AT&T Mobilization Report #3

Mobilization Report #3

As we enter the final week prior to the expiration of the contract, Members across the country have ramped up Mobilization actions both at job sites and in the public.  

AT&T continues at the table with their retrogressive proposals and attacks on benefits, including a rise in healthcare premiums, change to an 80/20 plan, increased deductibles and out of pocket maximums, attacks on pensions, absence including paid sick days, disability, job security and Retiree issues. 

AT&T is still making multibillion dollar profits, even with its current healthcare liabilities.  They want to further line their pockets on the backs of active and retired workers:  shame on you AT&T!  Thank you for pissing off your workers and sending them into mobilization mode. 

Our Bargaining Team remains committed to getting the best contract possible. 

Members overwhelmingly voted “YES” to strike! We need to continue to escalate our mobilization activities at work and in our communities.

Here are some of the actions happening across the country, as our members stand strong together for our rights, wages and working conditions:

Local 1058

Members are working to rule, focused on quality every time and are passing out “FIGHTING FOR FAIRNESS” flyers and wristbands.  Picket assignments have been created and members are wearing red and standing in solidarity for a fair contract.  The members were not happy when their Local President was declared surplus, but the surplus has been cancelled.  Leaders are holding Q&A sessions at job locations for members to get additional bargaining information.

Local 1150

Activists attended training in New York and New Jersey.  Members are wearing red, decorating cubes and standing in support of bargaining.  Picket assignments have been completed and are being distributed.  Members are focused on quality and safety.

Local 1152

Members participate in a rally and mass walk-in every Thursday, wear red, stand twice per day while making noise and chanting “contract”.  Mobilization care packages, including desk picket signs, red balloons and important date reminders were distributed.  Healthcare solidarity actions, including education flyers and CWA band aids have been distributed.  95% of members are wearing red.   The Local has prepared the members for a strike. 

Local 1153

Members hold info pickets every Thursday that will continue weekly until there is a settlement. Lead activists attended Mobilization training and members are focused on providing the highest quality service every time.

Local 2252

Members are wearing red, standing in support of the bargaining team and educating the public about AT&T’s attack on Retirees.  Members from all across the Local attended Mobilization training and began to construct their escalated mobilization plan in the event the contract is not settled by deadline.   Picket assignments are being distributed.  Members are preparing for a strike by taking home personal items. 

Local 3108

Members are making noise twice every day and focusing on safety by doing ergonomic stretches.  The Bell South members are participating in actions in solidarity with Legacy T.  CWA District 3 has been contacted with noise complaints from the company.

Local 3250

Active and retired members attended Mobilization training and are reaching out to Media, Legislators, Religious and Community Groups to participate in public actions, like rallies, at various work locations.  Members are setting alarms to remind themselves when to do mobilization actions.  They have changed Q messages to include Union solidarity messages.  Members participate in health walks, practice pickets, wear black and red, wear “AT&T is in The Past” shirts backwards, stand and hold signs and focus on quality and safety on the job.

Local 4250

Members under both expiring contracts have been participating in job actions, wearing red and educating on issues including the Mayoral race in Chicago.

Local 4252

Members are focused on quality at work and wear red on Thursdays.  The Local has handed out leaflets, pins and stickers.  

Local 6143

Members plastered “WTF/Where’s the Fairness?” stickers with red ribbons on their work stations and lockers.  “Fighting for Fairness” is visible throughout the office.  Members are updated on what is happening in negotiations and are participating in an informational picket. 

Local 6150

Members receive information at their desks to stay up to date on what is happening at the Bargaining table.  Members participated in Mobilization training, are wearing red and clicking every 2 hours, round the clock, among other job actions.   Members remained focused on safety and quality on the job.

Local 6201

Activists attended Mobilization training, are wearing red and participating in job actions.  Picket assignments are being distributed.

Local 6350

Members received an April Fools’ flyer saying that AT&T wants members around for workforce 2020 but given the talks at the table, that is obviously an April Fools’ joke! An emergency meeting was called at the worksite where members filled out strike relief paperwork.  Members are gearing up mobilization and understand the importance of everyone participating.  Job actions were escalated as a reaction to member anger over Pension proposals from the company.  

Local 6450

Members continue to make noise every Monday.  Activists made and distributed mini picket signs and revived the “WTF” signs, in addition to posting the new “Fighting for Fairness” signs and stickers around the office.  Activists attended training.  Members are wearing red on Thursdays and black on Fridays to show solidarity and to mourn the passing of the 2012 contract.  Members stand in solidarity at 2:00 p.m. for 2 minutes, which they call “2@2”.  They continue to stand and make noise and are stepping up actions as the final week before expiration approaches.

Local 7050

Members in all states have picket assignments and shirts and stickers have been distributed to all Members.  Members are focused on safety and quality and are looking forward to a robust work stoppage. 

Local 7110

Members in the Mobility call center in Davenport, Iowa held a healthcare action in support of the Legacy T Members in their Local.  Members are focused on quality on the job.

Local 7200

Members wear red Thursdays and continue to send additional activists to Mobilization training.  A “Preparing for a Strike” watch party was held at the Union Hall in solidarity with Members of Local 7250.  Picket assignments are being distributed.

Local 7250

Members increased daily stand-ups from twice per day to every hour.  Members are wearing red every day, gathering twice per day for noisy rallies in the elevator banks.  Mobilizers created private text and Facebook accounts to help with communications of daily actions.  Managers continue to write down the names of members who participate in actions in an attempt to scare them.  Local 7250 Members won’t let management interfere with the right to concerted action! In the central offices and outside plant, Techs are focused on safety and quality.    

Local 7750

Members continue to attend flag pole rallies to show solidarity and as an opportunity to relay bargaining information and daily job actions.  Members continue to wear red on Wednesday and Thursday and continue with break walks to show solidarity and changed presence in q-link to CWA Local 7750.  Members display red shirts on their chairs as well, so solidarity is visible.

***BE AWARE***

Managers nationwide have been asking members to violate the AT&T Code of Business Conduct by asking for computer and system passwords so they can access their computer systems through your ID while you are on strike.   The Company has the ability to reset passwords if they need to access their systems.  

The AT&T Shareholder meeting is in Spokane, Washington Friday April 24, 2015.   All Locals representing AT&T (all contracts) should make plans to attend if you haven’t already.

Want your Local to be included in future Mobilization reports?   Send pictures and information about your actions to cwa.mobilization@gmail.com

Go to www.CWAatATT.com to sign up for text and e-mail alerts regarding bargaining.

The contract expires Saturday April 11, 2015 at 11:59 PM.  

Stay Strong!  Stay Mobilized!