CWA Statement on Lead Exposure Testing for Telecommunications Workers

Today, AT&T, after consultation with union leadership, announced a policy that will allow employees who may have been exposed to lead as part of their work to receive paid time off in order to be tested for lead levels.

While this is a voluntary program, we strongly encourage CWA members to participate in this testing. We have worked with the company to ensure that no employee will be penalized in any way as a result of undergoing testing.

CWA will be closely monitoring this program. AT&T’s commitment to addressing our members’ exposure to lead must go beyond point-in-time testing of blood lead levels and incorporate proper follow up including treatment, addressing past exposures and long term effects, and implementing precautions and training to reduce the health impacts of working with lead clad cable.

We are in discussions with Verizon and Lumen on these issues and will be engaging with our other telecommunications employers in the coming days.

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