November/December 2003 Newsletter

 

A Double Shot of Thank You’s

The Local would like to thank all of you who gave to the Tomlinson Relief fund and let you know some friends that gave. Glenda & David Griggs, Merle Eickmeyer, John R Thompson II,CWA dist 7, Larry Ellingson, Patricia Niven, Leroy & Pat Christensen, CWA Communication Workers Relief committee, And Locals 4773,4900,7901,6350,1104,7601 7812, 6215,1023,6326,4671,2202,7304 and 7804 (collected by Jake Williams) and Bob Betencourt’s TA3 Crew.

I am sure there are more but this is all I know about. Once again Thank you All. In Solidarity we stand United. Kevin Lathrop

In the wake of the recent tragedy for Delila and Eric Tomlinson, our members have helped out. Our Local helped to contribute to the Tomlinson/Delbert Fund Account #1357337011 at any Wells Fargo Bank. :

In addition, several collections of cash were taken at work sites and donated to the fund. Donations from CWA locals to name a few, from New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and the Executive Board of CWA in Washington D.C., CWA members, and other individuals including our own District 7 officers and staff have poured in to our office. We continue to receive donations each week.

Thanks to the many of you that have extended your help and well wishes. Randy Grams

 		  

Stories in this issue:

New Web Tool for Prescription Drugs

Note: Our thanks to Seattle Local 7800 for informing us of this information

There is a new consumer reference guide available on line for all Qwest employees. You can find a list of pharmacy drugs in both formulary and generic forms. This is called “Pharmacy on Line”. The web address is www.365wellst.com. If you have insurance with United Healthcare, the online pharmacy is now part of myuhc.com.

They are committed to offering you a variety of pharmacy and health information services including, ordering a new prescription, refilling an existing prescription, or finding a participating neighborhood pharmacy with their pharmacy locator. Register or login today!

Remember the prescription and medical co-pays for Qwest employees go up effective January 1, 2004

Dollars For Scholars

  • Dear CWA News and Information Subscriber We’re ready, once again, to kick off the Joe Beirne Foundation’s annual scholarship offerings for he 2004-2005 school years.
  • The Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved the awarding of thirty (30) partial college scholarships of up to $3,000 each, and the winners also will receive second-year scholarships for the same amount, contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement.
  • Eligible for the scholarships are CWA members and their spouses, children and grandchildren, including the dependents of retired, laid off or deceased members. Applicants must be high school graduates or high school students who will graduate during the year in which they apply. Undergraduate and graduate student returning to schooling may also apply. Note that beginning this year. Applications will be made solely online by filling out and submitting an application form at the Foundation's website: hhtp://www.unionvoice.org/ct/Gd1XNo4101Nt/beirne. Applications will be accepted between November 2003 and March 31, 2004—the final deadline. Early submission of application is encouraged. The winners will be chose by lottery drawing. Further information about the program can be found at the website.
  • This valuable scholarship is made possible by the funding CWA Locals.

Something’s Sour at Darigold

These letters are reprinted in order to give background on the present and ongoing boycott of Darigold products. Ed

SEPTEMBER 3, 2003 LETTER TO LOCAL 174

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, "The hardworking Brothers and Sisters of Teamsters Local Union No. 66 have been locked out by Darigold Inc., dba WestFarm Foods, makers of the Darigold brand.

"We are calling for a boycott of Darigold brand products and will be conducting leafleting operations at area stores soon. Please support our locked out workers by not purchasing any Darigold products.

"Additionally we will be establishing picket lines at all Darigold facilities in Joint Council 28. We ask for your support and recognition for our pickets."

SEPTEMBER 29, 2003 LETTER TO LOCAL 174

"As most of you know by now Darigold Inc. dba WestFarm Foods subcontracted 14 union jobs to a non-union warehouse on August 1st, terminated 60 drivers and forced them to go to work for a non-unionized trucking firm at a wage reduction on August 30th. And then the crowning blow was the lockout of 200 inside workers at Elliott, Rainier, and Issaquah facilities of August 31st.” This is why we ask you to boycott Darigold.

1-5+9=for

  • TO: CWA Locals with Qwest Members
  • FROM: John R. Thompson, II, District 7 Vice President
  • SUBJECT: Qwest Proxy

The Annual Shareholder's Meeting for Qwest will be held in Denver, on Tuesday, December 16, 2003. Shareholders should be receiving the annual report any day now.

As part of the packet, a proxy card is enclosed with nine (9) shareholder proposals.

After consultation with the Local leadership, CWA is recommending a "FOR"

Time Reporting changes for the new CWA Contract

Qwest

These changes are available in all time reporting systems and are valid for occupational employees only. The new time codes became effective 8-17-03.

  • ACA8 This time code is reported when an employee is required to be on call and carry a pager for longer than 1 calendar week in the month.
  • SC1 This time code is reported when a work schedule change is made with less than 24 hours notice. It generates a $1 differential for tracking purposes and flags the system for time and a half.
  • SC5 This time code is reported when a work schedule change is made with more than 24 hours notice. This pays a $5 schedule change premium.
  • Make sure you supervisor signs your time off correctly; they have supposedly all been trained on the new contract!
  • The time code list and pay check/pay stub codes are available at the Payroll website on the Q. If you don’t have access to it, ask your supervisor to provide a copy for you.

Work Schedule Posting

Section 2.6 (Qwest contract) The Company may elect not to post weekly work schedules in those work groups which are normally scheduled for the same tours. If appropriate for a work group, the Company shall post or make work schedules available to employees at least (7) calendar days before the starting date of the work schedule.

Work Schedule Changes

Section 2.7 The Company will inform an employee of a schedule change including the scheduling of overtime no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start: (a) of the employee’s tour or normally scheduled tour OR (b) of the schedule change if that change is earlier than the normally scheduled tour. If the Company fails to give the employee the appropriate twenty-four (24) hour notice of the schedule change the employee shall be paid one and one-half (1 ½) times his or her basic wage rate for all hours actually worked outside his or her normal tour and a short notice premium of one dollar ($1.00).

A work schedule shall become fixed seven (7) calendar days before the beginning of the schedule. If the Company changes an employee’s schedule (including the scheduling of overtime) after the schedule is fixed but with more than twenty-four (24) hours notice of the change, the employee shall be paid a schedule change premium of five dollars ($5.00).

Good and Welfare:

Service Anniversaries

November: Drew Parrott 5 yrs., Melissa Kamenzind 5 yrs., David Harris 5 yrs.

December: Paul Bentson 25 yrs., Michael Pierce 15 yrs.

New Member: Dona Thaut

 

Back to the newsletter archives.