CWA District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Conducted Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. (EST); 12:00-2:00 p.m. (CDT)

Participants-
Mike Stovall, President, CWA Local 3106
Clarence Stokes, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 3109
Fred Smith, Vice President, CWA Local 3111
Nancy Underwood and Marc Hansmann, CWA Local 3122
Melissa Snyder-Pike, Vice President, and Susan Moss, CWA Local 3204
Terry Buchholz, CWA Local 3315
Erik Lehto, Vice President, CWA Local 3407
Matt Wood, President, CWA Local 3411
Ernie Johnson, President, CWA Local 3519
Chris Myrick, CWA Local 3607
Pat Edgar, CWA Local 3706
June Ellis, Walter Long, and Claude Perry, CWA Local 3902
Rodney Jones, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 3903
David Betts, Treasurer, CWA Local 3905
Chandra Nunnery, President, and Latrina Larry, IUE-CWA Local 83718
Booker Lester, Administrative Director, and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director.

Participants Reports/New Issues-
Melissa Snyder-Pike, CWA local 3204, indicated AT&T has re-initiated their monitoring of customer service workers use of bathroom time. (This issue came up a few years ago resulting in the local filing an OSHA complaint, OSHA's issuance of a citation for violation of the OSHA Sanitation Standard, 29 CFR 1910.141, and the apparent resolution of the company's actions). After considerable discussion, including coverage of members with medical issues, Melissa said she would keep OSH activists informed of the local's activities.

Several activists, including Mike Stovall, CWA Local 3106 and David Betts, Local 3905, mentioned AT&T has initiated the same behavior at represented customer service work locations.

This discussion then moved to the Company's use of GPS technology to monitor craft workers/technicians. Several activists, including Marc Hansman, CWA Local 3122, and Susan Moss, CWA Local 3204, noted AT&T has taken disciplinary action against technicians for varying from the GPS system pre-configured travel routes. In cases where grievances are pending on this issue, Local activists said they would provide information re. the outcome of the grievance decisions.

Participants raised information re. successful communications through the CWA state-wide safety and health committees in Louisiana and Alabama advocating that similar committees be established in other District 3 states. David LeGrande indicated support for the creation of state-wide committees and encouraged activists to bring this issue to the attention of their local officers and District Staff.

Several participants noted their use of the CWA OSH webpage, www.cwasafetyandhealth.org. David LeGrande mentioned the webpage is presently being updated encouraging participants to visit and use it often. In addition, he asked activists to provide any ideas re. improving the webpage as well as submitting articles for inclusion on the web page.

Marc Hansman, CWA Local 3122, noted AT&T had authorized industrial hygiene sampling for the chemicals identified as leaking from old (Western Electric) cross boxes. The sampling results did not identify harmful levels of the chemicals. David LeGrande asked Marc to provide him with a copy of the report. In turn, indicated he would David would review the findings and, as appropriate, provide additional comments.

Fred Smith, CWA Local 3111, raised concerns re. the information AT&T is providing technicians who enter residences or businesses when an individual contaminated with  H1N1/Pandemic Flu is present. At present, workers are being told to wash/sanitize their hands. David LeGrande noted AT&T should expand its prevention efforts beyond mere sanitation procedures. Several participants joined this conversation leading David to suggest a more comprehensive set of prevention and cautionary steps need to be addressed. He said he would discuss this matter with Booker Lester for further action at the District level. In turn, information will be provided to District 3 Locals and OSH activists.

David Betts, CWA Local 3905, indicated a member had been disciplined for apparent mis-use of the company cell phone. David LeGrande asked him to provide additional details as they became available.

2009 CWA Occupational Safety and Health Conference-
David LeGrande led a discussion re. the Union's October 3-5 Occupational Safety and Health Conference at the San Diego, California, Holiday Inn On-the-Bay. He outlined the various presentations and workshops as well as participation by OSH activists from the United Steelworkers (USW), academics, and key CWA officers. He also noted participation in the conference will be reduced as a result of the general economy and the difficulties CWA is experiencing in negotiating contracts in several districts (including District 3). On a final note, David asked participants to discuss attendance with their local officers.

The Employee Free Choice Act and Occupational Safety and Health-
David LeGrande mentioned work continues to move the Employee Free Choice Act closer to a vote in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. However, given the movement of the Obama Administration, most legislative work is primarily focused upon health care reform.

Occupational/Environmental Safety and Health during the Obama Administration-
David LeGrande discussed the various appointments of pro-worker personnel to top positions within the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, and EPA indicating much activity is underway to revitalize these and other related agencies that focus upon occupational and environmental safety and health. This work will directly translate into opportunities for expanding CWA's workplace and environmental safety and health work and activities.

Regional/State Regulatory/Legislative Issues-
Participants indicated there were not any recent safety and health/environmental regulatory or legislative initiatives in their states.  David LeGrande noted numerous regulatory and procedural actions underway at Federal OSHA to improve workplace safety and health highlighting H1N1/Pandemic Flu, ergonomics, and training grant and outreach activities. However, legislative initiatives such as the Protecting America's Workers Act and legislation that would ban the production and use of asbestos within the U.S. are stalled.

CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-
With participant input, David LeGrande discussed the Union's plans to continue expanding our mutual safety and health work with the USW. Noting the working agreement developed and agreed to by both CWA and USW, he indicated mutual training and education work has already occurred and will gain speed during the Fall. This includes developing and submitting training grants together, conducting safety and health training working jointly on legislative and regulatory initiatives, as well as sharing and developing training and education materials.

Date of the Next CWA District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. (EST); 12:30-2:30 (CDT).