AT&T Mobility Conference Focuses on Building Union Power

During the AT&T Mobility Conference, participants rallied outside AT&T's Dallas headquarters, and also spread the union word by leafletting workers at a T-Mobile and AT&T Mobility call center in Dallas.

Building our union at AT&T Mobility was the focus of a three-day meeting of more than 200 local union leaders at the AT&T Mobility Leadership Conference in Dallas.

CWA Executive Vice President Annie Hill discussed the recent results of a nationwide survey of Mobility workers that highlight the importance of communications and even more contact from workplace stewards for members at Mobility.

Also on hand were District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn, District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton, District 4 Vice President Seth Rosen, and District 9 Vice President Jim Weitkamp.

Workshops and general sessions outlined ways activists can help build CWA's effectiveness across diverse work locations: call centers, small and large retail stores and garages. 

One workshop explored ways that local union leaders can bridge the generational gap that sometimes exists between older and younger workers and activists. Mobility workers range in age from 18 to more than 55. Another workshop looked at ways to improve communications and networking through the Internet, e-mail, Facebook and Twitter to build an online community of Mobility workers.

In the final session, local union leaders led a panel discussion to share successes they have had in building membership. They were Local 3806 Vice President Paul Klaebel, Local 6016 Vice President Gemelli, Local 7250 President Shari Wojtowicz, and Local 4320 Vice President Cathy Mason-Vallance.

Participants leafleted workers at T-Mobile and AT&T Mobility call centers, and also rallied at AT&T headquarters in Dallas to support for CWAers in District 3 and CWA Local 1298 who are bargaining for a new contract.

CWA represents more than 42,000 AT&T Mobility workers.