Alcatel Lucent Strips Workers Security Clearances

CWA members at Alcatel Lucent are fighting back against the company's assault on their jobs and livelihoods.

Because Alcatel, which purchased Lucent last year, is French-owned, the company was required to establish a U.S.-controlled subsidiary, LGS, to perform government work and address concerns about national security. Lucent management was transferred to the subsidiary but the company has refused to transfer CWA-represented installers. Instead, the employees are being stripped of their security clearances because they work for a foriegn-owned company.

At least 65 CWA installers — including military veterans and workers who have done extensive government security work — have lost their ability to work on defense and national security projects. CWA represents about 2,600 Alcatel Lucent workers overall.

CWA has raised its concerns with Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who chairs the Senate Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over the issue. Members also discussed it in meetings with members of Congress during the CWA Legislative-Political Conference in March.

Members described Alcatel Lucent's blatant union-busting efforts and its refusal to discuss how many of 12,500 planned job cuts will take place in the United States.

"Alcatel Lucent management admitted that it could have transferred our members, but it wanted to get rid of collective bargaining and wanted a cheaper deal," said CWA President Larry Cohen, appearing with Communications and Technologies Vice President Ralph Maly in a video for Lucent members. "This shows a blatant disregard for those members who served the company well for many years, members who are dedicated employees, who have obtained the highest security clearances and have been the backbone in maintaining government contracts for Lucent." (Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnkufTWsK3c.)