The Union letter discussing its position on USWest safety can be found here
There seems to be no end to the ways that our concerned employer can attempt to guarantee the health and welfare of its employees. The problem is that USWest consistently feels that all corporate problems stem from the self-satisfied-lackadaisical-give-a-rat’s-behind attitude of us, the whiny employees.
Take safety violations and motor vehicle accidents: I will grant you that there are a hardcore few that know better but continually disregard USWest and WISHA safety mandates and there are also a few newer employees who either claim ignorance or feel that they need to prove themselves better than anyone else who continually cut safety corners, but the majority follow the rules and safety policies. However, the continuing rise in motor vehicle accidents, personal injuries, and the issuing of citations is attributable to job pressure and a poor safety attitude by management. If a corporation stresses and practices safety, its employees respond accordingly. USWest’s attitude, though, is to stress and practice intimidation. Their thinking is this: if there is a corporate problem, first you establish blame and punishment, then, and only then, do you attempt to investigate why failure exists. Such is the new Disciplinary Safety Violation Policy. This policy is meant to intimidate and threaten not only the employee but also the employee’s supervisor. First of all I suggest that all employees DEMAND that they be covered by their supervisor on this new policy as it is a condition of the policy as well as is annual safety meeting refresher coverage. A few highlights are:
These are just a few, but one thing everyone needs to remember is that normal suspension procedures of steps can and may be ignored especially depending on the severity of the violation
CWA never has and never will agree to any type of disciplinary policy, but USWest has the right to enact any policy they wish. If you as an employee are punished then CWA does have the right to defend you, and will , but the success rate of victory in a gross safety violation is not very high. You as dues paying employee’s can protect yourself by doing the following: 1) follow all safety edicts and policy—no exceptions—no short cuts; 2) demand comprehensive monthly safety meetings and document same with dates—content—attendees; 3) demand safety training records and use of safety gear training records when you are in doubt; 4) report all safety problems or managerial failures to follow safety policy to your local safety officer, another union officer, E-board member, shop steward, or city safety committee member. Do not let yourself be intimidated into violating a safety rule in the name of production. 5) Follow the company credo: “No job is so important and service so urgent that we can’t take the time to perform our work safely.”
Again, if you want a new occupation, violate the USWest safety policy, because I guarantee that our benevolent employer will be looking for some “example subjects” to show they mean business and to impress corporate—OSHA and WISHA.
Call me for any safety questions or complaint and make yourself familiar with both USWest’s safety policy and CWA’s response to same. You have a responsibility to yourself.
Have a safe day—everyday
Dennis Garrett
Vice President
Safety Officer
The Union letter discussing its position can be found here
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