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Arbitrator Orders Recognition At Oregon AT&T Broadband Unit

An arbitrator ordered AT&T Broadband to grant CWA recognition for 90 cable workers in Beaverton, Ore., in a decision upholding union charges that AT&T violated the neutrality and consent election agreement between the parties.

The ruling — the first involving a Broadband unit under the agreement — stemmed from an organizing campaign earlier this year when CWA narrowly lost the representation vote, 43-46.

Arbitrator Joseph R. Bock found that AT&T had fired an outspoken union advocate, Joel Valera, one week before the election solely “because he was a CWA activist.” Bock also cited AT&T Broadband campaign literature that he said violated the neutrality language.

CWA is seeking reinstatement of activist Valera in a separate case before the National Labor Relations Board.

Communications and Technologies Vice President Jim Irvine hailed the ruling and congratulated Local 7901 organizers Jeanne Carpenter and Jana Smith-Carr and all “the rank-and-file organizing team members at the Broadband unit who stood up to the management attack.”

The unit includes installers, technicians, warehouse employees and dispatchers.