Are AT&T workers still on strike in Kentucky? Here's how that could impact you

AT&T workers in Louisville and across the Southeast remain on strike for a third week.

Communications Workers of America , the union representing some 17,000 workers in the southeastern U.S., went on strike Aug. 16 after filing an unfair labor practice charge against the telecommunications company, the Courier Journal previously reported .

According to a press release from CWA, which has roughly 600 workers in Kentucky on strike, after the strike started, AT&T and the union entered mediation, a voluntary dispute resolution process used during labor negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement.

Despite this, CWA feels AT&T has utilized the process to stall negotiations.

"Our bargaining team was optimistic that AT&T’s suggestion that we enter mediation ... meant that the company was finally ready to bargain in good faith. Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case. Instead, the company was using the mediation process as another delaying tactic," said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “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.”

AT&T called CWA's withdrawal "unexpected" and said the company remains "focused on reaching a fair and competitive agreement that benefits our hard-working employees as quickly as possible, and this won’t change. In the meantime, we will remain prepared for all contingencies to ensure our customers receive the excellent service they deserve."

What does CWA want in a contract with AT&T?

The negotiations started June 25 in Atlanta before stalling during the ongoing strike. The current contract officially expired Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

In Louisville, Carolyn Cain, the Campaign Lead for CWA District 3, who was previously 2nd vice president of CWA Local 3310 , previously told The Courier Journal the union's goals include improving healthcare benefits for active employees and retirees, "significant" wage increases with a cost-of-living adjustment along with work-life balance measures, among other items. The union would also like to see increased job security for members as well as for AT&T to add more positions.

How does the strike impact me in Kentucky?

The strike could potentially impact customers.

People and businesses who need service technicians, wire technicians, customer service tasks, or sales help may experience delays.

In late August, AT&T experienced a widespread outage . CWA has blamed the company's use of "undertrained managers and contractors to perform maintenance and repairs" as a cause for this outage. At this time, it remains unclear if the outage is a direct result of the ongoing labor strike.

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_ .

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Are AT&T workers still on strike in Kentucky? Here's how that could impact you