RALEIGH — It’s Day 4, and more than 20,000 disgruntled AT&T employees remain on strike against the telecom giant.
The Communication Workers of America, which is representing the workers based in the Triangle and across the Southeast, said the two sides met on Monday to discuss “various bargaining proposals.”
The union has already filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. It described the discussion as “intense,” but also offered a glimmer of hope.
“There is a possibility that negotiations could move forward,” it said in a statement. “It is our desire to reach an agreement and attain the contract that our members deserve.”
AT&T spokesperson Marty Richter told WRAL TechWire today the company is ready to negotiate a new, improved contract. But it strongly disagrees with the union’s claims of unfair labor practices.
“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.
He added: “The company has reached, and union members have voted to ratify, 20 fair agreements since 2017 covering more than 89,000 employees. That includes five similar agreements reached in late June and early July and ratified by CWA members. We look forward to doing the same here.”
It was the first meeting since Aug.20, according to the union.
Starting last Saturday, AT&T workers hit the picket lines to protest “unfair labor conditions.” They vowed to remain home from work until AT&T agreed to negotiate better terms in a new contract. The old agreement expired on Aug.3.
‘Breaking point:’ 20,000 AT&T workers vow to stay home until conditions improve
