Thousands of AT&T Southeast workers strike across 9 states, SC included

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Some AT&T workers are striking across several states due to what Communications Workers of America (CWA) members are calling "unfair labor practices."

The union said these practices took place by AT&T management during negotiations for a new contract.

CWA stated that it filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against AT&T.

“We entered these negotiations prepared to bargain in good faith with AT&T to address our members’ concerns and to work together to find solutions,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “Our talks have stalled because it has become clear that AT&T has not sent negotiators who have the power to make decisions so we can move forward toward a new contract.”

According to a press release, the strike is expected to involve more than 20,000 technicians, customer service representatives and other workers. States impacted include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The strike started on Saturday at midnight.

On Saturday afternoon, AT&T provided ABC News 4 with the following statement:

“A strike is in no one’s best interest. We remain ready to sit down with union leaders to listen to their concerns and work with them on negotiating a new, improved contract for our employees. We’re surprised and disappointed that union leaders would call a strike at this point in the negotiations, particularly when we’re offering terms that would help our employees – some of whom average from $121,000 to $134,000 in total compensation – be even better off.

We have offered the union terms that are consistent with what other CWA-represented employees have approved in recent contract negotiations; the company has reached 20 fair agreements since 2017 covering more than 89,000 employees. The Southeast contract covers fewer than 8 percent of our employees.

We’re prepared for a strike and in the event of a work stoppage, we will continue working hard to serve our customers.”