August 2013 District 2-13 OSH Conference Call

District 2-13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call Conducted Monday, August 19, 2013 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants-

Mike Arscott, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 2107|
Jason Barry, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 2202
Alan Johnson, CWA Local 2204
Jesse Davis, CWA Local 2222
Bob Council, President, CWA Local 2275
Bill Evitt, CWA Representative, and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-
  

Jesse Davis, CWA Local 2222, reported Verizon has agreed to adhere to the five-year certification rule for hard hats (This has been an issue of disagreement between CWA and Verizon for a considerable time). This great victory will see the company providing the correct equipment first in Washington D.C. and to other areas through the next Verizon day of safety meeting.

Verizon’s recent emphasis upon the mandate that all outside technicians be required to pass pole climbing requirements or be sent to pole climbing school has been initiated. However, it appears as if the company’s implementation has some problems. For example, a Local 2222 member with a medical disability was not provided the necessary accommodation- a grievance has been filed in this case- and, in another instance, not providing the necessary protective equipment, i.e., climbing belt, at the company training. The latter example resulted in a Local 2108 member falling off a pole and severely damaging his back. The Verizon program is directly linked to the company’s moves to eliminate the use of Telsta trucks, thus, mandating technicians be required to climb poles. Bill Evitt said he would provide updates as available.

• CWA District 2/Verizon Occupational Safety and Health Committee-
  

Bill Evitt, CWA Representative reported the committee has not re-formed since the re-negotiation of the contract. However, as a result of conversations with Verizon personnel, he anticipated that a committee meeting would be scheduled in the near future.

• CWA District 2-13 (Virginia) Asbestos Case-
  

Jesse Davis, CWA Local 2222, provided an update regarding the status of this case. He noted Verizon has appealed the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration asbestos citation. It is unclear when this case will be resolved. Specific to the conditions of the citation, thus far, members from Locals 2222 and 2275 have been provided required medical screening exams; however, involved Local 2201 technicians have not. Jesse indicated he would work with his local and Bill Evitt to help finalize the citation case.

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-
  

David LeGrande highlighted the CWA/USW training under the union’s grant funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. During September, 2013, Alan Johnson, CWA Local 2204 and District 2-13 occupational safety and health grant trainer, has scheduled a training session at CWA Local 2275. Bob Council, CWA Local 2275, indicated the training will allow his stewards (as well as participants from nearby locals) to increase their safety and health knowledge and activity. Going into 2014, additional sessions will be conducted in other District 2-13 locations.

• CWA Heat Stress Campaign-
  

David LeGrande reported on the continuing development of Heat Stress education and training materials and training sessions. This addition to the grant training program has been recognized by NIEHS as an official part of the CWA/USW grant training. David noted funding for the Union’s Heat Stress Strategic Industry Fund has been extended from July, 2013 to July, 2014.

• CWA/USW Health, Safety, and Environment Conference, September 23-27, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  

David LeGrande discussed the upcoming national conference noting CWA President Larry Cohen will be addressing participants on Monday, September 23. Brian Hooker, CWA Local 4034, will participate on a union strategy/issues panel presenting remarks on his/the local’s successful work on OSHA Section 11(c) cases. In addition to morning plenary sessions, the conference will feature workshops on more than 40 different occupational and environmental safety and health topics. David said some 1,400 CWA and USW safety and health activists are expected to participate. Registration information is available on the CWA Occupational Safety and Health webpage, www.cwasafetyandhealth.org. David encouraged participants to contact him if they have questions.

• Date of the Next CWA District 2-13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-

The next CWA District 2-13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (EST).