First item of importance is the new telephone number for UNICALL which is 1-866-864-2255 (UNICALL).
We, as Union officers, were assured that the new and improved UNICALL will be more knowledgeable and more responsive to QWEST employees’ needs and concerns.
UNICALL is now under the jurisdiction of Sedgewick which has not been exactly sparkling in its ability to satisfy the needs of our membership—but we shall see.
The list of items to be reported to Sedgewick/UNICALL is as it has always been, I.E., on the job motor vehicle accidents—personal injuries, illnesses; off the job illnesses and or injuries which result in lost time situations. Other categories are environmental spill situations, insurance concerns, etc, etc.
Supposedly any and all calls will be directed to the proper party. Time will tell—!
Second item:
If at any time your supervisor requests your presence at a “palsy-walsy” attitude adjustment meeting, more commonly known as a disciplinary letter in your file confab, especially if it is safety violation related, request a union representative immediately.
If your request if ignored or denied, do not answer any pertinent questions except name, rank, and serial number and contact a Union officer immediately for further CWA action.
The safety violation three strike, or less, you're out policy demands documentation and grievance action at all levels. You're failure to comply could cost you your job.
Potpourri—
Tennis shoes are not proper footwear outside footwear for craft or management and contrary to some unfounded accusations this write did not I repeat did not specifically name any individuals as examples of violating this policy.
Due to concerns of both management and other employees certain Directors were requested to have their managers present an SLPP/WISHA footwear segment at a safety meeting ASAP.
Citations issued by WISHA or a Qwest manager all impact the safety violation procedure. These citations can be issued for any number of reasons, a few of which are considered immediately life-threatening, such as improper WAP, improper aerial procedure improper underground procedures, failed use of 188s and rubber gloves, blanket etc etc etc. I need to state also that management has definite responsibilities, I.E., monthly safety meetings providing safety training and equipment, monitoring contactor safety practices and responding to any and all employee safety concerns in a timely manner or they too can be “stepped” so to speak, but only if you as employees and CWA’ers contact me, another safety committee member, another local officer or steward so that action can be taken.
Another issue brought up at the regional MOSHC meeting was that some excavation-trenching certified person class graduate were not covered sufficiently on correct paper work procedures which could result in a WISHA citation being issued. These deficiencies were discovered in the old PLANK classes and apparently in the more recent ones. Please contact me for further explanation. 253 640 1253
The Tacoma Vehicle Safety Rodeo is scheduled for September 18 & 19, 2001. All drivers of Qwest vehicles are expected to attend. Department Directors are backing this even enthusiastically. The two day schedule provides adequate opportunity for all to aend and attendance opportunity for all to attend and attencedddf counts as the September safety meeting. Participate and receive a really neat-o surprise. Remember to feel free to call me at any time with your safety concerns.
Yours in Safety,
Dennis Garrett
Vice President
Safety Officer
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