What exactly are we fighting for in this contract?
As the profits of AT&T climb, our wages and working conditions continue to suffer. Our call center work has been moving to contractors in low-wage countries and areas of the U.S., our retail jobs have been going to low-wage Authorized Dealers, and our technicians have seen their work get contracted out. Meanwhile, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson earned total compensation of $28.4 million last year, that’s up $3.3 million from the year before, all while he capped the commission earnings of retail workers and is trying to raise healthcare costs. Enough is enough!
Your bargaining committee continues to make proposals to improve the working conditions and quality of life for our members. These proposals cover many topics, including:
- Wages
- Benefits
- Job Security
- Commissions
- Transfers
- Holidays
- Job openings
- Scheduling
- Call Out and On-Call Pay
- Overtime and differentials
- Attendance
- And more…
What Will It Take to Win?
Our negotiating team is working round the clock fighting for a fair contract. But they cannot win without the active participation of all our members. Remember, our power comes from a mobilized membership. Being a union member is not a spectator sport! We need you to do your part. That means wearing a pin, joining rallies and other actions, asking for support from your co-workers, friends, family and community, and striking if necessary.
Will there be a strike at Mobility?
Members across the country have voted overwhelmingly to give authorization to our CWA President to call a strike in the event bargaining breaks down. This doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a strike. But this approval does mean that a strike can be called by our President if it becomes necessary. AT&T Mobility is a multi-billion dollar corporation and it’s about time they start acting like it and sharing some of those profits with their employees. CWA has never been more serious about demanding a fair contract from this profitable company.
What should I do to prepare for a strike?
We encourage all members to save money now in the event a strike is called. Get caught up on your bills if you can. Take care of routine medical needs, including dental, medical check ups, etc.
Will I get paid in the event there is a strike?
Strikers don’t get paid by their employer. But in the event of a strike, CWA has a large Member Relief Fund which will begin to issue relief checks. Beginning on the 15th day of the strike, members will receive a weekly check for $200 from the Members Relief Fund (MRF). This amount increases to $300 on the 29th day of a strike and increases again to $400 on the 57th day of the strike. Members continue to receive $400 per week until the strike is settled or until such time as the MRF is exhausted. In the event of a strike, your local and National Union will be providing applications to the MRF and more details. CWA is a family. We take care of each other.
Can I be fired for striking?
Striking is a legally protected right. It is illegal to fire any worker for striking.
Why No One Should Cross a Picket Line
No worker should ever cross a picket line. Doing so betrays your coworkers who are fighting for a decent contract. Doing so encourages management to keep on taking advantage of us all. In the proud history of American workers who stand up for their rights, there is almost nothing worse than being called a scab. It is the ultimate betrayal of your coworkers. Crossing a CWA picket line is also usually a violation of the union’s bylaws.
Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Email us at mobility@cwa-union.org and we’ll get back to you.