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1,302 Former AT&T Wireless Workers at Cingular Organize with CWA in Orlando and New Mexico
Former AT&T Wireless workers' desire to get CWA representation like 36,000 of their Cingular co-workers continued strong into 2005, with 1,302 employees in New Mexico and Orlando, Florida, gaining union representation on Jan. 3 and 4. These latest organizing gains raise to 15,952 the number of former AT&T Wireless workers at Cingular who have gained CWA representation. Overall, nearly 38,000 workers at Cingular belong to CWA. Another 6,000 of the former AT&T Wireless workers remain union eligible.
14 New Mexico Retail Sales Associates. On Jan. 3, 2006 the American Arbitration Association certified that a majority of the 14 workers in Cingular's former AT&T Wireless Retail Sales Unit in New Mexico indicated their support for CWA representation. Local 7076 organizer Ariel Gold and Local 7911 organizer Rex Kendall assisted the workers. The workers will be represented by Local 7011 in Albuquerque NM.
1,288 Orlando, FL Customer Service Reps. On Jan. 4, the AAA certified that a majority of the 1,288 customer service reps at the company's Orlando call center supported CWA representation. Three locals joined together to educate and assist the workers get a voice on the job. This was among the more difficult organizing challenges in the current 10-month long organizing effort at Cingular. A significant number of the workers at the call center are very young, and CWA organizers worked with employee activists in helping them explain to their co-workers why union representation makes sense. Many of the customer service reps are working at the center for only a short period while completing their education. Thanks to a tremendous effort, the card signing was accomplished on the final and 60th day. Assisting the workers were Local 3108 organizers Renee Wigfall and Keith Harmon. They were joined by local 3108 members Horace Dave Skinner, Deana Pruitt, Pamela Lawson, Sherri Keller, Louis Smith, Steve Wisniewski, and Debbie Matheny. Local 3106's 75/25 organizer, Josh Denmark, and Kendrick Benoit from Local 3406 provided critical support and assistance during the final weeks of the campaign.
14 New Mexico Retail Sales Associates. On Jan. 3, 2006 the American Arbitration Association certified that a majority of the 14 workers in Cingular's former AT&T Wireless Retail Sales Unit in New Mexico indicated their support for CWA representation. Local 7076 organizer Ariel Gold and Local 7911 organizer Rex Kendall assisted the workers. The workers will be represented by Local 7011 in Albuquerque NM.
1,288 Orlando, FL Customer Service Reps. On Jan. 4, the AAA certified that a majority of the 1,288 customer service reps at the company's Orlando call center supported CWA representation. Three locals joined together to educate and assist the workers get a voice on the job. This was among the more difficult organizing challenges in the current 10-month long organizing effort at Cingular. A significant number of the workers at the call center are very young, and CWA organizers worked with employee activists in helping them explain to their co-workers why union representation makes sense. Many of the customer service reps are working at the center for only a short period while completing their education. Thanks to a tremendous effort, the card signing was accomplished on the final and 60th day. Assisting the workers were Local 3108 organizers Renee Wigfall and Keith Harmon. They were joined by local 3108 members Horace Dave Skinner, Deana Pruitt, Pamela Lawson, Sherri Keller, Louis Smith, Steve Wisniewski, and Debbie Matheny. Local 3106's 75/25 organizer, Josh Denmark, and Kendrick Benoit from Local 3406 provided critical support and assistance during the final weeks of the campaign.