DETROIT – Technicians are protesting at several AT&T locations across metro Detroit because of on-the-job security concerns.
Last Friday, Local 4 reported there have been at least 10 robberies of AT&T service workers in the Six Mile and Evergreen Roads neighborhood of northwest Detroit.
According to employees, when workers arrived at one of the AT&T garages at 24255 Telegraph Road in Southfield Monday morning, they were told by administrators that there was nothing the company could do at this time. That is when a group of workers left a meeting and began their protest at several locations across metro Detroit.
Local 4 was also told the employees that left the building had their ID badges deactivated and could no longer enter the premises.
Their vehicles remain locked behind the gate.
In a letter to Local 4, one employee writes, "Due to a recent rash of robberies in Detroit for AT&T techs, we are demonstrating and picketing at 24255 Telegraph Road and many more locations. Management will not take our safety seriously."
"They're scared. Afraid to go in certain areas," said Communication Workers of America Union President Greg Streeby last Friday.
Streeby said the 10 incidents all involved AT&T Uverse service workers, also called technicians, getting robbed while out in the field. He said one technician found himself starring down the barrel of a gun on Thursday.
"A tech was approached by an individual with a gun who said, 'Give me your iPad,'" said Streeby.
The robberies occur after the technician parks his truck and goes inside a home to help a customer. The thieves smash the truck window, go inside and take expensive products, including iPads. Phones, laptops and other gadgets are among the stolen items.
Jim Simons has been a field technician with AT&T for more than 20 years. He loves his job but admits it can be dangerous.
"We are defenseless. We don't carry any weapons," Simons said. "Not allowed to."
The union suggests having another person accompany the tech and wait for them in the truck while they tend to customers.
AT&T has said it is working on a solution.
The company released this statement:
"We are currently working with the union to address those employees' concerns and get the technicians back to work. Our employees' safety remains our top priority."