AT&T Workers OK Strike Amid Negotiations
CWA Union Members Vote to Authorize Strike If Talks Fail
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/23/2009 11:16:52 PM
The Communications Workers of America announced Monday that the majority of the union's members who are AT&T employees voted to authorize a strike if negotiations "fail to produce quality contracts."
Contract negotiations between AT&T and the union are currently continuing for new contracts covering about 125,000 CWA-represented AT&T employees. The current contracts expire April 4, save for the AT&T Southeast agreement, which concludes Aug. 6.
AT&T spokesman Walt Sharp says the strike authorization is "expected and routine at this stage in the negotiations," according to the AP.
According to the CWA, 88% of AT&T members voted in favor of strike authorization in balloting conducted by local unions whose members are covered by six separate contracts. A strike at any or all of the AT&T operations would not take place before it is authorized by the union's executive board and a strike date set.
The CWA noted in that AT&T reported a net profit of $12.9 billion for 2008 and that the company expects to see revenue growth this year.
"Given this profitability, AT&T should be a leader in helping turn the economy around and in providing good middle-class jobs," the union said in a statement. "There's no reason to hurt employees by cutting jobs and benefits."
No related content found.
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
