AT&T reaches deal with union telecom workers, ending southeast strike

September 16th, 2024

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. speaks as striking workers listen. All wear red CWA shirts. — Communications Workers of America President Claude Cummings Jr. joined striking workers outside of AT&T’s Atlanta Headquarters on Aug. 30. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)

AT&T has reached a tentative contract deal with southeast union members, ending the 30-day strike — the region’s longest-ever telecommunications strike.

Thousands of Southeast telecom workers with the Communications Workers of America Union returned to work Monday.

This new contract covers more than 17,000 workers across nine states. The five-year agreement includes more affordable healthcare services, a nearly 20% raise across the board and an additional wage boost of 3% for wire technicians and utility operations.

Following the expiration of the last contract, wireline technicians, customer service representatives and thousands of other workers across states like Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida walked off the job on Aug. 16 after negotiations stalled.

Ed Barlow is the CWA Local 3204 President in Atlanta.

“[It is] unfortunate that it took four weeks to get to a tentative agreement with AT&T, but I’m excited, and I know my members are excited about it as well,” Barlow said.

Last month, CWA filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming AT&T was not bargaining in good faith. AT&T denied the claim and invited a federal mediator to the bargaining table.

CWA later withdrew from mediation services. Barlow says the ULP charge stands.

“If this contract gets ratified, those charges are still in effect because those were things that happened during bargaining, which caused us to file those charges,” Barlow said.

While employees in the southeast are back to work, AT&T west workers reached a new tentative labor agreement after being without a contract for over five months.

A four-year agreement delivers a wage increase combined with overtime and scheduling improvements for the roughly 8,500 workers in California and Nevada.

Communication Workers of America Union members will vote on the contract after reviewing it thoroughly.

“These agreements also support our competitive position in the broadband industry where we can grow and win against our mostly non-union competitors,” said Jeff McElfresh, AT&T’s Chief Operating Officer.

AT&T says it will provide updates on the tentative agreements as it expects the ratification votes to start in the coming weeks.