390 Cingular Workers Go Union in Memphis

Nearly 400 customer service employees at the Cingular Wireless call center in Memphis, Tenn., gained CWA on Aug. 11 in a card check. The 390 workers were employed by AT&T Wireless prior to the Cingular-AT&T Wireless merger. This is the second Cingular call center where former AT&T Wireless workers have gained union representation since the company's merger with Cingular.

There are about 20,000 union-eligible employees altogether in Cingular's "Blue" or former AT&T Wireless units.

District 3 Vice President Noah Savant praised the efforts of CWA Local 3806 President Mike Bennard and Vice President Robert Santucci, who helped the workers organize and will represent them.

CWA members and warehouse workers at Cingular's national distribution center in Memphis played an important role in the campaign, said District 3 Organizing Coordinator Hugh Wolfe. More than two dozen workers at the call center worked on the internal organizing committee.

Workers' major concerns, Wolfe said, are changes in their benefits and working conditions. In January 2006, benefits for all of the former AT&T Wireless employees are slated to shift into the company's non-union benefits program.

Earlier this spring, call center workers at a Cingular call center in Jackson, Miss., gained CWA representation.

Organizing efforts are underway at other former AT&T Wireless call centers and retail stores around the country.