More than 1,000 AT&T Inc. employees in Wisconsin have gone on strike over what their union has characterized as unfair labor practices.

The strikers, represented by the Communication Workers of America, include field service technicians and customer call center employees, according to the union.

They've charged that the company is trying to bargain directly with workers instead of engaging with the union's bargaining team. Their contract expired April 14.

"The company is bypassing the bargaining committee, which we feel is totally disrespectful," said George Walls, president of CWA Local 4603 in Milwaukee.

"It's inappropriate to put offers to our members without seeing all of the data," including benefits, insurance costs and job protections, said Betsy La Fontaine, vice president of Communications Workers of America Local 4621.

AT&T said it's unclear whether any customer services have been disrupted by the strike, now in its second day in Wisconsin. The company says the strike has not affected wireless phone service in the state.