Occupy AT&T, Not Going Away

The Occupation of AT&T started on February 13th, the day before Valentine’s Day, with 13 tents. The mission was simple; win back 740 good paying union jobs from a company that’s pulling record profits.

Since them the occupation has grown, adding almost a tent every day and exploring creative ways to escalate our campaign to save much needed jobs.

The task is nowhere near over but there has been progress. AT&T is on the defense and we know that they have rescinded 33 of the layoffs, which is a good start.
The last two days there have been multiple mic checks in side of several AT&T buildings and a group meditation on the steps of AT&T in an effort to build compassion in the hearts of seemingly heartless AT&T executives.


This Saturday join workers and their families for a Family fun day at the steps of AT&T.


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

Help AT&T Workers With One Call!!

Today AT&T workers have been summoned to a meeting at AT&T’s Atlanta headquarters, located at 675 West Peachtree St. It is there, in this meeting, where they will be given notice of their official layoff date. Being told you are being laid off is almost always devastating, but in these economic times it can be downright terrifying. With unemployment, foreclosures, and homelessness at record rates, being jobless in this city is no easy feat. To add insult to injury, AT&T had record profits last year, pulling in over $127 million in revenue, and compensated their CEO, Randall Stephenson, over $27 million.

Last week, Occupy Atlanta set up an encampment in front of the building at 675 West Peachtree St to demand AT&T put a stop to these layoffs. We are committed to staying put until all the layoffs are rescinded, and/or all 740 workers will have wage/benefit protection if they are moved to new positions. AT&T has claimed that these workers will be given new job offers, but according to many of the workers, this is news to them. Those who are aware of the new offers, are being asked to take positions with considerably less pay and benefits.

This is exactly how wealth consolidation works. What’s happening at AT&T is symbolic of what has been happening all over the country for decades. The 1% wants to lower the standard of living for the average American worker, all so that they can pocket some extra cash. We can no longer allow them to squeeze every penny they can out of the 99%. The 99% creates the wealth; it is made on our backs. It’s time these big wigs stop getting handouts they don’t need while everyone else suffers.




Please take some time today to send AT&T a message to

STOP ALL THE LAYOFFS!


Email CEO Randall Stephenson at

rs2982@att.com

or

call Michael Matthews, VP of Labor Relations at

(205) 977-0722

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: