Conducted Wednesday, February 27, 2008 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Participants-
- Cindy Mills, President, CWA Local 6012
- Jerry Harrison, CWA Local 6215
- Erin Hall, President, CWA Local 6316
- Linda Nesler, President, and Dan Westervelt, Vice President, CWA Local 6360
- Janet Tanner, CWA Local 6377
- Jason Burns, President, CWA Local 6401
- Jackie Fields, President, CWA Local 6505
- Casey Rambo, CWA Local 6508
- David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director
Agenda-
Introductions-
Nine CWA District 6 leaders and occupational safety and health activists representing 8 local unions participated in the conference call. In addition, David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director hosted the call. (Mark Franken, CWA Representative, was unable to participate as he was leading negotiations with Century Tel-Missouri).
National/Regional Legislative/Regulatory Issues-
David LeGrande provided an update on two important legislative initiatives specific to asbestos and chemical security. Regarding asbestos, legislation targeting an asbestos ban has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Senator Patty Murray (D, WA) has introduced the "Ban Asbestos in America Act." To date, the legislation has been approved by the full Senate. The bill provides many necessary protections for workers. Unfortunately, due to the successful lobbying efforts of opponents to the legislation, an amendment providing an exception for asbestos containing products with one percent or less of asbestos was added to the bill. Led by the AFL-CIO, CWA will be working to have these provisions removed in the Senate-House Conference Committee.
Within the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MINN) has introduced the "Bruce Vento Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act of 2008." If enacted as introduced, this legislation would effectively ban the manufacture and use of asbestos products within the U.S. To date, this bill is being considered within the appropriate House committee and, thus, has not been introduced for a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Also, David mentioned CWA's collaborative work with a number of environmental organizations and other labor unions re. the introduction and passage of the Chemical Security Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008, (H.R. 5577). This legislation would amend and provide several needed worker and environmental protections to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It is anticipated this measure will be voted on within the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security during Mid-March ad move to House floor for a vote during March or April.
Ergonomics-
Janet Tanner, CWA Local 6377, noted continued efforts by the local to have Western Union address ergonomics issues. However, the Company is becoming increasingly reluctant to pursue workplace ergonomics concerns. Janet will provide continued updates.
Casey Rambo, CWA Local 6508, asked about the status of the investigation being conducted by Avazzia, Inc. among CWA Local 6201 members. Since Joanne Wells has moved to a new job outside of the jurisdiction of Local 6201 and within the jurisdiction of Local 6215, updated information has not been provided. David LeGrande indicated he will speak with Joanne to obtain an update. (Avazzia, Inc., has been conducting scientific investigations to determine the degree to which their equipment reduces musculoskeletal pains and health problems associated with computer use).
Electrical Hazards-
David LeGrande provided an update re. activities associated with the settlement agreements negotiated among the Maryland and Indiana Departments of Labor/OSHA, CWA, and Verizon. Thus far, training is continuing to advance in Maryland and Indiana. In addition, as a result of successful negotiations between CWA and Verizon, the training has been rolled out in all states within Districts 2 and 4, and is being initiated in California (CWA District 9). Following additional training on the west coast (CWA and IBEW sites in Oregon and Washington), the training will begin within District 6. The Safety and Health Department, in coordination with the respective CWA districts, will continue working to ensure the continuation and evaluation of these important training efforts.
Also, the Department has discussing the possibility of working with the CWA/AT&T Alliance in developing and providing a similar training program for CWA craft members employed by AT&T (where the Union represents some 100,000 affected workers). In addition, training will need to be developed for use among represented independent telecommunications companies. David will continue to provide updates on this activity.
Participant Reports/New Issues-
Jerry Harrison, CWA Local 6215, mentioned issues surrounding AT&T's eyewear and footwear provisions. The Company's actions are in response to and within compliance of the recently promulgated OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard, CFR 29 1910.34. Unfortunately, the rule allows employers such as AT&T to require workers buy their own footwear when the footwear can be worn off the job.
However, protective eyewear must be provided to affected technicians and paid for by the Company. Jackie Fields, CWA Local 6505, noted the Company's positive efforts to provide reduced rates for prescription eyewear. U.S. Safety, a major vendor, has a variety of prescription eyewear available to affected technicians.
Jerry Harrison, CWA Local 6215, discussed a number of ergonomic issues associated with ladder racks mounted on Company vans/trucks. Jerry reported the Union will continue to bring these issues to the Company's attention with the idea of jointly resolving the design issues as well as the related worker musculoskeletal injuries.
Also, Jerry mentioned AT&T has begun replacing poor quality hand tools with well-designed tools (manufactured by Kline, Inc.). David LeGrande noted the importance of bringing this matter to the attention of Mark Franken.
Further, Jerry Harrison indicated AT&T covered the inspection and use of 188A voltage testing equipment, hand tools, and motor vehicles during a recent training session. During the training the issue of the Company providing the amount of electrical voltage on the engineering/work plans was satisfactorily addressed with the Company indicating it would have the voltage written on the plans (for use by affected technicians). However, during a follow-up discussion among conference call participants, it appears as if different Company departments (e.g., Installation and Repair and Construction) located in different states within CWA District 6 are not consistently providing this information on engineering work plans. For example, in the Dallas, Texas area (Local 6215), the Company is providing the voltage data within the Installation and Repair Department, but not within the Construction Department; whereas, as noted by Casey Rambo, CWA Local 6508, within the Little Rock, Arkansas area, the voltage information is provided within the Construction Department, but not the Installation and Repair Department.
Several participants brought up the issue of AT&T's policy re. zero tolerance on motor vehicles accidents. The issue of/need for the Company to develop policies allowing for an improved balance between performance and productivity requirements, safety and health concerns, and job security was expressed as a major problem for technicians, particularly Emerging Network Technicians. David LeGrande noted the importance of passing this information through the respective local union presidents to Mark Franken.
With the vocal support of other participants, Casey Rambo, noted the importance of/need for technicians who work with fiber optic cable to be provided annual base-line eye examinations.
Workers Memorial Day, April 28, 2008-
David LeGrande discussed the importance of participating in Workers' Memorial Day activities. He referenced CWA President Cohen's letter to Local Presidents (See the CWA OSH Web Page,) and asked participants to provide the Safety and Health Department with information and photos regarding local events.
Date of the Next District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next District 6 occupational safety and health conference call will be conducted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 from 9:00- 11:00 a.m. (CST).
