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AT&T Cable Workers Seize Opportunity to Unionize
CWA locals and inside organizers, working under the union's negotiated neutrality and consent agreement, have won representation for more than 100 workers in four AT&T Broadband elections in Texas, Wyoming, Iowa and Missouri.
"Time and again I heard comments about CWA's honesty and attention to workers' concerns and questions," said Tim Gaughan, area vice president and organizer for Local 7601 in Casper, Wyo., where workers voted 20-2 to join CWA.
In Dallas, workers voted 21-18 for representation by Local 6150, with one challenged ballot. The campaign was launched by dispatcher Bill Jernigan, who had stayed in touch with CWA for 10 years. When the time was right this spring, Jernigan, Will Rogers and Shari Trussel moved quickly. In one weekend, 80 percent of the 43 dispatchers and outside technicians at the AT&T Broadband Network Operations Center signed cards demanding an election.
The company fought the campaign with anti-union e-mails and a last-minute visit by AT&T Labor Relations Vice President Tom Pierce.
Workers also faced Pierce in Casper. But technicians, installers, dispatchers and warehouse workers, unhappy with poor wages and inconsistent treatment by managers, weren't swayed by company promises of a 401(k) plan and better health benefits.
Inside committee members Jeff Lane, Dan Dorrell, Dave Love, Keith Hatch, Keith Hood, Mike McDaniel and Rich Formby were critical to the campaign, each taking responsibility for bringing several co-workers to meetings with Local 7601 officers.
In Iowa City, 30 technicians tried to organize last summer before CWA's negotiated neutrality and consent election agreement went in effect. Local 7117 Organizer Kay Pence said the company responded by trucking out the contents of the building, creating the impression they were about to shut it down.
This time, with the agreement in place, the workers used every resource available to push for an election. On June 1, they voted 22-7 for representation by Local 7101. Pence said she had most workers' e-mail addresses from the first campaign, creating a valuable network for communication. Also, inside leaders allowed their photos and statements to be used in literature given to co-workers.
Mike Hamilton, a leader in both campaigns, said in one handout, "I'm seeking to enjoy the same benefits as the other employees at AT&T: fair compensation for the skilled labor we provide." Single parent John Grassi said, "My daughter's future is my main concern. If I'm not in a stable work environment, I may not be able to provide the best financially. A CWA contract provides that security."
Outside technicians at AT&T Broadband in Hannibal, Mo., received good news in mid-June: Their choice to become CWA members was upheld by an American Arbitration Association "third party neutral." The technician/installers May 22 voted 5-2 to become CWA members.
AT&T Broadband challenged the election, claiming the only valid unit should also include six customer service representatives and an administrative assistant. The ballots were impounded, pending the hearing, and weren't counted until June 13. Third Party Neutral Peter Hirsch ruled that, "the employers, installers and technicians . . . constitute an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining" and that the two groups of employees "have a sufficiently separate, distinct and recognizable community of interest."
"Time and again I heard comments about CWA's honesty and attention to workers' concerns and questions," said Tim Gaughan, area vice president and organizer for Local 7601 in Casper, Wyo., where workers voted 20-2 to join CWA.
In Dallas, workers voted 21-18 for representation by Local 6150, with one challenged ballot. The campaign was launched by dispatcher Bill Jernigan, who had stayed in touch with CWA for 10 years. When the time was right this spring, Jernigan, Will Rogers and Shari Trussel moved quickly. In one weekend, 80 percent of the 43 dispatchers and outside technicians at the AT&T Broadband Network Operations Center signed cards demanding an election.
The company fought the campaign with anti-union e-mails and a last-minute visit by AT&T Labor Relations Vice President Tom Pierce.
Workers also faced Pierce in Casper. But technicians, installers, dispatchers and warehouse workers, unhappy with poor wages and inconsistent treatment by managers, weren't swayed by company promises of a 401(k) plan and better health benefits.
Inside committee members Jeff Lane, Dan Dorrell, Dave Love, Keith Hatch, Keith Hood, Mike McDaniel and Rich Formby were critical to the campaign, each taking responsibility for bringing several co-workers to meetings with Local 7601 officers.
In Iowa City, 30 technicians tried to organize last summer before CWA's negotiated neutrality and consent election agreement went in effect. Local 7117 Organizer Kay Pence said the company responded by trucking out the contents of the building, creating the impression they were about to shut it down.
This time, with the agreement in place, the workers used every resource available to push for an election. On June 1, they voted 22-7 for representation by Local 7101. Pence said she had most workers' e-mail addresses from the first campaign, creating a valuable network for communication. Also, inside leaders allowed their photos and statements to be used in literature given to co-workers.
Mike Hamilton, a leader in both campaigns, said in one handout, "I'm seeking to enjoy the same benefits as the other employees at AT&T: fair compensation for the skilled labor we provide." Single parent John Grassi said, "My daughter's future is my main concern. If I'm not in a stable work environment, I may not be able to provide the best financially. A CWA contract provides that security."
Outside technicians at AT&T Broadband in Hannibal, Mo., received good news in mid-June: Their choice to become CWA members was upheld by an American Arbitration Association "third party neutral." The technician/installers May 22 voted 5-2 to become CWA members.
AT&T Broadband challenged the election, claiming the only valid unit should also include six customer service representatives and an administrative assistant. The ballots were impounded, pending the hearing, and weren't counted until June 13. Third Party Neutral Peter Hirsch ruled that, "the employers, installers and technicians . . . constitute an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining" and that the two groups of employees "have a sufficiently separate, distinct and recognizable community of interest."