Blumenthal backs T-Mobile employees

Hamden, Conn. (WTNH) -  Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is supporting T-Mobile technicians who want to unionize.

The Senator met with several of the 15 Connecticut T-Mobile technicians and with representatives of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and said he believes that there is “clear majority support” among the techs for representation by the T-Mobile workers’ division of the CWA.

However, T-Mobile management has prevented unionization to occur.

Senator Blumenthal released a letter to Rene Obermann, the CEO of T-Mobile’s parent company, Deutsche Telekom, urging him to respect the rights of T-Mobile technicians.

In his letter, Blumenthal said, “The right of workers to unionize is guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act and is critical to a healthy workforce. Employees who wish to collectively bargain through a union should be able to do so without fear of discrimination or reprisal. I expect that T-Mobile management will cease all intimidation tactics and allow these 15 technicians and all Connecticut T-Mobile employees to have the uninhibited opportunity to vote on union representation.”

The letter was also copied to the President and CEO of T-Mobile, USA, Philipp Humm.

T-Mobile techs in upstate New York and Long Island have also embarked on unionization organizing efforts to ensure that their voices are heard.

In March, Deutsche Telekom announced plans to sell T-Mobile to AT&T.

Tim Dubnau, Regional Organizing Coordinator for CWA, stated, “T-Mobile must respect the rights of workers to join the union and stop trying to delay NLRB elections with frivolous legal maneuvering. At AT&T, the unionized wireless workforce has contributed to the company’s growth and success, and we are confident that we can do the same at T-Mobile.”