AT&T Mobilization Report #5

Mobilization Report #5

Locals have been escalating mobilization actions since the extended contract expiration Tuesday, April 14.

Members walked off the job in many locations at 12:00 PM (EDT) they waited to hear whether a strike had been called.  Getting word that there was no additional extension, that we would continue working without a contract, mobilization actions continue in all locations inside and out.

Outside Managers made Technicians drive vehicles to the garages instead of working on tickets and doing our jobs.  They were afraid of a strike and didn’t want to have to drive all over collecting vehicles in the event Techs had to park them where they were at the time a strike was called.

This week brought a message to the public that AT&T cares more about profits than about protecting its customers, as news of an information breach from Mexico came to light, when a $25 million settlement payout was announced. 

Locals and individual members have boycotted participation in AT&T’s March of Dimes fundraising campaign.  This is one of the many times that the Company takes credit in the public for all of the money that workers, including thousands of CWA members, raise for the charity.  The company wants you to help them look good in the community without having to give you anything in return.   Please continue to support the March of Dimes - just not in AT&T’s name.  When you are completing your many volunteer hours in your community, don’t be afraid to let the organization know that you are a CWA Union member, working to make our communities better. 

The robust first quarter earnings statement was released this week, prompting members to begin addressing questions via email to Randal:  “If AT&T is doing so well, why do they continue to insist on healthcare take backs for active and retired workers?”  They continue to make billions in profits, even with the current healthcare liabilities, but are trying to further line their pockets by picking yours.  Take this opportunity to ask Randal why they refuse to invest in the workers that help make those profits by negotiating a fair contract.

TODAY Locals are planning solidarity actions in the work place, as many Locals leaders are meeting face to face with Randal and other top executives at the shareholder meeting in Spokane, Washington.

This is no business as usual!

Here are some of the things happening around the country:

Local 1058

Leaders continue to hold information sessions with members, wear red and join solidarity actions on the job.

Local 1150

Members are wearing red, keeping the offices informed about bargaining and technicians are focused on safety and quality.

Local 1152

Members are standing strong - mobilization twice daily for 5 minutes making noise and chanting “contract”.  On the last stand they are "adjusting" the volume on their phones for 5 minutes. This was extremely effective.  Members participate in mass walk-ins with a rally and are wearing red on Thursdays. 

Local 1153

Members continue to wear red and mobilize on the job.  Techs are focused on providing the highest level of quality service while performing the job safely.

Local 2252

Members are distributing information in support of bargaining and sharing with the country for others to use at home. Great artwork 2252!  Thanks for the fresh ideas.   Members continue to wear red and participate in job actions.

Local 3250

All locations remain mobilized and members are wearing red. 

Local 4004

Members are wearing red Tuesdays and Thursdays and are displaying signs “One Union - One Fight - One Future - We Support Our Bargaining Team” on their desks. Members have red balloons displayed on their desk throughout the office. Members are wearing red Tuesday and Thursday and wearing “NO CONTRACT NO PEACE” buttons. Some call center location members are turning in their headphones and the end of their shifts everyday.

Local 4008

At the end of each shift the members are turning in their company passes and keys, following AT&T Operating Practice No: 78 which states “AT&T ID Cards are Company property and shall be protected from loss, damage or theft. Loss or theft of AT&T ID cards must be immediately reported to the individual’s supervising Company manager or Company contact” and goes on to say “Ensure that AT&T ID Cards are collected upon termination of employment or contracted services.”  While the company is claiming this only applies to contractors, we say it is necessary because we could be called on a strike at any time. All members should be following this policy.  On the job actions continue: Monday - Death of a Contract:  wear funeral clothes / dark apparel to mourn the loss of our contract; Tuesday – Tin Can Tuesday:  Panhandling Time to ask management for spare change to help pay our rising health care costs; Wednesday - Wild Card:  spontaneous random events, spreading rumors and fake pending actions to managements and doing one real action out of all the ones rumored; Thursday - Overtime for Good-faith Bargaining:  show up 30 minutes early to picket in front of the building, walk in together in a sea of red! Friday - Stand Up for Worker Rights:  stand up and make noise at the top and bottom of the hour, even louder at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., representing 4/11 – the contract end date.

Local 4009 

The Local has been holding informational pickets.  Managers actually thought members were on strike.  The Local received calls from Corporate Real Estate at the NWOC concerning the pickets.  Managers were seen taking pictures and recording the Techs so they can make their daily reports to the company. 

Local 4123 

What a great week to be a proud CWA member. We started off the week with a simple mobilization asking Managers “What do you want us to do before noon on Tuesday?” and successfully knocked the AT&T globe off its axis. Managers didn't know what to do or how to react. In the end our members enjoyed watching them scramble about in chaos and confusion!  We continued with our weekly solidarity mobilizations, and enforcing the “Triple P”, and held numerous informational pickets on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We wanted to make sure that AT&T knew that our CWA members are still waiting for a good contract, stand behind the Bargaining Team and we are as prepared as them to fight for respect in people!!!

Local 4034

The Local held several informational pickets at various locations.

Local 4250

Handed out “AT&T Sponsors Everyone…But Its Employees” flyers to the public.  “I Support My Bargaining Team” placards are at every workstation, including public areas.  Members are boycotting Managers’ charity fundraising events and continuing to wear RED every day we do not have a contract, with an emphasis on THURSDAY.

Local 4621

Legacy T Members wear Red on Thursday and the Local is participating in Informational Picketing with Leg S business office and Prem Techs.

