17,000 AT&T Workers in Southeast Strike Over Contract Negotiations
By Savannah Logan
If you’ve recently driven past the old Family Dollar in Centreville, you may have noticed a group of people in red shirts gathered under a tent, peacefully protesting. These individuals are AT&T workers, members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), who have united across the Southeast Region in a significant strike. Their demand? Fair negotiations over unfair labor practices.
The strike, which involves 17,000 workers, includes technicians, customer service representatives, and others who install, maintain, and support AT&T’s residential and business wireline telecommunications network across nine states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The striking workers have a clear message for AT&T CEO John Stankey. They believe AT&T, a company that reported over $16 billion in profits in 2023 and stands to receive millions from the federal government for high-speed internet expansion, is not engaging in good faith negotiations. The workers have been at the bargaining table since June, striving for significant progress, but with little success. Consequently, the CWA has filed unfair labor practice charges against the company, insisting that AT&T is legally obligated under the National Labor Relations Act to negotiate in good faith.
A spokesperson for AT&T has responded to these claims, stating that the CWA’s allegations are unfounded. The company asserts that they have been engaged in substantive bargaining from the start and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits their employees. The spokesperson highlighted that AT&T has already reached three agreements this year covering over 13,000 employees, including a recent tentative agreement with District 9 (West). AT&T expressed disappointment over the union’s decision to strike, arguing that it jeopardizes employee wages and well-being, while the company has measures in place to avoid disruptions to operations and continue providing reliable service to customers.
According to Simply Wall Street, AT&T CEO John Stankey received a total compensation package of $26,450,157 in 2023. This amount comprised a base salary of $2.4 million, $16.5 million in stock awards, and a $6.4 million short-term incentive. Stankey’s 2023 compensation marked an increase from the $22.9 million he earned in 2022. His compensation package was predominantly composed of bonuses, including company stock and options, which accounted for 90.9% of the total, while his salary made up 9.1%. Additionally, Stankey owns 0.014% of AT&T’s shares, valued at approximately $19.49 million.
As of August 21, 2024, the CWA and AT&T have entered federal mediation, hoping to resolve the ongoing strike. The union confirmed that the first meeting with a federal mediator took place on Wednesday morning. In a statement to striking members, the CWA bargaining team expressed hope that mediation might lead to the agreement their members deserve.
The outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched, as both sides navigate the complex terrain of labor relations in an era where cost-of-living adjustments and fair compensation remain critical issues for workers across the nation. The striking AT&T workers remain steadfast in their commitment to securing a fair contract that recognizes their contribution to the company’s success and ensures the quality service their customers expect.
