CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Participants-

James Allen, President, CWA Local 6128
Calvin Carter, CWA Local 6139
Terry Covington, CWA Local 6201
Randy Agee, President, CWA Local 6206
Ed Stevens, President, CWA Local 6314
Erin Hall, President, CWA Local 6316
Linda Nesler, President , CWA Local 6360
Jason Burns, President, CWA Local 6401
Jeff Morris, President, CWA Local 6411
Sherry Enoch, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 6507
Tim Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 6508

Agenda-

Participant Thoughts re. Conference Call Topics-
David LeGrande asked participants if there are safety and health issues and concerns that are not being adequately addressed during the conference calls. Participants responded all relevant/important issues are brought forward and adequately discussed.
  

The Employee Free Choice Act and Occupational Safety and Health-
David LeGrande discussed the importance of OSH activist’s participation in working for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. In discussing the need for such passage, he emphasized the Act would allow unorganized workers the opportunity to organize unions and negotiate protective workplace safety and health collective bargaining provisions. In turn, as CWA and the labor movement are successful in organizing more workers into unions, 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. 

Mark Franken mentioned the Employee Free Choice Act will be introduced first in the House of Representatives. With an expected margin supporting the bill, this will allow an opportunity to build momentum before introducing the legislation in the Senate. In addition, given that the cloture vote (to end debate) in the Senate will be very close, the extra time associated with first introducing the bill in the House will provide extra time to lobby those Senators who are swing votes. Once victory is achieved on the cloture vote, 51 or more Senators should vote for final passage of the legislation.     

Occupational/Environmental Safety and Health during the Obama Administration-
David LeGrande reported on various examples of the Obama Administration’s support for improved occupational safety and health policies and practices. For example, the nomination of Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) as Secretary of Labor is the first major sign of a marked improvement. Congresswoman- now Secretary- Solis past support for and activity on behalf of workplace safety and health demonstrates she will nominate an Assistant Secretary of Labor-OSHA who will be a tireless supporter and advocate of safety and health and workers’ rights. However, it is unlikely the Assistant Secretary will be nominated and confirmed before Summer, 2009.

Telecommunications Work Involving Certain Encapsulants/Plugging Compounds-
David LeGrande noted the use of an extremely toxic encapsulant/plugging compound by AT&T technicians in Local 3122, Miami, Florida. He mentioned the investigation District 3 locals are conducting to determine if members outside of the identified case are using the same toxic materials or a less toxic alternative. With this in mind, he asked conference call participants if they knew whether their members might be using the extremely toxic substance/encapsulant. Participants responded they were not sure. In turn, David indicated he would send the encapsulant information to Mark Franken for distribution to all District 6 locals and discussion with members of the CWA District 6/AT&T joint occupational safety and health committee.

Electrical Hazards-
David LeGrande asked participants if they knew of any member issues or problems re. working with or in close proximity to electrical hazards. Tim Andrews, CWA Local 6508, noted a near-miss incident involving a represented technician in 2007.

Also, David indicated electrical hazards training is still being conducted by Verizon, but the Union has not been able (except in one case in California) to convince AT&T to develop and conduct electrical hazards training.

Blue-Green Alliance-
David LeGrande reported on the Union’s activity within the Blue/Green (labor/environmental) Alliance. In coordination with the United Steelworkers and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, CWA has joined this 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, OMB Watch, the National Resources Defense Council with involvement from labor/environmental coalitions like the Work Environment Council and academic organizations such as the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

Workplace Violence-
David LeGrande reported the occurrence of a number of workplace violence incidents involving telecommunications outside craft workers in California and Michigan. Each of these cases has involved work assignments in high crime areas. Of importance, following a number of incidents (including member beatings and robberies), in coordination with District 9 Headquarters, Local 9415 negotiated a comprehensive agreement with AT&T. The agreements provides for the following protections:

• Development and provision of education awareness training. 
• A prohibition on night work,
• No suspensions for refusal to perform work,
• Provision of a second “buddy” technician, and
• Bi-monthly reviews/evaluations of the outlined process.

Although participants did not recall any recent workplace violence cases, they indicated interest in receiving a copy of the noted collective bargaining agreement. David said he would send the agreement to Mark Franken for distribution.

2009 CWA National Occupational Safety and Health Conference-
Due to a schedule conflict with the 2009 National AFL-CIO Convention, David LeGrande indicated the dates of the Conference will most likely be changed from September 12-14 to October 3-5, 2009. (Since the conference call, the dates of the conference have been moved to October 3-5. The Conference will be held at the San Diego (California) Holiday Inn on-the-Bay. During March, Conference registration information will be mailed to all local presidents and posted on the OSH webpage.  

Participants Reports/New Issues-
Terry Covington, CWA Local 6201, reported the local is initiating an indoor air quality investigation at represented AT&T facilities. Subsequently, Terry provided Mark Franken and David LeGrande a copy of the survey tool which they reviewed and approved.

Tim Andrews, CWA Local 6508 mentioned the need for technicians to investigate and make sure tools, motor vehicles, and working conditions are safe and healthful before performing work. When deficiencies are identified, technicians should bring these issues to the attention of management (and the Union) for resolution before work is initiated.

Date of the Next CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2009 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (CST).