IBEW Local Union 21 Mobilizing at 2009 AT&T Shareholder Meeting

Snakes on a Plane
Dallas, Texas - On April 24, 2009, IBEW Local Union 21 President-Business Manager Ronald Kastner led a union delegation to the 2009 AT&T Shareholder Meeting. While driving to the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum (www.dallasarboretum.org ), we saw the monstrous new AT&T headquarters. AT&T made sure we were treated like a different class of citizen. They had police at the entrances to the site. They tried to get us to park in a "special" lot, far away from "normal" shareholders, probably because of our thought provoking "Will Strike if Provoked" snake shirts. Our delegation did not comply with those requests. Upon parking, we quickly joined with other CWA rank-n-file activists for a few photos.

Shockingly, a representative (with umbrella) told us we could not congregate, could not carry posters, banners, or flags. She even said we could not even display the United States flag! We did anyway, ignoring her ignorance as you will see in our slideshow.

As we made our way to the building, we had more photo opportunities. President Kastner caught up with AT&T's Labor Relations VP Mark Royce for an important conversation of current relations.

Once inside the actual meeting area, President Kastner made sure the voice of IBEW Local Union 21 members was heard loud and clear during a direct conversation with AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson. Others from the IBEW delegation, and from the CWA, spoke during the meeting.
Informational picketing, an inflatable rat, and union solidarity stood out this great day at a high class location selected by AT&T as one where normal working families, employees, and unionists would have a hard time getting their voices heard. This strategy failed for AT&T. Our unions rocked Dallas on this important day. CEO Randall Stephenson heard from the IBEW and the CWA, loud and clear. AT&T heard from leaders, activists, rank-n-file, and our IBEW International leaders as well!

Driving back to airport to head back to Illinois, we took a few pictures of the still under construction Dallas Cowboys stadium. As if the naming-rights agreements with the San Francisco Giants (AT&T Park) and the San Antonio Spurs (AT&T Center) are not enough, rumors are that for several millions of dollars, AT&T wants the Cowboys to play at the new (AT&T Field!) Guess AT&T is in better financial condition than they say. Get the truth from IBEW Local Union 21, not from AT&T!

Check out our *NEW* IBEW Local Union 21 YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/local21ibew

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• AT&T
• IBEW
• ibew local union 21
• shareholder meeting 2009
• activist rally