The Communications Workers of America union, which is negotiating on behalf of about 21,000 AT&T wireless employees nationwide, voted to authorize a work stoppage with 93 percent in favor, according to spokeswoman Candice Johnson. In a statement, AT&T said it's confident an agreement will be reached.
The union's main point of contention is job security, and Johnson said the CWA is negotiating to ensure workers in AT&T's U.S. call centers aren't replaced by staff overseas. With negotiations ongoing, the union will hold rallies in 35 cities ahead of a Saturday expiration date of its current contract, she said.
"It seems someone should be pointing out that they are selling service in the U.S. and shifting work to places like India," Johnson said. "President Trump made a lot of promises on the campaign trail, and we are going to hold him to it."