What is AT&T doing with its massive profits from the Republican corporate tax cut bill? That's the question members of Congress and other elected leaders are now asking are now asking.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and twenty-three colleagues sent a letter to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson calling on AT&T to disclose plans for their profits from the tax bill - in particular on job growth. In addition, Senator Sherrod Brown led a group of Senators urging the company to settle on a fair contract with workers that protects and create jobs as was promised by AT&T during debate over the tax bill.
- Read the Pocan/Dingell letter
- Read the Brown letter
Despite promises that tax windfalls would be used to create jobs, AT&T has announced layoffs and continues to outsource and offshore American jobs.In his letter, Brown calls on AT&T to reach an agreement that improves workers’ job security and includes a commitment to creating new jobs in the U.S.
“Since January 2016, AT&T alone has laid off thousands of call center workers and closed dozens of U.S. call centers,” Brown’s letter states. “We urge you to continue negotiating in good faith until an agreement is reached, and we urge you to include commitments in the contract that improve job security for your highly competitive workforce and reverse the trend of call center offshoring in our states.”
In their letter, Pocan and Dingell called on AT&T to explain the impact of the tax bill on its business plan and its workers.
“...in your November 8th press release, you stated that you would commit to investing an additional $1 billion in the US should the bill in question be signed into law. You further stated that your analysis suggested that such investment would result in the creation of 7,000 additional jobs.
However, recent reports regarding contract negotiations suggest otherwise. As we consider future taxing and spending priorities for the United States, in our capacity as Members of Congress, we would ask that you update us on the status of your plans to invest in the United States, as well as other seen and unforeseen impacts the tax law has had on your business plans.”
OHIO
As the GOP struggles to sell its tax bill to Ohio voters ahead of the midterms, all nine Ohio State Senate Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yoko, and a group of twenty-seven Ohio House Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn, have sent letters to AT&T Ohio President Adam Grzybicki, calling on the company to settle a fair contract with workers that protects and creates jobs as was promised by AT&T during debate over the tax bill.
In their July 18 letter, the senators stand with Ohio workers and call on AT&T to reach an agreement that improves workers’ job security.
“It is our understanding that just weeks after the tax bill passed, AT&T laid off 1,500 workers. We also were advised that, in addition to the previous surplus following the passage of the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” AT&T announced another surplus list,” the letter states. “We stand with the workers of Ohio and we support CWA’s bargaining position for job security, healthcare, and the return of contracted outsourced and offshored jobs.”
In their July 27 letter, the house representatives call on AT&T to continue to work toward bargaining a contract that is fair to Ohio workers.
“As members of the Ohio Legislature we are concerned about the economic health and security of the 19,000 employees and families that the Communications Workers of America represent in Ohio. We know that doing business in a competitive global marketplace can be a challenge for companies like AT&T, but we believe a cooperative effort can bring about a fair solution for all involved.
We encourage AT&T to continue to work toward an appropriate resolution that is fair to Ohio workers and enhances AT&T’s long-term viability.”
Read the Ohio State Senate Letter
Read the Ohio State House Letter
INDIANA
As the GOP struggles to sell its tax bill to Indiana voters ahead of the midterms, all 30 members of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus, led by Indiana House Democratic Leader Dr. Terry Goodin, have sent a letter to AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards, calling on the company to settle a fair contract with workers that protects and creates jobs as was promised by AT&T during debate over the tax bill.
In their September 14 letter the representatives stand with Indiana workers and call on AT&T to reach an agreement that improves workers’ job security.
“It is our understanding that just weeks after the tax bill passed, AT&T laid off 1,500 workers. We also were advised that just this past week, another surplus was announced,” the letter states. “We stand with the workers of Indiana and we support CWA’s demand of job security, healthcare, and the return of contracted out / offshored jobs.”
Read the Indiana House Democratic Caucus Letter
MICHIGAN
State Representative Brian Elder
State Representative Patrick Green
State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr.
State Representative Leslie Love
State Representative John Chirkun
State Senator Steve Bieda Jr.