Call Center Workers Bemoan Lack of Union at Rally

Communications Workers of America International Union organized a host of speakers and a panel to address worker concerns at the T-Mobile call center in North Charleston.

The rally was called "Stand Up for Good Jobs in Charleston: T-Mobile Workers Speak Out" and was held at CWA Local 3704 in Hanahan. T-Mobile workers have not held a union vote, but some employees joined the panel to talk about work conditions.

The Charleston area call center employs 400 people, and the union has claimed that those jobs are at further risk with a proposed merger between T-Mobile and MetroPCS. The fear is that those jobs could be outsourced.

One of the speakers was U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-District 6.

"Don't you ever ask me to vote or take a position against people binding themselves together to get rights. I'm not anti-business. I'm pro-business and I'm pro-union," Clyburn said. "Fight. Don't give up this fight." 

T-Mobile employee Joyce Bellamy said pay at T-Mobile is uncertain and demands unrealistic. She added that workers are afraid of being seen talking to union members. 

"There is no stability at all," Bellamy said. "If my coworkers were not afraid of losing their jobs, this building would be full."

Less than 50 people attended the rally. 

"I know in this state it's controversial to say positive things about unions," T-Mobile employee Felicia Smalls said. "People fear for their jobs; people fear talking to the union ... I'm all about a union and all about keeping my job. I'd like to eventually have a union at T-Mobile." 

German union members and T-Mobile employees also spoke.

"The workers here are treated much more worse here than in Germany," one said through a translator. 

According to CWA, turnover rates are 2 percent in Germany, but 80 percent in the Charleston area. 

"What makes a difference is that workers can articulate their concerns. They have input," Tony Daley of CWA said. 

"Rights don't stop at the German border," Larry Cohen, president of CWA, said. "There's nothing small about this local today — this is a giant local."