Florence Workers Strike Against AT&T Alleging Unfair Labor Practices

Striking Against ‘Unfair Labor Practices’

In Florence, South Carolina, approximately a dozen members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) who are employed by AT&T Southeast initiated a strike on West Evans Street as of Saturday. This disruptive action was taken as a result of AT&T’s alleged lack of good faith in bargaining proceedings, according to RC Lee, President of CWA Local 3708 Florence District.

The striking CWA workers rallied for hours outside their AT&T office in Florence, visibly brandishing signs and launching into demonstrations to draw attention to what they believe are unfair labor practices on the part of AT&T.

Unfair Labor Practice Charges

Lee has disclosed that the union has lodged an unfair labor practice charge against the company. This charge incorporates several allegations, including failure to bargain in good faith, not sending authorized representatives to the bargaining table, engaging in superficial or ‘surface’ bargaining, unwillingness to bargain over obligatory subjects, and most crucially, backtracking on agreements previously established during bargaining talks.

AT&T Workers on Strike

The numbers involved in the strike are not insignificant. It is said that over 17,000 workers from various capacities, ranging from technicians to customer service representatives, and including those who install, maintain, and support AT&T’s residential and business wireline telecommunications network, have participated in the strike. These striking workers are spread across several southeastern states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

In the light of the ongoing strike, another protest is scheduled for Monday in furtherance of their demand for fair labor practices from AT&T.

AT&T’s Response to Strike

In response to the strike and the accusations of unfair labor practices, an AT&T spokesperson released a statement, arguing that, “CWA’s claims of unfair labor practices are not grounded in fact. We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1.” The spokesperson also pointed out that the company is keen on reaching an agreement that would benefit its hard-working employees, noting that they have already reached three agreements this year, covering more than 13,000 employees.

On the topic of the strike, the spokesperson expressed disappointment in the Union leaders for opting to strike rather than directing their energies towards constructive discussions at the bargaining table. “This action needlessly jeopardizes the wages and well-being of our employees,” the AT&T spokesperson stressed.

On the subject of business continuity amid the strike, the spokesperson assured that AT&T has taken measures to avoid disruptions to their operations and maintains a commitment to providing their customers with the level of service they have come to expect.