Amid inconclusive discussions between CWA and AT&T’s internet division, the union gave hint of a strike call in the near future
Recently, The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has announced that its members have given a go ahead to call for a strike, if fair contract is not reached with the internet division of AT&T Inc. The negotiations are underway for 2,000 internet services members’ renewed contracts that work in supporting customers department, call centers, and as technicians.
The previous contract of these workers got expired on July 23, 2016. Since then, the two parties are on the bargaining desk. In its recent statement, the union claimed that this bargaining is getting tougher, as the management is not cooperating on workers’ key issues, which includes wage and benefits increase.
This news has brought anxiety among AT&T investors, because the same kind of strike was called upon by CWA and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) together against Verizon Communications Inc. earlier this year, which stretched up to 45 days. That strike not only brought above 40,000 workers and their relatives on roads nationwide, but also slammed heavy losses on Verizon’s financial books. The extent of strike pushed Obama-led government to intervene and resolve the outstanding issue. Such a step provided further strength to the union, and it is now ready to strike at its will anywhere any time.
CWA Agreement with AT&T Mobility Division
Even though the company’s Internet division has not reached any definite conclusion for 2,000 members, last week its mobility division entered into a tentative agreement with CWA for 42,000 nationwide workers. The proposed tentative agreement covered healthcare and other benefits.
This contract has been forwarded to union members for ratification and currently awaits result. It is pertinent to note that last month, the members had voted down the agreed contract between the management and the union, for which the two parties again sat on table talk to come up with this revised contract.
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