Like the proverbial tiger lurking in the tall grass for the unwary meal, Qwest has again declared surpluses—craft and management. These surplus declarations were prefaced by the selling-off of the coin department, prognostication of a decrease in “future” work for AQY/COEIT, and, again, by a super-cerebral decisions by Qwest to rid itself again of those unnecessary payroll draining employees, the dreaded “Support people.”
Every time one of these “Save the Company” crusades is put into action the first communication one hears is “Don’t let this effect customer service!” “Qwest is committed to the customer,” Et cetera, et cetera.
Employees are watched for signs of work impacting “attitude.” Like robots or numbers on a roll sheet, impacted employees are walked through surplus meetings by HR.
The whole procedure consists of Qwest first; employee second, or worse: not at all. We have all witnessed this process; and some, like the Data Specialist group, have lived it time and again. Saved only at the last minute after weeks of anguish. One can never know the true stress unless one has been there; but no matter how wretched the situation may be I want to admonish all employees to be cool. Emotions must be kept under control and tempers in check. The quickest way to the door is to cop an attitude and become belligerent or insubordinate. Let the Local officers do the desk pounding and fight the fight—don’t you as an impacted employee or a sympathizer to the cause, step over the bounds of common sense. Being terminated or suspended for saying of doing the wrong (even if it feels right) thing whether impacted or not, can lead to irretrievable consequences and can follow one while pursuing other employment.
Talk among yourselves (just remember that the walls have ears); think what you may, show support but use discretion. In a nutshell, be cool, be supportive, do your work and leave the driving to us.
Potty breaks are a natural function of living in spite of what some supervisors may think. For those inclined Qwest has made available in its supply rooms a fascinating item called “Brief Relief” to be used in areas where no standard toilet facilities are available. For those so inclined, have a ball; for those less inclined to use them and then in an emergency, only one thing need to be made clear—in any and all Qwest/State/County/Local municipality there in no variance to Telco employs to, as with dogs, mark their territory while working in the field. When nature calls we need to look for C.O.s, fast food facilities, gas stations, minmimarts, cooperating businesses and possibly a Sanican; but we definitely should not be using RT sites, truck bins, etc. Common sense needs to prevail and good health and hygiene take precedence. That is why Qwest has an EHS department, which stands for Environmental Health and Safety. Notice the “Health” of which sanitary is a huge part. So if one receives subtle or not so subtle pressure from Management to remember the customer and get the work done—your personal comfort and sanitary/hygiene come second—please let a Local officer know, especially me; and the situation will be nipped in the bum, I mean bud, immediately. Heavy fines will be assessed by authorities for violating health codes and violators of these codes can and have been arrested. So think before letting it all hang out.
I keep hearing complaints concerning Qwest’s plant conditions; IE, deterioration , weeds; blackberry vines, closure proximity to roadways due to road moves, rotted stairways, and so on. This list is long and infamous. If these conditions aren’t reported, they don’t get improved. So do the following and hopefully things will get better.
A Few Heads Up:
Watch the heat, the mosquitoes, ticks, mouse matter (hantavirus), bees, mad dogs and Englishman (for those old enough to remember).
Dennis Garrett
Local 7804 Vice President and Safety Officer
Regional MOSHC Representative.
253-640-1253
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