Members Mobilize Nationwide as AT&T Bargaining Continues

CWA Local 6316 member spreads the CWA message.

In the days since their contracts expired last weekend, CWA members at AT&T have stepped up a busy schedule of rallies and actions. From leafleting outside the NCAA basketball finals and opening day of Major League Baseball games to demonstrations outside AT&T offices and even more standups and taps inside AT&T operations, CWA members sent management a clear message: we want a fair contract.

Five of the six contracts between CWA and AT&T expired April 4. The contract covering workers at AT&T Southeast expires Aug. 8 and bargaining will resume in July.

Informational picketing is a a family affair for members of CWA Local 1298.

For now, employees are continuing to report to work, but that could change at any time. Members are working under the terms of the expired contracts, with the exception of arbitration for new grievances.

Negotiations covering nearly 100,000 AT&T workers covered by five contracts are continuing, but CWA has called on the company to step up the pace of negotiations. AT&T has been dragging its feet and has not moved forward on critical issues for workers, including employment security and health care.

In just four days, an Internet campaign and e-support from CWA activists have resulted in more than 20,000 signers to a statement of support protesting corporate greed and calling on AT&T not to cut middle class jobs and benefits. CWAers are signing up friends, family and co-workers to make sure AT&T gets the message, said CWA Executive Vice President Annie Hill. Go to www.standupforworkers.com or click on the ads when you see them on news, political and entertainment sites.

Hundreds of District 4 members leafleted outside the AT&T-sponsored NCAA basketball finals in Detroit.

In Detroit, hundreds of CWA members from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana turned out for rallies and leafleting over the past week outside Ford Field, where the AT&T-sponsored NCAA basketball finals were played. Signs called out AT&T for corporate greed and pointed out that the company's comparisons to the auto industry just don't hold up.

District 9 members turned out for the opening day of Giants baseball in San Francisco with a message for AT&T.

In San Francisco, District 9 members turned out in force for the Giants opening ballgame April 7. Rain washed out plans by the CWA "Steward's Navy" on the waterfront, "but the landlubbers had a great time," said Libby Sayre, the district's area director for northern California. "More than 60 soggy activists from 9410, 9415, 9412, 9423, 9421, and 9404 and NABET kept spirits high with signs and chants.  We distributed several hundred fliers to Giants fans with "Go Giants" or the opening day roster on one side and a CWA flier on the other."

CWA Local 4900 turned Local 6222's solidarity song into hip-hop music and used it for a mobilization video. Watch it on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VurUJAusLeo&feature=email.

Updates on bargaining, more photos and other information are available at ga.cwa-union.org/att.