UNIT 7 LOUD AND PROUD

AVP-CHERI ROBINSON

(602) 201-7722 PAGER

email: crobinson@cwa7019.org

May 24, 2008 

CDT’s- Update on Net Techs in the design load. There have been three grievances filed against Qwest for having Net Techs in the design load and for allowing these Net Techs to work earlier hours and overtime. The first grievance was met on with area manager Andrew Anderson. Anderson’s grievance resolution was that the Net Techs would be in the design load only as “helpers” for the CDT’s. This never happened. A second grievance was filed with area manager Tony Reveles.  Reveles’ grievance resolution was to have the net Techs in the design load as “helpers” and that Net techs would not be doing design work alone prior to 9:30 am. Again, the company didn’t follow the grievance resolution. A third grievance was filed with director for the LRAC Max Myrick. Myrick’s resolution is that the company agrees when offering overtime to cable technicians to work in the design service load the CDT’s will also be offered overtime as well. The company will continue to audit this process to ensure compliance as per the grievance resolution. If the company doesn’t follow this resolution please contact a steward.

Bargaining begins June 16, 2008. Please continue preparing for a possible strike in August. Mobilizers are needed for the yards. If you are interested in becoming a mobilizer and help get the information out to the membership, please let me know.

On Wednesday May 28, 2008 at 6:00 pm there will be a Unit meeting and nominations/elections for delegates for our local convention. This meeting will be held at:

Murray Financial

2111 E. Baseline Rd Suite D-1

Tempe

 Hope to see you there!

There have been several motor vehicle accident grievances that have been settled. We have been able to get two out of the three days pay back and the warning of dismissals reduced to a written warning on most of the grievances.

Please continue to work safely!

In Unity,

Cheri Robinson

 

November 14, 2007

President Chris Rossie, VP Paul Castaneda, AR Paul Kent and myself met with Sharon Paulson and Becky Stone regarding the company plans to put the Switch COT’s in a separate workgroup.

 These are the questions that were asked.

  1. What was the criteria the company used in deciding who was going to be in this work group?

     They had to draw a line and decided to go with those currently doing switch work.

  1. How many employees does the company want for this crew?

     The targeted number is at least 16 and no more than 20.

  1. What shifts will be available for this crew?

     7:00am – 4:00pm; 8:00am – 5:00pm; and 10:00pm – 6:00am

  1. Why are there no evening shifts?

     Evening shift can’t work in the Maintenance Window.

  1. What will the criteria be to move off and on the crew?

     Employees will first need to have CBT Training and then hands on training.  They will still be able to turn in a 6500 to move off the crew.

  1. Are there plans to change the PRP’s?

     Ken Brown is looking into having orbits for offices that techs can cover.  Currently everyone will stay with their current PRP.  These will be selected at the     beginning of the year.

  1. When does this new crew begin?

     November 11, 2007.

  1. What is the company’s plan for getting employees Switch and SS7 trained?

     They are in the process of looking for volunteers to train.

A grievance will be filed for the criteria the company used to select those going to be placed on the crew.  Another grievance will be filed for the company to start additional training by volunteers first and if no volunteers, then force by inverse seniority.

In Unity,

Cheri Robinson

Unit 7 AVP

     

April 11th, 2007

  • Good news! The surplus for one COT in voicemail has been resolved! He has been offered a LNO COT position. Thanks to one of our members that decided to take an EVSPP.
  • Sharon Paulsen has decided to do an LFR (Lateral Force Rearrangement) with the Evening & Night COT crews. She will go by seniority for the open offices, but there will be no bumping each other out of offices that you are already reporting to.
  • We have had several members suspended for motor vehicle accidents. We have filed grievances for everyone & will fight to get their pay back.
  • There have been a few employees disciplined for not reporting on the job injuries in a timely manner. I just want to make sure everyone knows that they need to call their supervisor or on duty manager and UNICALL.
  • We have had a termination in our unit because someone called compliance and reported that this individual was violating the code of conduct. I just want to remind everyone that Union members don’t tell on other Union members. If you are having a problem with another member, please call a steward and allow the steward to try to correct the problem. This person is now without a job and if the Union had been notified we could have helped and saved this person from being terminated. A grievance has been filed to bring back the employee.
  • CDT’s QJD is still a big concern. The company is singling out the bottom 20% and placing them on a step of discipline. Although there is no coaching being done. If you are a part of the bottom 20% and you are placed on a coaching plan or given any type of discipline, when you are asked what can be done to help you reach the QJD numbers you need to ask the company for ride-alongs with you manager, ride-alongs with the top performers, any and all training that you can think of and tools that you may need.  Also, make sure you keep a small notebook with you while at work. Start keeping notes of your daily jobs. You want to note any time you go out to a job that you were unable to complete and the reason why. Anytime you were on hold for a long period of time and also just keep note of your mileage between jobs. You may feel like this is a lot to do, but it will pay off in the long run. This is the information that can be used to get you off of a coaching plan and facing possible discipline. We are filing grievances and fighting with the company to show that the numbers are unrealistic & that the managers are not doing their part to help the techs succeed.
  • CQUE for the Co’s will start in April. Just remember 8 hours work for 8 hours pay.

