President's CornerThe telecommunications industry has changed dramatically over the last several years. Most of us, who work for the old RBOC (Regional Bell Operating Company as they were described after Divestiture 1984), have seen it, smelled it, and lived it. Our local is currently composed of 3 bargaining units. Two of those bargaining units, the classic AT&T (long lines) have 3 employees left. The other, AVAYA has 2 members remaining in our local. Qwest is now at an all time low, 219 members in good standing, 10 agency fee payers, 5 pending, and 2 cash payers. There are currently 99 members and agency fee payers with 25 years or more. There are 35 members currently with 30 or more years of service and are pension eligible. There is a tremendous amount of history inherent there with our senior most members. We have persevered through several strikes, divestiture, surpluses, a one day "wildcat strike", a hostile takeover, a corrupt CEO and we are still here. Despite what management does, or says, we are still here. We do the work! Think about that last statement. We do the work. No matter what program, expectation, productivity plan, electronic leash, big brother eye in the sky, door badge readers, or other device the company puts in our path, we do the work! We control the shop floor. Stand up for your rights. Demand a fair shake from your employer. If you are forced to work incidental or mandatory overtime against your will, do something about it. Challenge your manager, involve your steward, document your daily travels. File a grievance. If we don't hear from you, the company will keep doing it. The following is an excerpt from a document titled "Who Speaks for Me?" put together by CWA staff and our Bargaining committee. "As of October 1st, there were 321 days remaining until our current agreement with Qwest Communications expires. During the coming months, we will b e outlining how the formal bargaining process is conducted, from the use of rank-and-file bargaining surveys to how that information is ultimately formulated into specific proposals for bargaining. Those proposals will be presented during a bargaining council meeting where delegates from each of the Local Unions representing Qwest employees will define and adopt CWA's agenda for the talks with Qwest. In the coming weeks, we will be distributing information regarding Qwest's financials as well as those of the rest of the industry and begin highlighting those issues that we believe will be the subject of our talks with Qwest next year, such as the steady escalation if health care costs for both active and retired employees and a renewal of employer demands to roll back contract language the view as inflexible." Get involved, be an activist, save your money for August. Management needs a huge wake up call to see what we do in the trenches on a daily basis. When your union asks for help, be there! When your union asks for feedback, participate! When your union ask for bargaining proposals, put your thinking caps on! When your union asks for mobilization activity, or a job action, be there! This is the only way we are going to win a decent contract next summer! As I was always taught, an injury to one is an injury to all. We have to stand united, now is the time to get started! In solidarity, Randy Grams President. |
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Fiber To The NodeQwest is making preparations to expand its Fiber To The Node project. This could mean good things for us as employees as well. If this project is successful, it could mean more business and more job opportunities. Jobs will include fiber splicers and possibly cable tv techs. In the areas where this has already been deployed, Qwest is showing five times better results than they originally expected. This is good news to hear during such slow work times. The plan in Washington is to increase fiber splicers by approximately 30 Net Techs. Be looking for these opportunities mid to late December. Fiber classes in Kent will begin in January, with a total of six classes through March. The intention at this time is to have fiber splicers working in double shifts, to be able to utilize expensive equipment. Of course we all know anything can change at moments notice at Qwest. This is the plan at this time, but there will probably be changes to this current plan. At any rate, this is still good news for all of us. A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF STEWARDDear Fellow Members, Well its time once again to start preparing for our next contract negotiations. Now you might be thinking, Dude! That's ten months from now! Yes, you're right it is ten months, but the time is going to fly by and it will be here before we know it. First off, nobody likes the idea of a strike, but it is a very good possibility. Qwest is still struggling to hold on to their customers, and continually making foolish and expensive management decisions. It is imperative that we all start putting money away just in case we do strike. Secondly, we all need to become more involved in the business of our union. I can't count how many times I've heard Qwest union employees say to me what is the union going to do about this? Or, 'what has the union ever done for me'? Seriously, we all pay dues, we are all the union not just the officers, executive board, and stewards. Let's be honest with ourselves, we make good money and our benefits are darn good too. