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Local CWA members strike AT&T

Jan McDonald , , , , ,
Members of the CWA in Demopolis greet motorists as they hold their signs. From left are Chris Webb, Fred Roemen, Roy Rutledge and Nick Fendley.

Striking members of the Communication Workers of America lifted their signs in thanks when cars honked as they passed by.

Local members of the CWA set up a tent and chairs on Pettus Street across from Demopolis Middle School Tuesday to draw attention to their strike against AT&T.

The 15 local employees of CWA are joining fellow workers throughout nine southeastern states in the strike over unfair labor practices.

Nick Fendley, a cable splicer with the local office, said the contract with the company expired August 3. Fendley said the negotiator AT&T sent to the bargaining table did not have the authority to make any decisions.

He said the CWA decided to file unfair labor practice charges against the company and go on strike so that AT&T would send someone to the table who can make decisions. The move seems to have worked, he said, since negotiations started up again on Monday with an authorized negotiator on hand.