April 2010 CWA District 9 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Conducted Monday, April 12, 2010 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (PDT)

Participants- Bob Schwager, President, CWA Local 9417
Mike Bell, Executive Vice President, CWA local 9421
Eric Lindberg, Vice President, CWA Local 9423
Rick Delao, President, CWA Local 9431
Walter Brugman, CWA Local 9505
Beau Gartiez, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 9511
Cherie Brokaw, CWA Representative
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

Agenda-

Participant Reports/New Issues-
Bob Schwager, CWA Local 9417 , reported on recent attempts to translate the negotiated workplace violence agreement between the Local and AT&T to AT&T Mobility work locations. Bob indicated he would keep all apprised of his progress/success. Beau Gartiez, CWA Local 9511 , reported on two workplace violence incidents at AT&T Mobility indicating he would provide up-to-date information regarding the cases and resolution steps. Mike Bell, CWA Local 9421 , suggested working with community service personnel in police departments and the local's success in resolving workplace violence issues. Regarding outside technicians, Rick Delao, CWA Local 9431 , and Bob Schwager stressed the importance of identifying high crime areas and working with Company personnel to develop protective strategies and programs towards ensuring technicians are not put in harms-way while performing their work. Beau Gartiez asked if AT&T reported on its efforts to develop its “Street Smart' program during the recent joint CWA District 9 /AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee meeting. Rick Delao mentioned the Company had not raised this issue during the meeting, but would look into this.

CWA Districts 4, 7, and 9 Occupational Safety and Health Retreat, May 5-7, 2010-
David LeGrande reported on the progress and issues specific to the upcoming multi-district retreat. To be held at the Wyndham Phoenix Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona (immediately after the District 7 Conference ), he reported on the topics to be covered as well involvement of district occupational safety and health activists as topic specific panel members. Also, he encouraged activists to continue their retreat recruiting efforts.

Workers' Memorial Day, April 28, 2010-
David LeGrande reported on the importance of participation in Workers' Memorial Day activities. In turn, several participants indicated they would be involved in events within their geographic areas. David encouraged folks to take pictures and forward them to the Union's Safety and Health Depart ment for use on the OSH webpage as well as in the CWA News , etc.

CWA/USW Training Grants-
David LeGrande noted the mutually developed occupational safety and health training grant, submitted to the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences during the latter part of 2009, has received very high “content” scores from the Agency. The dollar amount of the five-year grant should be provided during the latter part of April. Upon receipt of the award, he noted all CWA leaders, staff, and OSH activists would be notified. Receipt of the grant will allow for increased education and training for both unions OSH activists.

CWA Local 9119/UCLA-
Following the 2009 death of Shari Sangji , a lab technician at UCLA , Cal OSHA conducted a fatality investigation and, subsequently, issued citations against the university. Also, Local 9119 filed an additional complaint with the state agency specific to numerous safety and health hazards. Again, Cal OSHA cited UCLA for safety and health violations. At present, led by Joan Lichterman, occupational safety and health chair for the statewide local, and UCLA Local 9119 OSH activists, actions are being taken to ensure a similar incident does not occur again. Also, the local is conducting workplace safety and health education and training for leaders and members.

Fatality of William Britt Hunt, CWA Local 3212-
David LeGrande updated participants on the status of the OSHA fatality investigation of William Britt Hunt , former employee of AT&T and CWA Local 3212 member. Britt was killed while winding telecommunications on to a cable winch. During this operation, the cable wound around his feet dragging him into the winch. Unfortunately, AT&T had assigned Britt to perform this two-person job alone. Following the Union 's investigation, numerous concerns were identified including the Company's lack of conducting a pre-job survey, lack of assigning two technicians to perform this work, and lack of ensuring general safe and healthful working conditions and procedures. Following the release of OSHA's fatality investigation, CWA will determine its response to AT&T with the idea of memorializing Britt Hunt as well as ensuring the Company provides technicians with safe and healthful working conditions.

Employee Free Choice Act and Occupational Safety and Health-
David LeGrande mentioned the Employee Free Choice Act has been to rest for the remainder of the 2010 Congressional session as a result of the Democratic Party's loss of its “super majority” in the U.S. Senate .

Protecting America 's Workers Act (H.R. 2067, S. 1580)-
David LeGrande reported on the current status of the Protecting America's Workers Act . The AFL-CIO, Change to Win , affiliated unions, and the National Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health continue to urge the U.S. Congress to pass this most important reform legislation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 . Along with CWA , these organizations will be emphasizing the passage of the Act during Workers' Memorial Day activities.

Date of the Next CWA District Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next CWA District 9 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call is scheduled for Monday, July 19, 2010 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (PDT).