Unionized employees at AT&T have voted to ratify new collective bargaining agreements covering approximately 23,000 workers across the U.S. Southeast and West regions, the company announced on Friday. The agreements, reached with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), mark a significant step for the telecommunications giant as it looks to solidify its 5G and fibre network growth.
The five-year contract with CWA District 3 in the Southeast, which expires in August 2029, impacts around 15,000 workers in technician, call centre, and other customer service roles in nine states, including Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. A four-year agreement with CWA District 9 in California and Nevada covers 8,400 workers in similar roles and is set to expire in April 2028.
“These new agreements position the company for sustainable growth and ensure we continue to recognize the work our employees do every day to serve our customers,” said Jamie Barton, senior vice-president of Global Human Resources and Labour Relations at AT&T.
The agreements provide wage increases, expanded healthcare benefits, and retirement security, with AT&T emphasizing that these terms help maintain its commitment to employee wellbeing. Specifics of the contracts include market-based wage increases that outpace inflation, improvements in scheduling stability, and strengthened job security, according to the company.
AT&T, the largest employer of unionized workers in the U.S. telecommunications sector, has now secured 18 labour agreements since 2022, including seven this year. These agreements cover over 62,000 unionized employees across the country.
The CWA has not issued a statement following the ratification, but the new contracts come at a time when telecommunications companies face increased pressure to adapt to growing consumer demand for high-performance wireless and fibre services.
As AT&T continues to focus on expanding its next-generation networks, Barton said the company’s workforce is essential in meeting the evolving needs of its customers and ensuring the business remains competitive in the telecommunications market.