AT&T Midwest, CWA extend labor contract while negotiations continue

AT&T (NYSE: T) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have extended the contract between the CWA and AT&T's Midwest and Legacy T workers until April 14 at 12 p.m. EST to allow more time for negotiations between the two parties. The original contract expired April 11 at 12 a.m.

According to a statement from the CWA, at issue are employment security as well as wage increases, retirement and security. CWA members at both AT&T Midwest and Legacy T voted last week to authorize union leaders to call a strike if a fair contract can't be reached.

The CWA represents 13,000 workers at AT&T Midwest and about 4,500 workers at AT&T Legacy T.    

The last time the two parties came together to negotiate a contract was in August 2012. At that time, AT&T and the CWA successfully reached a three-year labor deal.

Labor negotiations have been an ongoing issue for many of the telcos. In February, FairPoint Communications reached a deal with its union workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the CWA unions, ending a four-month strike.

In addition, last month the CWA launched a campaign called "Where's my FiOS?" to try to get Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) to launch service in more cities. 

For more:
- see this CWA statement

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