Union to AT&T: We Run the Network Behind That 'Solid' Q1
It’s been two and a half weeks since union contracts covering almost 100,000 AT&T workers expired on April 4 — and the telco is still at the bargaining table with the Communications Workers of America.
AT&T put up respectable first-quarter results today (see AT&T Tops 1.3 Million U-verse TV Subs), with revenue flat and a 9.7% decline in net profit to (only!) $3.1 billion.
With the telco’s execs patting themselves on the back (”These results demonstrate focused and disciplined execution as we work through a tough economy,” AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said) the CWA used the earnings news as a chance to push its agenda.
“CWA members at AT&T keep the network running,” the union said in a press release issued this morning, adding rhetorically: “If successful companies like AT&T don’t step up in this economic recession, and instead hide behind it to force more cost shifting to workers, how will our economy recover?”
While AT&T has pegged much of its growth on broadband and wireless, as CWA president Larry Cohen noted, “Broadband and wireless don’t exist without wireline.”
One of the biggest sticking points between AT&T and the CWA is on health insurance. The union argues that national health coverage would save the telco $600 million per year.
“Shifting more costs to workers — doubling or tripling their costs in some cases — is a poor solution. Working toward a national plan — one that has all employers paying their fair share — is the financially sensible approach,” the union says.
retired employee commented:
I am so proud to be a telephone company employee for 37 years. If Att value their employee just like what they always say , they should care for them and give a fair contract and a good health care plan with no cost to the employee.
proud CWA 9000 union member commented:
dear union and non union employees, first off if you are a manager and your paying higher health care, complain to your boss! you took that position and you get what the upper management gives you! if you dont like it, you do have options (you can always quit-unlike us you cant stand up and fight for what is right-you just have to bend over and take it!)
second, for the members (who have made this company what it is today including all of its profits. this company has more than just slap us around since SBC bought out the companies And changed the names to at&t (examples- removal of bottled water, coffee, safety breakfast, and team award (only to mention a few) Also the constant change to policies, procedures, working conditions, cut backs in staffing, cut back in time estimates for completing work, overloading employees, the lack of knowledge from the first level managers for direction and/or support, and so on...
so if we continue to allow this company to mismanage the company and if management fails to recognize what is needed to bring this company up to the standards that a multi-billion dollar profiting company should be doing for all its employee! (management and non management). what is needed is to build the strength and pride in the employees in the company and you cant do that if your constantly cutting back, over working, out sourcing, and neglecting the customers and our internal and external employees and facilities. and if your name is Randall go visit a children's hospital, the employees of at&t (out of the kindness of their hearts) support the company charity call the march of dimes, its about time this company gave back to it employees who go above and beyond the expectations of their jobs on a daily basis. so instead of thanking us or leading us to believe we will get a bonus, how about just give us a fear contract !
cwa member commented:
It looks like the company moles are even posting thier BS propaganda on this site. I wonder how much AT&T is paying these guys to surf the net all day to comment in favor of more corporate greed.
Billie B commented:
Randall S. You are not a union employee. If you are and you are making these comments, then you shouldn't be.
JD commented:
I am an employee of 20 years and the union needs to wake up & smell the coffee!! Be glad you have jobs - there are plenty of people unemployed right now that would jump to take it if you no longer want it. And talking about a national health care plan like AT&T could (if they even wanted to) do something about that. Todd, I guess you are another whining lib that doesn't see the need for the union to pay it's fair share - ask an AT&T management employee how much they are paying for THEIR healthcare!! I personally have no sympathy and hope the unions are totally defunct soon!
Randall S. commented:
I'm an AT&T union employee who is against this so called "fair contract". Fair would be for us to support our own company and pay more for our health care costs like the rest of the country does. I realize that just because our company is doing well now, we could easily be in the same shape G.M. is in due to legacy healthcare costs down the road. AT&T has offered a fair wage annual increase for us and we should be happy to have a job right now. If we continue to complain, they can EASILY replace us with millions of out of work telecom employees that could be trained to do our monkey work overnight. "Fair" is for us to do whatever management says to do!
Erykthedead commented:
It's not the same AT&T. It's SBC using the better colonies name and reputation. People seem to forget that
Who Me commented:
Thank you Todd, well put. I have over 30 years working for att and am 2nd generation worker. I have always been very proud to be an employee of one of the the greatest companies to work for until now. I don't understand a CEO and upper management that are so greedy and blind that they think they are the most important thing. Mr Stevenson you are wrong. Your employees, your technicians, your people are some of the best and we are the heart and soul of ATT. You need to take care of your talent in this company. We want a fair contract.
