DALLAS — This article was originally published by our content partners at the Dallas Business Journal. Read the original article here.
The labor contract between AT&T and the union representing thousands of its workers across the Southeast has expired but negotiations continue between the two sides.
The agreement between Dallas-based AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and District 3 of the Communication Workers of America ended Aug. 3.
Unionized workers remain on the job without a contract, providing more time for the two parties to reach a deal, CWA announced Aug. 4. The union said members voted last month to authorize a strike but that work continues for now because of "current progress at the bargaining table."
A spokesperson for AT&T said in an email the company valued "our union-represented employees and support their total wellbeing with wages and benefits that are among the best in the nation."
He added: "We continue to make progress in these negotiations, and our strong, cooperative relationships with our unions have allowed us to reach 14 agreements since the beginning of 2022, including two contracts ratified this year and another tentative agreement announced last week."
The labor negotiations underscore the complexities of the human resources operation at the massive company — it's one of the largest publicly traded businesses in Texas, with 2023 revenue of more than $122 billion and 149,900 employees at the end of last year.
AT&T told investors at the start of the year that about 42% of its employees are represented by a union, whether the CWA, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers or another group.
CWA said it represents more than 15,000 union AT&T workers in the Southeast region, which consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
"Our members are prepared to stand together for the contract we have earned and they deserve," CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt said in a statement. "Our members want to be on the job, providing the quality service that our customers and communities rely on, but for this to continue, we need to see AT&T make progress towards a contract that secures better working conditions for our dedicated members and better lives for their families."
Along with improved wages and benefits, the union wants AT&T to resolve "abusive job practices and pay disparities that have increased attrition" for wire technicians. CWA has previously alleged scheduling practices interfere with work-life balance.
These negotiations mark the latest development between AT&T and CWA. If an agreement is reached, it would be the third labor contract struck by the two sides this year.
On Aug. 2, the company and union reached a four-year tentative agreement covering about 8,400 employees working primarily in technician, call center and other customer service roles in California and Nevada — CWA District 9 members of AT&T West. Union members had voted in favor of a strike had an agreement not been reached.
In March, AT&T and CWA reached a four-year deal for about 5,000 employees working mostly in retail, call center and technician roles in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.
