An AT&T brand adorns a employee’s van on April 1 in Miami, Fla.
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Joe Raedle/Getty Photos
Greater than 17,000 AT&T staff throughout the Southeast are on strike after accusing firm administration of “unfair labor practices” throughout current contract negotiations.
An announcement launched Friday by the Communications Employees of America (CWA) — the union representing the hanging staff — mentioned AT&T didn’t discount in good religion and despatched negotiators who didn’t have any authority to make choices.
“Our union entered into negotiations in a good faith effort to reach a fair contract, but we have been met at the table by company representatives who were unable to explain their own bargaining proposals and did not seem to have the actual bargaining authority required by the legal obligation to bargain in good faith,” mentioned CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt.
“Our members want to be on the job, providing the quality service that our customers deserve. It’s time for AT&T to start negotiating in good faith so that we can move forward towards a fair contract.”
The union mentioned it had filed a criticism with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board.
The hanging staff embrace technicians, customer support representatives, and AT&T wire set up staff.
In an announcement to NPR on Saturday, AT&T denied the corporate was breaking any labor legal guidelines and mentioned it’s keen to barter a brand new contract.
“CWA’s claims of unfair labor practices are not grounded in fact,” the corporate mentioned. “We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1 and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits our hard-working employees.”
AT&T cited three different agreements reached this yr with 13,000 staff in different states as proof that it was dedicated to reaching a deal.
The corporate additionally mentioned clients shouldn’t have to fret about any service disruptions and that it had backup measures in place to maintain operations operating easily.
The strike impacts staff in 9 states, together with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
