CWA District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Conducted on January 30, 2008

Participants Included:

Steve Shaw, CWA Local 3106
Brent Lamb, CWA Local 3111
Terry Sell and Nancy Underwood, CWA Local 3122
Matt McCombs, CWA Local 3179
Roy Hegenbart, Harry Jones and Ed Paridy, CWA Local 3250
Dave Lasley, CWA Local 3263
Mary Garr, CWA Local 3310
Bobby Beller, CWA Local 3406
Jack Cronin and Jerry Lewis, CWA Local 3410
Dugg Harrison, CWA Local 3411
Kim Sadler, CWA Local 3511
Ernie Johnson, CWA Local 3519
Craig Johnson, CWA Local 3804
Robbie Pace, CWA Local 3806
Becky Morris, CWA local 3808
Booker Lester, Assistant Director to the VP, CWA District 3
Isa Shabazz, CWA Representative, CWA District 3
David LeGrande, Director, CWA Occupational Safety and Health
Charlie Barrett, CWA Representative

Agenda-

Introductions-

Nineteen CWA District 3 Safety and Health activists participated in this call along with Booker Lester, Assistant Director to the VP, CWA District 3, Isa Shabazz, CWA Representative, CWA District 3, David LeGrande, Director, CWA Occupational Safety and Health and Charlie Barrett, CWA Representative.

Electrical Hazards Training/Settlement Update-

David LeGrande summarized the situation for call participants. The most recent fatalities have been in West Virginia (1999), upstate New York (2003), California (2004) and in Indiana and Maryland (2006). Four of the fatalities involved Verizon techs and two were Pacific Bell (now Verizon) techs. After the latest fatalities involving Verizon techs, CWA took the position that we needed to be more aggressive and work with Districts and Locals to work on an agreement that would cover all craft employees. Indiana (IOSHA) and Maryland (MOSHA) have state OSHA plans (with Maryland being more aggressive). MOSHA negotiated an agreement that we had proposed in which Verizon had to provide training with union input and review throughout Maryland. It was important to provide training to all techs. As techs move from site to site the work can be different. We replicated the same strategy in Indiana (the difference was that Indiana covered Central Offices (CO's) and Engineering techs; Maryland did not then but does now. It did not make sense to have IOSHA cite for only one CO if we could set up a training program throughout the state. The company will expand the Indiana agreement to all District 4 states. Verizon saw citations waived and had potential liability removed. Dave discussed with Verizon corporate Safety & Health Director to expand training to all of District 4. The training has been initiated and the company is providing Train-the-Trainer (T the T) training for supervisors. Dave intervened and said to Verizon that each CWA Local will be allowed one or more point people to attend the T the T sessions along with supervisors.

Dave went to first two sessions in Indiana; the training went very well. Subsequently, we are developing a check list for trainings to provide to bargaining units for evaluation of training to make sure that all topics are covered and that members have an understanding of what was covered. The union will have a "common interest" forum with company in District 4. There will be a summary of training that has been provided. The training is 3-4 hours in length. We are encouraged that additional sessions will be held during tailgates meetings and at safety rodeos. The training will cover all CWA and IBEW technicians.The training will be completed in District 4 by the end of March and in District 2 by end of February.

Encapsulant Issue-

Ed Paridy, CWA Local 3250, said that local has been active pursuing the encapsulant issue for a period of time. Originally the local had an agreement with SBC that they would not use the encapsulant any longer. Company decided to order more material. The local got OSHA involved. Had company explain why construction employees are being exposed. We now have an agreement that the company has cancelled all orders of the old encapsulant. They are switching to 3M encapsulant that does not contain any isocyanates. John Malone has been working with the union and has sent a response to OSHA that the union has accepted.

Nancy Underwood, CWA Local 3122, asked if they have a product number. Ed said "not yet" and that John Malone will will send us the stock number. Dave LeGrande said that he expects that all of the legacy AT&T will use the same product. "Great job, Ed & Roy." Dave said as a follow-up that in the 1980's we led a campaign to move away from isocyanates. We plan to roll this agreement throughout the country. Laura Unger, Staff Representative in C&T, will be involved in the roll out.

Joint Safety & Health Committee Reports- Moved to next conference call.

District 3 Safety and Health Retreat-

The consensus was to have the District 3 Safety & Health Retreat May 15-17 in Jacksonville, FL.

Next Conference Call-

The next conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EDT).