News

Strike Looming at AT&T Mobility: Friday, May 19.

21,000 AT&T Mobility workers will be on strike Friday at 3pm ET/2pm CT/1pm MT/12 noon PT if we do not reach an agreement with the company. This is a short strike - we will walk off the job on Friday, May 19 at 3pm ET and return to work on Monday, May 22 for our scheduled shift.

If a strike is called on Friday, you should leave work and report to your picket location immediately. To find your picket location, call your Local. Strike updates will be posted on UnityAtMobility.org, Facebook, Twitter, and will be sent to you via text message and email. This greedy company makes billions off our backs but continues to try and take from us - demanding more work for less and trying to replace us with low-wage workers at third party dealers and overseas. It’s time to show them we’re not going to sit back and take it. This strike will affect AT&T Mobility workers covered under the Orange contract in 36 states and DC (click here for the list of states). Keep in touch with your Local for updates and information - they will provide you with picket locations, signs, and times. For the latest developments, join us for an emergency Town Hall Call on Wednesday May 17 at 8pm ET, 7pm CT, 6pm MT, 5pm PT. Text the word Mobility to 69866 to RSVP to receive a text with dial-in information. Going on strike is a decision that is not made lightly. Your bargaining team has worked countless hours to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement, but this company is refusing to budge on the issues that matter the most to us. The Union has also filed unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board over AT&T's refusal to furnish information related to bargaining.  We need to make it clear to AT&T that this information is crucial to reaching a fair contract. We are counting on every single member to be out on that picket line and demonstrate the commitment and solidarity that have been the values we’ve lived by throughout CWA’s proud history. 

WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR:

  • A fair wage increase that is enough to cover increased healthcare costs. AT&T offered a 2% increase per year – not enough to pay for the healthcare increases coming.
  • For RSCs: a higher base and/or a commission plan that AT&T can’t change every month. Commissions for Retail Sales Consultants have gone down steadily over the past 2 years. Commissions are wages and a mandatory subject of bargaining.
  • No increase to healthcare contributions in 2021.  Ending the 2-tier plan so new employees can afford healthcare.  AT&T wants us to pay even more!
  • Job security language. Company-owned retail stores are being replaced with authorized dealers in record numbers. Call centers are shrinking here and AT&T is outsourcing more of our work. Network contracting continues and we are being left out of the new technology.
  • We need AT&T to commit to keeping a ratio of COR stores to Authorized Retail.  So far, they say NO!
  • Outsourced calls must be returned to our call centers.
  • Absence and attendance policy.  AT&T wants to add “wait days” before we can be paid when we call in sick. They also want to drastically reduce sick days for new employees.
 Click here to view an even more detailed list of what we’re fighting for. If something changes at the bargaining table, we will let you know. Until then, expect to strike on Friday.  In solidarity, Dennis G. TrainorCWA District 1 Vice President

Read the important Q&A below for more information:

How will I know if we’re striking or if we got a contract?What do I do when it’s time to strike?If you’re at work when the strike is called, you should leave work immediately and go to your picket location. How long will this strike last?This is only a short duration strike. Unless we reach agreement with the company for a new contract, we will walk out on Friday, and return to work on Monday morning for your scheduled shift. Remember: The more people who participate in this short duration strike, the more likely we will win on our key issues. Is picketing required? Yes! The key to winning the strike is to ask customers not to go into any AT&T Store. Customers won’t know to avoid going into stores unless you’re outside picketing! During the Verizon strike, customers mostly honored our picket lines. The company’s giant loss in sales helped us win the strike. How do I get a strike sign? Your Local has signs and flyers you can use while you picket! Will I be retaliated against for striking? Striking is a legally protected activity, and anyone on strike will not get any points or be disciplined or terminated for striking. Let your Local know immediately if a manager is threatening retaliation or asking if you’ll strike. That’s illegal. One of my coworkers says they won’t strike (aka. scab), what do I do?Remind them: this is not just about them - think about the 21,000 people and their families affected by their actions. Talk to them and explain what’s at stake. Short term sacrifice means long-term gain, but only if we all stick together. If your coworker says they won’t strike because they need the money to survive, remind them that we are all in the same boat. The company keeps sending our jobs to third-party dealers and overseas. The company doesn’t necessarily see a future with us in it - three days of lost wages is worth a more secure future. When the strike is over, scabs will have to face their co-workers who were willing to take action and make a sacrifice that will benefit everyone. Don’t be a scab. Will I lose my health care as soon as we walk?This is a short duration strike. No one will lose any health benefits during this short strike. When do I return to work? This is a short duration strike. All members should return to work when their normal shift begins on Monday morning, May 22.