Information continues to be provided to the members through this website with approximately 500 members receiving email updates from me every time the website is updated. We began the Membership Training/Education classes in September and have conducted 3 so far. The feedback has been excellent and includes comments about how this type of education is needed by our members. We are building solidarity from these classes as well and I want to point out that the unity building comes from every member that talks to their brothers and sisters about our training and how it will benefit all of us. I want to thank every member that has attended the class and spread the information to their co-workers.
One message that we have been talking about in these classes and also at parking lot meetings is to make sure we are doing a QUALITY job for 8 hours each day. We are a trained UNION workforce and we need to make sure we show the Company that we are the only option to do the work needed. If training is an issue, we need to know so we can address those issues.
We were notified on Thursday that the Company was going to phase out the APC Centers in California, Texas, and Florida over the first 3 quarters of 2010. There are approximately 44 employees in the centers in Florida (Clearwater Main and Westside.) There is no "close" date as of yet and once the date is announced, an ISP will be offered before anyone is considered force adjusted or laid off.
We met with the Company on Friday morning and they stated that the Fiber Network Field Technicians that were slated to be force adjusted/laid off in July would be laid off next Friday (October 9th.) 6 members decided to "bump" into other positions, 3 elected to take the ISP, 1 was recently terminated and 34 will be laid off.
The arbitration decision we received last Friday did not make any sense and it seems the Arbitrator did not apply our contractual language in his decision. The Arbitrator in this case did not place any weight on the history of our language, dating back to 1967 and instead relied on Article II, Section 1, paragraph 1.4, which is commonly referred to the management's rights clause.
The next arbitration is for a termination and will be heard this Wednesday. The Arbitration that was scheduled in November has been temporarily postponed and we will hear another termination grievance in its place.
The 51 Cable Splicers that were declared as involuntary surplus in the 3rd quarter has been changed to voluntary. Out of the 51, 9 elected to take the ISP, which left 42. The Company will not lay off these employees and will instead move contractors off the property and have the Splicers perform those functions that the contractors were doing.
There will be jobs posted soon on the Intranet for CZT II's in West Virginia and in the Midwest. There are approximately 26 positions within the 2 areas. This will give some of our members the option of relocating and keeping a paycheck and benefits. The Company is also going to start canvassing FNFT's in Eastern and the Upper Suncoast to go on a temporary assignment in West Virginia.
Whether you are an Inside or Outside Plant employee, we need to know if you have contractors working in your area. Please contact your Chief Stewards or Rep at the Hall with any information.
Remember, 8 hours work for 8 hours pay! We have to be the BEST option to the Company for every position available.
As I have stated numerous times, I speak with your Executive Board and Chief Stewards when there are big issues affecting our membership. I know we just had a Chief Steward meeting, but I notified the Company Friday that I need all Chief Stewards and Officers excused next week for a meeting. We will be discussing the future of our members. A report will follow on this website.
In Solidarity,
Robert J. Prunn
