Bargaining Update

Frontier Communications

After ten months of negotiations, CWA members have not been able to reach agreement on a fair contract with Frontier Communications. As a result, 1,400 Frontier Communications workers in West Virginia and in Ashburn, Va., went on strike at 12:01 am on Sunday, March 4.

WV State Police arrested a temporary Frontier worker who pulled a gun on a striker in Flatwoods, W.Va.

"We're taking a stand," said Johnny Bailey, President of CWA Local 2276 in Bluefield, W.Va. "Customers are waiting way too long to have their problems resolved, and too often we're back fixing the same problems over and over again. Frontier is leaving West Virginia behind. The network has been neglected and there are just not enough experienced, well-trained workers left to handle the service requests."

An analysis of informal complaints filed with the West Virginia Public Service Commission shows that complaints have increased steadily over the past three years, rising 69% from 639 complaints in 2014 to 1,072 complaints in 2017. Since Frontier acquired Verizon's landlines in West Virginia in 2010, the company has cut more than 500 good, middle-class jobs in the state.

Ed Mooney, Vice President of CWA District 2-13, urged Frontier customers to exercise caution after the WV State Police arrested an armed temporary Frontier worker who threatened a striker in Flatwoods, W.Va., on Tuesday.

Click here to make a donation to the striking workers' solidarity fund​.​

Frontier workers in West Virginia and Ashburn, Va., are on strike to protect good middle-class jobs and their communities.

Check out the local coverage of the strike here:

The Register Herald, The Record Delta, WVNS TV, WDTV, The Journal, TimesWV.com, WHSV, WV News, Williamson Daily News.

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AT&T Midwest - District 4

Negotiations between CWA District 4 and AT&T Midwest kicked off Tuesday.

CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton told AT&T that members' priorities for a new agreement include job security, healthcare, and retirement. She noted that AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson was one of the biggest supporters of the corporate tax cut bill and promised to create thousands of high wage jobs if it passed. "The Company's profits and tax windfalls must turn into jobs and employment security for CWA members," Hinton said. "It is time for AT&T to live up to Stephenson’s promises. Stop the layoffs. Show us the jobs. Show us the good, high-wage jobs Stephenson promised." 

Read the AT&T Midwest District 4 bargaining report here.

Members of CWA Local 4621 in Appleton, Wis., are ready for fight for a fair contract at AT&T Midwest.

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AT&T - Legacy T

Negotiations between CWA Legacy T and AT&T kicked off Tuesday.

Vice President of Telecommunications & Technologies Lisa Bolton said, "In this round of bargaining, the Union will demand an end to contracting out while laying off workers. We want to stop AT&T from farming out our work to the lowest bidder. We want to call a halt to AT&T sending more work to contractors than to bargaining unit members. After the tax bill passed, Stephenson promised the company would create 7,000 good, skilled, high-wage jobs that pay $70,000 to $80,000 a year. But at our bargaining tables, management demands second tier jobs with second tier wages and second tier benefits. It is time for AT&T to live up to Stephenson's promises."

Read the Legacy T bargaining reports here.