As unfortunate as it might be, it looks like our scoop this past Tuesday was indeed spot-on and AT&T Mobility reps could be preparing to strike as early as today. While often necessary, strikes are never a good thing and in almost all instances everyone involved hopes a strike can be avoided. Sometimes a good old fashioned picket sign-wielding march around HQ is inevitable however, and it’s looking more and more like that is the case for AT&T Mobility reps fighting for what they believe to more fair compensation, employment and working conditions.
Thanks for the image, Papi!
Here’s what we know: The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union has voted, with a huge 85 percent yes vote, to authorize a strike for over 20,000 unionized AT&T Mobility employees. If union leaders do not come to terms with AT&T, the strike could begin as soon as today in 37 states where contracts are set to expire at 12:01 am tomorrow, February 8th.
Here’s what we think (thanks, tipsters!): There will be several states that do not strike initially, if indeed AT&T Mobility workers do strike. Among those states are Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and possibly Oklahoma and Indiana. Many of the workers in these regions may be called upon to cover heavily-trafficked stores in striking regions which will no doubt create a bit of tension. In fact, low-traffic stores in strike states may even be closed temporarily to provide more coverage in higher volume stores. Beyond that, we have word that staffing agencies are already being called upon (as early as this past Tuesday, in fact) to seek out coverage for stores in affected regions which certainly doesn’t go far to instill confidence on AT&T’s side of the bargaining table. Of course we’re hoping this is merely a cautionary measure and AT&T is still doing everything in its power to avoid a strike.
Any strike is not to be taken lightly but in today’s economic climate we’re rooting extra hard for both sides to put in overtime at the bargaining table until an amicable and mutually beneficial agreement can be reached. We also hope that striking AT&T employees bear the current economic conditions in mind when coming in contact with temporary workers. Millions of Americans have been laid off over the past year and work is work. In the end, let’s all just hope for a quick resolution so we can get back to making snarky comments about AT&T’s 3G speeds without the strike looming over our heads (joking fellas, you know we love you).
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
