AT&T Merger With DirecTV Could Bring 16,000 More Workers Into Unions

By Doug Cunningham

AT&T’s merger with DirecTV could bring 16,000 more workers into union ranks. AT&T, which already has 41,000 union employees, is buying DirecTV for $49 billion. The Communications Workers of America saysit believes the merger can provide real benefits to workers and to consumers. AT&T Chairman Randall Stephenson says the company has a long history of working with its union members and the DirecTV workers will be free to decide for themselves whether or not to join a union. CWA says AT&T respects the rights of its workers to decide for themselves ion union representation. Federal regulators must still approve of the merger.