The belt continues to tighten! Summary of a few operational changes across a few orgs.
Been told by a reliable source that C&E budgets have been reduced by 20%. They have to make up the shortfall by completing cable reclamation projects on dead or vacant cables and adding the recycled cable profits back into their budgets. Management will prioritize these projects instead of focusing 100% on building the network out, for future growth. If they are unable to make up the budget, it could result in more layoffs. The ordering of materials and supplies will be scrutinized more than previously, for most orgs.
AFO - 40% of Install & Maintenance (I&M) and Wire techs schedules have been changed to 10A-7P. Supposedly to meet customers needs but in reality it’s to reduce OT because the company can force OT as needed. Air pressure schedules have also been adjusted to 8-5pm. There has been org changes, with more to come.
Building Services/CRE also has their budget cut, most are now contractors since, last year. Expect more of the same or worse, especially in the CO’s. Little to no restroom supplies, very little cleaning (bugs are our friends), bulbs not changed and secondary/backup HVAC systems not repaired or replaced. There will be more dynamic temps ranges to save cost, hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter. Any nonessential issues won’t be addressed or repaired.
CNIO workforce and management has continued to shrink. There has been attrition and a hiring freeze for almost 2 years. There has been a convergence of AM’s from DEG and the CO’s. The support center ET’s have been reduced with whole groups involved in layoffs. The CO 4-wall ET’s over the years have been reduced to skeleton crews, the majority of techs are covering multiple offices, many offices are unmanned now. The workforce is aging and many are close to retirement and will be gone in 2-5 yrs. It takes years to be competent at the position, unsure of the companies plan for replacements. They are rapidly decommissioning the legacy copper network and expect it to be reduced by 50% at the end of 2025. Fiber projects are continuing along, with new fiber orders.
5ESS and DMS TDM switches are barely being maintained, they recently turned off the ticketing systems for all but the critical 911 offices. If an emergency ticket is assigned, techs have to email a few listed contacts to address the issue because the contract support group, the techs could call is gone. CO door alarms aren’t being assigned or dispatched on, unsure if the same is true for high temp and fire alarms. I’ve seen outside doors not completely shut upon arrival in the A.M. but no alarm ticket was generated.
This is a small microcosm of what is happening all across AT&T. The yr/yr growth is slightly improved but until the financials gets much better, relocations, reorgs, layoffs, offshoring, larger areas of coverage and more work for those left, will continue. It’s all happening consistently on a monthly basis and will probably continue through 2025 or until they reach their goals.