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Ameritech Broadband
Workers Join Local 21

March 8, 2002

Nearly 90 Ameritech broadband workers will join Local 21 in Downers Grove, Illinois following card check recognition of the IBEW in late February.

The victory brings the unit at Ameritech Advanced Data Systems (AADS) of Illinois into a local that already represents 13,000 workers at SBC Ameritech, a telecommunications company servicing several midwestern states.

"This is an important victory in the crucial campaign to improve the standard of living for all working families in the telecom industry," said Local 21 organizer Tom Hopper.

Organizers had their eye on AADS since federal regulators mandated its split as a separate division during the recent merger of SBC and Ameritech, Hopper said. The campaign, which involved home and worksite visits and informational hand-billing, was prepared for a National Labor Relations Board election were it not for the companys acceptance of a card check agreement. The company pledged neutrality in exchange for Local 21s support for legislation SBC Ameritech lobbied for more than a year ago, Hopper said. Although the state legislation failed, the company stuck to its end of the bargain.

"They honored the agreement and thats a breath of fresh air compared to some other companies were dealing with," Hopper said.

The workers at AADS install high-speed DSL to service residential customers, Hopper said. Preliminary contract surveys to the new members are underway in preparation for upcoming contract bargaining.