Union: AT&T violating sick leave law

Published 10:59 am Thursday, November 13, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS — The union representing AT&T employees in the Twin Cities said the company is violating a new state law on sick leave.

The law gives workers the option of using sick days to care for relatives. Previously sick leave could be used only for oneself or a child.

Communication Workers of America spokeswoman Greta Bergstrom said the company won’t pay workers with 25 or more years of service when they take sick days to care for family members. AT&T said the employees have unlimited sick days under their union contract so they need to use other paid and unpaid options available to care for relatives.

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The company said it’s in talks with the union to resolve the dispute. About 550 people in the Twin Cities work for AT&T.