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Nothing is cast in stone — yet — but AT&T executives are gearing up for the possibility of an Easter strike.
Management staffers have recently been to strike boot camp, according to the Wall Street Journal, learning to decode acronyms, strapping on harnesses, learning to climb poles and unload ladders as contracts expire for more than 40,000 unionized installers, repairmen and call-center workers represented by the Communications Workers of America.
So far, according to Ken Mintz, area manager for external affairs in AT&T’s San Ramon offices, there’s no strike planned.
“There is a work stoppage possible,” he said. It might or might not happen.”
Mintz said it’s still possible that a compromise will be reached before the CWA contract expires on midnight Saturday.
A vote by CWA members at AT&T authorized a strike, if the union decides to call one, and they say they aren’t deterred by AT&T’s plan to use management to fill in, the Wall Street Journal article said.
The contract dispute between AT&T and the unions hinge on matters that range from guaranteed weekend days off to wellness and health-care costs and pensions, according to the unions.
About 55% of AT&T’s employees are represented by the CWA, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers or other unions, according to corporate reports. A Business Week article notes that contracts covering approximately 120,000 employees will expire during 2012. The negotiations do not include AT&T Mobility, which reached a tentative agreement with AT&T last month.
If history is an indicator, Mintz’s prediction is likely to come true. A strike called for 2009 was avoided after a contract extension, which gave the sides time to hammer out and agreement. Work continued by AT&T union members with little to no impact on customers.
