I sincerely hope that this is a joke, but, I have heard from a good source that there may be an attempt by US WEST’s crack security group to test some US WEST locations security by placing some item and waiting to see how well the employees respond at that location security wise. This has got to be a joke or someone’s pipe dream. There is no security in most US WEST central offices and in many if not most garage locations. Contractors flow in and out with US WEST provided keys (and we sure as hell know that those are never duplicated or shared).
Also, unaccounted for vehicles and lack of picture ID are of no concern to US WEST. Just stroll in to a company parking facility or amble through a location where contractors are working., and you’ll see how tightly management and security enforce this edict. In addition we now have ‘co habitat” groups floating around. How are our own techs who are trying to get their own work done, supposed to police work sites, when US WEST itself won’t demand and enforce security and safety compliance by the hoards of contractors?
The Washington State Safety Committee and our own Tacoma safety group have complained about this glaring deficiency. There is a tremendous lacking of the powers that be to monitor the comings and going of strangers. Congestion and accident potential created in many locations abundant. Potential for damaged equipment or workplace violence due to management's lack of monitoring apparent.
If we demand compliance by a contract group, they go crying to a US WEST management group which usually results in our people being told to “stop harassing those people and get your work done”. Good attitude US WEST!
These contractors are supposed to follow all safety and security standards the same as us. If you see a violation tell your supervisor and “complain”, it is your right, your safety and security is involved.
Ideologically, contractors are not supposed to drill through tile floors without proper abatement methods. They are to wear safety glasses and picture ID. They are not supposed to congest the parking lots. Most glaring is the attitude exhibited by many that you are the guest, not them. There are many reasons for a contractor to feel this way, as some managers treat them with more respect than they do their own crew members. When we go in to large companies to do telephone work, we are expected to follow their safety and security rules 100%, or be ushered out. Not so at US WEST! It seems as far as they’re concerned, contract workers are the next best thing to canned beer, and will continue to have them around. We should all demand that they follow all safety and security criteria that our customers demand of us. There needs to be a level playing field for all. One thing is for sure, contractors need to be held to the same responsibility, quality, safety, and security guidelines we must meet, we ask for nothing more.
Continue to wear your ID, orange vests, utilize proper work area protection. Challenge strangers in our buildings. Safety and security is everyone’s job, practice it and expect it.
Have a safe day!
Dennis Garrett
Safety Chair, Local 7804
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