(Reuters) – AT&T Inc has submitted its final offer to its negotiating committee, the Communications Workers of America union said on Thursday, adding that the proposal did not meet its expectations.
The Communications Workers Union said the proposal was made on Wednesday, and then made a counteroffer later in the day.
The union said this was the first time the company had offered a “comprehensive economic package”.
More than 17,000 company employees, including technicians, customer service representatives and others who install, maintain and support AT&T’s wireline network for homes and businesses, went on strike last month to protest unfair labor practices.
“We have submitted a strong final offer for Region 3 in the Southeast United States,” AT&T Chief Operating Officer Jeff McElfrich said in a statement to Reuters. “We believe this offer, if accepted, will provide our employees with competitive, market-based wages that exceed expected inflation.”
The company is also offering to increase its financial contributions to employee health and wellness by up to 25% annually, McElfresh added.
The union informed AT&T and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on Monday that it would no longer be part of the mediation process, calling it “another stalling tactic.”