First AT&T Wireless Unit Chooses CWA

Call center workers in Ridgeland, Miss., became the first former AT&T Wireless workers to win CWA representation through card check recognition since the merger with Cingular Wireless. They join CWA Local 3511.

The unit, which includes 324 workers altogether, received certification on March 22 after union authorization cards from 60 percent of the unit were turned into the American Arbitration Association, reported Booker Lester, administrative assistant to District 3 Vice President Noah Savant.

Lester said the workers "basically self-organized," with assistance from Local 3511 President Kim Sadler, Vice President Loubertha Neal and organizers Debra Noble and Margarett Quinn and CWA Representative Ron Tyree.

He said Local 3519 in nearby Ocean Springs, Miss., also helped by sending Cingular service representative Shawna Brown to talk to the former AT&T workers.

Other efforts to organize former AT&T Wireless workers are underway around the country. There are about 20,000 union-eligible workers in these units. CWA currently represents 22,000 at Cingular Wireless.