AT&T workers in Mississippi, 8 other states on strike over 'unfair labor practices'

Thousands of AT&T workers in the Southeast, including Mississippi, have walked off the job.

The more than 20,000 employees who work for the telecommunications giant are striking over what the Communications Workers of America union is calling "unfair labor practices" by management during negotiations for a new contract. 

The previous agreement expired on Aug. 3.

The group has filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board against AT&T for not bargaining in "good faith" and not sending the proper representatives to the bargaining table. 

“We entered these negotiations prepared to bargain in good faith with AT&T to address our members’ concerns and to work together to find solutions,” said Richard Honeycutt, the vice president of the union's southeast district, in a statement. 

“Our talks have stalled because it has become clear that AT&T has not sent negotiators who have the power to make decisions so we can move forward toward a new contract," he said. 

The strike began midnight Friday in nine states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. Employees involved in the protest include technicians, customer service representatives and others who install equipment and provide support. 

Strike scenes in Mississippi included workers in Tupelo and McComb.

In a statement Saturday, AT&T said they were "surprised and disappointed" at the timing of the strike, when the company, in negotiations, were offering terms that would help employees or put them even better off.

Nonetheless, the company said they were prepared for the strike and that in the event of work stoppage, they will "continue working hard to serve our customers." 

“A strike is in no one’s best interest. We remain ready to sit down with union leaders to listen to their concerns and work with them on negotiating a new, improved contract for our employees," AT&T said in a statement.

“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."

Additional unfair labor practice charges, the union said in a statement, have been filed against the AT&T in Florida for illegally disciplining members for wearing union gear and for participating in activities that are protected under the National Labor Relations Act.

Yihyun Jeong covers politics in Nashville for USA TODAY NETWORK - TENNESSEE. Reach her at yjeong@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @yihyun_jeong.

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