August 2010 CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call
Conducted Wednesday, August 11, 2010 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Participants-
Marshall Whitaker, CWA Local 4032
Ryan Letts, President, CWA Local 4034
Vickie Deason, President, CWA Local 4040
Jeff Gable, CWA Local 4100
Rick Schrader, President, CWA Local 4300
Peggy Griffith, Secretary, CWA Local 4302
Gary Kundrat, CWA Local 4340
Matt Vachalik, CWA Local 4611
Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900
Tom Krolopp, President, and Rick Caspary, IUE-CWA Local 84717
Bryon Capper, CWA Representative
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

Participant Reports/New Issues-

Gary Kundrat, CWA Local 4340, mentioned AT&T has increased development and implementation of management programs intended to increase worker productivity at the expense of worker safety, health, and well-being. Entitled MSOC (aka Sic-Sigma and Lean Technology) these programs pit worker against worker in the Company's continued efforts to increase productivity. Already, the imposition of MSOC programs have led to a number of safety and health issues related to increased productivity demands, management pressures, and job stress. Rick Schroeder, CWA Local 4300 , indicated three recent cases of worker injuries in which the Company has taken disciplinary action against the involved members. Several other participants noted the Company is doing the same thing in their geographic areas resulting in safety and health concerns as well as job stress.

David LeGrande asked participants if the AT&T efforts were unilaterally –imposed or negotiated with CWA - to which participants noted unilateral imposition. In order that we gather more information in which to develop a plan, David asked participants to obtain a written copy of AT&T's MSOC program and provide it to him for review. Regarding noted safety and health cases, he requested participants document all related cases and send them to both Bryon Capper and himself.

Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900, reported AT&T has also begun to increase expected worker productivity by increasing required performance levels. Coupled with the introduction and use of the Company MSOC program, he is witnessing increased work-related accidents and injuries as well as job stress among represented workers . David LeGrande suggested participants gather information regarding these member cases- which are occurring in AT&T bargaining units all over the U.S.- and provide them to Bryon Capper and himself. In turn, we/ CWA will have to develop and initiate a number of responses to the Company-imposed productivity programs.

Peggy Griffith, CWA Local 4302 , mentioned she has been working to translate recent member accident and injury cases into concerted action by CWA locals in Ohio . Indicating she interrupted anther conference call she was on to jump on this call, Peggy said she would be providing additional details in the near future.

Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900, summarized the recently-conducted CWA/AT&T Indiana Safety and Health Common Interest Forum . In particular, he highlighted a number of successful and ongoing activities including conducting joint safety and health investigations, documenting safety and health concerns/issues, and labor/management relations when dealing with safety and health issues.

CWA Local 3212 Member Fatality-
David LeGrande provided an update re. the January 13, 2010 fatality of William Britt Hunt (a member of CWA Local 3212 and employee of AT&T ). His death occurred while he was winding telecommunications cable onto 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.

In June, 2010, OSHA completed its fatality and workplace investigations of the AT&T West Rome Service Center , Rome , Georgia . During late June, OSHA issued citations against AT&T for several safety violations at the Service Center . The citations focused upon incorrect storage of liquid propane containers, incorrect placement and identification of fire extinguishers, and electrical hazards.

In addition, specific to the fatality of Britt Hunt, the OSHA compliance officer made the following recommendations :

• Written procedures for the operation of the assigned work with RL-10 reel equipment should be established to ensure all affected technicians understand the methods to safely operate equipment (“either in a one man or two men crew”) operation,
• Procedures be developed to allow technicians to take the necessary time in recovering the telecommunications cable/wire necessary to perform the job in a safe and healthful manner, and
• All crews operating this equipment (i.e., the RL-10 reel) should be re-trained and re-evaluated using procedures or work rules that include all methods of cable/wire recovery.

Following the issuance of the citations and recommendations, in coordination with District 3 and the Union 's Safety and Health Department, Caleb East, President, CWA Local 3212 filed a request with OSHA for Party Status, ensuring that CWA would be involved in all activities associated with the final resolution of this case. (Subsequent to the call, AT&T has abated the hazards listed in the citations and the case has been closed. CWA District 3 leaders and activists will have the task of bringing the identified recommendations to the attention of the Company for necessary action).

In memory of Britt Hunt, CWA District 3, Local 3212, and the Union 's Safety and Health Department will continue to actively seek a satisfactory resolution of the OSHA case.

CWA Local 4100 Member Fatality-
In January 2010 , Kevin James (a member of CWA Local 4100, Detroit, Michigan and employee of AT&T), was killed while performing aerial telecommunications cable repair work on a telephone pole when an overhead electrical line fell on him causing his death. Greg Wynn, President, CWA Local 4100, has been working with other CWA Locals, CWA Staff, Michigan OSHA, and AT&T to ensure this case is handled thoroughly and properly. David LeGrande added he has been working with Greg, Byron Capper, and the Michigan OSHA compliance officer to move this process along. Upon completion of the Michigan OSHA investigation, information will be provided to all District 4 locals and CWA Staff . Also, this information will be reviewed with involved AT&T management.

CWA Heat Stress Campaign-
David LeGrande reported on the status of the Union 's Heat Stress Campaign. The CWA fact sheet “Extreme Heat” and heat stress survey and has been developed and distributed/posted on the Union 's Safety and Health web-page . Thus far, some 800 surveys have been completed and company heat stress policies and OSHA and NIOSH heat stress guidelines and recommendations have been collected. At present, sponsored by the Union's Telecommunications Strategic Industry Fund, the Safety and Health Department is identifying scientists to analyze collected data and write the reports specific to these findings.

National /Regional/ State Regulatory/Legislative Issues-

9/11 World Trade Center Legislation-
In May, 2010, H.R. 6594, the James Zadroga Medical Monitoring and Treatment Act , was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee . However, the bill was not passed by the required margin of the full House of Representatives. CWA, the AFL-CIO , and other unions will re-initiate efforts to have this legislation enacted by Congress.

David LeGrande noted numerous excellent workplace and environmental safety and health activities being conducted by OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, and NIEHS.

Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act, H.R. 5663-
David LeGrande mentioned the Act is expected to receive consideration by legislators during this Congressional session. CWA , other unions, the AFL-CIO, COSH and public health organizations are working collaboratively to make this happen. As the legislation begins to receive additional Congressional attention, more information will be provided.

The legislation covers both mine and general industry safety and health issues. Specific to general industry workplaces, issues include:

• Increasing employer civil and criminal penalties for serious job safety and health violations,
• Requiring correction of serious workplace hazards during the period of time when the employer contest/appeal is pending,
• Enhancing whistleblower protections for workers who raise job safety and health concerns and report injuries and illness, and
• Providing victims of workplace injuries and illnesses as well as family members the right to participate/be heard in OSHA investigations.

CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-
David LeGrande announced CWA and the USW have received a $7 million five-year grant to develop and conduct worker-centered training on hazardous substances/materials, effective workplace safety and health committees, ergonomics as well as other topics. CWA Districts and Sectors will be identifying and selecting CWA Staff and local union activists who will participate in the training efforts. Additional information will be provided in the near future.

Date of the Next CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 2010 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.