January 2012 District 4 OSH Conference Call

CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants

Mike Kudlewski, CWA Local 4603
Matt Vachalik, CWA Local 4611
Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900
Bryon Capper, CWA Representative, and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director.

• Participant Reports-
  

• An assault case involving a technician who was accosted by a man with a gun. Fortunately, the tech was not hurt. This incident has been raised and discussed with AT&T management representatives. The Union proposed the incident be publicized as well as workplace violence training be conducted among affected technicians. (Subsequently, the Company agreed to Local 4900’s proposals).
• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training scheduled February 24, 2012 at CWA Local 4900 (see below story).

Mike Kudlewski, CWA Local 4603 , indicated he was working with AT&T representatives to develop and conduct one-hour awareness training/heads-up activity for installation and repair as well as U-verse technicians. Matt Vachalik, CWA Local 4611, noted the importance of conducting these sessions throughout Wisconsin.

CWA/USW Regional and National Occupational Safety and Health Conferences- David LeGrande mentioned CWA and the USW Safety and Health Departments had worked together to conduct three regional health, safety, and environment conferences during 2011. In total approximately 900 local union leaders and safety and health activists (including approximately 125 CWA activists) participated in these conferences.

In addition, David noted the upcoming CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Conference, March 5-9, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Participants discussed the need to recruit CWA local activists/participants and participate in the national conference.

Heat Stress- David LeGrande summarized the Union’s Heat Stress Campaign noting we have made significant progress in addressing member issues- particularly in Districts 6, 7, and 9. CWA OSH activists/CWA grant trainers have led the way in identifying member heat stress health problems and inadequate company policies (AT&T, Verizon, and Century-Link). To date, these OSH activists have conducted several heat stress training sessions. Also, where company deficiencies are identified, locals are filing grievances and discussing and filing complaints re. heat stress compliance with OSHA (federal and state).

Within District 4, Joe Alvarez and Debbie Beeler, IUE-CWA Staff Representative, will join with Rodrigo Toscano, CWA Liaison with the USW/Tony Mazzocchi Center (TMC), in conducting a one-day safety and health training session on Friday, February 24 at CWA Local 4900’s office in South Bend, Indiana. Agenda items will include heat stress, incident investigation, and hazardous materials. It is anticipated some 25-30 CWA and IUE-CWA local union activists will participate.

Republican Congress Legislative Assault on Occupational Safety and Health- David LeGrande mentioned the Republican members of Congress have and will continue to attack workplace and environmental safety and health. This will include the introduction of bills intended to neutralize and prevent OSHA and EPA from fulfilling their legislative mandate to ensure safe and healthful workplaces and environments. He said he would continue to alert OSH activists of these anti-worker and environment actions.

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

The next CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be conducted on Thursday, April 5, 2012 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.