CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call

Conducted Thursday, September 3, 2009 from 8:30- 10:30 a.m. (CST)

Participants- Linda Nesler, President, CWA Local 6360
Jason Burns, President, CWA Local 6401
Tim Andrews, Vice President, CWA Local 6508
Charlie Torres, CWA Representative and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

Agenda

Participants Reports/New Issues-
Charlie Torres, CWA Representative, raised numerous safety and health issues faced by premise techs. Leading the list was heat stress associated with working in residential attics. One particular problem is that technicians often work excessive hours without adequate breaks with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. David LeGrande, indicating these issues will be discussed during the Union's OSH Conference, said the Department will be working with local OSH activists to develop practical tools for members (to determine whether their employer is adhering to the OSHA Heat Stress Guidelines and the NIOSH Heat Stress Recommended Standard. Other participants indicated AT&T was not in compliance. For example, education and training is inadequate, essential protective equipment is not provided, and there is inadequate protection during exposure to extremely high temperatures. Of no surprise, participants reported AT&T is primarily concerned about productivity rather than worker well-being. David LeGrande indicated the need to act before another member suffers a severe heat stress-related injury, illness, or fatality.

Linda Nesler, CWA Local 6360, reported a case in which a technician was trapped on a roof for some 20 minutes. Also, she mentioned another case in which another technician was potentially exposed to asbestos while working in close proximity to probable asbestos-containing floor tiles. Of concern, the worker reported his supervisor indicated performance of the work was the primary concern. David encouraged Linda to have AT&T conduct monitoring tests to determine whether the floor tiles are asbestos-containing. 

Also, Linda raised concerns re. robberies which have occurred on company property. These cases involve the theft of catalytic converters from Company vehicles. In violation of environmental regulations, the AT&T has continued to use these vehicles. David LeGrande suggested contacting environmental regulators/state EPA to investigate this matter.

Participants raised concern with the lack of more participants on the conference call. Charlie Torres said he would look into this. David suggested low participation was most likely related to the contractual conflict with AT&T and related contract mobilization activities.

The Employee Free Choice Act and Occupational Safety and Health-
David LeGrande mentioned continued activities to bring the vote on the Employee Free Choice Act to the floor of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. However, at this time, most of the legislative efforts are focused upon health care reform. CWA and the rest of the labor movement are continuing to work for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act during 2009.

Occupational/Environmental Safety and Health during the Obama Administration-
David LeGrande summarized the major accomplishments of the Obama Administration in bringing necessary changes within the Department of Labor, OSHA, EPA, and other agencies that focus upon occupational and environmental safety and health. Thus far, several key personnel have been appointed and/or nominated and confirmed. Along with these personnel changes, several procedural, regulatory, and legislative activities (such as training grants and standards) have been accomplished or are on the horizon for introduction.

2009 CWA Occupational Safety and Health Conference-
David LeGrande discussed the Union's upcoming (October 3-5) Occupational Safety and Health Conference encouraging all participants to talk with their local officers re. their participation. This year's conference will feature a number of very interesting topics, e.g., H1N1/Pandemic Flu, the effect of the current economy upon occupational and environmental safety and health, and workplace ergonomics.

CWA/ USW Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Agreement-
David LeGrande discussed the many advantages related to the formation of the mid-2009 agreement. CWA will join USW in several mutual efforts, e.g., development of education and training materials, writing and submitting federal grants, conducting safety and health education and training sessions, and work on key occupational and environmental regulation and legislation.

National/Regional Regulatory/Legislative Issues-
Participants indicated there were no new regional regulatory/legislative issues within their states. David LeGrande noted efforts to promote three keys pieces of legislation (dealing with the Protecting America's Workers Act, legislation to ban the manufacture and use of asbestos products in the U.S., and medical treatment and surveillance funds for victims of the September 11, 2001 tragedy) are on hold until health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act are completed and voted upon by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Date of the Next CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-
The next CWA District Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call s scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (CST).