Minutes: CWA District 3 OSH Conference Call Aug. 21, 2014

CWA District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call
Conducted Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 1:00- 3:00 p.m.

Participants:

Susan Moss, CWA Local 3204
Stanley Long, Vice President, CWA Local 3205
Caleb East, President, CWA Local 3212
Billy O’Dell, President, CWA Local 3215
David Pierce, Acting Treasurer, CWA Local 3404
Frank Clark, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 3903
David Betz, Vice President, CWA Local 3905
Bill Eberhardt, CWA Representative
Jason Smith, CWA Representative
David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

Participant Reports/New Issues

Billly O’Dell, CWA Local 3215, reported two technicians were held-up at gun-point. The cases are still being investigated. Both of the technicians were working alone.

David Betz, CWA Local 3905, mentioned a heat stress case in which an AT&T U-Verse wire technician was assigned overtime work during 105 degree temperatures. Fortunately, even though the company was not in compliance with its heat stress policy or the OSHA Heat Stress Guidelines, the technician did not suffer heat stress health problems. However, it was noted health symptoms might occur after the technician completed his work or the next time he was assigned to perform work during hot environmental conditions. Thus, he should be contacted to ensure he has not developed health issues.

CWA District 3/AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee- Billy O’Dell, CWA Local 3215, indicated the most recent meeting was held on July 25. Issues of concern included heat stress with an emphasis upon working in attics during extremely hot weather, and the company’s provision of the appropriate gas testing equipment for underground/manhole work. Billy noted the company was not willing to commit to action not covered by an OSHA standard/take the requested protective action.

CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training- Billy Odell, CWA Local 3215, and David LeGrande discussed the June 19, 2014 occupational safety and health training session conducted in Lafayette, Louisiana (and coordinated by Local 3406). Xxx Local union leaders and OSH activists representing CWA Louisiana locals as well as one CWA Staff participated in the training. Topics included a Union Approach to Occupational Safety and Health, Incident Investigation, Occupational Safety and Health Committees, and Heat Stress.

David LeGrande mentioned additional training sessions are being conducted in all CWA districts. For example, a two-day Union Approach to Occupational Safety and Health training session was conducted in Phoenix, Arizona (on April 29-30). This session involved CWA Staff and local leaders and activists fromLocals 7019 (Phoenix) and 7026 (Tucson). Also, occupational safety and health training sessions were conducted June 3 atLocal 4900 (Indianapolis, Indiana), June 20 at an IUE-CWA meeting in Orlando, Florida, and June 23^rd at Local 6360 (Kansas City, Missouri).

CWA Heat Stress and Lead Campaign/Training- David LeGrande reported on the continuing development of Heat Stress and Lead 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 (and Lead) Strategic Industry Fund has been expanded to include lead issues and approved for additional funding by CWA’s Executive Board and Defense Fund Organizing Committee. Funding was initiated in March, 2014 and will run to July, 2015.

During this discussion, several locals raised concerns regarding potential member exposure. David mentioned he would send the CWA Working with Lead Checklist to Booker Lester for distribution to District 3 locals as well as those activists on the call requesting the checklist. He asked local activists to distribute, collect completed checklists, and send them to the Occupational Safety and Health Department for analysis.

Workplace Violence

David LeGrande mentioned recent cases of workplace violence (in addition to those previously discussed by Billy O’Dell) atAT&T Mobility retail stores. The first occurred earlier this year at a company retail store in Crestwood, Illinois (represented by CWA Local 4202). While holding members at gun-point, assailants robbed the store of electronic equipment/tablets. Fortunately, no members were physically injured. However, several workers are receiving psychological counseling to mediate the emotional experiences. CWA Local 4202 has been working closely and cooperatively with AT&T Mobility to ensure members fully recover from this experience as well as to ensure the Company takes the necessary preventive action to ensure this does not occur again.

Another robbery of an AT&T Mobility retail store took place during the mid-part of 2013 in Beaumont, Texas (represented by CWA Local 6139). In this case, assailants stole several thousand dollars. Although workers were held at gun-point by the robbers, none of them were physically injured. Following the incident, in consultation with the union, the company instituted a number of protective actions including improved surveillance equipment, increased security systems, and workplace violence training. In addition, psychological counseling was provided affected workers.

Focused again on workplace violence and affected outside technicians, Billy O’Dell raised concerns with AT&T’s decision to not go forward with the implementation of electronic “key-fob” equipment. The decision to not purchase and implement the equipment comes after successful pilot testing, referred to as Project Eagle, conducted in three different geographic locations (including Atlanta, Georgia). This equipment would have allowed technicians to contact emergency response personnel/police in cases where they were placed in a potentially dangerous situation. At present, the company’s decision to not move forward is being raised for re-consideration by CWA

Date of the Next CWA District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call-The next CWA District 3 Occupational Safety and Health Conference Call will be held Thursday, November 20, 2014 from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. (EST).