Local AT&T Workers Participate in Southeastern Strike Due to “Unfair Labor Practices”

VICKSBURG, Miss. – 17,000 AT&T Employees, including those who work in Vicksburg, are on strike as of last Friday. According to Communications Workers of America (CWA), the union representing the workers, the strike is due to “unfair labor practices.”

“Our union entered into negotiations in a good faith effort to reach a fair contract, but we have been met at the table by company representatives who were unable to explain their own bargaining proposals and did not seem to have the actual bargaining authority required by the legal obligation to bargain in good faith,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “Our members want to be on the job, providing the quality service that our customers deserve. It’s time for AT&T to start negotiating in good faith so that we can move forward towards a fair contract,” said CWA in their official statement.

Local Communication Workers Union President Dillon Moore spoke to the Vicksburg Daily News in front of the ATT office on Cherry here in Vicksburg. “Our Union has called for a work stoppage strike for unfair labor practices. The company has not been bargaining in good faith with the Union regarding contract negotiations,” explained Moore through endless horn honks of support from passing vehicles. “We’re standing ready to get back to work and keep our customers connected.”

The striking workers include technicians, customer service representatives, and AT&T wire installation workers.

In an official statement made by AT&T, the company stated “CWA’s claims of unfair labor practices are not grounded in fact. We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1 and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits our hard-working employees. As evidence, we have reached 3 agreements this year covering more than 13,000 employees, including our most recent tentative agreement with District 9. We remain committed to working with District 3 in the same manner.”

Regarding service continuity, the company assured that systems are in place to keep things working.

“We have various business continuity measures in place to avoid disruptions to operations and will continue to provide our customers with the great service they expect,” the company said.