AT&T reaches tentative agreement with union workers

AT&T reached a tentative agreement with Communications Workers of America Wednesday, Aug. 28, according to Joe Chandler with AT&T Communications.

The agreement must be ratified by vote by CWA before it goes into effect, according to Marty Richter, with AT&T.

The strike, involving nine states in the Southeast, affected about 20,000 employees with the union. Union employees, including some in Holly Springs, walked out Friday, Aug. 23, at midnight.

It was only the second strike in the Southeast since 1982.

Ricky Brown, with AT&T Local 3516, said union workers have not yet voted on the agreement, which is still pending until it is voted on and passed by CWA.

If CWA does not approve the agreement, the matter could go back to the bargaining table, he said.

CWA called the strike, claiming unfair labor practices.

The tentative agreement would cover five years and collectively cover 20,000 employees in CWA District 3, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Chandler said AT&T is committed to reaching a fair agreement throughout the process.

“We’ve now reached 23 fair agreements since 2017 with the unions representing its employees, collectively covering 109,000 employees,” Chandler said.

Internet service disruption

Chandler said internet service which had been interrupted September 4 in parts of Mississippi has been restored for some wireline and mobility customers. Customers may have experienced intermittent service due to a fiber cut caused by farm equipment, he said.

“We apologize for any inconvenience,” he said.