T-Mobile US may have to dissolve its employee representative group, T-Voice, after a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled T-Voice violates a 1935 law prohibiting company controlled labor unions.
T-Voice is not the real voice of the T-Mobile US workforce, according to members of T–Mobile Workers United, which is backed by the Communication Workers of America.
“If T-Mobile wants to address its workers’ concerns and ideas, we have democratically elected representatives ready and willing to meet with management to discuss how we can improve our workplace,” said Angela Melvin, a T-Mobile customer service representative in Wichita, Kansas, who sits on the steering committee of T-Mobile Workers United.
T-Mobile US president John Legere has said the T-Voice representatives are interacting with customers and sharing valuable feedback with management. Legere expected to lead an appeal of the judge’s ruling in an effort to keep T-Voice intact and avoid the possibility of costly labor negotiations with the CWA-backed group.
T-Mobile US has already been accused of illegal mistreatment of its workers. The CWA claims T-Mobile USprevented employees from discussing working conditions, silenced victims of sexual harassment, and required employees to act happy.
T-Mobile US’ employee benefits include paid parental leave, childcare subsidies and discounted mobile service. T-Mobile US also allows employees to buy its stock at a 15% discount. T-Mobile US stock has doubled in value during the last three years.
