Dear Members,
As I am writing this letter the rumors are running rampant about layoffs at Qwest. On this date, October, 10, 2001, the only announced surplus in the Tacoma R.C.A. has been in the supply attendant job title. I wish that we could tell you for sure this would be the only job loss in the R.C.A., but we simply don’t know at this point. You have all read the numbers of three to six hundred being laid off in the Robert Jones Organization, and that is probably true, but we simply do not know where those numbers are going to come from. The Company hasn’t determined where the jobs can be cut with minimal impact on service.
Some of it may be attained by V.S.S.P. and some may come from the management ranks, but it is unlikely than the total will be achieved in this manner. Also, I want to dispel all of the rumors about a possible buy-out of occupational employees: to the best of my knowledge there is nothing on the table for consideration at this point in time. So we, the workers of the company, the people most responsible for customer service, are about to take a hit in our ranks. The reduction in force is to be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2002. I hope that by this point in time the company will reassess the cuts and come to their senses.
In the meantime it is important to understand that we are all hurt by these measures regardless of the time that you have with the company; in the long run it will affect us all. It is sad commentary on the upper management of this company for the position which we find ourselves in today. It is too bad that they are not measured by the same standards that they judge us with, for if they were they would likely have been removed from the payroll some time ago.
The general election of November 26, 2001, is rapidly approaching. I hope that you are all planning to vote as there are issues and candidates important to all of us on the ballot. Beyond that it is, in my mind, the most patriotic function you can perform. I would challenge you to do more than just wave the flag, but to become active participants in the government that upholds the freedom, values and rights for which it stands.
The new bargaining agreement between Qwest and C.W.A. is out and you should have received a copy from your boss. If you have not been supplied one ask for a copy. It is their obligation to make them available to you. After you receive it, take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the changes or reread the whole document, after all it is the book that controls your work day.
Over the last several months we have seen several changes in the operation of the company. The one thing that should never change is that you work safely and protect yourself against those who do not. As the days get shorter and the weather uglier you need to be extra careful: don’t take chances or short cuts. Remember, the most important job of the day is to return home at night to your family.
As always I would like to invite you to the membership meeting on the fourth Tuesday of every month. With all of the turmoil taking in the company and the effects that it will have on you, the best way to stay informed is to spend an hour or so and get the straight answers your local can provide.
The International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency, provided some discouraging news last week to Americans who think they are overworked. U.S. workers have increased their substantial lead over Japan and all other industrial nations in the number of hours worked each year. The report found that Americans added nearly a full week to their work year during the 1990's, climbing to 1,979 hours on average last year, up 36 hours from 1990. That means Americans who are employed are putting in nearly 49 1/2 weeks a year on the average. Americans work about three and one-half weeks more a year than Japanese workers, about six and one-half weeks more a year than British workers and about 12 1/2 weeks more a year than German workers, the report said.
Finding the right attorney at the right price can be hard, especially when you need one immediately. The best time to find an attorney is when you don't really need one. That way you can take your time and select the right one for you.
The right attorney for you depends on who you are and what you’re like. So before you call an attorney sort out your own preferences and expectations. The Union Plus Legal Service gives you a head start on selecting the right attorney. By screening for experienced attorneys who are interested in serving union members we are able to offer you a free initial consultation for up to 30 minutes; free follow-up letter or telephone call; and a 30 per cent discount on most legal services. There is no annual fee or enrolment cost.
Local 7804 has a local law firm we are working with to provide these services. Hopefully, this will eliminate the unnecessary expense to our members of purchasing membership in the prepaid legal programs. Leggett and Kram, attorneys at law, services the AFL/CIO Union Privilege Benefit Program for the South Sound area. Mr. James Leggett was a guest at our August membership meeting and explained the benefits of this program to our membership. Their firm is located at 1901 S. “EYE” street in Tacoma; their telephone number is 272-4616. They are a full service law firm.
Applications for the 2002 Union Plus Scholarship Program are available. The deadline for submitting applications is January, 31, 2002.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE?
Union members, their spouses, and dependent children (as defined under IRS regulations) are eligible to apply for scholarships.
The union member must have one year of continuous good standing union membership (satisfied by May 31, 2002) with an AFL-CIO union that participates in the Union Plus Credit Card program. However, the member is not required to have a union credit card in order to apply for the scholarship.
The applicant must be accepted into an accredited college, university, community college, technical ,or trade school at the time the aware is granted. Graduate students are not eligible for scholarship awards.
AWARD Criteria
Awards are based on academic achievement and potential character, leadership, social awareness, career goals, and financial need. Applications are judged by a committee of impartial post-secondary educators.
How to Apply
Members can download an application from the Union Privilege web site at www.unionprivilege.org. Or, they can mail a postcard with their name, address, phone number, and international union name to:
The Union Plus Scholarship Program
PO Box 34800
Washington, DC, 24003-4800
Applications must be completed and postmarked no later than January 31, 2002, in order to be considered.
CWA/NETT, is a non-profit trust affiliated with the Communications Workers of America, responsible for procuring and coordinating the delivery of High Tech training and job referral programs.
Whether you want to learn valuable IT skills or update the your existing knowledge, CWA/NETT can provide the necessary learning for life in the Internet Economy. And you can acquire these skills any time, any place. All thanks to an extraordinary e-learning program made possible by the Communications workers of America and the Cisco Networking Academy Program. Whether you are a CWA member, military, separating military or a military spouse, you can learn how to design, build and maintain global computer networks.
Through an innovative alliance, CWA, Cisco Systems, the Department of Labor Veteran's Employment and Training Services and Stanly Community College are preparing CWA members and U.S. military personnel with training for the future. This project, known as the Workforce Transition Project (WTP) aims to train, certify and place members and military personnel into the new technology job market. The WTP is a unique distance-learning program that provides state-of-the-art training in computer and internetworking technology.
Training is offered in Computer Technology (And Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)). To learn more about CWA/NETT visit the Local’s website at cwalocal7804.org, click on cool links and then click on CWA Jobs and Training and view the CWA/Nett menu.
Caring for an elderly loved one can be very rewarding—a way of saying "thank you" to a parent, or "you'll never be alone" to a dear friend. But it also can be physically, emotionally, and financially difficult—particularly for elder-caregivers who also work and are raising children.
Consider these facts:
Seventeen percent of working caregivers find the demands on their time so great that they either take a leave of absence or quit work entirely. The struggle to care for a parent—especially one whose mobility is limited or who suffers from a chronic illness—can be crushing, especially when added to other day-to-day responsibilities. Every caregiver at some point will feel overwhelmed by such demands and feel he or she is alone in the struggle. But there is help. View the websites at the local website under CWA Portal.
Anniversaries: Merle Eickmeyer, 40 years; Bill McGee, 35; Dennis Garrett, 34; Jerry Otto, 32; George Allen, 32; Thomas Clark, 31; Tom Latta, 29; Nancy Newmiller, 25; Rhonda Brooks, 24; Paul Bentson, 23; Bryan Pope, 22; Norman Holt, 22; Mark Niehaus, 22; Larry Carson, 21; David Moore, 19; Michael Pierce, 13; Frank Heard, 6.
Retired: William T. Requa; David Edgecombe.
New Members: Judd Alan Clarambeau; Jason Robert Osness; Luisito Magat; Kevin P. Peltier; Adam W. Vannoy; Loren E. Christenson; Robert R. White.
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