Note: this story was written and reported by Eric Kiefer (Patch Staff)

SEATTLE, WA - AT&T wireless workers will be striking in downtown Seattle this weekend over a contract dispute with the corporation, according to the union representing the workers. The strike is scheduled to take place outside the retail store downtown at 1501 4th Ave. That store is located across from Westlake Park in the downtown shopping core. The Seattle strike is part of nationwide effort to draw attention to the contract dispute. The strike began at 3 p.m. Friday and will last through Sunday.

On Friday afternoon, more than 40,000 AT&T workers in Washington, D.C., and 36 states announced the strike plans alleging that company executives haven't presented "serious proposals" for a new contract in time for a 3 p.m. deadline. Thousands of wire-line workers in California, Nevada and Connecticut, as well as DIRECTV technicians across California and Nevada, are expected to join about 21,000 striking mobile employees, according to the Communications Workers of America, the union representing the affected workers.



CWA representatives said they expect the strike to "potentially disrupt a large number of retail stores across the country this weekend." Rallies in support of the strike are slated to take place in cities nationwide, including New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Picket locations can be seen here.

"We will no longer stand by as AT&T hems and haws at the bargaining table, keeping its own workers from achieving the American Dream they once promised," said Dennis Trainor, vice president of CWA District 1. "Our demands are clear and have been for months: fair contract or strike."

CWA representatives said while a three-day strike may inconvenience customers in the short term, it's necessary to call attention to the issues at stake.

"AT&T workers are committed to putting an end to unnecessary frustration and poor service because of AT&T's lack of investment in its core business," the CWA stated. However, the communications giant said it's been training replacement workers and is ready for any job action.