May 2014 District 4 OSH Conference Call

CWA District 4 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call
Conducted Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

• Participants-                                                   
  TravisYoung, President, CWA Local 4217
  Erika White, Vice President, CWA Local 4319
  Jay Walther, President, CWA Local 4320
  Dan Frazier, President; Pete Houvouras, Secretary-Treasurer; and Dave Murray, Vice President, CWA Local 4322                        
  Doug Biedenbach, President, CWA Local 4324
  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

• OSHA Section 11 (c) Cases-

David LeGrande provided an update of cases within District 4 and other CWA districts. At present, nationwide, some 90 OSHA complaints (and grievances) have been filed by CWA locals and affected members against represented telecommunications employers (i.e., AT&T and Verizon- with the great majority involving AT&T). Since the February, 2014 Department of Labor (DOL) lawsuit filed by the Cleveland, Ohio Solicitor’s Office against AT&T, the Union has seen fewer potential violations of OSHAct’s Section 11(c) and, thus, a slowing in the number of filed complaints and grievances. (However, more recently, on May 16, DOL’s Kansas City, Missouri Regional Office filed suit against AT&T. This case involves members of CWA Local 6360).                           Several participants discussed these developments noting, as a result of CWA actions, AT&T has introduced a revised and improved disciplinary policy as well as a new safety and health policy called “Single Point of Contact.” Participants agreed to review these policies and report back on their implementation.         

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

Clinton Rodgers, CWA Representative, indicated AT&T has not yet agreed on a date for the next meeting. However, since this is a contractually negotiated committee, he will continue to push the company on this matter.

• Workers’ Memorial Day (April 28)-
  

Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900, highlighted the annual CWA and AFL-CIO celebration and activity in South Bend, Indiana;
Gary Kundrat, CWA Local 4340, reported the local conducted site visits at AT&T garages throughout the greater Cleveland, Ohio area memorializing the March, 2014 fatality of CWA Local 6215  member Brittany Russell, pointing out the need for continued and increased CWA safety and health functions and activity, and the importance of Workers’ Memorial Day. Gary encouraged participants to visit the Local 4340 webpage for additional information.

• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training-

 Joe Alvarez, CWA Local 4900, mentioned recruitment is going very well for the June 3^rd training session to be conducted at CWA Local 4900. To date, 30 participants from CWA Locals 4320, 4322, 4700, 4703, 4818, 4900, and 4998 are scheduled to participate. Subject matter will include Union Approach to Occupational Safety and Health and Heat Stress.

David LeGrande discussed grant training activities and reviewed training sessions being conducted throughout all CWA Districts. For example, in addition to the District 4 June 3^rd training, other sessions are scheduled June 19 in Lafayette, Louisiana (at CWA Local 3406), June 20 in Orlando, Florida (at an IUE-CWA meeting), and June 23 (at CWA Local 6360).   

• CWA Heat Stress and Lead Strategic Industry Fund and Campaign-

David LeGrande reported during March, 2014 the CWA Executive Board and Defense Fund Organizing Committee approved a proposal written and submitted by the Occupational Safety and Health Department for funding. Initiated in March, 2014, the funding ($295,000) runs to July, 2015. These funds will allow the Department to expand the number of training sessions and curriculum (to include both heat stress and lead) for CWA and IUE-CWA leaders and safety and health activists.

• 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, August 13, 2014 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (EST).