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IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS NEWS A2 | POLITICS A7 | PUBLIC NOTICES A8 | OBITUARIES A14 SPORTS B1 | EDUCATION B7 | FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT B11
‘Live on The Plains’ Music Festival is coming — page A3
2022, 2023 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2024 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 16, No. 47 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 Your hometown newspaper created 'for local people, by local people.'
www.opelikaobserver.com
PHOTO BY ANITA STIEFEL | THE OBSERVER
WORKERS ON STRIKE!
Employees of AT&T’s Opelika facility are marking the days leading up to Labor Day by joining the picket line in a strike against the telecommunications company.
AT&T workers join picket lines in Southeastern US BY ANITA STIEFEL EDITOR@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — As Americans celebrate with backyard barbecues this Labor Day, it’s a good time to remember the roots of the holiday, which sprung from violent clashes over working
conditions in the late 1800s. Thankfully today’s disputes are usually settled at the bargaining table, as is the case with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and telecommunications company AT&T. Last week, the union issued the following statement re-
representative with authority to make decisions.” CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. said he has told AT&T executives he supports the workers’ decision to strike. “I expect AT&T to treat every member with respect and to See STRIKE, page A5
CyberZone closing after Labor Day
CONTRIBUTED BY ALDOT
ALABAMA — The Alabama Department of Transportation announced that there will be no temporary lane closures on interstate routes statewide during the upcoming Labor Day weekend. To facilitate smooth travel for residents and visitors and to ensure the safety of the traveling public and maintenance and construction workers, all temporary lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, Aug. 30, through noon on Monday, Sept. 2. By halting lane closures, ALDOT aims to reduce congestion and enhance safety during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. “Labor Day is a time when motorists take to the roads to enjoy the last days of summer,” says Allison Green, See ALDOT, page A5
District 3 members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee walked off the job. Though negotiations began in late June, AT&T has refused to bargain over mandatory subjects and has failed to send a
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
ALDOT suspends lane closures for holiday
garding a strike which began in mid-August and is currently underway throughout the southeastern U.S. “Over 17,000 CWA workers across the Southeast went on an unfair labor practice strike in protest against AT&T’s bad faith bargaining tactics. CWA
CyberZone owners Simon and Elaine Bak opened the entertainment center in 2013.
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CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — CyberZone, located at 107 N. 9th St., is closing its doors after 11 years in business, the laser tag and arcade center announced last week. “We are heartbroken to shut CyberZone’s doors, especially given the wonderful friendships we’ve made in this community since opening in 2013,” said CyberZone President Simon Bak. “The challenges that stemmed from the devastating roof install failure, subsequent water damage and total loss we experienced in June
2021 proved too much to overcome, and it is best for our family to part with the business.” “We thank all of our guests for entrusting us with their celebrations and gatherings,” said CyberZone Vice President Elaine Bak. “It has been a privilege to be the place that so many came to make memories and share fun times for more than a decade.” CyberZone’s final day of operation will be Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Until then, visit www.cyberzone334.com for information on hours, specials pricing and more.
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