Union members at AT&T Southeast are striking in Louisville and other major cities after collective bargaining for workers in the Southeast region failed.

The Communications Workers of America union has filed a complaint against AT&T Southeast with the National Labor Relations Board and began a strike at 3 p.m. Friday “to protest unfair labor practices by management during negotiations on a new collective agreement,” said Tim Morris, executive director of the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council.

AT&T spokesman Jim Kimberly said the company had plans in place to avoid disruption to daily operations and was disappointed by the failed negotiations.

“We are disappointed that union leaders are calling for a strike at this point in the negotiations instead of focusing their energies on constructive discussions at the bargaining table,” he said. “This action unnecessarily puts the wages and welfare of our employees at risk.”

Around 17,000 workers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee are on strike after their collective bargaining agreement expired in early August. The CWA and AT&T have been in negotiations since June 25.

Nationwide, the CWA represents more than 150,000 AT&T workers in various bargaining units. In Kentucky, about 600 workers are affected, Carolyn Cain, campaign director for CWA District 3, told the Courier Journal.

The CWA has filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against AT&T “for failing to negotiate in good faith, engaging in superficial negotiations, and failing to send representatives with decision-making authority to the bargaining table,” according to a press release announcing the strike.

“Our union entered into negotiations in good faith to achieve a fair contract, but at the table we encountered company representatives who were unable to explain their own bargaining proposals and did not appear to have the actual bargaining authority required by the legal obligation to negotiate in good faith,” said Richard Honeycutt, vice president of CWA District 3, in the press release.

Earlier this year, Kimberly told the Courier Journal that AT&T “values ​​our union-represented employees and supports their well-being with wages and benefits that are among the best in the country. As one of the largest employers of union-represented employees in the U.S., we are committed to providing fair agreements that recognize the work they do every day serving our customers.”

He said the company had conducted “substantial negotiations” from the start and reached three agreements for more than 13,000 employees by 2024.

The CWA had already gone on strike during negotiations in 2019 because of “unfair labor practices” by management.

Morris said the workers are striking during normal working hours and the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council is supporting them by supplying bottled water and snacks.

“They will strike until they are called back. Possibly until they get a collective agreement,” Morris told the Courier Journal.

Here’s what else you should know:

What does the CWA want in its new contract with AT&T?

The negotiations affect Southeast AT&T employees in customer service, sales consultants, service technicians, cable technicians and field technicians.

Cain had already told the Courier Journal in late June that the union’s goals included improving health insurance benefits for active employees and retirees, “significant” wage increases with a cost-of-living adjustment, and work-life balance measures.

Strikes at AT&T AT&T and its union begin negotiations on a new contract. What this means for Kentucky

The union also wants to achieve increased job security for its members and the creation of more jobs at AT&T.

Could the AT&T strike affect my phone service?

Due to the AT&T Southeast customer strike, individuals and businesses needing service technicians, cable technicians, customer service or sales assistance may experience delays.

Business reporter Olivia Evans contributed to this report. Marina Johnson is a breaking and trending news reporter for the Courier Journal. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: AT&T Southeast union strikes over expired contract, negotiations fail