Protesting layoffs at AT&T

GREENSBORO, N.C.--Union members and activists took to the pavement here on November 15 to demand justice for workers and an end to layoffs at telecommunications giant AT&T.

AT&T, of course, posted record growth in the third quarter of 2010, including $31.6 billion in consolidated revenues. But its employees in North Carolina's Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) continue to come under attack.

Over the last year, AT&T workers have been laid off while their co-workers who remain employed are forced to work vast amounts of overtime. Benefits have been coming under pressure as the company tries to grab hold of any money it can.

In response, Communication Workers of American Local 3607 called for a protest outside the AT&T's local headquarters as management called in workers to lay them off. Among the activists who responded were members of Jobs with Justice Triad and the International Socialist Organization.

Around 25 people gathered in the rain to demand preservation of benefits for workers and an end to layoffs. Although we couldn't get onto the property, workers inside the building told us they could hear us.

Workers being called in gave us a thumbs up, a wave or a raised fist. One union member holding the bullhorn yelled to the AT&T manager, "Goldie, go home! The airport's right down the damn road."

This fight isn't going to stop. The CWA workers and those of us who stand in solidarity with them want to get all the laid-off workers rehired and to protect the benefits of AT&T workers. As we chanted, "They get bailed out. We get sold out. You get profits. We get pink slips. We want justice now!"