December 9, 2014

Today, AT&T announced that they will be reducing headcount in the Construction & Engineering Department (C&E). This reduction will affect Cable Splicing Technicians in Illinois.

Over the past several days, representatives from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 21 (IBEW 21) have been in discussions with AT&T over their planned announcement. Your IBEW 21 leadership is disappointed in this decision made by upper management. However, we feel that we have reached a satisfactory agreement to avert a surplus in C&E.

Our talks have been focused on avoiding job losses for those effected by the company’s change in direction and making sure that the preference and potential forces are managed correctly by AT&T. To avoid a surplus condition in C&E, Cable Splicing Technicians in Illinois are being asked to complete a preference for openings in Construction and Engineering, Business Services, Infrastructure Management, or Service Delivery & Assurance (SD&A).

AT&T management distributed preference forms to effected employees today, December 9, 2014. IBEW 21 leadership is encouraging all effected employees to fill out their preference forms and return them to management by Monday, December 15, 2014, 5:00 p.m.

If it becomes necessary, force moves will then be made by inverse seniority.

First and foremost, our priority is to keep our members working. As we continue through this preference process, please trust that we understand that this is frustrating to our members. At the same time, we must recognize that not all surpluses can be mitigated to this degree.

Due to the AT&T Management’s haste in releasing this preference, we realize our members may have questions and concerns. As concerns arise, Local 21 staff will be available to assist in resolving these issues.

As always, Union updates on verified information will be released as necessary.