February 2014 District 4 OSH Conference Call

CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call
Conducted Thursday, February 7, 2014 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
  Gary Kundrat, CWA Local 4340
  Mike Kudlewski, CWA Local 4603
  Jason Creager and Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900
  Clinton Rodgers, CWA Representative and
  David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-

Gary Kundrat, CWA Local 4340, mentioned the occurrence of residential workplace violence and traffic incidents in which members/technicians were involved. Regarding the workplace violence case, upon learning of the incident, Gary contacted AT&T supervision and successfully handled the matter. Fortunately, our member was not hurt during the domestic dispute.

During this discussion, David LeGrande asked if AT&T had introduced an emergency response APP within the district. Participants indicated no. David mentioned an APP is presently being piloted in District 6 and, upon completion, will provide additional information.  .      

• CWA District 4/AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee-

Clinton Rodgers, CWA Representative, indicated AT&T has not yet appointed a new representative to the joint committee. However, given this is a contractually-negotiated committee, he said he would push the company on this matter.

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-

Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900, and David LeGrande highlighted the CWA/USW training under the union’s grant funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). On November 20, 2013, CWA Local 4034 hosted a one-day training session involving 42 leaders and activists from Locals 4004. 4008, 4009, 4032, 4034, 4035, 4050, 4101, 4103, 4108, 4123, 4309, and 4900. Participant response to the training was overwhelmingly positive including requests for additional training sessions. (Subsequently, an additional training session has been scheduled to occur at CWA Local 4100 during February, 2014).  

During March, 2014, CWA and the USW will conduct a week-long train-the-trainer training for new OSH activist grant trainers. Following the training, the participants/new trainers will allow the Union to provide more widespread workplace safety and health training and related activity.

• CWA Heat Stress Campaign-

David LeGrande reported on the continuing development of Heat Stress education and training materials and training sessions. This addition to the grant training program has been recognized by NIEHS as an official part of the CWA/USW grant training. David noted funding for the Union’s Heat Stress Strategic Industry Fund has been extended from July, 2013 to July, 2014.                         

• Lead Hazards

David LeGrande discussed recent developments regarding member exposure to lead while working on lead-encased telecommunications cables. Coming out of a case involving a CWA Local 7201 member/Century Link technician and related citations issued by Minnesota OSHA, CWA, Century Link, and Minnesota OSHA negotiated a settlement agreement regarding the issued citations and working with lead-encased cables. Following this success, CWA and Century Link mutually agreed upon a plan to develop and implement the items contained in the settlement agreement throughout District 7 and other company locations throughout the U.S. (including District 4).  Features of the agreement include comprehensive lead abatement procedures, training, and medical surveillance.

Subsequently, similar lead issues and hazards have been identified within Frontier West Virginia work locations. This work has led to efforts by District 2-13 staff, involved locals, and the Union’s Occupational Safety and Health Department to address the hazardous working conditions.

Also, workers employed by Verizon-East have experienced serious lead exposures. District 1 Headquarters and locals- joined with the Union’s Safety and Health Department- have initiated efforts to control and eliminate hazardous working conditions. Beyond these efforts, the Safety and Health Department has expanded investigative work to include all CWA Districts as well as identified IUE-CWA-represented employers.            

• Date of the Next CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-

The next CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be held Wednesday, May 4, 2014 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (EST).