Safety Corner July/August/September 2007

First and foremost I want to thank all of my fellow CWA brothers and sisters and friends for their cards, prayers, and support.  The recent passing of my wife, Hedy, my life partner and best friend for over 45 years has been a tremendous loss to me and my family as a wife, mother and grandmother.
Your support has been invaluable.  Again, thank-you.

Second, as most know, I retired from Qwest on July 14, 2007.  When I hired on with Pacific Northwest Bell 40 years ago, this was ‘the’ place to be employed for building a future. There was job security, good benefits, and a family atmosphere.  The benefits have stayed fairly constant due to the tough negotiations by CWA, but the security and family atmosphere have been spiraling down, especially since Qwest took over.  Craft as well as management have been leaving at an unprecedented rate due to stress and job pressures.  I took the VSPP offer when I reached full social security benefit level at 65 years and 8 months.  It was time, and I was ready.

Third, even though I have retired I plan to complete my term as Local 7804 Vice President, Local Safety Committee Chair, Regional MOSHC CWA Rep, and steward.  I have retained my old Qwest work cell number to retain the very familiar contact number to help facilitate contacting me regarding safety and contract violation issues.  My retirement will save the local lost time wage expenses on various union activities and has allowed me to strengthen my ties with my DOSH (aka WISHA) contacts.

Fourth, the daily safety line was too picked up by a volunteer in Oregon but so far, nada.  I may possibly resume it myself if Qwest EHS and I can reach an agreement.  Mike Nord and I will continue to work together as Mr Inside/Mr Outside on safety issues.  Please continue making contact with us, your safety committee rep, steward, or officers on safety issues and actions will be taken.

 Lastly, the following issues are before the state and regional MOSCH as well as the Tacoma safety committee:

  1. Employee weight verses the weight limitations of safety equipment
  2. Bonding and grounding
  3. Safety training and meetings
  4. Availability of safety equipment
  5. Conflicts between work demands and work place safety
  6. The apparent failure of the company to follow through on DOSH citation requirements concerning Power Down/Storm procedures. Qwest was fined $2100.00, which they are appealing.
  7. Remember to report all safety issues to your supervisor as well as a safety rep, if issues are not reported to management for resolution, then they cannot be held libel if an incident occurs or they fail to correct the problem.
Dennis Garrett
Local 7804 Vice President and Safety Officer
Regional MOSHC Representative.
253-640-1253

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