AT&T Workers End Southeast's Longest Strike
AT&T workers ended the southeast longest strike on September 16, 2024, after 30 days. The strike involved 17,000 AT&T Southeast workers and was the longest telecom strike in the region's history. They reached a tentative agreement with the company, resulting in a new 5-year contract that includes 19.33% wage increases for most workers and affordable healthcare benefits.
Strike resolution details
Agreement terms
- Wage increases: The new contract provides 19.33% wage increases for most workers over 5 years, resolving a key issue in the longest telecom strike Southeast has seen
- Additional raises: Wire technicians and utility operations workers will receive an extra 3% increase as AT&T workers end Southeast's longest strike
- Healthcare benefits: The agreement includes affordable healthcare for the first year, with costs decreasing in years 2-3 and increasing monthly in the final 2 years
- Contract duration: The new agreement is a 5-year contract, marking the end of the AT&T Southeast strike
Strike scope and duration
- The strike involved 17,000 AT&T workers across 9 Southeast states
- It began on August 16, 2024, and lasted for 30 days, making it the longest telecom strike in the region's history before AT&T workers end Southeast's longest strike
- Affected states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
Worker categories involved
- The strike included technicians, customer service representatives, and AT&T wire installation workers in the Southeast region
Negotiation process
Union demands
- The Communications Workers of America (CWA) demanded higher wages, affordable healthcare, and improvements to work-life balance for those subject to mandatory forced overtime, leading to the longest telecom strike Southeast has experienced
Mediation and bargaining
- CWA rejected federal mediation, claiming AT&T was using it to delay progress and avoid substantive negotiations
- The union accused AT&T of not bargaining in good faith and sending negotiators without authority to make decisions
Resolution
- A senior negotiator from AT&T's bargaining team was sent to the table in late September 2024, leading to an agreement within days and helping AT&T workers end Southeast's longest strike
- The tentative agreement was reached on September 15, 2024, effectively ending the AT&T Southeast strike
Impact and aftermath
- 17,000 workers returned to work on Monday, September 16, 2024, as AT&T workers end Southeast's longest strike
- The agreement is expected to be ratified by CWA District 3 members in the coming weeks, officially concluding the longest telecom strike Southeast has witnessed
- AT&T customers experienced widespread outages and long wait times for repairs during the strike
FAQ
How long did the AT&T Southeast strike last?
The AT&T Southeast strike lasted for 30 days, from August 16, 2024, to September 15, 2024, making it the longest telecom strike in the region's history.
What were the main issues resolved as AT&T workers end Southeast's longest strike?
The main issues resolved included wage increases, affordable healthcare benefits, and improvements to work-life balance for workers subject to mandatory overtime.
How many workers were involved in the AT&T Southeast strike?
17,000 AT&T workers across nine Southeast states participated in the strike, which has now ended.
What wage increases did workers receive when the AT&T Southeast strike ends?
Most workers received 19.33% wage increases over the 5-year contract period, with wire technicians and utility operations workers getting an additional 3% increase.
Which states were affected by the longest telecom strike Southeast has experienced?
The strike affected workers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee before being resolved.
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