February 2014 District 6 OSH Conference Call

CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call
Conducted Friday, February 28, 2014 from 9:00- 10:30 a.m. (CST)

• Participants-
  Alberto Pena, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 6110
  Darlene Kirchgessner, President, CWA Local 6128
  Mark LaRousse, President, CWA Local 6139
  Randy Rodriguez, CWA Local 6222
  Darrick Inscho, Vice President, WA Local 6360
  Jason Burns, President, CWA Local 6401
  Loren Williams, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 6501
  Tim Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 6508
  Charlie Torres, CWA Representative, and
  David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-

Mark LaRousse, CWA Local 6139, reported on a recent robbery at a Beaumont, Texas AT&T Mobility store. The assailant threatened store employees- members of Local 6139- at gunpoint and stole some $20,000. Although there were no physical injuries to affected members, several are receiving psychological counseling. Issues of concern include lack of training by the company; inadequate/no use of camera equipment either inside or outside of the store; and poor physical layout necessary to prevent such incidents of the store.

Alberto Pena, CWA Local 6110, indicated a vehicle back-up incident occurred last week. Although the member was not hurt, the AT&T bucket truck overturned. The company disciplined the worker. In response, the local filed a grievance. Albert mentioned he would provide details of the grievance process.                                                                         

Darrick Inscho, CWA Local 6360, commented on the ongoing OSHA Section 11(c) discrimination cases against AT&T.  David LeGrande noted the Local 6360 cases are awaiting action based upon the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) recent lawsuit filed against AT&T. The lawsuit was filed by the Cleveland, Ohio Federal Regional Office of the Solicitor based upon 13 separate violations of Section 11(c). As this case proceeds, David indicated CWA Headquarters will be pressing DOL to seek action on the Kansas City (and Chicago) cases.

David mentioned there is also an active Section 11 (c) case involving a member of Local 6215. He noted he has been working with CWA Local 6215 to ensure OSHA is properly handling the case.                                                                

• CWA District 6/AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee-

Charlie Torres, CWA Representative, reported the Union and the Company are working on several ongoing items including:

1. The trial (Project Eagle Update) on the security APP. The objective of the trials (conducted in different cities within and outside District 6) was to evaluate a 3G lone-worker device for field personnel. Conducted among U-Verse and CIM technicians, went very well. At present, the Company is making final decisions on the appropriate device. Additional information will be made available in the near future.
2. On the basis that the use of sunscreen is not specific to work, AT&T maintains it will not pay for/provide technicians with sunscreen. Charlie said the Union feels strongly sunscreen is an essential item of protection for technicians in certain states/times of the year. This issue is still in the dispute stage. 

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-

David LeGrande highlighted the CWA/USW training under the union’s grants funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Randy Rodriguez, CWA Local 6222, has been involved in conducting several training sessions within District 6. During 2014, several additional sessions will be held.     

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. Included in the training will be an additional District 6 activist and trainer: Mary Ann Hopkins, President, CWA Local 6502.

• 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 6).  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. In this regard, he provided a copy of the CWA Lead Checklist to Charlie Torres for distribution to District 6 locals.            

• Date of the Next CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-

The next CWA District 6 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be held Friday, May 30, 2014 from 9:00- 10:30 a.m.(CST).