District 6

CWA members staged a successful rally at AT&T Headquarters in Dallas in support of the Legacy T and District 4 brothers and sisters who are currently working without a Contract. The Rally was organized by CWA District 6 and Local 6150 and supported by Locals 6215 and 6201. Supporters marched the streets shouting for better wages, better healthcare and urging AT&T to bring jobs back to the U.S. The rally was attended by numerous other CWA Local Officers and Staff in District 6, as well as CWA Secretary-Treasurer Annie Hill, who was in Dallas to address a Leadership Training conference. District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings and several District 6 Staff also attended. Officers from Locals 6012, 6016, 6132, 6137, 6143, 6171, 6225, 6300, 6312, 6313, 6374, 6402, 6450, 6502, 6503, 6507 joined in support.

Local 6150

Members receive desk drops twice weekly along with text messages and bargaining reports to help stay informed.   President Scott Wilson organized the rally at District 6 Officer Training.  The rally was attended by several members along with sister Locals from around the District.  Members are also focused on defeating Fast Track for TPP and attended a rally.  Members are making noise hourly. 

Local 6215

Members attend rallies with Local 6150 and make noise hourly in solidarity for the Legacy T contract. 

Local 6350

CWA 6350 had a meeting this week to attend the Bargaining Team conference call on Monday.  Tuesday E-Board members held a strike watch event, making sure our Toll Building was ready to walk.  After Contract expiration, mobilizers hand-billed CVS Pharmacy against AT&T outsourcing our work.  Members continue to have our “WAKE UP!” mobilization during the day – and getting louder every day - are wearing RED and working to the RULE!!

Local 6402

The Local continues an e-mail campaign and Facebook updates for our membership list.  They added more Face to Face meetings, handed out leaflets to retiree coffee groups and lead discussions of issues.  Phone banked questions resulting from these meetings and leaflets. We will be watching the coverage of the Shareholders’ meeting. <Union Clap>  

Local 6450

This week’s mobilization continues in Kansas City.  Local 6450 and CWA sister Locals, along with several other Unions and allies joined the low-wage worker rally in Kansas City, MO.  More than 800 people came out in support of the fast food workers on strike.  The call centers are making noises and blowing horns daily at random times and members stand up and join in when they hear the horn blow.  Members are showing their support by placing signs at their desks, wearing red on Thursdays and Black on Fridays.  Local 6450's Executive Vice President Sarah Harreus joined the rally in Dallas at AT&T Headquarters, along with members from the District 6 New Officers Training class and Locals 6150, 6201 and 6215 to demand a FAIR CONTRACT NOW!!

Local 7050 

Members continue to focus on quality and safety on the job and are wearing red in solidarity.

Local 7110

The Mobility call center continues to mobilize in solidarity, while the Techs focus on safety and quality on the job.

Local 7200

Mobilizers posted bargaining flyers in the worksite and members received red balloons.  They participated in a rally with Local 7250 and completed mobilization training.  Members are wearing red and standing in solidarity hourly with Local 7250.

Local 7250

Weekly informational pickets continue every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  This weeks rally was joined by CWA Secretary-Treasurer Annie Hill, District 7 Staff Jana Smith-Carr, District 6 Staff Kris Raab andover 50 “Unity@Mobility” Trainers.  The majority of the Collections Center walked off the job at the second expiration, leading Mangers believe a strike had been called.   Once word was received we were working without a contract, members returned to work and mobilizing on the job. Red balloons were distributed to every work station in the Collections Center and members continue to wear red and make noise.  Twice each day a 5 minute action is held in the elevator bank with members chanting “contract now” among other messages against corporate greed.   The actions drew the attention and complaints from the many law firms and other businesses in the building, Officers and some members have been talked to about the actions.  The Company has suddenly cracked down on following break schedules in order to stop the concerted actions of members.  The smell of a ULP strike is in the air in Minneapolis!  

Local 7750

Continue to hold informational pickets from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. daily. Members are wearing red shirts every day, working to the rule, using the 10 “Ask Yourself” questions on every order and making sure M&P's are correct and complete so members can ensure the highest quality of service every time.  The Local held a big rally on April 15^th that included a big, inflatable “fat cat”.  District 7 Vice President Mary Taylor, Staff Representatives Brenda Roberts, Jay Boyle and Jana Smith-Carr attended.  The local also received support from the AFL-CIO and other CWA Local Officers.  Over 75 members participated and received much support from the public.  

Local 9415

Mobilizers passed out balloons, are focused on quality, wear red inside and completed mobilization training. 

AT&T is a greedy corporation that cleared billions of dollars in profits last year, even with the current healthcare liabilities of the active employees and retirees.  AT&T can clearly afford to continue the level of benefits without increasing premiums, deductibles, or out of pocket maximums.  

MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE! MOBILIZE!  We are the Union and the power behind the bargaining table.  Show AT&T that we are serious.  They say “TAKE BACKS”, we say “FIGHT BACK”.    

Want your Local actions to be included in future reports?   Send them to cwa.mobilization@gmail.com

Click here to view the Mobilization pictures that have been submitted.

Share mobilization ideas including educational flyers your Local has created for your members by sending them to cwa.mobilization@gmail.com

Report all retaliation and threats from the company around mobilization to ishabazz@cwa-union.org, along with any unfair labor practice charges that Locals are filing against AT&T for their interference in our right to concerted actions.

Stay Strong! Stay Mobilized!