Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga news
Some may have noticed various contracted AT&T Union workers sitting outside establishments throughout the River Region. Some have even started putting out signs generating honks and smiles. Members are picketing on Wetumpka Street in Prattville, Milly Francis Street in Wetumpka and even along Highway 80 at the AT&T location in Montgomery.
Corey McKenzie, the local spokesperson for CWA, Communication Workers of America, as well as the Area West Vice President of CWA Local 3908, confirmed that CWA has filed a ULP. A ULP refers to unfair labor practice, and ULP charges were filed against AT&T with the National Labor Relations Board by CWA.
CWA members then took the next step, which was to call a ULP strike. CWA members have been on strike since last Friday, August 16th.
McKenzie confirmed that their contract ended at the beginning of August, and negotiations began in early summer months for a new contract, where an agreement has been unsuccessful. McKenzie stated that contracts typically run from three to five years.
Due to the lack of being able to reach an agreement on a contract with AT&T and CWA, CWA members are not working and picketing all throughout the southeast on a ULP strike. When picketing, these CWA members are not working and thus, not being paid.
“We want this to be over, and our members want to be back at work. It could be over in 10 seconds if AT&T would come to the negotiating table and bargain with us in good faith,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie was very clear that this strike has nothing to do with money, compensation or benefits at this time. CWA members are striking in hopes to accomplish getting a contract in good faith and getting the right people in the bargaining and negotiation room from AT&T that can make decisions.
“Whether you’re in Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville, Demopolis, Selma, Prattville or Montgomery, we are picketing. We have workers that would love to be back at work. But we understand the bargaining power that we have, and we have to speak up for ourselves. Because nobody else is going to talk for you,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie made the analogy of going into a store and trying to speak to a sales representative and something doesn’t sound right. Typically, the next course of action would be to ask for a manager that would be able to help. McKenzie stated that this is exactly where CWA currently is, trying to ask for a “manager” that can help solve the problem at hand.
“Our members would much rather be at work, and we would much rather be providing the customer service that everybody is used to getting from AT&T workers across the Southeast,” McKenzie said.
The services that CWA Union members provide include the installation and maintenance of AT&T’s wire line services. This includes the installation and care of AT&T business fiber, AT&T residential fiber that runs to houses for internet, cell phones and even for 911 services, McKenzie confirmed.
“We will get there eventually; this is just a blip in the radar. We’ll get there,” McKenzie said.
