Eventually a huge realization will lighten up the Tacoma RCA skyline as well as, hopefully, the rest of this vast QWEST wasteland when all of my CWA Brothers and Sisters suddenly understand that QWEST is fighting a war of attrition and that we, the workers are their canon fodder. Do any out there doubt it? If so just look around. Every week some employee is being brought up before the man for some disciplinary actions and believe me it isn't the wrist slapping kind. Suspensions without pay while they investigate - immediate terminations because investigations have been on going for months prior - letters in files both warning and final. I personally in my 40 years with the various renamed corporations cannot remember such an in your face out and out effort to intimidate and/or axe workers regardless of seniority. Unrealistic performance standards placed on all work groups. GPS's are being used as a disciplinary club. The actual problems that have restricted the ability of an employee to "be the best that they can be" have not been resolved thus in managements view we are the problem and the onus has been placed on the back of we the workers.
Unless one has been living on Mars these last few months we are all aware of the above plus a myriad of other items such as "lack of tools, training, qualified managers, bean counters who don't know squat about what makes telephones ring etc, etc, etc. One arena very seldom changes and when it does is generally in the worker's favor and that area is - SAFETY. The emphasis on safety seems to be slowly de emphasizing and is also now being used as a tool of intimidation in conjunction with performance, attitude, and customer evaluation. But, safety it is also the one weapon in the workers arsenal that the company cannot defeat. Used intelligently safety policies, rules, laws, and guidelines are our ally. The SLPP (Safety Lose Prevention Policy) manual must be used verbatim each and every day. Morning truck inspections, harness and lanyard inspections, quality crew safety meetings. Every time you as an employee cut a corner on any safety issue you provide the company with the grounds to discipline. The old statement "you won't ever be fired for doing your work safely but you sure as hell will if you don't" - is a fact - thus the QWEST Safety Violation Disciplinary Policy - a fast track to unemployment if not adhered to.
OSHA, WISHA, and believe it or not the QWEST SLPP/EHS protect, they provide you with the means to bring the company up on charges for failing to meet their mandated responsibilities. But you need to follow all safety policies and not just those of convenience. If management fails to meet and follow all safety requirements call me, contact the safety rep on your crew, contact a steward, an officer and, yes, contact a QWEST safety manager but just don't let things go unchallenged. Safety is your right, your safety rights are federally and State protected. CWA is and has always been in the forefront of the battle for worker safety, but again, if you, as the working member do not follow the rules all the enforcement in the world won't help you.
Demand:
Follow:
The list is long but how much is your life worth or your job when the man catches you cutting corners "just this once". Safety violations are like those photo cop tickets - at the time of the event when you think you got away with whatever it's great, then suddenly the aftermath jumps up and bites you.
Work safe, drive safe, and above all follow the rules, laws, edicts etc. Use safety as a tool - because that's what is as much so as the hi viz vest.
Dennis Garrett
Local 7804 Vice President and Safety Officer
Regional MOSHC Representative.
253-640-1253
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