December 2010 Districts 2 and 13 OSH Conference Call

CWA Districts 2 and 13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Conducted Wednesday, December 1, 2010 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants-

Robin Young, Secretary, CWA Local 2001
Rick McKinney, CWA Local 2007
Mark Balsamo, President, and Kevin Miller, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 2100
Mike Parker, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 2107
Johnny Brown, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 2108
Mark Wood, CWA Local 2201
Alex Long, Vice President, CWA Local 2202
Alan Johnson, Vice President, CWA Local 2204
Travis Carpenter, Vice President, CWA Local 2222
Gail Evans, Administrative Director to the Vice President
Bill Evitt, CWA Representative
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-

Johnny Brown, CWA Local 2108, reported Verizon continues pushing safety and health out of the way in favor of increased productivity and performance at the expense of worker safety, health, and well-being. Noting two examples where there might have been serious results for this behavior- the investigation of an energized cable and concerns re. safety alarm equipment, Johnny emphasized the need for local OSH activists to be vigilant in their work to ensure the Company is in compliance with existing regulations, policies and procedures.

Mike Parker, CWA Local 2107, mentioned a recent incident in which a Verizon technician was suspended for committing numerous safety violations. However, the no action was taken against the supervisor. A grievance has been filed against the Company. Mike said he would provide information re. the outcome of the grievance.

Rick McKinney, CWA Local 2007, reported on a case involving sewage contamination of a manhole. After he brought this attention to the employer, Frontier Communications, the Company agreed technicians would not be required to perform work in the manhole until the sewage was removed and safe and healthful working conditions were provided. In addition, several other safety and health issues were discussed with Company representatives. Thus far, the Company has agreed to work with the union on a variety of safety and health concerns. Rick indicated he would provide updates re. this work.

Alan Johnson, CWA Local 2204, mentioned continued disagreement with Verizon over the Company’s requirement that technicians take their tools in their vehicles to Verizon day of safety and health meetings. This issue has been resolved in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Alan indicated he would continue to provide updates re. the resolution of this matter.

Kevin Miller, CWA Local 2100, reported effective Spring 2011 Verizon will be replacing associate safety team meetings with monthly meetings to be held at each individual Company garage. Although there will be an advantage to this practice, i.e., safety and health meetings will be held on a monthly basis, the down side is Company supervisors are not always adequately aware of safety and health issues. Participants agreed this may be an opportunity for CWA OSH activists to step forward- with Verizon’s cooperation- and lead the training sessions.

Kevin raised another issue involving electronic gates contained in Verizon garages/work locations. These gates, intended to allow technicians to enter and exit Company premises, can only be opened with the vehicle-contained activation equipment. Thus, during an emergency when the activation equipment is not available, technicians and other personnel are effectively trapped within the fenced-in area. Kevin said he is in the early stages of discussing this matter with Verizon and will provide further information re. the resolution of this concern.

Alex Long, CWA Local 2202, indicated member concerns re. Radiofrequency (RF) radiation emissions/exposure from cellular antenna equipment asking about the appropriate procedures to identify RF exposure levels and potential exposure. Referencing the CWA Occupational Safety and Health Fact Sheet “Microwave/Radiofrequency Radiation and the Workplace,” David LeGrande noted the often-complicated work setting experienced by technicians performing work on RF cellular equipment/antennas. He spelled out a number of procedures to follow including:

• Requesting Verizon, the employer, conduct RF monitoring for the cellular equipment with which our members are working (Upon completion, the monitoring data must be provided to Mike/the union representative.),
• Focusing upon a Verizon work site/cell tower, request the Company follow the FCC RF regulation by requiring other employers who have co-located cellular equipment/antennas at the worksite/cell tower to conduct and provide monitoring data to the Verizon thus identifying the level of RF emissions,
• Sending this company-provided information to the Safety and Health Department for review and analysis,
• Providing copies of the CWA fact sheet on Microwave/Radiofrequency Radiation to involved technicians/members, and
• Based upon the results of the monitoring data, requesting the Company take the necessary preventive/protective action.

If Verizon takes the appropriate action, the Union should document all procedures the Company has used to control emissions/member exposure. On the other hand, if the Company refuses to take such action, the Union should discuss next steps.

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

Bill Evitt indicated the regularly-scheduled meting had been re-scheduled for December 16, 2010.

• CWA Local 2100 MOSH Complaint against Verizon-

Kevin Miller, CWA Local 2100, provided an update regarding the local’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 all District 2 locals.

• 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.

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

David LeGrande brought participants up-to date regarding the CWA/USW training activities. In coordination with District 2 Vice President Ron Collins and CWA Representative Bill Evitt, Alan Johnson, CWA Local 2204, wasappointed to represent District 2 in reaching out to locals and represented employers to initiate training activities. David noted 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.

Alan Johnson summarized his work to date asking for input and participation from all participants. In the near future, in coordination with Bill Evitt, he will be contacting CWA local presidents, Verizon and other represented employers within District 2 encouraging them to cooperate/participate in rolling out the Union’s training program.

• 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.

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

The next CWA Districts 2 and 13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.