Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Thanks for reposting. Couldn’t agree more. I do not work in craft, but my work does impact craft sometimes. It’s about to impact you guys dramatically. I hope for the better in regards to you having to not make so many calls. I sincerely hate to see anyone lose their job. Agree with the OP, whenever I meet someone in craft I ask them a million questions about their job, issues they have. What can we/I do to make their lives better? That kind of thing. Please stop bashing the folks you call managers. I don’t manage anyone other than myself, though I have that title. My job is to solve customer problems just like most of you.

I cannot like your post enough OP.

@Xl9wZT2-mra: This can definitely happen but its a two way street, techs sometimes like to paint themselves as the noble warriors in alot of these threads and that's just not always the case. Alot of us have seen both sides of the fence, and honestly back in my days as a first level manager I loved having union employees because the rules were clearly spelled out in the contract. If I couldn't get through to you or help you on performance I brought in the steward to help get you on the path.

Most managers I work with (L2) believe that 95 percent of technicians want and try to do the right thing. The numbers have always been a source of contention from when they started, but they won't go away. You should hear how many calls I am on where field managers and regional staff try and stick up for their craft employees, as surprising as that may sound. Its in their best interest for you to do well. I am sure it does not seem that way from your end. There is definitely more we can do to make the jobs better, no doubt.

I’m sure the comments are not towards all management especially management who don’t have craft, however 1st lines tend to be pawns that just do (write up techs) when told by 2nd lines. So respect goes out the window when your not allowed to think for yourself. The most a good manager can do is filter what sh*t is thrown down hill. Union vs Management will always exist if the agenda is always to cut a dollar. You can’t be a good manager on the techs side when upper managements agenda is to apply pressure and increase stress for numbers. You can try but you’ll be molded into a pawn eventually.