ALASKA TEAMSTERS VOTE TO AUTHORIZE STRIKE AT AT&T

Frontline Employees Say AT&T Violates Federal Labor Regulation, Fails to Adequately Workers Essential Telecommunications Infrastructure in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — AT&T Alascom employees represented by Teamsters Native 959 have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The 175 tower climbers, technicians and different frontline employees who construct, preserve and monitor Alaska’s telecommunications infrastructure are taking a stand in opposition to AT&T’s labor regulation violations and neglect of Alaskan communities.

Latest surveys of AT&T prospects and frontline employees in Alaska present that AT&T executives are failing to put money into employees and in its vital telecom community and amenities all through the state. Sixty-four p.c of Alaska AT&T prospects who responded to the survey rated AT&T’s companies as “low” or “very low” high quality.

Moreover, about 70 p.c of AT&T Alascom employees who participated within the survey “agree” or “strongly agree” that AT&T is failing to take a position crucial assets in its communications system in Alaska.

“AT&T pockets billions of {dollars} however refuses to put money into employees or communities,” stated Sean M. O’Brien, Teamsters Basic President. “Our Alascom members danger their lives within the worst Alaskan climate to restore tools and preserve telephone and web companies operating. They characterize the best of the Teamsters – taking up yet one more company bully to guard their households and demand the respect they deserve.”

In Alaska, AT&T [NYSE: T] owns and operates the Alascom community, which serves as the first spine for all vital companies all through the state. This infrastructure contains greater than 200 radio system amenities, the Anchorage–Prudhoe Bay fiber optic cable, and quite a few transmitter/repeater websites. Alascom and its employees additionally present companies to the Alyeska Pipeline, quite a few nationwide safety and protection programs, and main cities resembling Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

Native 959’s Alascom members have been making an attempt for months to discount a brand new contract with AT&T’s out-of-state company negotiators. Alascom employees have been pressured to file over a half dozen unfair labor observe fees in opposition to AT&T for violating federal labor regulation throughout bargaining, together with making unilateral modifications to working circumstances, dangerous religion bargaining, and refusing to produce requested info wanted for negotiations.

“Proper now, AT&T company is demanding that we settle for annual pay will increase as little as half of 1 p.c and pay over $1,100 each month for household well being care,” stated Kurt Foley, a 16-year technician. “That is simply not sustainable and it is ridiculous, particularly after AT&T paid its CEO $25 million final 12 months and gave him an 18 p.c elevate. This strike vote is a wake-up name to AT&T, which continues to violate our rights and put vital telecom companies in danger. Alaska cities and nationwide safety programs rely upon these companies, as do our personal households.”

“AT&T company executives within the decrease 48 are treating our communities like a private piggybank and exploiting Alaska’s working households,” stated Gary Dixon, Secretary-Treasurer of Native 959. “In Alaska, AT&T has over $2 billion in federal contracts alone. This firm appears lifeless set on pulling each final penny out of the state, even when it means exploiting its personal employees and sticking our communities with outdated, insufficient infrastructure.”

Based in 1903, the Worldwide Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking women and men all through the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Go to www.teamster.org for extra info. Observe us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Fb at www.fb.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Rachel Magnin, (310) 425-2100
[email protected]  

SOURCE Worldwide Brotherhood of Teamsters