AT&T Broadband workers gain CWA representation in South Hills, PA
140 workers win representation in "card-check" rather than election
Led by a strong inside committee, 140 workers at AT&T Broadband in South Hills, Pa., won CWA representation through a card check election in March. Workers at the company’s facility in South Hills are the fifteenth group of AT&T Broadband employees to gain union representation through CWA.
The victory was a long time coming for the workers at the suburban Pittsburgh facility. Their first election for CWA representation occurred last August. They narrowly lost the election but won a another shot at representation in January, when a Third Party neutral ruled that local AT&T management violated neutrality election guidelines in the election.
To remedy the violation, the Third Party neutral granted "card check" rights to the workers. He also reduced their waiting period for a new election from 1 year to 6 months. To gain recognition in a card check, a majority of workers must turn in cards authorizing CWA representation.
The victory is credited to the workers’ inside committee, who collected cards, and discussed campaign issues with their co-workers. Issues included the lack of a voice in the workplace, arbitrary day-to-day treatment by management and changes in benefits.
