May 2013 District 2-13 OSH Conference Call

• Participants-
  

Jason Barry, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 2202
Alan Johnson, Vice President, CWA Local 2204
Glen Smith, CWA Local 2205
Don Lewis, President, CWA Local 2222
Bob Council, President, and Eric Stewart, CWA Local 2275
Bill Evitt, CWA Staff Representative and
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• CWA District 2-13/Verizon Occupational Safety and Health Committee-                        
  

Bill Evitt mentioned the joint committee does not yet have a date for its first 2013 meeting. However, he anticipates the Company will get back with him soon re. a meeting date.

• Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration Asbestos Citation against Verizon                                                                                                                                                
  

Don Lewis, CWA Local 2222, gave an update re. the 2012 asbestos citation against Verizon. As called for in the citation, to date, Verizon has provided affected Northern Virginia Locals 2222 and 2275 members with medical exams related to their asbestos exposure while installing telecommunications cables at the 495 beltway in Northern Virginia. However, he does not believe members from Local 2201 have been provided the exams. This landmark citation, due largely to the efforts of Local 2202, provides protection to members performing similar work throughout District 2-13. Don indicated he would provide further update information as it becomes available.        

• Verizon and AT&T Safety Discipline Policies                                                                          
  AT&T Violations of Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act-   
  

David LeGrande opened a discussion re. the Union’s national campaign to prevent represented employers from violating Section 11(c), the non-discrimination clause, of the OSHAct. After investigating practices of different employers, it was decided to focus upon the telecommunications industry. Following employers’ initiation of policies which appeared to be in violation of Section 11(c), local union officers and activists were encouraged to file contractual grievances as well as OSHA complaints. Several locals across the U.S. filed grievances and OSHA complaints. The first cases resulted in OSHA citations against represented employers- most notably AT&T. Each of the citations was contested by the company. The legal processes finally began to show results during the first months of 2013 when four administrative law judge decisions found AT&T in violation of Section 11 (c). These cases were initiated by CWA Locals 4034 and 4009. Subsequently, targeting other District 4 locals, the Occupational Safety and Health Department initiated mobilization efforts with activists to identify other cases. To date,  34 cases had been identified and filed within District 4. Thus far, other than the four Michigan administrative law judge decisions, these cases are being processed by federal and state OSHA offices. In addition to District 4, to date, more than 20 additional Section 11 (c) cases have been filed in Districts 1, 3, 6, and 9. These efforts will continue to be expanded to include additional locals throughout the U.S. 

As this activity has developed, the Occupational Safety and Health Department has joined with the Union’s Legal Department to develop a legal strategy including meeting and talking with representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor and state equivalents to coordinate and move these cases along. It is anticipated this work will result in resolution of the company’s behavior.      

Verizon has a similar policy as AT&T. However, since late 2012, the Company has backed off its implementation. This is due largely to the successful efforts of CWA District 9 Locals against the Company as well as the federal OSHA directive notifying employers that action would be taken against them for implementing safety discipline policies in violation of Section 11(c) of the OSHAct.  

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-                                                             
  

Alan Johnson, CWA Local 2204, and David LeGrande reported on the successful safety and health training activities conducted within District 2-13 and throughout the country. Funded by a joint CWA-USW grant awarded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Alan noted the first grant-sponsored training session was conducted at CWA Local 2222 during April. Don Lewis, CWA Local 2222, and Bob Council, CWA Local 2275, said the training was excellent encouraging other locals to get on-board. At present, Alan is talking with other locals in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., to set up training sessions.      

• CWA Heat Stress Campaign- 

David LeGrande mentioned the continued activities associated with the Union’s Heat Stress campaign. Funded by CWA’s Strategic Industry Fund, materials continue to be developed, provided to local activists, and included as part of the Union’s occupational safety and health training activities. To date, several thousand CWA leaders and members have participated in these training sessions.  

• Workers’ Memorial Day and CWA Workplace Fatalities-                                     
  

David LeGrande congratulated local activists for their participation in Workers’  Memorial Day (April 28) activities noting many other CWA leaders and activists participated in memorial activities throughout the country. Also, he noted two of the Union’s eight 2012-2013 member fatalities included members of CWA Local 2019 in West Virginia. Both of the members were needlessly killed as they performed their duties as West Virginia State Troopers. All conference call participants pledged to work to ensure members are provided safe and healthful working conditions during the remainder of 2013 and beyond.    

• Date of the next CWA District 2-13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-                                                                                                                                      
  

The next CWA District 2-13 Occupational Safety and Health Conference call is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2013 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (EST).