AT&T Walkouts Continue Around The U.S.

UPDATE (08-26-19): Jim Kimberly, a spokesperson for AT&T, reached out to News Daytona Beach via email with a statement from the company regarding the strike.

“A strike is in no one’s best interest. We remain ready to sit down with union leaders to negotiate a new, improved contract for our employees. Our bargaining team is negotiating this contract with CWA leaders in the same way we have successfully done with other CWA contracts over the years. We listen, engage in substantive discussions and share proposals back and forth until we reach agreement. 

“That’s why we’re surprised and disappointed that union leaders would call for a strike at this point in the negotiations, particularly when we’re offering terms that would help our employees – some of whom average from $121,000 to $134,000 in total compensation – be even better off.

 “We’re prepared for a strike and will continue working hard to serve our customers.”

Kimberly also said that the company has reached 20 fair agreements since 2017, covering more than 80,000 employees and that the Southeast contract covers fewer than 8% of their employees

A CWA representative has yet to reach out to comment.

Earlier reporting below.

Daytona Beach, FL - You can expect customer service for AT&T to take a bit longer than usual in the southeast United States.

That's because a walkout of over 20,000 employees enters its third day. And some union members are saying that if AT&T doesn't change, the walkouts will continue.

Back on Friday (August 23rd), the Communications Workers of America union threatened to go on strike at midnight the following day over "unfair labor practices" within the telecommunications company.

Then, on Saturday (August 24th), over 20,000 employees in nine states across the southeastern US took to the streets, participating in a labor strike against AT&T.

That impact could be felt locally in the Volusia, Flagler and Seminole County areas as over 100 employees in each county refused to work. Employees ranged from technicians, call-center operators, customer service representatives and multiple other positions in AT&T.

Now, members are taking to the streets again in Daytona Beach with a large demonstration on both sides of Ridgewood Avenue, just in front of AT&T's main hub in the area.

One of the demonstrators said they'll be out there as long as it takes.

"We do not know how long it's going to take," said Rick Mock, an AT&T employee and a steward with the CWA Local 3102. "Our district headquarters in Atlanta is calling the shots, so when they say 'go back' we go back but until then we'll be out here."

Mock, along with the other demonstrators and employees are aware that this is affecting AT&T customers, but it's just one of the prices that the company has to pay, according to protesters

"It's definitely going to affect everybody, but unfortunately this is what we have to do," said Mock.

The demonstrations and walkouts continue on a national level as well. They have even attracted the attention of one Democratic presidential candidate.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders made an appearance at a CWA demonstration in Louisville, Kentucky, speaking in support of the union members striking against AT&T.

"You are standing up against the kind of greed that is destroying the working class of this country," said Sanders. "The American people are sick and tired of seeing companies like AT&T make $19 billion in profits and than ship American jobs abroad to low-wage counties."

Sanders finished off with with a message to AT&T, saying, "Sit down at the negotiating table, bargain a fair and decent contract with your employees."

News Daytona Beach has contacted representatives with the Communications Workers of America and AT&T. CWA has yet to respond