April 2011 District 1 OSH Conference Call

CWA District 1 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call Conducted Monday, April 11, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants-

Mick Dellavalle, CWA Local 1113
James Huntley, President, CWA Local 1182
Karen Enright, Vice President, CWA Local 1133
Henry Plimack, NABET/CWA Local 51016
Steve Gauthier, IUE-CWA Local 81201
Geena Cruz, IUE-CWA Local 81381
Micki Siegel de Hernandez, District 1 Occupational Safety and Health Director and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-

Steve Gauthier, IUE-CWA Local 81201, mentioned participating in an APHA meeting in New Hampshire in which he gave a presentation encouraging participants from the public health community to embrace both environmental and occupational health issues. This important work needs to be expanded as we work to expand the labor/environmental coalition Blue/Green Alliance .

James Huntley, CWA Local 1182 , reported protective legislation was passed by the New York State legislature which provides important workplace violence gains for traffic agents represented by the local. Micki Siegel de Hernandez added New York State has acted to develop and implement workplace violence regulations for social service and other public workers. Karen Enright, CWA Local 1133, discussed the issue of bullying as a component of workplace violence. This issue should be included in the Union ' s workplace violence activities- particularly as they relate to the New York State workplace violence regulations.

Mick Dellavalle, CWA Local 1113 , mentioned Verizon has developed an on-line program on emergency response. Local members have responded positively to this development. Mick also reported, given the attitude conveyed by Verizon management, workplace office illumination issues have become very difficult to resolve. For example, Verizon will make necessary adjustments only after receiving a medical diagnosis and prescription for changes as they relate to individual workers.

• CWA District 1/Verizon Occupational Safety and Health Committee-

Micki Siegel de Hernandez indicated there have been additional changes in Verizon personnel responsible for safety and health. These changes have made it more difficult to introduce issues for resolution and change. One particular timely issue which needs follow through by the Company involves potential radiofrequency radiation emissions/exposure to CWA telecommunications technicians.

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training and Regional Conferences-

David LeGrande summarized the development and status of the CWA/USW National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences -funded grant training activities as well as the conducting of joint occupational and environmental safety and health conferences. He mentioned the CWA/USW Regional Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Conferences are scheduled May 15-20, 2011 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania ; September 11-16, 2011 in Atlanta , Georgia ; and September 25-30, 2011 in Phoenix , Arizona describing the purpose of and topics to be discussed during the regional conferences. He encouraged all conference call participants to attend and recruit for the Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania regional conference.

• James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act-

Micki Siegel de Hernandez discussed next steps in implementing the important legislation emphasizing much work still needs to be accomplished. As this work continues, she will keep everyone informed.

• Workers' Memorial Day, April 28, 2011-

David LeGrande reminded participants to be become engaged in Workers' Memorial Day activities providing reports and photos of these events. All participants indicated they would be involved in Workers' Memorial Days activities.

• Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Events-

Micki Siegel de Hernandez highlighted New York City events planned to memorialize the 146 workers (mostly women and children). Other participants discussed events scheduled for other parts of the country.

• CWA Occupational Safety and Health Training among Piedmont Workers-

Micki Siegel and David LeGrande reported on safety and health training sessions involving recently-organized Piedmont workers. Initial sessions have focused and will continue to focus upon basic workers' rights issues. However, secondary training sessions will cover a wider variety of topics such as ergonomics, indoor air quality, and chemical and sanitation issues.

• CWA Heat Stress Campaign- “A Burning Issue-”

David LeGrande reported on the variety of past, present, and future campaign activities including the development of the CWA Heat Stress Fact Sheet , developing and conducting the Union's Heat Stress Survey , and analyzing collected company policies, and federal and state guidelines/regulations into the recently-produced publication, “A Burning Issue.” David encouraged activists to review the fact sheet and report, “A Burning Issue,” with the idea of providing this information to affected local members. Also, he suggested locals should re-initiate member survey distribution and completion efforts. As needed, copies of the materials are available from the CWA Occupational Safety and Health Department. Several participants expressed their interest and satisfaction with this work indicating they would be very active in the campaign efforts.

• U-Verse Technician Field Safety Guide-

David LeGrande discussed the development, distribution, and use of the CWA U-Verse Technician Field Safety Guide . Developed by CWA leaders and safety and health activists within the CWA District 9 Central Valley Council and available on the CWA Occupational Safety and Health webpage, the guide covers all major workplace safety and health issues experienced by Premise/U-Verse technicians. Several participants mentioned they had reviewed the guide and planned to provide/use it to educate Verizon Premise technicians.

• Republican Congress Assault on Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health-

David LeGrande reported on the assault by Republican members of Congress against workplace and environmental safety and health. He suggested we should expect this behavior to continue until we are able to elect worker/environmental friendly candidates to Congress (and other public offices). This need for this activity is also evidenced by the assault on public and private sector workers in Florida , New Jersey , Wisconsin , Ohio , Indiana , Michigan , and several other states.

• Date of the Next CWA District 1 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-

The next District 1 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call is scheduled for Monday, July 25, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.