CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville AT&T employees were stationed outside the business on Ashland City Road today, August 26, as part of a five-day strike spanning the Southeast United States. Workers have been on strike since Saturday, August 24.
According to The Communications Workers of America union, AT&T sent negotiators with no decision-making authority to recent contract discussions. This led the union to file an unfair labor practice charge against the company.
Across the Southeast, over 20,000 workers have chosen to take part in the strike. Nine states are currently involved, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and the Carolinas. Over 200 Clarksville technicians are participating, choosing to stand on the picket line in lieu of pay.
According to Misty Robertson of the CWA, AT&T has begun seeking contractors to fill positions. “They’ve put out online the need for contractors to replace us instead of bargaining with us like they should.”
Robertson also said that UPS workers, members of the teamsters union, have offered their support to the striking workers. Trucks passing by the site honked their horns in a seeming show of solidarity.
“They came and told our management team this morning that they would not be delivering any packages because they would not cross the picket line” said Robertson.
TN District 67 State Representative Jason Hodges visited the Clarksville picket line today as well to show his support for the group.
The strike is currently set to end on Wednesday at 9 a.m.