AT&T; Strikers Welcomed Back by Management

Management and customers welcomed members of AT&T;’s largest union back to work Friday after a 26-day strike, greeting some with balloons and posters or coffee and doughnuts.

“It’s been a long four weeks, and I am glad to go back to work,” said Richard Salazar, an operator in Salt Lake City.

Returning workers at a dozen AT&T; offices in northeastern New York were greeted after the strike ended at midnight Thursday by red, white and blue posters reading, “Welcome Back, We Missed You. Let’s Push Forward Together.”

“There were no incidents being reported. In fact, many workers are being welcomed back with refreshments such as coffee and doughnuts. Some (offices) are giving free lunches and dinners,” said AT&T; spokeswoman Marilou Thibault in Minneapolis.

Among other things, the 155,000 long-distance operators, installers, sales personnel and equipment plant workers won an 8% pay raise, spread over three years, and job security guarantees they consider vital in an industry in which American workers are being replaced by automation and overseas labor.