AT&T Mobility Bargaining Opening Statement

January 21, 2009

Today CWA and AT&T will begin historic negotiations. Historic, not only because this will be the largest labor negotiations this year, but also because the political climate in the country has changed. President Obama's swearing in Tuesday has helped set our country on a new course. A course that will include good paying jobs to help the economic stimulus package succeed, as opposed to just bailouts. Part of the stimulus package will be a major build-out of the nation's high-speed Internet networks in both rural and urban areas that will help bring the United States back to their leadership position in the communication industry. Once passed, this will create many job opportunities for CWA as well as continued revenue growth for AT&T. As we are willing to use our political influence to help in this endeavor, it does not come unconditional. We must insist that our Members have careers – not just jobs. Careers that have decent wages that will afford them the opportunity to support their families – not to qualify for state aid. Wages that will help pay for their healthcare costs. Wages that will help send their kids to college and pay their bills without worrying if they have enough money to keep them warm in the winter. Careers that will give them the opportunity to advance within the entire company – not just within Mobility. Careers that will have a future. A future that will require training and retraining to guarantee their success. Careers that will allow them to work to retirement age with a pension that they can live on. A retiree healthcare plan that will see to their needs without having to choose between eating or buying their medicine.

We will also be negotiating for RESPECT issues.  Respect for the workers, respect for the Union, respect for the customers who deserve trained qualified employees. 

We are quite aware of the country's economic crisis, but AT&T is a Fortune 10 corporation with the economic means to provide a decent contract to our Members.  AT&T is a $150 billion corporation with $123 billion in sales.   They have enjoyed a plus 88 percent sales growth in the last year.  This is a direct result of CWA Members' dedication and hard work.  Most recent studies have predicted that Smart Phones are recession-proof.  As customers upgrade to these devices, it will only increase revenue for AT&T.  According to a ComScore study, nearly 30 percent of cell phone owners report paying more than $100 per month. 

We are not bargaining in a vacuum.  While the Company would like us to believe that we are here only to address the Orange Contract  -- using your words "WE ARE ONE AT&T".  We will look to all of CWA and the entire labor community to help us in our efforts.  As I stated earlier, this is the largest labor agreement to be negotiated this year.  The entire country will be watching.  We have the privilege to go first and the duty to deliver a fair and just contract that our Members will ratify. 

Let me be perfectly clear.  CWA is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to secure a contract with AT&T.  Our strike fund is healthy – our Membership is mobilized – our resolve is strong – and our cause is just.  We do not view our task lightly.  We have a tremendous opportunity to negotiate a breakthrough agreement and we will not settle for anything less.