Teresa Joyce

Cingular Wireless, Lebanon, Va. Communications Workers of America

Teresa Joyce

Teresa Joyce began working as a customer care representative for AT&T Wireless three-and-a-half years ago. Two years ago, Cingular Wireless bought AT&T Wireless and Joyce and her co-workers were able to form a union without strife with the Communications Workers of America. Under an agreement between Cingular and CWA, workers may form a union once a majority has signed cards authorizing the union to represent them. Under the agreement, Cingular's management agrees not to interfere with the organizing drive and will let the workers decide whether or not to join the union.

While with AT&T Wireless, Joyce and her co-workers complained of unfair treatment and favoritism, and twice they tried to form a union with CWA. Joyce's husband has been a member of the Mine Workers for 30 years, so she knows the benefits of union membership. She knew they needed a union at AT&T Wireless, but management made it clear they opposed workers forming a union. Joyce and her co-workers were scared they would lose their jobs.

But, when Cingular bought AT&T Wireless, everything changed. Joyce was on a conference call when a top executive at Cingular was asked about the union. He said, "The decision to join the union is up to you. We will respect your decision, whatever it is." Overnight, the company's attitude changed. The workers became more confident and talked openly about forming a union.

Joyce and her co-workers were able to go into the call center and talk about forming a union on their own time. Workers signed authorization cards in the break room. Once a majority of the workers had expressed their desire to form a union, Cingular recognized the union and Joyce and her co-workers negotiated a fair contract.

Among other improvements, the workers now have a grievance procedure; a progressive wage scale with two raises a year and a cost-of-living increase; less expensive health insurance; and retirement security. But perhaps more importantly to Joyce and her co-workers, they now have a say in their workplace conditions. In fact, Joyce works closely with management and they often ask for her input on major decisions. She even sits in on management meetings. Joyce says it’s made a world of difference.

Joyce has been to Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. She thinks all workers should have the same right as Cingular workers to form unions freely.