There hasn't been a strike for years. Unions have lost their power, especially in "right to work" states like Florida. How can a union negotiate better job security when the company is hiring more and more contractors that they can terminate at any time and they don't have to pay them any benefits or severance pay? The company must stay competitive in order to exist, so what is the point of the unions anyway? There's simply no job security with any company today, with or without unions, for management or non-management employees. We're all there until the bean counters can find a way to replace us with cheaper labor by outsourcing or eliminating our jobs. The world has changed, and not just AT&T. It's sad to watch. I've lost so many close friends and my AT&T family to layoffs this year, and they're not done yet... We all know that we can be in the next wave of layoffs because they will never end.
4 replies (most recent on top)
Don't bring up unions. There is always so much angst when unions go on strike. Everyone thinks they are entitled to this and that. Guess what... Someone else picks up the dirty work when people strike.
Sooner or later people realise work can be consolidated... Think about it
very true and very sad
the union is not going to strike. CWA is only interested in dues. Read the CWA web site and you will see nothing but how hard the union leadership is working. Not one word on layoffs even though their will be union jobs included in the downsizing. As for the outsourcing, until the people wake up and dump all the politicians from BOTH party's nothing will change. People ignore reality until it hits them. How many people are gone and how many people are asking why? Why does ATT think only wireless services will be needed in the future? How many people say it wont involve their department. Read posts here and you will see a lot of people think it will be the other guy not my department and my work.
Sad,
I remember the 2 day walk out a few years ago and I had to "fill-in" for those 2 days, since I'm a first level manager. A very large number of the union folks already filled out the paperwork declaring that they will go to work in case of a strike. I was craft (union) for Illinois Bell years ago and we had a short strike once and I honored the line. But I think with all the advances in technology our network can last a month or so with not too much trouble. I hope there is not a strike but I also think that most people can't afford a strike. Also, when the company forces managers to watch so many video's, costing countless millions, about 2020 it is apparent that most of us won't be here in 2020 so what are they striking for? . There is no job security to strike for and the company is 'bragging' about all the layoffs that will happen by 2020. I would say to the union folks to work all the overtime you can and not strike and save your money and pay your bills down.