The relationship between Qwest and CWA is strained to say the least. There seems to be an ongoing effort by management to use all of their "electronic toys" to get the goods so to speak on anyone regardless of seniority, job title and employee perceived value to the company that is why your Union reps constantly harp to their membership to be where you are supposed to be - doing what you are supposed to be doing - your assigned task in a professional and safe manner, and keep a log. Follow these guidelines and one should cruise along till the retirement bell rings. But too many in our membership think that they can fool the system and if caught claim ignorance of the law or yell out in disbelief "how can you do this to me, I am your best producer, your hottest (in their own mind) money maker!" This attitude reminds one of the old story of the fist in a bucket of water. You are the fist, Qwest is the water. Your fired - your fist is pulled out and guess what the water fills in behind your fist and no remorse.
This establishes how valuable Qwest thinks we aren't just be aware.
The other area that many feel is just and inconvenience is - Safety! The watch word here is WAKE UP! The Qwest SLPP (Safety Loss Prevention Plan) manual is one of the quickest means of ridding itself of an employee in conjunction with the QSVDP. One incident can send you out the door. Warning letters are a year in one's file., What is considered a life threatening violation will, at the least, lose one a few days pay. State WISHA citations are issued to the company but the employee will answer for it through the Safety Violation Disciplinary Policy. Citations by WISHA or the Qwest Safety managers are reviewed from the V.P. down to you the perpetrator - remember the do-do down hill theory - and punishment is then decided.
For those who wear tennis shoes at work, fail to run with lights on, gab on cell phones while driving leave the hi viz vests in the cab, leave safety glasses on dash boards - -etc etc etc it's just a matter of time before consequences will be paid and a job will be in jeopardy. If safety is being placed on the back shelf by your supervisor, if safety meetings aren't being done monthly, you only need to contact a safety rep, union officer, or myself and believe me action will be taken against that supervisor by Qwest of if that fails by the state L&I or WISHA.
You need to let us know of any deficiencies so we can act in your behalf - you need to follow all policys to the letter but so does management by training, supplying, and responding to your concerns.
The union safety reps have a way to seek and get resolutions to safety problems through the MOSCH, grievance route, or State L&I but you have to report it to us and you have to diligently follow all policies.
Dennis Garrett
Local 7804 Vice President and Safety Officer
Regional MOSHC Representative.
253-640-1253
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