AT&T workers on strike, including those in Middle Georgia

CWA Local 3217 filed an unfair labor practice charge against AT&T.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – AT&T workers in several states are on strike right now amid union negotiations.

Workers picketed in Macon on Friday. Jerry Booth, a wire technician for AT&T, says he hopes the situation gets resolved soon.

“All of really us are excited to get back to work,” he said. “That’s what we really want to do. We’re out here because we feel we need to, but there’s definitely a sense of unease knowing that we’re in a situation of uncertainty at the time.”

The President of CWA Local 3217, Chuck Gordon, said they filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company. They’re alleging AT&T has not been bargaining over their contract in good faith.

“They don’t understand their own proposals, they can’t answer questions, when they do make agreements, they’re coming back the next day and backing out,” Gordon said. “And until they get ready to bargain in good faith, we’re going to stand strong.”

Gordon claims AT&T is only bargaining with them over what he says are smaller issues, not the larger ones he says they’re legally required to address.

“We’re just trying to get to a point so we can talk about those economic issues, and we’re not at that point right now,” he said. “We’ve been trying to get there for two months. They’ve been bargaining since early July.”

Booth says morale on the picket line is strong and focused.

“We’re out here in solidarity,” he said. “We’re definitely out here supporting everything that we fought for in the past and wanting everyone to have good representation with the company.”

Gordon says they’re ready to strike a fair deal.

“We’re ready to go to work whenever AT&T is ready to get up and bargain in good faith,” he said. “We’ll be back out drawing in our paychecks and providing service for our customers.”