So, does anyone know what the solution will be for craft people? Everyone is hearing unsubstantiated rumors but nothing factual. Outside techs, inside techs?
22 replies (most recent on top)
Most of us are in our 40s and 50s have families to support and 32 bucks an hour just does not cut it in this new world.
You don't want a living wage.
You want a living in luxury wage.
I guarantee every single prem thec in this company will jump ship and go to work for Black rock for a opportunity to make a livable wage and not be treated like sh-t day in and day out we are treated like children. Most of us are in our 40s and 50s have families to support and 32 bucks an hour just does not cut it in this new world.
These Craft employees will accept these new management roles with no back fill for the position they are leaving behind, eliminating a craft job.
LMAO. The word is out among craft. Going into management isn't a "promotion". It's definitely a paycut to become a first line. Good luck getting to second line or higher before getting the pink slip.
Hear me out. This is just my opinion.
The solution is simple! After the company has thousands of new management positions open. Due to the great management RTO/resignation of 2023. They will start offering Craft employees “promotions” like crazy. These Craft employees will accept these new management roles with no back fill for the position they are leaving behind, eliminating a craft job. Fast forward to the next layoff event, and hand them their pink slips. Done and done.
“ You saw "Black Rock" somewhere on the internet and you now an expert.”
Perhaps you need to research it. ATT is in a joint venture with Black Rock. It’s called Gigapower and they are building fiber networks with all contract labor. Coming soon to your state.
Yes I am well aware of Gigapower that is out of region. When they try come to the 22 state region, they will receive the proper welcome.
To be replaced with Black Rock contractors. Five year plan.
Prey tell. Where will these magical contractors come from? AT&T employees ready to leave for a contractor? Maybe you think there is an army of retirees ready to leave their life of pension and 401K distributions to come back to a company they spent their life trying to retire from?
You need not answer. RTO mandates will likely sanitize you from the company.
“ You saw "Black Rock" somewhere on the internet and you now an expert.”
Perhaps you need to research it. ATT is in a joint venture with Black Rock. It’s called Gigapower and they are building fiber networks with all contract labor. Coming soon to your state.
To be replaced with Black Rock contractors. Five year plan.
2 hours ago by Anonymous | 2 reactions (+1/-1)
Post ID: @pjh+1o1gV2Xx
You saw "Black Rock" somewhere on the internet and you now an expert. You are a fool. You are the kind of salary stealing clown that AT&T needs to desperately divest itself from.
I don't think they will be laying off any Prem techs. It's the top craft personnel that will be leaving by inverse seniority.
4 hours ago by Anonymous | 3 reactions (+2/-1)
Post ID: @vvn+1o1gV2Xx
I'm sorry. Prem Techs are appendix J. They are and have been disposable employees. Do I think it is right, I do not.
To be replaced with Black Rock contractors. Five year plan.
Sounds like the Prem tech titles (whatever they are called in each region) far exceed the traditional Customer Service Tech.
Perhaps the union, looking out for its own best interest ,will decide to help the majority of dues payers.
There has been ongoing craft (occupational) surpluses, reorgs and job relocations for years, nothing new. How small or large the layoff after the MOA expires for outside forces will depend on how much money from the BEAD project AT&T secures. They have already reduced crews due to attrition and surpluses. They rarely backfill or increase headcount anymore, just rearrange the chairs according to a subjective, needs of the business whether it makes sense or not. Outside techs turfs and areas of coverage have expanded greatly, the result is increased drive time, forced overtime and more weekend coverage.
Management is upset because layoffs, reorgs and job relocation has arrived for them, on a scale that occupational has had to endure for years. Don’t forget, all of these decisions are a direct result of failed leadership’s business decisions. Bickering among employees is pointless, bottom line…everyone (management & occupational) is here to either support themselves or their families. Be concerned about the things that matter, the rest is just noise!
“ Apparently Mastec is hiring technicians, in many states, for outside tech jobs in preparation for next year.”
southeast wireline expires next august 2024 and mastec has no telephony job openings in Atlanta on there website. I do think they are wanting to go this direction but the post is not factual yet.
“ Where have you been? They've been laying off prem techs for years.”
Well I can say we have at least 7k Prem/Wire techs So apparently we still have a ways to go.
That number is way over the CST/ST numbers.
So get ready.
I don't think they will be laying off any Prem techs. It's the top craft personnel that will be leaving by inverse seniority.
Apparently Mastec is hiring technicians, in many states, for outside tech jobs in preparation for next year.
And if you've seen the quality of work they do because there's no ownership of the plant and work area you'd understand why Mobility network su-ks so badly.
There will be no offer to leave. The company will cut techs dramatically in 2024.
You are contradicting yourself.
They company doesn't fire union personnel as easily as managers. There are rules and severance to be paid out.
The groups with terrible contract terms and low severance will be hit first. Example: Prem techs
Where have you been? They've been laying off prem techs for years.
Apparently Mastec is hiring technicians, in many states, for outside tech jobs in preparation for next year.
The leadership for the field is currently looking for “out of box” ideas to keep techs busy.
The only reason that is even happening is because an agreement was made to not layoff craft in 2023.
There will be no offer to leave. The company will cut techs dramatically in 2024. If the old timers choose to stay they will just be that much closer to working weekends and holidays.
The groups with terrible contract terms and low severance will be hit first.
Example: Prem techs
They don’t have the same protection from a good contract. The cut will be so deep that a reorganization will occur pushing existing CST titles in prem work. This will cause the CST groups to rethink if they want to stay as they will now be working schedules the prem techs hated.
If you already work in fiber or mobility you are the lucky ones. Areas that are copper be prepared to “follow the work” if you have seniority. Turn down the move and just like the management group YOU have decided to resign.
So, does anyone know what the solution will be for craft people?
The solutions are publicly available in the CWA/IBEW union contract per district.
2024 bloodbath
Just show us the money and I'm sure the company will insta-fail when one-third of the work force retires. We're already at bare-bones staffing.
15,000 or more managers out the door 2023.
2024 bloodbath
no citable source