T-Mobile Connecticut Techs Form First U.S. T-Mobile Union

T-Mobile technicians in Connecticut became the company's first U.S. workers with union representation, voting this week to join CWA-TU.

Overcoming an intense campaign of management opposition, interference and delays, the 15 workers voted 8-7 for representation. There was one challenged ballot, that of a union supporter; the challenge should not affect the election's outcome.

"CWA is proud to work with these T-Mobile techs, and with T-Mobile workers in New York who want to organize and bargain for a voice on the job. They stood up for what's right," said CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton.

CWA Local 1298 President Bill Henderson said, "This vote made history, with T-Mobile workers fighting back to beat the odds and organize the union voice they want. It showed the desire of people to have a union and an even playing field. Hopefully this will mean a new direction for all working people."

Bo Larsen, World President of UNI Telecom, representing 3 million workers, was on the ground in Connecticut to observe the election and show the global union movement's continuing support for the rights of T-Mobile USA workers. "No worker should be intimidated for wanting a union voice and bargaining rights," he said.

Last week, UNI Global Union joined the International Trade Union Confederation (representing 175 million workers); ver.di, the union for DT workers; and CWA in filing a complaint under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises against DT and T-Mobile for anti-worker activities in the United States. Click here to read the complaint.