Charlotte, N.C.—As his fellow delegates dug into sausage patties on the first morning of the Democratic National Convention, Bill Henderson stood outside with stickers reading, “AT&T = Greed.”
Henderson is one of 88 Connecticut delegates to the convention taking place here this week. He’s also the president of the Communication Workers of America Local 1298, which represents 3,200 AT&T workers in Connecticut.
He boycotted the official delegate breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel Tuesday because it was sponsored by AT&T.
Henderson recently led a two-day strike against the company, and has filed unfair labor practice complaints amid stalled contract negotiations. In response, the company has pointed to success in other parts of the country coming to an agreement on new contracts. Read more about that here.
AT&T bought delegates eggs, bacon, and sausage patties.
As delegates fueled up at the breakfast buffet, Henderson stood outside the door handing out flyers to delegates, including Gov. Dannel Malloy.
“AT&T, Come on ... Bargain a fair contract!” the flyers read.
Melissa Bailey Photo
Henderson and Malloy.
“He doesn’t stop,” remarked Malloy of Henderson.
“No, we don’t stop,” Henderson agreed.
“What’s right in Connecticut is right in Charlotte,” so “we’re going to follow them wherever we have to go to get our message across,” Henderson said. “We want a fair contract.”
State party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo (pictured at breakfast buffet) said AT&T has sponsored state party events for years. She said the party contacted the company to see if it would sponsor another event this year.
She said she didn’t know the cost of the breakfast, because AT&T dealt directly with the hotel to provide the food.
Delegates’ attendance Tuesday morning should not be construed as support for AT&T, she said, because many may not have known who sponsored the breakfast.
John Olsen, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, decided not to eat.
Lori Pelletier, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, had some coffee. She blamed AT&T for the recent labor dispute.
Henderson’s leafletting mission “gives everyone the opportunity to talk about what’s going on,” she said.