20,000 AT&T workers strike across Southeast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — AT&T workers protested outside the company's offices in southwest Charlotte Saturday morning.

They were holding signs and wearing red.

The protesters' union announced the strike Friday for 20,000 workers in the southeast.

The workers are trying to get a new contract but said AT&T didn't send representatives to negotiate with them.

"We're gonna stand up to them. We're gonna let them know this is not acceptable, this is not fair, this is not fair to the employees," union representative, Michael Roberts said.

The workers on strike include technicians, customer service representatives and others who work on AT&T's home and business services.

The company said the strikes will not affect customers' service. A spokesperson for AT&T told Channel 9 that the company is prepared for a strike and "will continue working hard to serve out customers."

AT&T said it is offering good contract terms, and is baffled that the union called a strike.

AT&T Full Statement:

“A strike would be in no one’s best interest. We’re baffled as to why union leadership would call one when we’re offering terms that would help our employees – some of whom average from $121,000 to $134,000 in total compensation – be even better off.

“We have offered the union terms that are consistent with what other CWA-represented employees have approved in recent contract negotiations; the company has reached 20 fair agreements since 2017 covering more than 89,000 employees.  The Southeast contract covers fewer than 8 percent of our employees.

“We’re prepared for a strike and in the event of a work stoppage, we will continue working hard to serve our customers.”

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