AT&T workers strike local retail stores

Retail workers of AT&T walked out of their stores Friday after contract negotiations between AT&T and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) hit a roadblock. CWA Local 7621 President Dirk Marsden said workers are concerned about the company’s “off-shoring” call center and other jobs, compensation plans, and health care. Local workers joined about 40,000 other union members nationwide for a three-day strike beginning at noon Friday. Marsden said workers would return to their jobs at local AT&T stores on Monday. In a statement, AT and T said it had contingencies to serve customers if the strike were to continue beyond Monday. The company remained confident a “fair agreement” can be reached.