MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Union workers in the Memphis area employed by AT&T are preparing for an important deadline in negotiations by holding strike watch parties before the current union contract expires tonight.
Local union members have been getting ready for the possibility of a strike by holding mobilization trainings and practice pickets.
The current union contract, which expires tonight, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m., covers more than 15,000 workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, who are employed by AT&T in the Southeast region. This includes union workers employed in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Last month, CWA members voted to authorize union leaders to call a strike at AT&T Southeast if the current contract was permitted to expire before AT&T had reached a fair agreement with its union employees.
Union workers are expected to hold strike watch parties in the final hours of negotiations before the current union contract expires at 11:59 p.m.
The strike's are set to take place on Saturday at 5 p.m. at 2860 Price Drive, Bartlett.
With many issues still outstanding for the negotiation, union members are calling on AT&T to reach an agreement that delivers wages and benefits that reflect what the workers have earned and deserve.
The workers will further call on the company to resolve abusive job practices and pay disparities that have increased attrition among Wire Technicians, making it harder for customers to get high quality service.
