This contract between the federal government and  AT&T is meaningful to us only if it increases our opportunity for employment and job security. We will be demanding that this work be assigned to bargaining unit members. 

AT&T Wins First Contract for Government Telecommunications Overhaul; Could Value $1 Billion
 
(Associated Press) - AT&T Inc. said Monday it has won the first contract in a radical overhaul of the federal government's telecommunications infrastructure in a deal that could ultimately be worth $1 billion to the phone giant.
 
The company has been appointed by the U.S. Treasury, one of the largest government departments, to build a new Internet-protocol-enabled telecommunications network.
 
The contract is worth an initial $270 million to build the IP platform, but if the Treasury requests additional services, such remote access for its staff and IP-enabled telephone service, that price tag could rise.
 
AT&T provides some service to the Internal Revenue Service, but now it will be responsible for linking up all 12 agencies that sit under the auspices of the Treasury Department.
 
The contract is part of the Networx Universal contract, which could be worth up to $20 billion to the three participants in the bidding. In addition to AT&T, Qwest Communications International Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. were awarded the right to bid for contracts.
 
Sprint Nextel Corp. missed out, a blow for the company, which had been a major provider of telecommunications services to the federal government. It later was included on a short list for a smaller infrastructure upgrade program.
 
The companies previously said they expected contracts to start being awarded by federal government departments in the fourth quarter, but the Department for Homeland Security is the only major department to announce it is receiving bids.