Historic Win For AT&T Workers In The Southeast

Today at 11am Occupy Atlanta, Communication Workers of America Local 3204 and Atlanta Jobs with Justice came together at the corporate offices of AT&T, 675 West Peachtree Street to celebrate a historic win for AT&T workers in the southeast. For the first time in years workers and allies stood up to mass layoffs at the hands of a corporation that year after year increases the pay of its top executives at the cost of everyone else in the company.

AT&T workers had previously received a letter from the company in December 2011 informing them that there would be 740 layoffs in the southeast. AT&T’s announced slashing of good, middle class jobs followed an email graciously thanking its employees for creating record profits for the telecommunications giant while CEO Randall Stevenson was paid out a record $27 million.

On February 13th, activists staged a sit-in at AT&T’s Atlanta corporate offices in protest to the announced layoffs, 12 people(including myself) where arrested for refusing to leave until layoffs were rescinded. The next day, hundreds of community supporters rallied outside the complex and launched a 42 day long tent occupation demanding that AT&T stop the layoffs and those scheduled to occur on March 15th.

As a result of the coalition’s work, AT&T reduced its announced layoffs by 255 from the original announced 740, and the March 15th layoff numbers were lower than any period in recent history, stopping potentially hundreds more that had been scheduled to occur. During the occupation, the company also cut its CEO Randall Stephenson’s pay by $2 million.


This victory at AT&T may be just the start. The organizers hope that the fight back will inspire workers around the country to take direct action against corporate greed and such examples of the continued economic injustice against 99%. The bold series of actions against AT&T’s layoffs and greed, put the 1% on notice- that the days when grossly profitable corporations can carelessly layoff workers and undermine the economic security of hundreds of working families, are over.

American Friends Service Committee has been excited to be a part of the campaign, and we’ve been there every step of the way. This morning we served breakfast to all the fulltime occupiers to make sure everyone was well fed as we prepared to breakdown the encampment. Later this week Communication Workers of America will host an appreciation dinner for all the hard working occupiers who made this victory possible.

Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

A Report From The Occupation Of AT&T

Last night I shot some footage of folks talking about why they Occupy AT&T:


Today marked nine days since the Occupation of AT&T's Atlanta HQ began,and everything seems to be growing. From public awareness to the number of people camping, things are definately moving.

They morning kicked off with email blasts around the country asking folks to call/email AT&T and tell them to rescind all layoffs. I know that by 1pm Michael Mathews phone, AT&t's VP of labor relations,had taken so many calls is was simply ringing endlessly.

Our plan for the day was to serve breakfast to workers who were showing up for a really tough meeting. There where meeting scheduled at 9:30am and 1:30pm for workers to recieve their layoff packages. At noon we held a press conference with some of the workers who felt safe enough to give interviews. After the press conference we decided to take AT&t'S courtyard to send a clear message, "Not On Our Backs!".

America's working class has been on bended knee for too long. It is time to draw a line in the sand and straighten out our spines. Atlanta, and the rest of the country for that matter, can't afford layoffs, especially from companies that are pulling unthinkanle profits year to year, corporations that insist on compensating CEO'S to the tune of 27 million at the cost of 740 working class jobs. This practice of discarding workers like trash is unaccptable.

Together we can turn the corner and regulate corporate greed. AT&T is an important forst step for us in Atlanta. Help us send a message to corportate Atlanta that we can't afford one more layoff.




Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Occupy Recovery

Tony came to our newest camp today for the first time. He had been missing from OA for over a week. We found out why today.

Tony's story is inspiring, but not unique. Everyone finds something different in an occupation. Tony found freedom from addiction.

Tony is part of a growing number of shelterless people that have found recovery from addiction through Occupy Atlanta. They all say that the sense of purpose and duty give them the inspiration to get help, and be a part of something. For Tony, and others, Occupy Atlanta is a starting point. Most of them seek out other help from support groups as well, but Tony and Copper both say that Occupy Atlanta is what gave them the strenth to fight their addictions.


This Wednesday at 5pm at the AT&T occupation(675 west peachtree st) there will be a 12-step recovery meeting for anyone that wants to join in. Several occupiers have expressed an interest in creating more space for this sort of thing. All are welcomed!



Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee

Occupy at&t Day 5!

Each day new tents and new occupiers show up! It's really exciting to have folks come out and camp who have never done anything like this before. We already have several organized workers camping with us, and this weekend Local 3204 CWA president plans to pitch a tent. Exciting stuff.

If you're in Atlanta, feel free to come down! 675 West Peachtree street. Can't miss us. Stay for a minute, of stay all night. Be a part of history:)

Video Update: