AT&T workers strike in Tri-State, across the country

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) - Thousands of AT&T workers are on strike including many across Western Kentucky.

Communications Workers of America, CWA, protest unfair labor practices they say AT&T has committed amid contract negotiations.

More than 17,000 AT&T technicians, customer services reps, and other employees are on strike across nine states in the Southeastern United States.

[National: 17,000 AT&T workers in Southeast strike over contract negotiations]

Owensboro Picket Captain Ron Sweat says workers walked out of work on Friday for the strike.

“We just want them to be at the bargain table and bargain in good faith,” he said as his coworkers picketed on Frederica Street Monday afternoon.

According to a release from CWA, the decision to strike comes after the contract agreement between the union and AT&T expired earlier this month.

According to Sweat, several other groups of AT&T across the area are also picketing this week. He says this includes Henderson, Madisonville, Central City and Owensboro.

There’s also support for AT&T workers on signage in Morganfield.

“Everywhere there’s a presence of workers, they’re going to form picket lines and do their job that way,” he said. “It’s a stressful time for everybody. We’re out here, and we’re not making any money right now. You don’t make that back up.”

The worker’s demands include better pay, benefits and safer working conditions.

“We would like for the company to come back to the table, so we can get this rectified as soon as possible,” Sweat said. “The sooner the better for us and better for the company.”

AT&T sent a statement to 14 News about the strike saying:

“CWA’s claims of unfair labor practices are not grounded in fact. We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1 and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits our hard-working employees. As evidence, we have reached 3 agreements this year covering more than 13,000 employees, including our most recent tentative agreement with District 9 (west). We remain committed to working with District 3 (southeast) in the same manner. “We’re disappointed that union leaders would call for a strike at this point in the negotiations, rather than directing their energies toward constructive discussions at the bargaining table. This action needlessly jeopardizes the wages and well-being of our employees. “We have various business continuity measures in place to avoid disruptions to operations and will continue to provide our customers with the great service they expect.”