December 2010 District 1 OSH Conference Call

Conducted Monday, December 13, 2010 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants-

John Gentile, CWA Local 1103
Phil Tobin, CWA Local 1105
Mick Dellavalle, CWA Local 1113
Bill Henning, Vice President, CWA Local 1180
Henry Plimack, NABET-CWA Local 51016
Steve Gauthier, IUE-CWA Local 81201
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-

Henry Plimack, NABET-CWA Local 51016, brought up several concerns regarding collective bargaining and occupational safety and health issues within CWA and NABET-CWA , the Gulf Region- Horizon oil spill, and the need for increased safety and health activity within the legislative arena. Several other participants joined in this discussion advocating increased OSH activities and organizational coordination and support.

Mick Dellavalle, CWA Local 1113, mentioned Verizon has made workplace violence on-line training available. The training focuses upon ‘Responding to an Active Shooter Situation.”

Steve Gauthier, IUE-CWA Local 81201, reported General Electric (GE) is closing the representedgear plant inLynn, Massachusetts. As a result of negotiated transfer rights, theaffected 51 members will move into other jobs at the GE plant. However, the gear manufacturing work will not return to the GE Lynn plant.

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

Micki Siegel de Hernandez was not able to participate in the conference call because she was at a site visit with CWA local union representatives and Verizon to see a demonstration of an RF meter purchased by the Company. Evaluating RF exposures had been raised by the Unionat the CWA/Verizon Tier 1 Safety and Health Committee meeting.

• CWA Local 2100 MOSH Complaint against Verizon-

David LeGrande provided an update regarding CWA Local 2100’s complaint with the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MOSH) specific to the provision of first aid/CPR training by Verizon. After filing the complaint (in early 2010) for the Company’s use of computer-based/not instructor-led first aid/CPR training for telecommunications technicians, MOSH conducted an expanded investigation finding the Company in violation and issued a “serious” citation. In turn, Verizon contested the citation. In September, a hearing was conducted by the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings. To date, the presiding administrative law judge has not issued his decision/opinion. When the legal decision becomes available, this information will be provided to District 1 OSH activists.

• 2010 Elections and Occupational Safety and Health-

David LeGrande discussed the outcome of the 2010 federal, state, and local elections as they relate to our occupational and environmental safety and health work. Although the loss of many important seats to the Republican Party will present many obstacles, we will have to continue our work using different, creative tactics. One example would be expanding coalition work with other unions and environmental organizations (e.g., Blue/Green Alliance).

In addition, David mentioned two key legislative initiatives the Union is working on during the Lame Duck Congressional session: The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act andthe Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act. It is hoped, the labor movement will be successful in moving the pieces of legislation through the U.S. Senate and Congress. (Of note, a revised James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate and signed into law by President Obama. Please refer to the CWA OSH webpage for details).

John Gentile, CWA Local 1103, reported the labor movement’s (including CWA) success in helping to elect Connecticut Democrat Party candidates to several important congressional (U.S.) and statewide offices.

• CWA/USW/Tony Mazzocchi Center Occupational Safety and Health Training-

David LeGrande brought participants up-to date regarding the CWA/USW training activities noting to date 12 safety and health activists from CWA districts; the IUE-CWA; and the Public, Health Care, and Education Workers Sector are involved as trainers. Funded by our grant with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, we see this work as critical to expanding the Union’s safety and health work.

• CWA Heat Stress Campaign-

David LeGrande mentioned the Union’s Heat Stress Campaign is continuing. To date, thousands of the CWA Heat Stress Fact Sheets have been distributed to and down-loaded by our leaders and members. In addition, nearly one thousand heat stress surveys have been completed and returned to the Safety and Health Department. Of concern, many member safety and health problems have been identified. Also, information has shown that several employers are not adhering to well established heat stress guidelines, procedures, and practices. At present, this data is being analyzed and translated into a written report for use by CWA leaders, staff, activists, and members. In turn, this information will be used within collective bargaining, regulatory, and legislative activities.

• CWA Member Workplace Fatalities-

David LeGrande indicated over the last several years numerous member workplace fatalities have occurred. These tragedies have been entirely preventable- the result of employer neglect to provide safe and healthful working conditions for the decedents/their employees. At present, David indicated he is analyzing collected information for the purpose of drawing common causation threads and translating this information into a report for use by CWA leaders, staff, and activists. As this report is near completion, David will share the draft for comments.

• Workplace Violence-

David LeGrande reported on two cases of workplace violence involving two Californiamembers/telecommunications technicians. The first involved an AT&T technician/Local 9404 member. While he was performing his outside telecommunications work (during his lunch break), two thugs opened the company vehicle door, then grabbed and threw him face-down on the pavement. Then one of the thugs jumped on him pushing a gun to the back of his head. He objected to the thug’s actions causing the thug to shoot at him. Fortunately the bullets sailed by our member and the thugs ran away. The local and district have brought their concerns to the attention of AT&T and are working to negotiate protective language.

The second incident involved a Verizon customer service employee/Local 9000 member. While walking to her workplace through the nearby Verizon parking lot, her estranged husband attacked her causing significant injury. In turn, she was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital in critical condition. At present, she is still under hospital care, but moving towards recovery. Also, CWA District 9 and CWA Local 9000 are working with Verizon to establish a foundation for the family.

Mick Dellavalle, CWA Local 1113, reported Verizon has removed security personnel from represented customer service work locations. Phil Tobin, CWA Local 1105, noted the Company has done the same at local-represented customer service work locations.

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

The next CWA District 1 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be held on Monday, March 2, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.