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AT&T workers seeking new contract go on weekend strike

Thousands of Communications Workers of America walked off the job at 3 p.m. Friday after failing to reach a new contract deal with AT&T.

Strikes are underway in 36 states, including New York. In the Buffalo region, local CWA members set up picket lines outside the AT&T store on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst.

CWA Upstate New York Area Director Debbie Hayes says workers want a fair deal.

"Our contract has been expired since February. We have been trying for months to get a fair contract with AT&T. The issue really revolves around the incredible profits AT&T makes, over $1 billion a month, and then they want our employees to be doing the same work for less and less month," Hayes told WBFO.

Hayes says the company is also asking union members for concessions from their benefits. About 40,000 workers are on strike nationwide.

The union says this is only a three-day strike. Workers will return to their jobs on Monday and the union is hoping to return to the bargaining table with the company.