May 2011 District 9 OSH Conference Call

CWA District 9 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call Conducted Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 9:00- 11:00 a.m. (PST)

• Participants-

Randy Christensen, CWA Local 9415
Bob Schwager, President, CWA Local 9417
Rick Delao, President, CWA Local 9431
Robert Harris, Vice President, and Jim Brubaker, CWA Local 9588 and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• Participant Reports/New Issues-

Robert Harris, CWA Local 9588, reported a recent fatality involving a Local 9588 telecommunications member employed by Verizon. The member, 56 years old with 34 years of seniority, was driving a Company vehicle when the truck overturned and caught fire resulting in his fatality. Currently, this incident is under investigation by Verizon. Robert mentioned he would provide additional details as they become available.

Randy Christensen, CWA Local 9415, indicated AT&T has purchased the advanced/most appropriate (Radio Frequency) radiation detection monitoring equipment. However, the equipment does not include software which would allow for storage of the collected data. The storage and review of collected data is necessary to determine continuous emission levels, peak emission periods, and the potential for technicians’ exposure. Randy said he will continue working on this matter and keep people informed as new developments occur.

Following up on Robert’s comments, Bob Schwager, CWA Local 9417, discussed the radiofrequency radiation monitoring/potential exposure issues as they have been addressed by the CWA District 9/AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee as well within the Company’s Construction and Engineering Department. Both the joint committee and C&E Department are reviewing materials and planning to take action.

David LeGrande noted the appointment of Ms. Ellen Widess as the new Director of Cal OSHA. Ellen has been a real friend to the public health and labor communities as she has performed excellent research and education safety and health activities within California. David encouraged all District 9 OSH activists to contact Ms. Widess with a note of congratulations and support.

• CWA District 9/AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee-

Rick Delao, CWA Local 9431, and Bob Schwager, CWA Local 9417 (both members of the joint committee), reported there were no significant recent developments involving the Committee. Both Rick and Bob said they will continue raising the heat stress, radiofrequency radiation, field technician safety and health, overtime, job stress and MSOC issues, other pertinent topics, and report back on their work.

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

David LeGrande indicated the next committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. Representing CWA on the committee are: David LeGrande- chair; Holly Sorey, President, CWA Local 4202; and Joe Sisson, CWA Local 9412. Agenda items will include a review of Company 2010 injury/illness data, heat stress, radiofrequency radiation and work with cellular equipment, and workplace violence.

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-

David LeGrande summarized the development and status of the CWA/USW National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences-funded grant training activities as well as the conducting of joint occupational and environmental safety and health conferences. Within District 9, Rick Delao, CWA Local 9431; Robert Harris, CWA Local 9588; and Joan Lichterman, CWA Local 9119 have been appointed as the leaders in developing and conducting grant-sponsored training. To date, training sessions have been developed and conducted in a variety of California local unions. Additional training sessions will include an emphasis upon heat stress experienced by CWA members.

Also, David mentioned the CWA/USW Regional Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Conferences scheduled September 11-16, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia and September 25-30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona, describing the purpose of and topics to be discussed during the regional conferences. Previously, from May 15-20, CWA and USW conducted their initial regional conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After summarizing the major outcomes of the Pittsburgh conference, he encouraged all conference call participants to attend and recruit for the Phoenix, Arizona regional conference.

• CWA Heat Stress Campaign- “A Burning Issue-”

David LeGrande reported on the variety of past, present, and future campaign activities including the development of the CWA Heat Stress Fact Sheet, developing and conducting the Union’s Heat Stress Survey, and analyzing collected surveys, company policies, and federal and state guidelines/regulations into the recently-produced publication- “A Burning Issue.” David encouraged activists to review the fact sheet and report, “A Burning Issue,” with the idea of providing this information to affected local members. Also, he suggested locals should re-initiate member survey distribution and completion efforts. As needed, copies of the materials are available from the CWA Occupational Safety and Health Department. Several participants expressed their satisfaction with this work indicating they would be very active in the campaign efforts.

• U-Verse Technician Field Safety Guide-

Bob Schwager, CWA Local 9417, discussed the development, distribution, and use of the CWA U-Verse Technician Field Safety Guide. Developed by himself and other local union personnel within the CWA District 9 Central Valley Council and available on the CWA Occupational Safety and Health webpage, the guide covers all major workplace safety and health issues experienced by Premise/U-Verse technicians. Several participants mentioned they had reviewed the guide and planned to provide/use it to educate AT&T U-Verse and Verizon Premise technicians.

• Republican Congress Assault on Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health-

David LeGrande reported on the assault by Republican members of Congress against workplace and environmental safety and health. He suggested we should expect this behavior to continue until we are able to elect worker/environmental friendly candidates to Congress (and other public offices). This need for this activity is also evidenced by the assault on public and private sector workers in Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and several other states.

• Date of the Next CWA District 9 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-

The next District 9 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call is scheduled for Tuesday, August 30, 2011 from 9:00- 11:00 a.m. (PST).