AT&T is cutting more than 4,700 jobs

AT&T will cut more than 3,400 jobs for technicians and employees, and will cut 1,300 additional jobs in retail, the airline said on Tuesday Communications Workers of America. The layoffs will affect jobs across the country as AT&T closes more than 250 AT&T Mobility and Cricket Wireless stores.

“When we’re at war to keep our economy going [COVID-19] Crisis, why is AT&T firing the troops? “said Chris Shelton, CWA President.” AT&T could lead the country to recovery by working with its employees to build next-generation networks. Instead, the company is aggravating the pain of the ongoing recession. “

AT&T said that employees who are being cut will be offered severance and health insurance for up to six months. There is also a voluntary severance payment of up to $ 100,000 for landline technicians. Retail employees are offered another position in the company, most of which are work-from-home jobs.

According to Joe Snyder, president of CWA Local 4302 in Akron, Ohio, and an AT&T, CWA suspects the job will be transferred to “poorly paid contractors who don’t have the same training, experience, and commitment as CWA members “Technician.

“These measures are in line with our focus on growth areas, lower customer demand for some legacy products, and the economic impact and changing customer behavior resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic, “said AT&T in an emailed statement.” There will be targeted, but substantial, reductions in our workforce among managers, managers and unionized employees. ”

. As a result, in line with our previously announced transformation initiative, there will be a targeted but significant staff reduction among executives, managers and unionized employees. In addition, we will eliminate more non-wage workers, the vast majority of whom are outside the United States, than managers or union employees. Reducing our workforce is a difficult decision that we don’t take lightly. For employees who leave the company as part of these changes, we offer eligible employees severance payments and health insurance provided by the company for up to 6 months. ”