California Labor Federation Sanctions Communications Workers Strike at AT&T West

(Oakland) — The California Labor Federation, representing more than 1,200 local unions and 2.1 million members, today sanctioned a potential strike by workers at AT&T West represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Contract negotiations between AT&T West and CWA continue today. The workers' current contract expires at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, April 8.

Ninety-three percent of workers represented by CWA at AT&T West voted to authorize a strike if negotiations fail to produce a fair contract. The contract negotiations impact more than 18,000 workers represented by CWA at AT&T West in California, Nevada and Hawaii.

“Middle-class supporting jobs are the backbone of our economy,” said California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski. “Large, profitable companies like AT&T have a responsibility to provide a good wage, health care and retirement to their workers. The California labor movement stands in solidarity with workers at AT&T as they continue to fight for a fair contract that provides a decent standard of living for their families.”

AT&T is the largest and most profitable company in the communications industry. It’s the 12th biggest company in America. In 2010, AT&T recorded profits of $19.86 billion on revenues of $124 billion. Last year, AT&T made $20 billion in profits.

The unions of the California Labor Federation, through the strike sanction, fully commit to supporting AT&T workers through public actions and on picket lines if a strike is called.

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