  

August 11, 2006

 I have some very sad news.  A COT member from the IOF crew named Ronald Hoffer passed away on August 4, 2006. The services will he held on August 11, 2006 at 1:30 pm at St. Timothy’s in Chandler on Ray Road between McClintock and Price.

 I am also sorry to have to report that we lost another member named William Jakomovich from SBC Telecom/AT&T. He passed away on August 7, 2006. The services will be on August 11, 2006 at 10am at St. James Catholic Church 19640 N. 35th Ave, Phoenix. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families.

 Please be extra careful out there when working with the Baseline killer still on the loose, everyone who happens to work evenings and nights. If you are sent to an area were you feel unsafe, call your manager and let them know that you do not feel safe going into that area alone and that you are unable to go into that  area until the environment is made safe for you to perform your job.. They can send someone else out with you or not send you at all. BE SAFE!

 CDT’s: A grievance was filed against the company for not having the shift bid out at the beginning of the quarter. We have met on the grievance and the company has agreed to have the shift bid out on time. Many of you have contacted me expressing concerns with your later shifts and Net Techs doing your work. Tracy Cyprian (AVP unit 8) Johnny Barganski   (AVP unit 9) and myself met with Alexis Goodrich, Larry Hempen and Patrick Haggerty (LRAC manager) to discuss this issue. The company is claiming that the Net Tech’s are rarely doing CDT work. I am waiting for them to provide me data on the SC tickets that have been worked since the beginning of this shift bid. Uncomfortable with Net Tech’s doing CDT work in the mornings??? Realize what the company is doing to you and re-evaluate your voluntary overtime accordingly??? Also, there are many concerns around that Management is completely satisfied because they have later shifts and yet everyone is picking up the slack in the am. Again re-evaluate your voluntary overtime. Remember when you volunteer for overtime, they can still force you to work mandatory overtime.

I have started meeting with Terry Wich (CWA Safety Committee) and discussing safety issues. If you have any safety concerns, contact a steward or myself so we can get these issues taken care of.

 We all need to remember that “WE” are the Union and that our Union is only as strong as our members! We all need to work together and show this management team that Local 7019 is UNITED!

 COT’s: The company will soon be rolling out a performance plan that is called CQUE. We all need to continue working our orders as usual. Follow their guidelines. Don’t skip the steps. If you are following their process, then there is nothing they can do! The managers are to visit the worksite and go over this plan with everyone. It should NOT be done thru email. If your manager doesn’t come out and cover you and just sends an email, please call a steward. The CO managers have gotten way to comfortable in their chairs and it is time for them to go out and earn their paychecks. Every other month our safety committee meets to discuss safety issues that have been brought to management’s attention, but have not been fixed. If you have any safety issues regarding the Co’s please call a steward, so we can get these issues taken care of.

6-28-2006 

Unfortunately, there has been a CDT terminated for having motor vehicle accidents in a company vehicle. A grievance has been filed and we will fight to get their job back! 

This stresses the importance of working safe! When you are driving or working, you need to remember, no job is important enough to risk you safety! You also need to have a copy of the 2004 SLPP’s in your company vehicle. If you do not have a copy, get with your manager and have them get you one. 

I know a lot of you like the overtime and are use to the overtime money, but as long as the company can get you to do voluntary overtime, they don’t see a need for more employees. If you voluntary to come in early to work, the company depends on that and they don’t see a need to have more of the earlier shifts. 

We all need to remember that “WE” are the Union and that our Union is only as strong as our members! We all need to work together and show this management team that Local 7019 is UNITED! 

Our Local Convention is on August 26 and 27 at the Hall. If you would like to attend as a guest, please call the hall at 602-331-7019 ASAP, as space is limited. 

Another reminder that our unit is sponsoring the “Back to School Drive”. We need new school supplies. These items need to be turned into the hall by July 14. You can drop the supplies off at the hall or contact a steward for pick up. 

COT’s, CSS, FA’s: You can now get access to the L-Drive, which is the system, the Ras uses for entitlement time. Private information will not be shown. If you would like access, contact your manager, they can get you the access you need. Every other month a safety committee meets to discuss safety issues that have been brought to management’s attention, but has not been fixed. If you have any safety concerns regarding the Central Offices, please call a steward, so we can get these issues taken care of.

 

 

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