AT&T union workers protest end of contract

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - AT&T and Communications Workers of America , the company's largest union, are negotiating a new contract for its workers because the old one is set to expire early Sunday morning.

Wednesday afternoon, CWA workers from the state chapter, Local 4900, and the call center in Fort Wayne protested in want of a better deal. This is the first wage contract Fort Wayne workers will be under since AT&T took over Centennial two years ago, and workers were unionized.

The local representative for the Fort Wayne Call Center, Christopher Arnett, said, "We're wanting our fair share. We're wanting a fair contract, fair wages, fair working conditions, and that's all we're asking for."

AT&T spokesman, Marty Richter, said, "The two sides are continuing to bargain, and we certainly hope to reach an agreement prior to expiration. If that doesn't happen it certainly doesn't mean there will be a strike."

However, a strike is a possibility. In total, more than 20,000 CWA workers nationwide are affected, 3500 in Indiana, and 135 in Fort Wayne that staff the local call center or retail stores. If they were to strike, it could make it difficult for you to get help. 

"We have people that are working poor," Arnett said. "They're working just to maintain life not to live life and that's our main concern. We want a living wage."

Likewise, Angie Combs, a call center worker who said she took a large pay cut when AT&T took over Centennial, said "This is a career. We want to work here for a long time. This is not a job, so we want to make sure we are making the money to do that."

Negotiators on both sides have until 2 a.m. Sunday morning to reach an agreement. However, Richter said if one isn't met, it is likely the negotiations will be extended.