The Communications Workers of America’s strike with AT&T is affecting the entire Southeastern portion of the country, including Marion County.
Union members have been protesting this week outside the AT&T building at the corner of Church Street and High School Avenue.
The workers install and maintain lines and splice fiber for AT&T.
According to Mike Hodges, the local 3509 president, AT&T has elected to come back to the bargaining table.
The union has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging AT&T has committed three different unfair labor practices, according to a press release from the CWA.
The strike began at midnight on Aug. 22 after the previous labor agreement expired Aug. 3, and it affects nine states: Florida, where the strike originated, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. There are more than 22,000 workers with the CWA.
The contract the union had with AT&T had expired, and the CWA alleges that AT&T has not acted in good faith in renegotiating a new contract.
Unfair labor practices charges have also been filed over AT&T allegedly suspending employees and threatening others with discipline for wearing union memorabilia.
“We strongly disagree with the union's claims of unfair labor practices,” Jim Kimberly, director of corporate communications for AT&T, said a statement published in a Chattanooga Times Free Press story. “Our bargaining team is negotiating this contract with CWA leaders in the same way we have successfully done with dozens of other CWA contracts over the years.”
Pictured Above: From left, Chris Harrison, Noland Miller and Chris Harrison of the Communications Workers of America union stand under a tent to avoid the rain Monday morning near Church Street holding signs, signifying their strike with AT&T. | Photo by Susan Amundson
