CWA - AT&T Puerto Rico Opening Remarks

CWA – AT&T PUERTO RICO
 OPENING REMARKS

MARTHA FLAGGE, CWA REPRESENTATIVE, C & T

On February 24, 2009, bargaining commenced between AT&T and CWA.  In his opening remarks, CWA Vice President Ralph Maly began by saying, "These are historic times."  Indeed they are!  America elected our first African-American President in 2008.  President Obama won the election in a landslide in support of President Obama's message of hope and change.  This year began with his historic inauguration and our country celebrated with hope for the new possibilities to come.   But, as we all know, that celebration was tempered with fear as the stock market continued to drop to record levels, millions of people lost their homes and their jobs, and businesses closed their doors.  So, the times are not only historic, but, also uncertain for our members and for working people throughout our country and the world.

In contrast, the times have not been, and are not now, so uncertain for the Company.  AT&T made $12.9 billion dollars in profits last year.  The Company's top executives received $33.5 million dollars last year, and $9.8 million dollars in dividends were paid to investors.  AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson was quoted as saying, "…despite the economic environment, we grew revenues in 2008 and I expect 2009 will be another year of overall revenue growth and solid progress for our company."  "AT&T's traffic has increased 50% year over year, largely in video and data.  As an additional sign of its economic health, Stephenson pointed out the Company has increased its dividends in all 25 years of its history, including during the 2001-2002 downturn."  Clearly, AT&T is financially sound and well-positioned for 2009 and beyond.

AT&T's employees' strong work ethic and commitment to quality have been, and will continue to be, a major contributor to the Company's success.  From our members working in Operator Services and in AT&T Call Centers, acting as the Company's goodwill ambassadors, in direct contact with the Company's current and future customers, selling them AT&T products and services; to our members working as Technicians, installing and maintaining AT&T's networks; to our members working in clerical support titles, quietly ensuring the Company's administrative "network" works smoothly and efficiently; our members helped build AT&T.   

As such, AT&T should keep its commitments to active and retired employees.  A company with $12.9 billion in profits should lead by example by providing quality jobs for the future and helping to maintain middle class jobs and standards.  In doing so, the Company would be doing their part to help our country's struggling economy and support the middle class.  So, these negotiations are an opportunity for AT&T to show why it's a world class leader in communications and the high tech industry.

Our goal is to have positive, productive talks with AT&T.  Working together we can partner to achieve our common goals and address common issues.  But, make no mistake, we are united and will settle for nothing less than a fair and equitable contract.