefits our hard-working employees as quickly as possible, and this won’t change. In the meantime, we will remain prepared for all contingencies to ensure our customers receive the excellent service they deserve."