Just when it looked like AT&T was poised to seal the deal with some 17,000 union wireline workers in the West, Communications Workers of America reports that members of its District 9 group voted to reject a proposed new agreement.
In a statement released late last week, CWA notes its members “did not ratify the tentative agreement.” Announced early last month, the tentative contract would have provided pay raises, better job security and retirement benefits, and a continuation of affordable healthcare for AT&T and DirecTV employees across California and Nevada. The contract would have been the first for DirecTV workers.
CWA says it has notified AT&T of the results and is “working on next steps.”
“It’s unfortunate that union members failed to ratify this very fair agreement, which included terms that would make our employees in the contract better off financially,” an AT&T spokesman comments. “As we have throughout the process, we remain committed to working with the union to reach a fair agreement that will allow us to continue to provide solid union careers with wages and benefits that are among the best in the country.”
The spokesman indicates AT&T and the union have “agreed to mediation under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and are working with a mediator” to reach a new agreement.
The rejection comes as a blow to the operator as it continues to work its way through contract negotiations on a number of fronts.
In addition to the 17,000 wireline workers, AT&T is also in the middle of trying to hash out a deal with around 21,000 mobility workers spread across 36 states. Those workers went on a three-day strike back in May, shutting down numerous retail locations.
As of the end of June, CWA said negotiations between AT&T and the mobility workers were still ongoing. The union claimed CWA and AT&T were “still far apart on all major issues, but we will fight as long as it takes.”