CWA/USW Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Regional Conferences

Letter from CWA President Larry Cohen to CWA Staff and Locals

Dear Colleagues:

CWA and the United Steelworkers (USW) formed a partnership to enable our two unions to work closely together on occupational safety and health training and education to prevent workplace and environmental hazards.  

CWA and the USW will conduct three Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Regional Conferences during 2011.

These joint conferences will be held:

•    May 15-20, 2011 at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
•    September 11-17, 2011 at the Atlanta Hyatt Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia* and
•    September 25-30, 2011 at the Wyndham Phoenix Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona*

These conferences will help us develop strategies to improve day-to-day member working conditions as well as expand our workplace safety and health activities.   The target audience for these conferences is local union safety and health leaders and activists.  The regional conferences will emphasize:

•    Identifying local union safety and health needs
•    Increasing participant knowledge and skills
•    Developing ongoing safety and health networks

The conferences will start with registration and a CWA meeting on Sunday evening.   There is a union plenary session on Monday, and various specialized two-day training sessions conducted Tuesday-Wednesday.  The two-day sessions will cover a Union Approach to Health and Safety Committees, Industrial Hygiene, and Labor and the Environment.  Also, special four-day programs for OSHA Trainer Certification courses will be available.

Conference logistics and registration fees as well as the website to register for the conference are described below.

Safety and health remains a key concern for our members and these joint conferences will expand our opportunities to improve the Union’s safety and health programs. 

In Unity,

Larry Cohen,
President

cc. CWA Executive Board
      CWA Staff
 
* Registration information for both of the September conferences will be provided during May, 2011.

Conference Logistics and Registration Information

There will be three levels of registration fees for CWA activists:

1.  Sunday (the CWA Activist meeting) and Monday (the Union plenary session) - $50.00.
2.  Sunday- Wednesday (the CWA Activist meeting, Union plenary session, and participation in one two-day training session) - $200.00
3.  Monday-Friday (the CWA Activist meeting, Union plenary session, and either two two-day training sessions or one four-day training session) - $400.00.

A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided each day.  However, participants will be responsible for all additional food costs.

Participants will be responsible for hotel room and incidental costs.  Hotel rooms for the Pittsburgh conference are $99.00 plus tax for a single/double room per day.  For reservations, please call the Wyndham Grand Hotel at 1-412-391-4600.  A block of rooms will be held until Friday, April 29.  When making reservations, please let the hotel know you will be attending the CWA/USW Health, Safety, and Environment Regional Conference, booking code 05126781UN.

Please complete the on-line registration form and access the agenda by going to:    
http://cwa-union.org/2011hsconf and mail your registration payment to:

CWA Occupational Safety and Health Department
501 3rd Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20001.

Space is limited for the regional conference and each of the training programs.  On-line registration will be completed on a first-come, first- serve basis.  Walk-ins will not be accepted. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Occupational Safety and Health Department.