July 16, 2020

Today AT&T announced they are seeking a voluntary reduction in the number of Premises Technicians they employ.  The company is offering an additional $5,000 to the layoff allowance as an incentive for Premises Technicians in select locations to leave the company.

Today’s announcement is in addition to the Company’s announcement made last month of an enhanced General SIPP also in the AFO organization.

These have been stressful times for our members at AT&T.  While jobs cuts are always a difficult pill to swallow the good news is that all of the employees who are leaving AT&T are doing it on their own terms.  These members saved the jobs of hundreds of their Sisters and Brothers who were not ready to be left jobless.  They also allowed other employees to move into new positions throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana. 

We thank everyone who had the courage to work together and save the jobs of the hard-working AT&T employees who are members of our Local. An additional thank you goes out to your Union Stewards and Union Staff who tirelessly worked to help our members who had questions about the preferences, headcount reductions and retirement.

While no one can guarantee what may happen in the future, today we all can once again breathe a sigh of relief and then lace up our boots and continue to address the many questions and concerns created by today’s announcement.