DirecTV call center workers join CWA

Workers at a DirecTV call center in Huntsville, Ala. joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA) this week, with an overwhelming showing of support for union representation. There are more than 700 employees at the Alabama call center. CWA represents call center workers across the country.

DirecTV, now owned by AT&T, remained neutral during the campaign. The experience of these DirecTV employees demonstrates what happens -- even in the Deep South -- when employers allow workers to make a free choice about union representation. Call center workers seeking a union are particularly vulnerable to employer threats, given the mobility of their work.

DirecTV’s neutral position stands in stark contrast to that of T-Mobile, where workers have been fired and disciplined for their union support. The National Labor Relations Board has cited T-Mobile for nationwide violation of labor law, and T-Mobile surpasses even Wal-Mart for labor law abuse.

The newly-organized DirecTV workers in Alabama are looking forward to joining the CWA family.

"I have never been a part of a union, I'm excited to have one now,” said Princess Pettigrew, who works at the call center. “Somebody has got our back at work."

DirecTV Call Center Workers Join CWA (CWA, Mar. 17, 2016)

As T-Mobile Rises, Questions Emerge Over Treatment of Workers, Consumers (Huffington Post, Feb. 23, 2016)

NLRB Judge Finds T-Mobile US Guilty of More Labor Law Violations (CWA, Aug. 4, 2015)