QWEST CWA FAMILY & WORK DEVELOPMENT FUND
1995 bargaining produced this fund, in which $100,000 is allocated for funding family care programs to address the evolving needs of employees represented by CWA. Local 7804 members have nominated two organizations in the last two years which have been awarded grants. Last year, Ann Smith nominated the Pacific Senior Center which received money to help with their transportation of senior citizens to doctor visits and the like. This year, President, Randy Grams has nominated the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution and their Youth Parent Mediation project. In late January, they were selected for a grant for $7,800 to get this program started.
Have you ever had a hard time resolving a dispute with your teenager? Of course, we all have! The Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution (PCCDR) is ready to reinitiate their successful Youth-Parent Mediation project to help. They have found that effective communication, understanding of intergenerational differences, and sometimes just the presence of an impartial third party are key elements needed to resolve conflicts. The Qwest Family and Work Development Fund grant will support the training of ten volunteers – five teams composed of one young person and one adult to mediate conflicts between parents and their adolescent children.
The Qwest Family and Work Development fund will provide the support necessary for targeted outreach to schools and after school programs. This process will include a review and update of both hard-copy and web-based training materials. The Center has already begun to collaborate with other youth oriented programs and will carefully use the funds from this grant to maximize every dollar and ensure the longevity of the program.
It is likely 500 to 1,000 employees reside in and or work in Pierce County. The tri-metro area includes Tacoma, Renton, and Seattle (King County), and Olympia (Thurston County).
Qwest employees, dependents, and retirees could utilize the services of a Youth-Parent mediation process at the Center. They will also be invited to volunteer on this important project. Finally, everyone in the community benefits when day-to-day conflicts are resolved before they escalate into societal problems. Pierce County has a high drop out rate. One of their goals would be to work with schools and parents to address some of the underlying conflicts that cause a young person to leave school before graduation. Early intervention and training in peacemaking skills will help keep the focus on the future. They have found that mediation at this level enables young people to move beyond present conflicts and on to the opportunities in our community.
The PCCDR which is anon profit volunteer organization, does mediations for parenting plans, neighborhood disputes, small claims court assistance, and various other types of mediation which may or may not be court ordered. PCCDR is located at 738 Broadway Suite 400, 253 562-3657.
BROADBAND BILL PASSED
Well after a crazy 53 days and about 25 redrafts of our bill we have finally gotten the broadband initiative passed. It passed out of the House Tuesday, March 4th, late afternoon with a vote of 93-0. The final language is less than we wanted, but after many conversations with our people in Washington DC the decision was made to except a study bill where CWA is a partner at the table rather than take the chance of getting nothing and possibly damaging political relationships for next season. I will send out a notice to let you know when the bill is scheduled to go to the Governor for the final signing.
Now we will start to look at our goals for next session and put together a comprehensive plan for the interim, we will participate in the broadband study partnership directed by our legislation, while we continue to work with our legislators and build our Speed Matters coalition.
Gail Love,
CWA State Council Lobbyist,
Local 7810
PEIR
This is a reminder/refresher about the PEIR (Program for Employee Information and Referral) resource that is available to Qwest employees through the Letter of Agreement regarding the Committee on Substance Abuse.
There are over 100 trained PEIR facilitators within the 14-state region. These facilitators provide assistance and information, on a confidential basis, to employees struggling with life issues with a particular emphasis on problems with drugs and/or alcohol.
Wendi Patterson is a PEIR facilitator for Local 7804; she works out of the Trafton-A garage. Should you need someone to talk to or seek help she is available.
Pathways to the Future
Dave Schott, Broadband tech in the Tacoma Trafton-A garage has replaced Wendi Patterson as a Pathways Advocate. Dave has prior Pathways experience and is very knowledgeable about the program. He is also a proponent of lifelong learning and continuing education. Dave will be coordinating efforts with Ann Smith who works at the Waverly 2 Central Office.
Service Anniversaries and Retirements
January: Jim McVoy CDT 30 years, Phil Durance Net Tech 30 years
February: Erich Zoellner COT 40 years, Randy Fletcher CDT 30 years,
Gregg Sherwood Net Tech 10 years,
Doug Waterbury Net Tech 10 years
March: None to report
Retirements:
Larry Smith COT Power 40 years
Stephen Lampman Mechanic 28 years
Dennis Shuler Net Tech 39 years
Larry Nelson Net Tech 39 years
Jim Belcher Net Tech 38 years
Alan Nash Net Tech 30 years
Jim McVoy CDT 30 years
Terry Cupp Net Tech 30 years
Congratulations to all and best of luck!
Best of Luck to All!!!! |
