News

CWA/THRYV Bargaining Update #1

Local 3509 celebrates the passing of the Call Center Bill in Mississippi

Local 3204 hosted the MLK March Committee meetings this year as we have done for over the past ten years. Members of our Executive Board and stewards joined the committee and help plan and coordinate the March and Rally. Our members and there families joined with other Unions and marched thru the streets of downtown Atlanta to the King Center. Our Metro Atlanta Rapid Transportation Authority (MARTA) provided us with a bus to transport members to and from the March.

The AT&T District 3 Mobilization team is conducting a survey concerning the recent mobilization activities surrounding the 2019 Bellsouth bargaining.
We would like to know what went well and what areas need improvement for future mobilization projects. Thank you for taking the time to do the survey.

The North Carolina Local Presidents presented Harold Black and Grant Welch an award, recognizing them for their devotion and dedication to CWA’s National and State Legislative/Political Programs.

It is my pleasure to announce that the AT&T SE bargaining unit has voted to ratify their Contracts.
I would like to thank all of our members for taking the time to vote on these TA’s and all of you who participated in the mobilization efforts. Special thanks to the Bargaining Team for your dedication to our CWA Members and your hard work.

Members across District 3 have submitted several questions to their Locals regarding the tentative agreements for the BST and Utility Operations bargaining units. In an effort to ensure that members questions are answered, we have attached two (2) different documents listing the answers to the questions that were submitted.

The ratification date for the BST & Utility Operations tentative agreements is Tuesday, 10/01/2019. Each Local across District 3 will be conducting their own ratification vote and will report their Local results to the District 3 Office. The District 3 Office will announce the final results on Tuesday, 10/01/2019 by 5:00P.M. Eastern.

I am pleased to announce that we have reached tentative agreements with AT&T Southeast, Utility Operations, & AT&T Billing.

We have spent the last two days tediously combing through every single word, figure, and calculation that will ultimately be put together to make up an agreement. 

It has been a slow day today at the bargaining table. Throughout the bargaining process, many issues have been discussed. Yesterday we bargained through the night and concluded this morning around 4:00 A.M. After a few hours of sleep, our bargaining team has spent the day reviewing the various sections of the benefits package. We understand the importance of distributing the details as soon as possible but we need to ensure that all of the issues discussed are properly documented.

CWA has notified AT&T management that we are ending the unfair labor practice strike and have agreed to return to work. The strike is over, effective immediately. Bargaining unit employees at AT&T Southeast, Utility Operations, and AT&T Billing are expected to return to work at 1:00 P.M. ET/12:00 P.M CT today, Wednesday August 28. Even if in the middle of their tour, employees should return to work at 1:00 P.M. ET/12:00 P.M. CT today.

Thanks to the dedication of CWA members across District 3, our bargaining team was able to make significant progress over the last few days. This was all made possible by the strength of each and every one of us joining together in solidarity. Our bargaining team was able to come to terms with the company and have reached a handshake deal to settle negotiations.

Today we were able to have some constructive dialogue with AT&T. Yesterday we all worked late into the night and we are prepared to settle negotiations. We plan to meet with the company again this evening. If the company is serious, we could settle the contract tonight. We will find out later tonight if they are able to make a deal or not. We cannot express how much we appreciate all that has taken place across the District.

Today the Union and the Company met to discuss the various bargaining proposals on both sides. Discussions are intense but there is a possibility that negotiations could move forward. We are inspired by the solidarity across the District. You have proven to the world that you will fight back against the Company's unlawful acts, and rest assured we will not stop fighting for you.

Despite AT&T’s misleading propaganda, the last bargaining session with the company took place on Tuesday August 20th.

In 2015, on the first day of contract negotiations with AT&T, Vice-President Honeycutt, in his opening statement emphasized two words: responsibility and respect.

At CWA, our number one priority is jobs – standing up for our members and creating good jobs for all. Americans want good quality jobs and are willing to work hard to provide for their families. The time is now for each of us to take strong action to gain the respect that we deserve at AT&T and to reaffirm the American dream for the next generation.
Our bargaining team is in Atlanta and ready to get down to business.

Today, CWA members notified the District 3 Office of the propaganda that AT&T distributed to employees. This propaganda is unfortunately in lockstep with the company's behavior during negotiations, as it isn't the truth. Similarly, during bargaining AT&T's lead negotiator requested to meet with District 3 leadership, claiming that the company, in an effort to reach an agreement, would be moving our direction on more than half of the twelve (12) priority issues brought to the table.

Once again, there is no progress to report at the bargaining table today. Negotiations seem to be at a stand still due to the company's lack of authority to bargain over any of the issues brought to the table by our members. The phones at the District 3 Office have not stop ringing today. Members are calling to say that they want a new contract, they've have had enough of AT&T, and are asking what they can do to help.

Unfortunately, due to the company’s lack of authority at the bargaining table, there is no progress to report. Union membership gives us strength in numbers. We all rely upon one another. The basic right to form and join a Union gives us more power than if we tried to negotiate as individuals.
Please make sure that your Local has all of your most up to date contact information.

As the company continues to play games, our Union grows stronger every day. Because of the way they are treated at work by management, CWA members across District 3 were already frustrated with the company before negotiations even began. This frustration continues to grow every day and our members have had enough of AT&T's behavior.

There is very little progress to report on with contract negotiations. Our bargaining team sent a clear message to the company, outlining what it will take to reach an agreement.