The CWA, which represents the striking AT&T workers, says its members are looking for a contract that delivers increased wages and benefits, including more for healthcare, and claims the company violated the National Labor Relations Act by not bargaining in good faith to come up with a contract that addresses these demands.

The Dallas-based telecom giant denies the claim.

“We’re disappointed that union leaders would call for a strike at this point in the negotiations rather than directing their energies toward constructive discussions at the bargaining table. This action needlessly jeopardizes the wages and well-being of our employees,” an AT&T spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

CWA Local 3204 in Atlanta President Ed Barlow says the lack of bargaining is the direct cause of the strike.

“If the company doesn’t want to send the right representative to the table, our members are prepared to stay out and strike as long as we have to to get the company to do the right thing at the bargaining table,” Barlow said.

“We appreciate the mediator’s efforts. Our message to AT&T is: no more excuses. It’s time to get serious about bargaining so we can get back to work serving our customers,” CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt said in a press release.

AT&T doesn’t want to treat their workers fairly. Therefore they care less about the customer and more about profit