EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
VALERI DOSSETT
August 27, 2010
Here is a short update on what’s going on in Units 5, 6, and 7 and some other stuff.
Unit 5 AVP Ziedler- Bob’s been here for a few months and seems to be getting comfortable in his new role. There was a recent surplus of Central Office Technician’s. With the company going down in Central Office support, it is important for the outside technicians to not go into the Central Office’s and pick up the slack. Please remember, it is the company’s decision to go down in Central Office Technician’s it is not a Customer Data Technician, Broadband Technician or Network Technician’s job to do Central Office Technician work. There was also a change in leadership with design. Ken Lanzell now has design and Cybuch is in the Central Office field now. There have been grievances filed for QJD in Design and terminations for something other than QJD. Please be safe and drive careful!
Unit 6 AVP Fagan (West) and Unit 7 AVP Parrish (East) - The majority of grievances filed in these units have been for QJD. The company has decided to start using a sustain clause in their documents. The AVP’s have been fighting this back vigorously. There was also a surplus in the Broadband Technician and Network Technician titles. With this surplus will come movement of technicians from copper to fiber as well as other 6500’s. If you are interested in moving work location or work function make sure you are current on your 6500. Also, please remember you must be satisfactory in all areas and not on benefits to participate. The company got their number with VSPP offers and STLA’s. That means no one left unless they wanted to. That’s a good thing.
Other stuff- Avaya has had a surplus of 1 technician and he is moving to Denver to avoid layoff.
The 8th Annual CWA Local 7019 Convention will be September 11, 2010. Mary Taylor our District 7 Vice President will be here to talk about the Qwest/CenturyTel merger. If you are interested please call the hall 602.331.7019 and put your name on the guest list. It will be held at the IBEW local 640 hall, 5808 N 7th ST. Call to order will be 9am.
That’s it for now!
In Unity,
Valeri Dossett
30
afl-cio
May 20, 2010
Activities:
Busy, busy, busy, just completed D7 2010 Conference this year’s theme was “Ignited and United”! Seems fitting this year due to the fire we need to start under members to get involved or our face future loses in our industry and benefits. This year our state faces the biggest financial deficit ever, and at this point our public school system, teachers and children are paying the price. The teachers are not just teachers they are also our union brothers and sisters who are in the fight of their lives for their futures. I ask you to please get involved; we as a local have many opportunities for volunteers. Please call 602.331.7019. Also, please register to vote, after that you can vote by mail and get on the permanent early voting list. It’s just that easy!
Electoral Training in Baltimore. This training emphasized the need for our local to build a base of volunteers to help get labor friendly candidates elected and hold candidates accountable for their votes when they do not vote for working families. This isn’t about Democrat or Republican because at the end of the day if they vote against working families they vote against our future and they need to go!
CWA Local 7019 10th Annual “Day of Sunshine” was held on May 15th at the Kokopelli Golf Course in Gilbert Az. The turn out was better than expected and I would like to thank all of sponsors; Qwest Communications, UFCW Local 99, American Income Life, Principal Financial Group – Pat Murray, CWA Local 7050 President David Blackburn, CWA Local 7026, Lucca Insurance Services – Robert Lucca, Pink Ink Print Shop, CWA Local 7019 Secretary/Treasurer Sue Head. Also the following donated items for the raffles- Steve Dossett/Southwest Airlines, Kokopelli Golf Club, Qwest/Diamondbacks, Portofino’s Beach Bar and Grill, Scott Ramsey/Souper Salad and Congressman Ed Pastor thank you all for your support.. I would like Steve Hammill for being on the committee and all of the volunteers that helped make this year’s tournament a success.
Unit Reports:
Unit 5
Bob Ziedler the new AVP for unit 5 has had his work cut out for him. He has filed many grievances on QJD and has been successful in getting many issues resolved prior to the grievance process. With the merger, I am sure all outside technicians will be scrutinized with added eyes to get the numbers where they need to be to look good. CDT’s and others are not immune. As it stands, there is still more discipline for non QJD related issues than not. Please be where you supposed to be and if you have any questions call your manager and call them often. We still have grievances regarding CDT work, CSS work and OCS work at the 3rd step. I want to say THANK YOU to Bob for all he does!
