February 2016 District 3 OSH Conference Call

• Participants- Mike Tutwiler, Executive Vice President, CWA Local 3112 Susan Moss, Vice President, CWA Local 3204 Doug Williams, President, CWA Local 3250 John Copas, Secretary-Treasurer, CWA Local 3402 Steve Monk, President, CWA Local 3902 Booker Lester, Administrative Director, and David LeGrande, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Director

• CWA District 3/AT&T Occupational Safety and Health Committee- The next meeting date for the joint labor-management committee has not been set. More information to follow.

• CWA Fatalities David LeGrande reported four member fatalities have occurred since November 2015. They include: CWA Local 3676- Dennis Martin, 51 years of age, and Daniel Anderson, 33 years of age, died on November 30, 2015 while performing their work at SPX Transformer Solutions, Goldsboro North Carolina After entering a large transformer to perform testing functions, they were overcome by leaking nitrogen gas. CWA Local 3676 and CWA District 3 have joined together with the employer to support the grieving families and co-workers. Following the incident, North Carolina OSHA initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and identify steps to prevent future incidents. CWA Local 2222- John Hare, 51 years of age, a Verizon technician with 26 years seniority died on December 15, 2015 after falling from a ladder while performing aerial telecommunications work. CWA Local 2222 is working with Verizon to determine the cause of this tragedy as well as to provide counseling and assistance to family members and co-workers. Meanwhile, Virginia OSHA has launched a fatality investigation. CWA Local 3112- Fred Bosch, 42 years of age with 15 years seniority, was electrocuted while performing aerial telecommunications work. Employed by AT&T as an outside plant technician, Fred was placing aerial cable/strand when he came into contact with live electrical wire. CWA District 3 and CWA Local 3112 are conducting an investigation into Fred’s death and are working to provide family support. In addition, Federal OSHA is conducting its own fatality investigation.
• CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Training- Susan Moss, CWA Local 3204, and Mike Tutwiler, CWA 3122, announced their first class since attending the October, 2015 CWA/USW Occupational Safety and Health Train-the-Trainer Training. Along with Rodrigo Toscano, the Labor Institute, Susan and Mike will conduct a one-day Union Approach safety and health class March 1 at CWA Local 3902, Birmingham, Alabama. In coordination with the Union’s Safety and Health Department and District 3 Headquarters, Susan and Mike will be responsible for conducting training throughout District 3. During discussion of the March 1 training, other District 3 locals indicated their desire to host training sessions. These will be set up in the near future.

• AT&T Single Point of Contact Program-

David LeGrande mentioned AT&T’s introduction of this program in District 4 as well as CWA’s successful efforts in preventing the company from expanding this program. A primary feature of the program is the company’s unilateral selection of technicians to conduct safety and health work directly affecting CWA-represented member working conditions. As required by the National Labor Relations Act these activities must be presented to the union before their introduction allowing CWA to request the program be considered/negotiated through the collective bargaining/contractual process.

Participants noted the Single Point of Contact program has not been introduced by AT&T within District 3.

• OSHA Construction Industry Confined Spaces Standard- David LeGrande discussed the present status of the standard noting although it is presently in effect, since AT&T and Verizon have filed to block the standard, enforcement of the standard within the telecommunications industry is questionable. The companies are opposed to the standard because it provides significantly more protection to affected workers particularly in areas related to training; provision of a second person within close proximity of the work site in case of an emergency; provision of a trained, competent person to evaluate the working conditions; and air monitoring requirements. After considerable discussion, David indicated CWA Headquarters is involved in the legal aspects of the case and will keep participants informed with new developments.
• Workplace Violence- David LeGrande asked whether there were recent cases of workplace violence. Participants mentioned there were not. David mentioned continued attempts by District 6 CWA staff and OSH activists to negotiate protective provisions with AT&T. Although not yet successful, these efforts continue.

• 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, May 19, 2016 from 1:00- 3:00 p.m.