Hear From Workers

Shalanda Brown

AT&T Mobility
Louisiana

Why the Union Makes a Difference

Last year, Shalanda Brown suffered a stroke. Had she been among the 49 million Americans who lack health care coverage, the medical bills could have driven her into bankruptcy. On top of that, she easily could have lost her job because of the recovery time she required away from work. But because of her union contract, she was able to afford the care she needed and return to a job she loves.

In 2002, Brown and her co-workers at the AT&T Mobility call center in Lafayette, La., formed a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Under a national agreement between CWA and AT&T Mobility, AT&T Mobility workers can form a union after a majority sign authorization cards stating their desire for union representation. Since 2001, more than 22,000 AT&T Mobility employees have formed unions under this simple majority sign-up process.

But U.S. employers don't have to agree to a majority sign-up, and most refuse to do so. But under the proposed Employee Free Choice Act, America's workers would have the option of choosing majority sign-up or ballot election when considering whether to join a union.

At Brown’s call center, a majority of the workers signed up within a month. She says the contract they bargained has made a huge difference for her, especially when she had her stroke. She could take as much time off as she needed to recover and her health benefits covered her medical bills. Through it all, she had the security of knowing she had a job to return to.

“It’s been wonderful having the union here,” says Brown.