Earlier this week, 17,000 AT&T workers in Nevada and California went on a one day strike against the company for unfair labor conditions. Communication Workers of America (CWA) filed an unfair labor charge with the National Labor Relations Board arguing that AT&T violated federal law by “showing disrespect to the bargaining process,” by changing employee work assignments. The CWA argued that their employees are experiencing unpredictable overtime hours, layoffs, and increasing healthcare costs.
The strike ended after only a day, with the CWA and AT&T Inc agreeing on a settlement. While the contract is still being negotiated, AT&T will no longer change employee work assignments.
AT&T workers have not had a contract for nearly a year, which puts them in a very precarious position. The CWA said, “Nationwide, more than 21,000 AT&T wireless customer service and field workers are working under a contract extension that can be terminated with 72 hours’ notice as they continue to bargain with the company.”
CWA is one of the unions that organized the 36,000 worker strike against Verizon last year. It lasted for more than a month, eventually winning pay raises and other benefits. As the Trump administration and Congress continue to rollback labor protections, workers may find strikes to be the best tool for defeating attacks and fighting for their rights.