Units 6 Westside and 7 Eastside
Ron Fagan unit 6 AVP and Darrell Parrish unit 7 AVP have been grieving QJD on a regular basis. Most of these grievances are getting resolved at the 1st step. The grievances going to 2nd and 3rd are for the most part not QJD related. I can not stress enough the importance of not being out of route. Please be where you supposed to be and if you have any questions call your manager and call them often. These issues are not specific to east or west sides of town. Motor vehicle accidents are up, please drive safe, these accidents are happening in the yards and are involving stationary objects! Really? Be smart and safe it will pay off in the end! I want to say THANK YOU to Ron and Darrell for all they do!
QWEST info:
The company has put out a show of interest for fiber tech’s. There are incidental requisitions out there for CDT, Net Tech. 6 Emersion/WOW labs are up and running please contact your manager about touring the one near you. At this time there is no additional information on our pending merger with Century Link.
In unity,
Valeri
opeiu30
February 4, 2010
Time is just flying by; here is a short update on what’s going on in each of the units I support:
Unit 5 AVP Steve Hammill- Steve has COT’s, CDT’s Supply Attendants and CSS’s. There is currently a surplus in the COT title. The company wants to go down nine. Hopefully we will be able to get all placed with either 20.3 or EVSPP matches. These should be resolved by Feb 16, 2010. Steve continues to battle with QJD for the CDT’s, he meets daily on this subject. We currently have two grievances at the bargaining agent level. The first is a grievance on CSS work from ASU going to management the second is the OCS work going to management.
Steve has recently resigned his position as AVP Unit 5. I would like to thank him for ALL of his hard work. Steve you will be missed! The nominations will be held on February 17 at the hall. If interested in this position and you are in Unit 5 please attend this meeting. If you can not attend, please call the hall for instructions on how to be considered for this position 602.331.7019.
Unit 6 AVP Ron Fagan- Ron has Westside BB Techs and Westside Net Techs. While there is a surplus of these titles in the state of AZ, they are not affected in Phoenix. Once again QJD is an issue in these titles, but it is not the primary reason for investigations and/or terminations. Please be on the job you are dispatched on and stay in route. Don’t work ahead or congregate together. These are triggers and will launch investigations. Out of Route and theft of time are huge issues outside. Please don’t get caught up in the mess. There have been settlements in this group on grievances for QJD. Ron continues to meet on a daily basis for QJD.
Unit 7 AVP Darrell Parrish- Darrell has Eastside BB Techs and Eastside Net Techs. While there is a surplus of these titles in the state of AZ, they are not affected in Phoenix. Once again QJD is an issue in these titles, but it is not the primary reason for investigations and/or terminations. Please be on the job you are dispatched on and stay in route. Don’t work ahead or congregate together. These are triggers and will launch investigations. Out of Route and theft of time are huge issues outside. Please don’t get caught up in the mess. There have been settlements in this group on grievances for QJD. Darrell continues to meet on a daily basis for QJD.
Other Stuff- Of course we are always looking for committee members. If you are interested, please call the hall and let us know. I am on the committee planning the D&7 2010 Conference. It’s going to be a lot of fun. If you want to volunteer to assist, please call Valeri Dossett at 602.331.7019. I am also planning our annual Golf Tournament which benefits Pediatric AIDS. More to come on this event. Please watch the calendar on our web page for current events and meetings.
In Unity,
Valeri Dossett
November 30, 2009
Wow, I know it’s been awhile so here are some of the things that have been going on-
November 16, 2009 Qwest declared surplus in Arizona. This declaration has an off payroll date of February 15, 2010, here is a portion of the declaration letter.
