CWA District 2 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Participants-

Robin Young, Secretary, CWA Local 2001
Rick McKinney, CWA Local 2007
Mark Balsamo, President, CWA Local 2100
Damon Dallas, CWA Local 2101
Mark Wood, CWA Local 2201
Alex Long, Vice President, CWA Local 2202
Alan Johnson, Vice President, CWA Local 2204
Jim Hilleary, President, and Jesse Davis, CWA Local 2222
Charles Benjamin, CWA Local 2275
Claudia Cole, Vice President, CWA Local 2336
Bill Evitt, CWA Representative
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

Agenda-

Topics for Conference Calls-
David LeGrande asked participants if there are safety and health issues that are not being adequately addressed or introduced during the conference calls. Participants indicated we are/have been focusing on the primary safety and health issues.

The Employee Free Choice Act and Occupational Safety and Health-
David LeGrande noted the Employee Free Choice Act has been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 1409) and Senate (S. 560). To date (3/19), there are 223 co-sponsors in the House and 40 co-sponsors in the Senate. The importance of the bill’s passage both to the labor movement (go to www.employeefreechoiceact.org and ga.cwa-union.org for more information) and occupational safety and health is significant. Re. occupational safety and health, it was emphasized the Act would allow unorganized workers the opportunity to organize unions and negotiate protective safety and health collective bargaining provisions. In turn, as CWA and the labor movement are successful in organizing additional workers into the ranks of labor, the increased numbers of union-represented workers would increase labor’s overall ability to negotiate comprehensive occupational safety and health contractual language with represented employers. 

Occupational Safety and Health during the Obama Administration-
David LeGrande mentioned the Obama Administration has taken a number of actions which support occupational and environmental safety and health. For example, the nomination and confirmation of Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) for/as Secretary of Labor is a clear step towards the return of occupational safety and health to issues crucial to workers, i.e., targeting the identification and prevention of workplace safety and health hazards. Under the direction of Secretary Solis, workers can be assured an aggressive Assistant Secretary of Labor-OSHA will be nominated. However, it is unlikely the eventual nominee will be confirmed by Congress before Summer, 2009

In addition, Ms. Lisa Jackson, formerly head of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Quality, has been nominated and confirmed as the EPA Administrator. Already, Ms. Jackson has voiced strong support of a key CWA initiative, Good Jobs/Green Jobs.

Similar appointments are anticipated within other federal agencies.

Finally, occupational and environmental safety and health has been identified as a significant component in Vice President Biden’s initiative on middle class values and jobs. 

Blue/Green Alliance-
David LeGrande reported on the Union’s activity within the Blue/Green Labor-Environmental Alliance. In coordination with the United Steelworkers, CWA has joined the coalition with the idea of helping to create good (sustainable union) jobs, green jobs, and safe jobs. Targeting primarily manufacturing workers and operations, the Blue/Green Alliance includes environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, the National Resources Defense Council, OMB Watch, Greenpeace, with involvement from other labor unions like the Laborers, Teamsters, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and resource organizations like the Work Environment Council.

Workplace Violence-
Noting the recent cases of workplace violence involving telecommunications technicians in District 4 and District 9 as well as the negotiated comprehensive agreement between CWA Local 9415 and AT&T, David LeGrande asked participants whether any of their members had reported recent cases of workplace violence. Claudia Cole, CWA Local 2336, mentioned a near-miss attempted assault incident during late 2008 involving a  Verizon technician. Also, Damon Dallas, CWA Local 2101, reported on a case where a technician was assaulted while in the company/Verizon motor vehicle. Fortunately, the member was not injured.

In turn, David indicated he would distribute the negotiated language between CWA Local 9415 and AT&T for use by District 2 leaders and occupational safety and health activists.

Participant Reports/New Issues-
Mark Balsamo, CWA Local 2100, raised a number of concerns related to electrical exposure among telecommunications technicians. Specifically, Mark has identified instances in which telecommunications technicians have been assigned to lay/place telecommunications wire/cable within close proximity to improperly-grounded buried electrical wire. Concerned with their safety, health, and well being, several technicians have raised concerns with Verizon about the potential safety and health hazards.  Verizon has told the technicians to perform the work as assigned or it would take  disciplinary action.

Mark is discussing the Union’s concerns regarding technicians’ exposure to improperly-grounded electrical wire and the potential for life-threatening electrical accidents with Verizon managers. Upon completion of this work, he will provide information regarding the Company’s decision (re. the resolution of the identified hazards) to other CWA District 2 locals, Bill Evitt, and David LeGrande. If the Company indicates their refusal to work with the Union in eliminating the electrical hazards, CWA will seek assistance outside of the collective bargaining structure. Several participants voiced their concerns regarding potential member exposure to the identified electrical hazards and the Company’s reluctance to resolve the cause of this problem.

In addition, Bill Evitt said he will bring this issue to the attention of the contractual CWA District 2-Verizon Occupational Safety and Health Committee for resolution. Given Verizon operates in several CWA districts, David LeGrande mentioned he would provide information to and identify work procedures in other parts of the U.S. from CWA District Staff with occupational safety and health responsibilities. Upon receipt of feedback, he will pass this information to Bill Evitt, conference call participants, and other District 2 local safety and health activists.   

Jesse Davis, CWA Local 2222, indicated Verizon plans to initiate disciplinary action against technicians whom are not meeting 85% of the Company’s productivity objectives. Mark Balsamo, CWA Local 2100, said the Company has instituted such action. In response, local mobilization efforts have been initiated to change Verizon’s decision.

Claudia Cole, CWA Local 2336, reported she is investigating a potential asbestos exposure case at a Verizon work location. Upon completion, she will report these results to Bill Evitt and David LeGrande.

Alan Johnson, CWA Local 2204, raised the issue of Verizon directing technicians to use torches when performing work with lead cables in confined spaces/manholes. CWA has brought our concerns regarding this practice/potential lead exposure and fire hazards to the attention of the Company. Upon receipt of a decision from Verizon, he will pass this information to Bill Evitt, and David LeGrande.

Also, Alan Johnson mentioned safety issues presented by the installation of drop-wire to operate video cameras designed to monitor interstate highways. Alan indicated the contractor involved in linking/installing the video camera equipment was not providing adequate safety protections required by Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT). He will provide additional information after discussing these concerns with VDOT representatives and Verizon management. 

Rick McKinney, CWA Local 2007, reported the Verizon is not keeping the certification of gas meters up-to date. In addition, he mentioned general lighting levels and fire exit lights are not in conformance with the OSHA Telecommunications Standard. Information on these instances will be forwarded to Robin Young, CWA Local 2001 and the Union’s state-wide representative on the District 2 CWA/Verizon Occupational safety and Health Committee, for action.  
 
2009 CWA Occupational Safety and Health Conference-
Due to a schedule conflict with the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention, David LeGrande indicated the dates of the Union’s 2009 Occupational Safety and Health Conference have been moved from September 12-14 to October 3-5. The Conference will be conducted at the San Diego Holiday Inn on-the-Bay. In the coming weeks, registration information will be mailed to all local presidents and posted on the OSH webpage. 

Date of the Next CWA District 2 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next District 2 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be conducted on Monday, June 15, 2009 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.