PRESIDENT'S CORNERThe summer is already over; it seems that I wrote a letter with that introduction just the other day. In reality the summer has been extremely busy for the officers and Executive Board of this local. The District 7 meeting and Cannon Beach Meeting in June were as always informative and of great value. The convention in August as always was required attendance for the local although I wonder if we didn't make a mistake in not going to the tri annual meeting format that was recommended. The picnic was fun and the weather was for a change exceptional. All of the pre bargaining functions at the local were well done and the attendance more than expected and finally the enthusiasm for the contract negotiations, the solidarity of the local were the highest levels of participation I have seen in all my years. The ballots have been sent out and are now starting to return for the ratification vote, we will announce the count at the September special meeting for nominations of the local. The September meeting is for the sole purpose of nominating candidates for office and I want to encourage all of our members to participate. Either as a candidate or at lest as an interested member. You have a great stake in what happens in this local it is called your lively hood. If you don't participate you have in my opinion no complaints. Membership in this local is of importance more often than just contract year. So as you can see the summer has been busy and the fall has the possibility of being just as. Before you know it we will be at the locals' Christmas party and getting ready for the New Year. So hold on tight and stay involved as the job we are working to preserve is yours. In solidarity Clay Bowlby President, Local 7804 Qwest Contract Ratification Vote due 9-26-05The officers and E-Board of this local has recommended a yes vote on the tentative agreement with Qwest. It was not a perfect agreement, but considering most circumstances, the best deal our bargaining committee could attain at this time. Congratulations to all of you for your showing of interest and your solidarity. You are the front line in negotiations and sent a clear message to the Company that we were willing to and would walk out united for the purpose of a fair contract. The bargaining team took pride in our actions, and the Company took notice. You made a difference and regardless of how you vote, hopefully that enthusiasm will continue to 2008 negotiations. Your ballot is due no later than Monday September 26, 2005 |
Stories in this issue: |
Election Nomination Meeting Sept. 27, 6:00 p.m.Local 7804 will hold our nomination meeting for officers for the next 3 year term. Officers include, President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer and 6 Executive Board postions. As per Local Bylaws, Local Officers shall be nominated at the regular or special meeting in the month of September. Nominations may be made by one of three alternate methods listed below.
The Nomination Committee shall make its report to the membership and its report may be amended by nominations from the floor. All nominees must be present at the meeting or shall have given their consent in writing. Election of Officers shall be in the month of November and every third year after. General Disability Information/Guidelines for QwestEmployees must comply with the following to be eligible for disability.
Factors that do not require continued Absence
Open Enrollment Coming SoonAnnual Open Enrollment: This applies to all Qwest Employees: you will be offered the opportunity to make changes to your Health and Life benefits during the last quarter of each year. Any changes to your benefit elections will have an effective date of January 1 in the next calendar year. Qualifying Life Events: Remember there are several events in which you only have 45 days to make changes to your enrollment; Adopting a child; having a baby; getting married; adding a domestic partner; loss of other coverage; obtaining other coverage; getting divorced; dropping a domestic partner; child going to college; child no longer eligible for benefits. Most changes are effective the first of the month after notification is received by the Health and Life Services Center. Newsletter Editor Opening AvailableWe are looking for an interested person, or parties who are looking for a challenging new assignment. We are currently publishing our newsletter bi-monthly. We would entertain any inquiries from interested parties. Requirements would include good computer skills, ability to type, spell, punctuate, proof read, and lay out of miscellaneous programs and software. This would include clip art and photography as well. The newsletter is coordinated with our website for material and information to our membership. It is assembled with input from the officers and executive board. This information isn't just for the membership, but retirees and the community as well. Please contact Randy Grams, Secretary Treasurer if you are interested. I am willing to answer any questions or concerns. CWA's 67th Annual Convention Held in Chicago August 29,30,31By Kevin Lathrop, Executive Board MemberI had the great honor to represent the Officers and Members as a delegate to the 67th International CWA Convention in Chicago at the end of August. There were over 2,500 delegates seated to witness the retirement of Morty Bahr as only the 3rd President in CWA history. I also participated in the election of new officers where Larry Cohen was elected as President. Jeff Rechenbach was elected as Executive VP, and Barbara Easterling was re-elected as Secretary Treasurer, along with new District VP's. Then, it was on to the business of the Union which was real different than we do it at the local level. There was much more use of Robert's Rules of Order. There were also speeches by John Sweeney President of the AFL-CIO, and a leader from the German Telephone Union which represents Deutsche Telekom who is trying to represent T-Mobile. A lady from the Mexican Telephone Union also spoke. I went to a meeting put on by the Newspaper Guild to plan on how to mobilize the "Next Generation" and get them active in the unions today and beyond. Thanks again for letting me represent you, hopefully it won't be a once in a lifetime event. Working together in solidarity, Kevin Lathrop Aerospace Machinists on Strike at BoeingDear Clay Bowlby, by now, you are aware that our membership is on strike against the Boeing Company. While the Machinists Union members are on the line, the strike has implications far beyond the gates of Boeing. This is not about economics, but about fighting the corporate strategy we have all been battling each day. This was an attempt by Boeing to break our workforce. Because of the sheer numbers, the strike will have a dramatic impact on the Puget Sound economy, as well as available resources in the area. We would ask for your support, and the support of your membership, in our efforts against Boeing. Any other support you can provide would be greatly appreciated, whether it is walking the line with our members, providing job leads our members could temporarily fill, cash contributions, food donations, etc. As you know, it will be a long battle, but is one we must fight. We understand the need to generate public support to fight Boeing's PR machine and turn to other Unions to help us take our issues to the greater community. As you know, the Machinists Union has put forth tremendous effort to help Boeing in the last few years so they would keep operations in this state. Our repayment is takeaways and putting the squeeze on our members while the top executives continue to rake in millions - it is corporate greed running rampant. Below is a brief overview you can share with your members so they have a better understanding of our reasons for striking.
Boeing insists our members make concessions while the top executives continue to collect millions and give up nothing. Our members are doing the right thing for all the right reasons. Thank you in advance for your help. Together, we will stop this attack on working families. In Unity, Mark A. Blondin District President International Human Rights Day December 10, 2005We are asking union members to heat up the fight to restore workers freedom to form unions in America on December 10th. International Human Rights Day, workers, their unions and allies will hold events nationwide to highlight a human rights and economic crisis: Workers have lost the freedom to form unions and bargain collectively in America. Watch for more information on how you can take part in upcoming December 10th actions at www.aflcio.org or contact Scott Reynolds at sreynold@aflcio.org. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY DEC. 10, 2005 NATIONWIDE MOBILIZATION Service Anniversaries and RetirementsSeptember Service Anniversaries: Barbara Jennings, Central Office Technician, Tacoma 40 years. Daniel Ashford Sr., Network Technician Puyallup, 25 years. Paul Lessing, Network Technician Tacoma, 25 years. Retirements: Reginald Zimmerman, Central Office Technician, Tacoma, 37 years. Congratulations to All! |
|
Back to the newsletter archives.