CWA Reaches Tentative Agreement with AT&T Mobility After Months of Bargaining

Key facts

• CWA’s AT&T Mobility Orange Contract Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement on April 24 after nearly four months of bargaining.
• More than 1,300 signatures on a petition demanding good-faith bargaining and strong staffing helped turn the tide.
• Nearly 100 game developers behind Magic: The Gathering Arena formed a union with CWA on Monday.
• The CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship Program deadline is April 30 at 11:59 pm ET.
• CWA Locals 1000, 1101, 1170, 1298, 9511, 4900, 7250, and 7901 were involved in the mobilization.
• CWA journalists at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette avoided closure after a three-year strike with new owners.
• AT&T CEO John Stankey faced criticism from CWA members who held signs debunking the company's offers as 'stankey'.

A Tentative Agreement After Months of Struggle

After nearly four months of hard bargaining against a tough company, CWA’s AT&T Mobility Orange Contract Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement on April 24. The breakthrough came as a result of hand-in-hand work by the bargaining team at the table and strong mobilization by the membership, spanning several locals in District 1 and across the country, including CWA Locals 1000, 1101, 1170, 1298, and more. The tentative agreement marks a significant step for workers who have been pushing for better terms. The union’s efforts were bolstered by more than 1,300 signatures on a petition demanding good-faith bargaining and strong staffing, which helped turn the tide.

Mobilization Against AT&T’s ‘Foul Offers’

Following a one-week extension for a new contract, CWA AT&T Orange Mobility members mobilized to show AT&T—and CEO John Stankey—what they thought of the company’s offers. CWA Locals 9511, 4900, 7250, and 7901 held signs debunking the company’s “generous” offers as “stankey,” a play on the CEO’s name. CWAers at AT&T Orange Mobility made clear they deserve a strong contract and will do what it takes to get it. The mobilization reflects a broader determination among workers to secure meaningful improvements. As one union leader noted, “We can make real improvements at work when we stick together and mobilize.”

Union Expansion into the Gaming Industry

In a parallel development, nearly 100 game developers behind Magic: The Gathering Arena, a popular digital adaptation published and developed by Wizards of the Coast, formed a union with CWA on Monday. This move expands the growing union efforts in the tabletop roleplaying games industry, signaling a new frontier for organized labor. The union drive at Wizards of the Coast comes as workers in the gaming sector increasingly seek collective bargaining power. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists, who recently emerged from a three-year strike, welcomed new owners to town, avoiding the previous owners’ spiteful closure and underscoring the value of union solidarity.

Deadline for Joe Beirne Scholarship Program

The CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship Program deadline is today, April 30, at 11:59 pm ET. The scholarship, named after the founding president of CWA who served for more than 30 years, was established in October 1974 by the CWA Executive Board to honor his memory. The foundation provides educational opportunities for union members and their families. Applicants are urged to submit their materials before the deadline. The scholarship is part of CWA’s broader commitment to supporting its members beyond the bargaining table.

Wider Context and Union Solidarity

The tentative agreement with AT&T Mobility and the unionization of game developers are part of a larger wave of labor organizing across industries. CWA’s efforts in the telecommunications and media sectors have been bolstered by strong member participation and public support. The Pittsburgh Press Union, for instance, continues to support organizing efforts at Wizards of the Coast and other workplaces. As the union movement gains momentum, the role of collective action remains central. The more than 1,300 signatures on the petition for good-faith bargaining exemplify how grassroots pressure can influence corporate behavior.

What Comes Next for CWA Members

With the tentative agreement reached, CWA members will now vote on ratification. The union leadership has emphasized that the TA is a result of persistent effort and unity. The coming weeks will be critical as members decide whether to accept the terms or push for further improvements. Meanwhile, the newly unionized Magic: The Gathering Arena developers will begin the process of negotiating their first contract. The success of these efforts could inspire similar organizing drives in the gaming industry and beyond.

A Turning Point for Labor?

The developments at AT&T Mobility and Wizards of the Coast suggest a resurgence of labor activism in sectors that have long been difficult to organize. The tentative agreement, achieved through a combination of bargaining and mobilization, demonstrates that sustained pressure can yield results. However, challenges remain, as companies like AT&T continue to resist union demands. The coming months will test whether these gains can be consolidated and expanded. For now, CWA members and supporters have reason to celebrate a hard-won victory.

The bottom line

• CWA reached a tentative agreement with AT&T Mobility on April 24 after nearly four months of bargaining, driven by member mobilization and a petition with over 1,300 signatures.
• Nearly 100 game developers at Wizards of the Coast formed a union with CWA, expanding labor organizing in the gaming industry.
• The CWA Joe Beirne Scholarship deadline is April 30 at 11:59 pm ET, offering educational support to union members.
• CWA journalists at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette avoided closure after a three-year strike with new ownership.
• Union solidarity and grassroots pressure were key to achieving the tentative agreement and advancing organizing efforts.