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not content with the wages and benefits. I would like to see pay increases and improved benefits. But we can't lose sight of the reason why we have what we do. It is solely because we are union! If you don't believe me just go ask your manager how much he or she pay for their medical, it's a lot. Now I'm not asking for all of you to become stewards, but what I am asking is that you set an hour of your time aside every other month and go to the membership meetings and wear you red shirts on Thursdays! The Qwest management pays very close attention to us when they see that we are organized an informed! They know how many people show up to the union meetings. We need to send a clear message to Qwest that without us, all of us, there is no Qwest! Don't forget, WE ARE THE FRONT LINE, NOT THE BOTTOM LINE. In Solidarity, Christmas Party!Come and join us in celebrating the holidays! We will be having a Christmas Party at Spuds Pizza located at 7025 Pacific Ave. The local will provide food and soft drinks in the large lounge located at the rear of the restaurant. The celebration starts at 6:00pm Union Plus ScholarshipThe 2008 Union Plus Scholarship applications are now available for download. To date, over 1,700 union families have received $2.4 million in education assistance. The application deadline is January 31, 2008. Download a scholarship application at: www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarships/scholarshipApp.pdf Pediatric AIDS FoundationThe Foundation is tremendously grateful to all our friends around the globe who have helped the Foundation bring the promise of a healthy future to children and families living with HIV/AIDS. We wish to recognize certain individuals, organizations, foundations, and companies whose commitment to helping children is truly extraordinary. These individuals are our heroes - and we are proud to call them allies and friends in our fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS. Our work together is making a real difference and we look forward to everything we will be able to accomplish together in the future. Special thanks to: The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's relationship with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) traces from the earliest days of the Foundation, when little was known about HIV/AIDS and its effect on children. In 1990, CWA designated the Foundation as its "charity of choice" at its national convention. CWA's support of the Foundation has remained invaluable ever since. CWA national and local chapters have donated a total of approximately $6 million to help support the Foundation's lifesaving programs LEADERSHIP TRAININGRecently the local sent two stewards to Leadership Training, Kevin Lathrop and Merrine Pasquale, attended the week long session. We asked them to give a brief overview of their experience. In mid September I had the great honor to represent the local at the CWA District 7 Leadership Training hosted by the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. I was taking the second year track. We had classes on Immigration and Human Rights, a very touchy subject with some. Writing and Interpreting Contract Language was a very good class on how the right word will make us or break us. Economics, a very dry subject but brought to life by a very interesting teacher. There were seminars about workers of the world unite creating international solidarity, and electronic surveillance. I really enjoyed all the classes but the Economics class was the most interesting as the gentleman that taught it had a way of making it show how it affected us today and into the future. I hope I can use what I was taught to help the local to be strong and help to protect the members in the future. Thanks for letting me represent you at this school. Kevin Lathrop This was a great experience. I got to meet so many people from many different states and businesses. Every local has its own unique issues, making it a good chance to bounce off ideas. We went into Labor Law at great length. For a public speaking class we had to write a speech on one of the issues of the week and give the speech outside on campus. We were in classes all day every day, sometimes into the night. The teachers were excellent and very informative. This was my first year of training. I made a lot of friends and can't wait to go back and learn more. I really appreciated this opportunity. Merrine Pasquale (mo) Local Druthers ListWith fiber jobs coming available after the first of the year, it is imperative if you have an interest in one of these jobs that you update your druthers list. These can be downloaded and printed out by your managers. After filling out all of your updates, return the form to Kaare Gimse in Trafton A. Dennis Garrett will be working with Kaare on the druthers committee and keeping track of any changes. Service Anniversaries and RetirementsOctober: Kenny Kenyon, Net Tech, 10 years November: Vincent Torres, Net Tech, 10 yrs; Frank Haislett, Net Tech, 10 yrs; Eric Riemer, CDT, 10 years December: David Moore, Net Tech, 25 yrs; Michael Samuels, Net Tech, 10 yrs; Richard Guthery, Net Tech, 10 yrs; Eric Tomlinson, Net Tech 10 yrs Retirements: December: Steve Lampman, Mechanic, Trafton B Garage, 30 years Steve has been an invaluable shop mechanic and will be truly missed. Please join us in congratulating him on his retirement! Best of Luck to All!!!! |
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