UPDATED Aug. 17, 2024 @ 4:50 p.m.
Both the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and AT&T have released statements regarding the ongoing strike.
CWA released a press release on Friday claiming that AT&T is engaging in "surface bargaining" and that they do not have representatives at the bargaining table with the "authority to make decisions."
“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," CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt said.
Honeycutt added that "our members want to be on the job, providing quality service that our customers deserve."
The strike will include over 17,000 workers ranging from technicians to customer service representatives.
An AT&T representative sent an emailed statement to AccessWDUN Friday night responding to the ongoing strikes.
They said that CWA's claims of unfair labor practices are "not grounded in fact" and that they have been engaged in bargaining since "day 1."
Their evidence was that they have reached three agreements with CWA this year covering "more than 13,000 employees." The most recent was an agreement with CWA District 9 (California and Nevada).
It is to be noted that there are over 150,000 CWA AT&T workers.
They also added that they are "disappointed" that the union called for a strike at this point in the negotiations rather than engaging in "constructive discussions at the bargaining table."
At the end, the spokesperson said that they have "various business continuity measures in place" to continue to provide service.
As of this point in time, the strike is still ongoing and Hall County AT&T workers will be back on the picket line Monday morning.
Further updates will be here at AccessWDUN.
Original article posted on Aug. 16, 2024 @ 4:25 p.m.
Honks could be heard ringing down Jesse Jewell Parkway as AT&T workers in Hall County gathered in protest, picketing against AT&T for “bargaining in bad faith.”
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union is heading the strike, with it representing more than 150,000 AT&T workers nationwide.
The CWA’s third district — serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina. and Puerto Rico — called this strike.
There were roughly 15 workers by Jesse Jewell Parkway, with 30 to 40 expected Monday morning according to a worker.
A worker told AccessWDUN that there is no return date as of this moment and that the strike was called at around 3 p.m. on Friday.
A representative said they filed unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against AT&T. No further information has been released as of this time in regards to what the workers are demanding.
The workers will be back out on the picket line in full force Monday at 8 a.m. More updates will be here at AccessWDUN.
