AT&T Employees Ratify Southeast and West Agreements: A Boost for Unionized Workforce

AT&T employees represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have voted to ratify two collective bargaining agreements, covering approximately 23,000 employees in the Southeast and West regions. The agreements, which span five and four years respectively, offer significant wage increases, improved benefits, and enhanced job security, signaling a positive outlook for the unionized workforce.

The ratified agreements, effective until 2029 and 2028, provide substantial wage increases for employees, with an average of 19% over the contract period in the Southeast and 15% in the West. Additionally, Wire Technicians and Utility Operations professionals in the Southeast will receive an extra 3% wage boost, recognizing their crucial role in the nationwide broadband buildout. These increases, coupled with competitive market-based wage adjustments, ensure that AT&T employees remain among the best compensated in the nation.

The agreements also address longstanding concerns about overtime and scheduling practices. Technicians, who install and maintain AT&T's fiber networks, will benefit from improved scheduling stability and better work-life balance. This, in turn, is expected to enhance the quality of customer service provided by AT&T.

The new contracts come after a month-long strike in the Southeast, where 17,000 CWA members walked off the job to pressure AT&T into fair bargaining. The strike, the longest in the telecom industry's history, demonstrated the power of union solidarity and the importance of collective bargaining in securing fair wages and benefits.

AT&T's commitment to its unionized workforce is evident in the 18 agreements reached since the beginning of 2022, including seven contracts ratified this year. The company's strong, long-term relationships with its union partners have facilitated productive negotiations, ensuring the wellbeing of its employees and the success of its operations.

The ratified agreements position AT&T for sustainable growth and enable the company to compete for top talent in the industry. By recognizing the value of its unionized workforce, AT&T is well-placed to continue delivering high-quality connectivity services to its customers and communities.