Peter Boutte, right, has spent nearly 50 years with the CWA. He said the support from drivers in New Iberia has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Several members of the Communications Workers of America took to the streets in New Iberia to protest what they claim are unfair labor practices by AT&T.

Across the Southeast, over 17,000 workers have joined the protest following claims that AT&T did not bargain in good faith during the latest contract negotiations, citing negotiators from AT&T being sent without any authority to make decisions.

“AT&T’s representatives at the bargaining table seem to have little authority to make decisions or enter into agreements, and on occasion have even been unable to explain their own proposals,” said the CWA in a prepared statement. “AT&T came to the bargaining table yesterday and read from a script that appears could have been written by their attorney, accusing CWA of bargaining in bad faith. When the Union asked for the Company’s definition and specific examples of bad faith bargaining, AT&T’s representatives were not able to explain their accusations. At times, they have been unable to have discussions with us about the issues at the bargaining table, including one of their own proposals yesterday.”

Several of the CWA’s demands center on wages, with a general wage increase and annual cost-of-living adjustment being one of the union’s demands from the new contract.

Peter Boutte, a digital technician at AT&T with almost 50 years of service at Lafayette-based CWA Local 3406, said that the union members have been demonstrating since Saturday and will continue until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached and the unfair labor practices end.

AT&T representatives have denied that the company is breaking any labor laws.

“CWA’s claims of unfair labor practices are not grounded in fact,” the company said. “We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1 and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits our hard-working employees.”

Earlier this year, AT&T reached several other agreements with employees in other states, something the company claims is evidence that they are committed to reaching a deal.

Local 3406’s 471 members encompass Lafayette and the surrounding areas. Demonstrations are also being held in cities across Acadiana.