T-Mobile Campaign: The Difference That Real Bargaining Rights Make

Deutsche Telekom (DT) and T-Mobile workers in Germany, members of ver.di, won a 6.5 percent pay increase over two years, with talks continuing for workers at DT’s T-Systems unit.

Ver.di members have been holding rolling strikes and mobilizing for a fair contract.

“Why is this settlement possible in Germany, yet in the United States, T-Mobile USA management continues a campaign of fear and intimidation in workplaces where workers want to organize and engages in superficial bargaining at best in Connecticut, where technicians voted for CWA representation last year?” said CWA President Larry Cohen.

They’ve also been supporting the efforts of T-Mobile USA workers who want the right to bargain here in the United States. In 2010, CWA and ver.di formed TU, a joint union representing T-Mobile workers in both countries, and ver.di union activists have taken on the fight of T-Mobile USA workers.

T-Mobile USA workers and CWA supporters are continuing to organize and mobilize, especially in the wake of the closing of seven T-Mobile USA call centers, affecting the jobs of 3,300 workers. Recently, works conciliors at T-Mobile call centers in Germany wrote to workers at the closing U.S. call centers to pledge to “do everything possible here in Germany to draw attention to your situation and to highlight the failed policies by management.”

Negotiations also are continuing in Connecticut for a first contract covering technicians who voted a year ago for CWA representation; the company has been stalling negotiations for months.

Find out more at www.weworkbettertogether.org/no-more-nice-t-mobile