AT&T Workers Vote to Authorize Strike in Texas and Four Other States

Thousands of unionized AT&T workers in Texas have authorized a strike if the Communications Workers of America union can’t reach a new contract with the Dallas-based media and telecommunications company. þþThe contract, which expires Friday, covers retail workers, call center customer service representatives and technicians. Union members voted 98% in favor of giving its union authority to strike. þþBargaining over a new contract between CWA-represented employees and AT&T has been ongoing since Feb. 4. CWA’s 8,000 Southwest Mobility workers account for roughly 3% of the company, according to AT&T. They span Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas and nearly half of the workers are in Texas. þþThe authorization vote doesn’t necessarily mean workers will strike. But in August, 20,000 AT&T workers went on strike in nine states across the southeastern U.S. protesting what union leaders described as unfair labor practices in contract negotiations.