Michelle Agne

Brothers and Sisters,

It has been an extremely difficult month for all of us.  One of the most frequent questions that I get asked each day is about bumping rights.  If you are involved in the bump and have questions or need help with your forms please call the hall.  I would like to thank all of the stewards and chiefs who have spent countless hours assisting members during this challenging time.   

During the last month Zaida Menendez, Chief Steward in the CSSC and I have met with management and have spent time listening to random calls of members that have gone on a form of discipline and have filed a grievance. The majority of these write ups have been for not securing the accounts, the usage of the Power Pitch Assessment Tool and the sales process.  We have continued to get 3^rd step grievances heard.  We have had about 18 members from the CSSC go through membership development.  If you are interested in attending one of these classes or have any concerns please call me. 

Robert and I met with Earl Dowdy and Ron Beigler in the BSC about billing training and new work coming into the BSC.

Sherry Waters, Chief Steward in E-Commerce and several stewards and I have met with management to get 3^rd steps heard and have several more scheduled this month to try to get caught up.

Robert, Dora Mullis, Chief Steward at the 301 complex met with Roxy Parker to discuss the new billing work that has been brought into this center and additional training classes that are scheduled.

I attended the Verizon Plus environmental meeting with Nettie Hamacek, Chief Steward for Bradenton/Sarasota VZ Plus stores.  We discussed the ongoing issues in the Plus stores such as RSC’s placing SPOT orders, Campaign Manager and the decline in sales coming into the stores.  Please support your union brother and sisters in the VZ plus stores if you are in need of services such as cell phones or accessories.

Grace Smith, Chief Steward in SST and I had 3^rd step grievances this month as well.  We have had 5 members from the SST attend membership development.

I have had the great pleasure of meeting and visiting with numerous members over the last month and hope to get to every department to do side by sides and continue to meet more members of our local.   

In Solidarity,

Michelle Agne   

Brothers and Sisters,

We just returned from the Southern School for Union Women.  I would like to take a minute to share with you one of the topics that was covered.

Cervical cancer prevention - Cervical cancer is highly preventable through regular screening.  Cervical cancer is almost always caused by a common virus: human papillomavirus (HPV).

Most women will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few will develop cervical cancer.  In fact, most women who get HPV will get rid of the virus through their body’s normal healing process.

Only HPV infection that persists for several years can put a woman at risk for cervical cancer.  The bad news is cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in the women around the world.

The good news is cervical cancer can be prevented using the Pap test, the HPV test and the HPV vaccine.

The best news is working together, we can make sure that girl and women everywhere become aware.  Ask for the HPV test.

In Solidarity,

Michelle Agne