“This force adjustment will be administered pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 of the Qwest/CWA Collective Bargaining Agreement, as well as the Special Voluntary Separation Provisions Letter of Agreement negotiated between Qwest and Communications Workers of America, District 7 and dated October 26, 2009. It will include all employees in the Frank Simanson organization holding the title(s) within the RCA(s) listed above and will be completed no later than February 15, 2010. For employees who elect to voluntarily terminate their employment with the Company, their last day on payroll must be on or prior to December 31, 2009 to be eligible for the Special Voluntary Separation Provisions offer, under VSPP. Employees who voluntarily depart the Company’s payroll following December 31, 2009, regardless of the reason, are ineligible for the special limited provisions of the Special Voluntary Separation Provisions Offer and will only participate in the Voluntary Separation Payment Program (VSPP) in effect at the time of their termination. “
If you have any questions please call your AVP or Steward. The affected in Phoenix metro are as follows:
Assistant Technician - 2
Customer Service Specialist – 1
Central Office Technician – 9
Load Specialist – 5
Also newly posted on the Qwest LNO section of our web page
2010 Entitlement Canvassing
Arizona LNO
Please be advised in regards to the 2010 entitlement canvassing there has been an agreement reached between CWA and Qwest to extend the posting date to January 31, 2010. The reason for this extension is based on the recent surplus declaration and the return of the Tiger Team members to their crews. Also, technicians who were forced to move until the Tiger Team project completion will have the opportunity to stay where they were forced or return to their original location. Once these issues have been resolved the crews will be in tact and a more accurate canvass can take place.
During the month of January concessions will be made to accommodate technicians that are requesting time prior to entitlement posting.
CWA agreed to this as a good faith effort in an attempt to minimize issues that may arise during the year 2010 had the company proceeded with the uncertainties of the crews.
In exchange the company has agreed to provide breakfast to the technicians as a show of appreciation for your understanding.
Phoenix has recently been awarded the privilege of hosting the 2010 CWA District 7 Conference. It will be May 2-5 2010 at the Phoenix Wyndham Hotel.
Just a word to our members, while QJD is still out there please be aware it is not the main reason for terminations out of this local. It is imperative that our members be where they are supposed to be and doing their job. Remember porn is not your friend at work! Neither is being out of route.
I would like to thank all of our officers for their work in coming in way under our projected budget, I would also like to thank our President Paul for his extreme hard work in getting our new hall in working order.
On a different note our International CWA has been working with the House and now will work with the Senate in order to get a HealthCare reform Bill to pass that has our members and their families best interest in mind. I know we may not all agree on every detail, but the one thing I think we all agree on is something needs to change. I urge you to get the facts and you can do that by going to http://www.healthcarevoices.org.
Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America on the Senate health care bill:
Washington, D.C. – The Senate bill’s proposal to tax health care benefits would make our health care system worse, not better. This new tax, which is opposed by the majority of Americans, would affect millions of families. Average families who clearly don’t have “Cadillac” health care plans would owe thousands of dollars in new taxes.
Taxing health care benefits is a bad public policy that would hit millions of families hard as employers cut back health care benefits to avoid the tax. The idea that this tax will curtail rising premiums is just wrong.
CWA supports health care reform that is fairly financed, and the House bill has a better approach. It fully funds health care reform by making large employers pay toward their workers’ coverage, adding a modest surtax on the wealthiest Americans and including a public option.
CWA will work with Senate Majority Leader Reid and other Senators to produce a bill that will provide the real health care reform that working and middle income families deserve.
Candice Johnson
CWA Communications Director
With that I will close for now.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,
In Unity,
Valeri Dossett
May 15, 2009
Congratulations to the Union Softball team “The Red Shirts”
25-7 beating the Qwest Managers
WAY TO GO
Unit Reports
Unit 5- OCS CDT’s suffered a surplus of two techs on April 13 2009. Only to have that number reduced to zero two weeks later. Tucson was not so lucky, there are two CDT’s there and both are being surplused. AVP Hammill and I have met twice with CSS manager Dale Coyle on issues regarding work movement, training, and pager duty just to name a few of the issues. AVP Hammill has since filed a grievance on the movement of CSS work to LNO Net Tech’s and CDT’s.
Unit 6 and 7- A lot of movement in these units. Qwest found it necessary to do LFR’s in all groups. We are still cleaning up issues and filing grievances for the inequities that were a result. AVP Fagan and AVP Parrish have both been very successful in the reduction of discipline when it comes to QJD. Unfortunately there have been some terminations not related to QJD. We are dealing with those on a case by case basis. While QJD is still a huge threat to technician’s job,s it is not the leading cause of terminations.
Unit 7 AVAYA- Last week, we overturned the company’s decision to eliminate paid drive time on OT for the tech’s. This win resulted in thousands of dollars of pay to our Arizona technicians.
