20,000 AT&T Workers On Strike In Nine States

Daytona Beach, FL - 20,000 workers in nine states, including Florida, take to the streets in protest of unfair labor practices at the telecommunications giant, AT&T.

And over 100 have already hit the streets in Volusia County.

According to a press release from the Communication Workers of America, the organizer of the AT&T walkout, they filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against AT&T for "not bargaining in good faith" and for not sending representatives to the bargaining table with the authority to make decisions.

“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 in the release. “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.”

The release also said that other charges have been filed against AT&T for "illegally disciplining" members for wearing union attire and for participating in activities that are protected under the National Labor Relations Act.

The strike began at midnight yesterday (August 24th), with workers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee walking out.

"We need people to come to the table that can make decisions for our contract," said John Henning, one of the strike captains in Daytona Beach. "All we want is a fair contract, we're not asking for anything above what we're asking for, and that's basically to have what we have right now."

Henning, who has worked for AT&T for 19 years and is a member with the CWA 3102, was one of four workers showing their support of the union on Mason Avenue on Sunday afternoon (August 25th) in Daytona. Along with him was John Mulcahy, another member and a technician who's been with AT&T for over 20 years.

"This is an unfair labor practice charge, that they're not bargaining in good faith," said Mulcahy.

According to Henning and Mulcahy, over 100 workers walked out in Volusia County, standing outside plants owned and operated by AT&T as well as busy roadways such as Williamson Boulevard, which sees a lot of traffic headed to and from I-95.

"We're just trying to get a contract so we can get back to work," said Henning. "It's a little scary, after being here for over 19 years, not knowing if you're going to have a job."

Both members said that a bigger demonstration is planned tomorrow morning (August 26th) at 268 Ridgewood Avenue in Daytona Beach, one of AT&T's facilities. That is scheduled to begin around 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

"Anybody that could wear a red shirt and show some help for us it would be greatly appreciated," said Henning.

Henning and Mulcahy said that they will be protesting until Wednesday (August 28th) at 10 a.m., which is when bargaining talks begin again.