Mobilization Report

Mobilization Phase 3 has begun around the country, and strike watch continues with the District 3 contract expiration Saturday.

Locals coast to coast have been prepared to strike since our contract expiration on April 4th; however, after 17 weeks of working without a contract, most locations spent time to reaffirm their picket duties & plans and had members taking personal items home again. 

All eyes will be on the District 3 bargaining to see if its contract expiration at 11:59 PM Saturday, in connection with the lack of movement at the bargaining table, will trigger the Executive Board & President Cohen to call the strike the members approved over four months ago.

Summer fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and any other public event are great opportunities for us to spread the message of AT&T's Corporate Greed.  Our collective action inside and outside the company is the only way to maintain affordable healthcare and get the fair and equitable contract we all need and deserve.   

If you are not currently involved in Local Union activities, it is not too late.  Call your Local Union office or talk to a Steward or Officer in your area to see how you can help.

It is your future; your family's livelihoods that are under attack.

Here are this week's reportable actions.

3106 members wore bandages at work this week, and wore black on Friday when an informational picket was held.  More information on the picket will be available next week.  3105 and 3110 joined 3106 for a rally and informational picket on August 3 in support of bargaining.  It was a huge success.

3250 held an informational picket and rally in Duluth, GA for The AT&T is NO IDOL.  In support were Local 3250 members from Atlanta-Century Center and Alpharetta-North Point Parkway, CWA District 3, Local 3263, Local 3204, college students, OPEIU, UFCW, and Metro Atlanta Retired Members Council; also a candidate for Atlanta City Council and a candidate for Georgia Governor were there.  They had an informational picket on the main street, distributed literature, and greeted thousands of IDOL fans; many of whom were at&t customers, retirees, employees, friends of them, etc.  They have been following up getting letters from legislators and elected officials in support of CWA bargaining at at&t. 

3310 had a full week of mobilization, including packing personal belongings and taking them home, and Weary Wednesday, indicating that the workers are tired of many things including no Company movement at the bargaining table.  They have continued to stand for 2 minutes in all centers at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in a show of solidarity.  They are standing CWA strong!!!

3603 has been distributing information to the public and members regarding at&t's corporate greed.  The Where's the Facts flyer created by 3607 was shared with other locals also.

3915 held its final picket captains' meeting before the District 3 contract expires this Saturday.  They will remain ready to picket until a strike is called and wear red shirts and red wrist bands on Thursdays until a tentative agreement is reached.

3950 continues to wear red every Thursday, and mini picket signs are posted on every cubicle in the office.  Fliers are posted at members' cubicles.  Members continue to distribute information to the public about our fight with at&t.  Letters have been sent to the Mayors and the Governors urging them to contact at&t to keep the jobs in their areas.  Personal vehicles are rolling picket sign displays.  Picket signs are displayed in the windows of personal vehicles that are parked in front of at&t buildings.  Signs are also displayed when members are in public areas as well.  They are working to the rule.  Local 3950 reminded everyone to take their personal items home today.  Strike bags have been given to all members.

4320 continues their informational picketing every morning and during the lunch periods at the Reynoldsburg Ohio Call Center.  They have also sent their homemade Billboards up there as well.  They have continued to hand out the different flyers they are being sent for distribution to all members of our Local, not just the Legacy T members.  Authorized Agent stores continue to be visited.

6150 members are kept up to date on mobilization.  Members are also reminded which stores are Union, with the CWA logo on the door.  They are still wearing red on Thursdays and black on Fridays.  They are still standing strong & planning future events.

6377 joined with other CWA Locals, unions, Jobs with Justice and other activists in a Rally hosted by CWA Local 6300 at 909 Chestnut Street, in St. Louis, MO.  The message, AT&T STOP OUTSOURCING OUR WORK, was clearly conveyed to AT&T that we want jobs and a fair contract.  6377 continues to wear RED on Thursday and Black on Fridays.  The members are asking for new shirts as the ones they now have are fading!  They continue to work to the rule and are committed to the struggle for a fair contract.

6450 continues to wear red on Thursdays and black on Fridays.  They handbilled the "Keep America Working" flier in their work locations.  They stand and clap in unison twice a day.  Locals 6360 & 6450 came together in a show of Unity at the Royals game in Kansas City last night.  Over 350 members and their families showed up wearing red, union shirts, hats, pins etc.  It was a sea of red and there was mention over the speaker that the Communications Workers of America were special guests.  The Royals lost (as usual) but CWA wins showing the public we're just like them; normal families within their communities who just want AT&T to provide a living wage and benefits that are fair and that we deserve!!

7250 held an informational picket on Thursday during the lunch hour.  They have committed to weekly rallies, and receive support from the public and other Unions.  The Starbucks workers' Union joined the CWA picket.  Members continue to wear red daily except Friday.  Technicians have made themselves unavailable for the majority of call outs since the contract expired April 4.  They continue to ensure safety and quality on the job.  Call Center workers are asked to stand daily and click, shake or clap twice daily.

7750 continued the break walks and the informational picket with the retirees.  This week one retiree had taken a red garbage can, cut the bottom out, and put signs on it saying "AT&T is treating us like garabage".  After the picket he gave the can to the Local to continue using "if needed".  They did a desk drop of coupons good for losing benefits, pay and working conditions from AT$T.  They will be handing out the flyers sent about AT&T corporate greed at several community functions.  They continue to fight every day in every way to let management know, No contract No peace.

9415 members in Pleasanton threw more of their AT&T Branded items on the ground at their on-site rally in front of their work location today and let the Company know that they remain ready to strike if need be!  Their red "I am ready to strike" signs are up at their work stations along with the black balloons, and union shirts were worn as on every Thursday.  In Sacramento the members wore their Union shirts, and their red "I am ready to strike" signs are up at their work stations.  Pleasanton & Sacramento sent their petitions of support to Ralph Maly and our Bargaining Team along with a box of Hawaiian chocolates.  They appreciate all their hard work!

13500 continued making noise every hour, wearing red on Thursday, with some folks wearing red every day.

13550 weekly actions continue with Thursday wearing red, Friday wearing black, clicking, standing hourly, and they handed out picket duty assignments and asked everyone to pack up their desks on Friday.  They sent out an email blast to membership asking to forward to at least 10 family members, friends and organizations regarding AT&T outsourcing and AT&T's profits and Stephenson's salary and benefits.

Continue to work safely and provide the outstanding quality that CWA members are known for.  If you witness any unsafe working conditions or OSHA violations, report them to your Local Stewards or Officers.  You can also contact OSHA directly and then notify your Local Union.  Make sure your safety and protective gear is functioning properly.

We continue to have issues with changes in working conditions.  If you experience a change in working conditions, please report them to your Local Officers or Stewards and bbates@cwa-union.org.  

If you have any questions or comments about this report, or would like to submit your actions or pictures from events, please contact cwainfo@gmail.com.

Stay Strong! Stay Mobilized!