There will be a meeting for the Avaya strike vote Tuesday, May 19th 7pm in the upstairs conference room at the hall.
Bargaining for a new contract at Avaya covering about 2,000 CWA members began the week of May 7th and CWAer’s have been mobilizing for more than a month to show management they are united for a fair agreement. Top issues are preserving health care benefits and reducing or stopping the offshoring of jobs to India and Central America, and the transfer of union jobs to Avaya business partners. "Management will have little doubt where workers stand," said Ralph Maly, CWA Vice President, Communications and Technologies. "Workers built the company and keep it running, but they will do whatever it takes to get the fair contract that they deserve. "The contract expires at midnight May 23.
The 9th Annual Day of Sunshine benefiting the Pediatric Aids Foundation was a success considering the economy. We had over 45 players and it was a great day. It was held at the Coldwater Golf Club, May 9th. I want to say Thank You to all who volunteered to help and assisted in the success of the tournament.
We are preparing for ADR for a member that was terminated for Motor Vehicle Accidents. This ADR is for the Warning of Dismissal and 3day Suspension. That same member will have an ADR for their termination in June.
We are also going to Arbitration for a member terminated out of one of or agency sectors. The date of that arbitration has not been set yet.
I have met at 2nd step with Qwest Labor on many grievances and as always there are many more scheduled. Most of the grievances have been closed and discipline either removed or reduced. I am not at liberty to give details or names.
President Castaneda and I will be attending the 71st Annual CWA National Convention. This will be an incredibly exciting time for us. CWAer’s will be a major presence in Washington, D.C., that week, at our convention sessions, at Capitol Hill meetings with members of Congress on Wednesday, June 24, and in Lobby Day events on Thursday, June 25, when we join with 20,000 allies to demand real healthcare reform. CWA members at the convention/legislative political conference will be part of an historic and exciting event that takes us a step closer to winning real change that will improve the lives and futures of millions of American working families. Together in Washington, D.C., we will make a difference.
That’s it for now,
In Unity,
Valeri
March 9, 2009
WOW, it has been very busy since the election in our local.
We have a new board and with that comes change and balance. This E-Board will be focusing on our Local and getting it healthy. There is a lot of work to do. We are committed to putting our members first in all areas. This includes grievance logs updated, membership list updated, communications to our members and these are just a few of the items we are working on. We will be identifying our goals for this local going forward and our plan to obtain our goals.
It is important to remember Local 7019 does not just represent Qwest Communications. We also represent Labors Community Services where we will be bargaining their contract this May, Avaya which recently suffered two surpluses their contract comes up in May also, At&t Mobility which just came to a tentative agreement on their new contract, and several other businesses. We are in the process of identifying new opportunities to organize and grow our local.
The building committee has been searching for a new home; we have looked at several buildings and have narrowed it down. Please stay tuned for more information regarding a new building.
This office supports Unit 5, Unit 6 and Unit 7, and the processes and grievances that come with those Units. We recently ran an election in Unit 5 for Area Representatives. Congratulations to Cheri Robinson COT Eastside and Darren Bouchard CDT Westside in their bid and win. In Unit 6 we recently ran an election for the Area Vice President, congratulations to Ron Fagan. Also Area Representatives, cngratulations to Bert Boutin and Joe Alvarez on your win. I look forward to working with these representatives. Unit 7’s meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2009 at the Kiwanis Park on the East side please see Unit 7 update for the details.
We are also planning our 9th Annual Day of Sunshine Golf Tournament. Please follow this link for more information http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/10477-CWA9thAnnualGolfTournament/index.html.
There are also many other responsibilities that must be met in order to give our members the best representation possible. For example, we must make our presence again in the political arena and meet with our allies at the state and federal level.
With President Obama in office we now have a real chance at getting worker friendly laws in effect. CWA’s focus is on The Employee Free Choice Act and Health Care Reform. Please watch your email for more information on what you can do to help in the fight for workers rights.
Speaking of e-mail we recently upgraded our e-mail system if you are not receiving e-mails from the local please contact us at 602-331-7019 so that we may add your information back in the system.
If you are interested in joining a committee we are always looking for volunteers. Please click on the committee link and call the chair person of that committee to information on joining. That’s all for now.
Thank You for being a member of CWA Local 7019!
Valeri
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