CASE STUDY 3: T-MOBILE CONN. FORMS FIRST U.S. UNION
T-Mobile technicians in Connecticut became the company’s first U.S. workers with union representation, voting to join CWA-TU.
Overcoming an intense campaign of management opposition, interference and delays, the 15 workers voted 8-7 for representation. There was one challenged ballot, that of a union supporter; the challenge should not affect the election’s outcome.
“CWA is proud to work with these T-Mobile techs, and with T-Mobile workers in New York who want to organize and bargain for a voice on the job. They stood up for what’s right,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton.
CWA Local 1298 President Bill Henderson said, “This vote made history, with T-Mobile workers fighting back to beat the odds and organize the union voice they want. It showed the desire of people to have a union and an even playing field. Hopefully this will mean a new direction for all working people.”
Bo Larsen, World President of UNI Telecom, representing 3 million workers, was on the ground in Connecticut to observe the election and show the global union movement’s continuing support for the rights of T-Mobile USA workers. “No worker should be intimidated for wanting a union voice and bargaining rights,” he said.