I know a lot of field technicians are in a hostile environment right now, but there is a lot of construction coming next year to our fiber network. This came from our ACE director in our turf.
He assured us next summer is going to be a busy time and AT&T has a lot of catching up to do.
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I worked fiber for over 17 years in the Chicago area. I can't tell how many times we were told it's gonna be a busy year. By July we're cutting back on ordering cable, can't get a tool from the tool room, overtime cut back. Then they have us sit in the garage for week or two then send us back to DEG for VRAD janitor work. Or do copper terminal transfers. Glad I left this s..t show last year.
2 big contracts expiring next year I have heard the company is not gonna negotiate with us
That's ok. I have a huge emergency fund. I can use the vacation.
In the meantime I get closer and closer to retirement without lifting a finger.
say what you want, it’s a good thing. it’s labor intense and makes good money in opt land
We don’t have an inch of F2 fiber in the area I work, but 3 other companies are offering services over fiber.
I hope so. We are so damn slow. I'm tired of twiddling my fingers all day.
It will go just like Project Pronto.
As soon as the build is over …..buh bye.
“Hostile Environment” What are you talking about?
Currently, satellites and cellular don’t have the capacity, speeds or reliability for the masses or critical infrastructure, plus they are tethered to fiber/wireline at some point too.“
Please enlighten us with your wisdom why the bought dtv if that is true. We need to hear more stank talking points.
BECUASE cellular has limited capacity. As far as DTV, there are many, many billions of dollars of debt that would speak otherwise.
Saw this awhile ago. Is this still the plan for the future?
“ By 2025, AT&T expects that 75% of its network footprint will be served via fiber and 5G and that it will have reduced its copper services footprint by 50%.”.
“ Currently, satellites and cellular don’t have the capacity, speeds or reliability for the masses or critical infrastructure, plus they are tethered to fiber/wireline at some point too.“
Please enlighten us with your wisdom why the bought dtv if that is true. We need to hear more stank talking points.
“2 big contracts expiring next year I have heard the company is not gonna negotiate with us not that I believe that. West D9 wireline 4/6/24 and east D3 wireline 8/12/24 get ready it will be interesting. Southwest wireline the following year 4/12/25”
….if only we could get the U to unify their contract dates!!
In D9 California, since early 2010s, almost all new Construction Outside Plant Techs have been TERM employees (at least one year, no more than 3). Any new permanent OPTs are transfers of longtime prem techs with good productivity/efficiency numbers. AT&T only does the easy construction work like overpulling underground fiber or overlashing fiber. The heavy construction like bore/trench to place conduit, or even any dig-up and repair conduit is done by contractors.
As permanent OPTs retire, they are replaced with rotating term guys....and the quality of work is luck of the draw depending on crews (mixed perm/term is always best, and 100% term crews are terrible).
There isn’t much of a race for fiber because AT&T has a majority of coverage along with smaller Verizon and now Comcast footprint. It takes too much capital and labor for anyone else to join at scale, so they who hold access to the pipes, wins. One can have all the content in the world but without reliable distribution, it doesn’t matter, they have to pay the toll. Currently, satellites and cellular don’t have the capacity, speeds or reliability for the masses or critical infrastructure, plus they are tethered to fiber/wireline at some point too.
Fiber expansion?!? Lmao - this was suppose to be done in 2020…. Att lost the fiber race since there isn’t one anymoren
That sounds impressive, but did you know that around 85% of the fiber is installed by contractors and then the routing and traffic are managed by another group of contractors who are network experts? It's essential to be cautious and not fall for such pandering tactics.
The vast majority of the work will be scheduled with contractors..period. That is the strategy and has been communicated since 2020. There will come a time in the not too distant future that most hands on labor will be with contractors, it just makes financial sense.
Appears to be good news but I wouldn’t put too much faith in a Director’s report, he is too far down the management chain of command. Things change constantly depending on what Wall Street or the stock fund holders want.
2 big contracts expiring next year I have heard the company is not gonna negotiate with us not that I believe that. West D9 wireline 4/6/24 and east D3 wireline 8/12/24 get ready it will be interesting. Southwest wireline the following year 4/12/25
…as the owner maybe, but I doubt the guy running the shovel gets 7 weeks paid time off not including holidays.
Trust me, as a contractor we get more than 30 days off in a year. Trust me. 😀
The directors have said the same thing year over year. It has not stopped the executive members from making decisions to cut employees. It will not stop them in the future. AT&T is going to get its employed headcount below 100,000 by 2025. Nothing will change that.
Re: “little by little employees going away”…
So true with both union and management.
When ATT manager says a replaced by contractor — even same rate of pay is better for T because they don’t have to pay for benefits and contractor doesn’t get almost 30 days off paid.
The question is: who is making the decision on what internal management jobs should flip from management to contractor AND… why don’t they consider this up to and INCLUDING level 5s!!!
Thanks for the warning but my fiber is working great with great billing and customer service and it isn’t from Att because Att slept and was busy buying satellite tv companies and destroying them.
Once fiber is placed there is not much C&E work necessary after that from what I have seen. Not saying all will be a one and done but seems to be a good strategy to not hire a lot of permanent guys that will be laid off after the expansion is completed.
Yes, which is why they have contracted 70% of the work out. Little by little badged employees are being whittled away.