Mobilization Update

In the past 48 hours, hundreds of CWA Locals nationwide held vigils, demonstrations, memorial services, and strike preparation parties.  (Remember to send pictures of activities to cwainfo@gmail.com).  At midnight EDT, many Locals posted informational pickets.  2252 held vigil at two AT&T locations, including Oakton (the FORMER site of C&T bargaining) and Waldorf, MD.  7250's snowy downtown Minneapolis line was visited by future Senator Al Franken & Congressman Patrick Kennedy.  7750 had 30 members and their families picketing in the snow as well.

As we entered the first days of bargaining after expiration, mobilization pictures and reports continue to come in; members everywhere are standing up and taking action against the corporation's attacks on the middle class workers and retirees at AT&T.

Practice pickets were again held this week at 2252, 4009, 6350, 6450, 7750, 9415, 13500, and 13550.  See www.CWAatATT.com, click photos on the top menu for pictures.

Additional organizing attempts were made at AT&T Authorized Dealers since Thursday's reports:  2252 visited Best Buy and AT&T Authorized Dealers; 6377 visited workers at both of those retailers plus Wal-Mart; 7250 added Best Buy.

Early Warning letters continue to be hand-delivered to many more AT&T customers including Kmart, Sears, JCPenney, Marriott Hotels, Pearl Vision & Pep Boys locations all around the country, letting them know that AT&T may be forcing us out on strike as early as Sunday.  6151 distributed them in the residential neighborhoods, since that is their primary customer base.

7750 in Colorado has stepped up: Saturday as the contract expired on the east coast, 25 members and retirees walked an informational picket.  District 7 Staff, members, retirees and their families walked again at 1:00 PM Sunday.  They will continue to do daily informational picketing until an agreement is reached, and 7750 challenges you all to do the same.

We still we need to be prepared for a strike until a tentative agreement is reached.  The bargaining teams need us to strengthen our inside and external mobilization activities.

We would like to hear what you are doing in your location to fight for a fair contract, so we can let others know they are not fighting alone.

It's OUR future at stake.  Whether you are a retiree or active employee, whether you work for AT&T or some other corporation, we need to stand together against all employers to protect each other.  One Union, One Fight, One Future!