Workers Organize at Iowa AT&T Call Center

Eager to enjoy the benefits of a union, workers at AT&T Mobility's new customer care center in Davenport, Iowa, sign cards supporting CWA representation.

A unit of nearly 200 workers at the new AT&T Mobility customer care center in Davenport, Iowa, organized with CWA Local 7110 in just one day, according to District 7 Administrative Director Kevin Mulligan. A majority of the workers – over 70 percent – signed up through card check on April 14 and the election was certified by the American Arbitration Association this week.

The call center, just opened in December, is expected to have over 500 employees within two years. Mulligan credited an exceptionally committed inside committee with the victory. "Each of them had been talking with the co-workers for weeks about the need to organize." Affordable health care, decent pay with regular wage increases, consistent and fair company policies were key issues.

"This clearly demonstrates the need for enacting the Employee Free Choice Act," said District  Vice President Annie Hill. "When given a choice to organize through card check, and without management intimidation, workers have shown time and time again that they want to be able to have a real say in their jobs," she said.

Today's economic squeeze makes workers even more eager to seek union representation, said Ananda Foster, a CWA-represented AT&T Mobility employee from Local 7901 (Portland, Oregon) who assisted the workers in the lead up to the card signing.

In a second card check recognition announced this week, a unit of 70 pathway techs at Custom Cable Communications in New York won bargaining rights.  Local 1101 Secretary/Organizer Jim Trainor assisted the workers in their drive.