Union Approves AT&T Contract for 17,000 Employees
A standoff between AT&T and the union representing thousands of wireline employees is set to end.
AT&T and the Communication Workers of America (CWA) have agreed on a new four-year contract for workers in Nevada and California. The CWA approved the contract after tallying up votes from its members. The measure passed with 58 percent in favor. Approximately 17,000 AT&T wireline workers and DirectTV employees are covered under the contract. The new deal includes a wage hike and increased health care contributions.
“CWA has notified the company of the results and will be working with AT&T on implementation,” the union’s statement read.
AT&T submitted the tentative contract to the union one month ago, after the government-affiliated Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service brought both parties to the table. CWA had rejected the initial contract proposed by AT&T. Fortune reports that the new contract brings a wage hike of 11 percent over four years and would cover insurance premiums up to 29 percent. CWA had complained that AT&T assigned workers to tasks that were beyond their paygrade.
CWA signed a new contract with CenturyLink for more than 10,000 employees in June. The union also is negotiating with Avaya to ensure that its bankruptcy doesn’t effect pensions.
