465 Former AT&T Wireless Workers at Cingular Organize with CWA in Hawaii, Virginia, Indiana, Mas

Organizing by former AT&T Wireless workers at Cingular remained strong through January 2006 as an additional 465 of the unrepresented workers gained CWA representation during the final 10 days of the month. Overall, nearly 1,800 of Cingular's former AT&T Wireless workers – 1,767 – have gained CWA representation during the month. These latest organizing gains by the workers raise to 16,417 the number of former AT&T Wireless workers at Cingular who have gained CWA representation since 2005. Overall, more than 38,000 workers at Cingular – and 30 percent of all wireless workers in the U.S. – have CWA representation. Here are the most organizing gains, reported Jan. 20-30:

10 Network Technicians in Hawaii. On Jan. 20, the American Arbitration Association certified that a majority of the 10 network techs in Hawaii supported CWA representation. Local 9415 organizer Yonah Diamond assisted the workers. With this latest campaign, all union eligible Cingular employees in the state – retail associates, consumer service, IT, business management, and network techs – have a voice in their jobs.

300 Retail Sales Associates in Virginia. On Jan. 26, the AAA certified that a majority of Cingular's former AT&T Wireless 300 retail sales associates in Virginia choose CWA representation. Nearly 70 percent of the workers supported the union. Organizers from many locals joined together to help the workers gain a union. Assisting were organizers Lynette Snell, Pam Wilt, Laurie Raborg, Stephanie Pazur, William Steele, Dana Blackwell, Travis Carpenter, Denny Balderson, and Lea Kennedy among others.

15 Network Technicians in Indiana. On Jan. 24, the AAA certified that a majority of Indiana's former AT&T Wireless network technicians gained CWA representation at Cingular. Assisting the workers were area rep Brett Jarrett and local 4900 stewards Mike Goodman and Greg Lively.

16 Network Technicians in Massachusetts. On Jan. 27, a majority of the 16 cell and switch techs in Massachusetts choose CWA representation, according to the AAA. An existing CWA-represented Cingular switch tech from Avon, MA, Dave Houlihan, worked closely with Local 1298 organizer Cindy Vines in assisting the workers.

120 Retail Sales Associates in Minnesota. On Jan. 26, a majority of former AT&T Wireless retail sales employees in Minnesota choose CWA representation. Local 37002 organizer Tom Lonergan worked with Local 7250 President Shari Wojtowicz, Local 7250 member Matt Begansky, Local 7200 Area Vice Presidents Tim Donovan and Staci Lorenz, and Local 7200 past president Tim Lovaasen in assisting the workers.

4 Network Technicians in New Hampshire. On Jan. 30, four of Cingular's former AT&T Wireless network techs in New Hampshire gained CWA representation. All 4 are cell/field techs covering sites in NH, MA, ME and RI. The workers were concerned about health care benefits and changes in the work environment. Local 1298 organizer Cindy Vines worked with Cingular tech Dave Houlihan, a CWA member, in assisting the workers.