Surplus Info 2/19/10
For the folks who asked at the Surplus coverage today, here are the links to the info you wanted:

• Study Guide for the Basic Electronics test
• Study Guide for the DCCL test
• Surplus Flow Chart
• Payout table for Term Pay
• Payout Table for SIPP
• MOA for Term employees
• Some more Electronics/DCCL study guide stuff

Clear don't Cut Discipline Policy 2/4/10
We got a copy of the coverage the Techs got about clearing not cutting F2 pairs. CWA in no way condones or agrees with this policy, but understands the Company has the right to mismanage the business. We feel this is an attempt to make a single Prem Tech truck roll easier and to get our Techs to rat each other out. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GRIEVE ANY DISCIPLINARY ENTRIES and you MUST ASK for a job steward if you are asked question(s) you feel could result in disciplnary action. We will address each disciplinary occurrence individually. Further, we know y'all have been freaking out over the new MSOC objectives. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GRIEVE ALL DISCIPLINARY ENTRIES including less than sat/below target evaluations and remember the Company has to meet the burden of proof that you were not doing your job. Make them provide you the DCWS, Dath, etc reports. Some of our techs are getting hit on revisits for orders they never even worked and they don't challenge it until the end of the month. DON'T WAIT! Address these discrepancies ASAP! Use a little notebook on all your orders to keep track of the details that make you miss targets. CWA will need those details to prove you were doing the right thing. I know we didn't have to do this before but we also had first-line managers who had some level of authority to defend you.

Refusal of Unsafe work 2/4/10
Given the tragic recent demise of a tech in Rome we feel it's important to reiterate your right to refuse an unsafe work assignment. Click here for more info. Thank you ST Paul for sending this to me. Further, we recently were advised that your trucks had not had the tags renewed and a few techs got pulled over. You had the right to refuse to drive that truck! Y'all need to let us know as soon as you see unsafe conditions so we can respond as quickly as possible. On the safety topic as well, if techs are working in pits(buried cable), and are in ANY way unsure where the gaslines or power cables are, use a cold wrap.

Contract Rejected by District 3 Members 1/30/10
My phone is blowing up asking me to tell folks something. I'm sitting here staring at this cursor not knowing what to tell y'all. Literally. I just don't know what is going to happen now. The last time anything like this happened was 1983, last time we were AT&T. At least nobody can say we aren't consistent.

What I do know is this: The biggest difference between BellSouth and AT&T is BST was interested in making money. Our new Company doesn't do anything unless it's about saving them money. Not making money, saving money. By not ratifying they know they just saved millions in retro pay. They stand to save more money if we strike because they won't have to pay us. Those of you who face our customers in the field know firsthand that making our customers wait for service is simply not this Company's main concern. Something tells me they aren't going to use that money to improve our plant or buy new trucks.

I know the Locals who voted the contract down are being polled over the weekend to determine the biggest issues with the TA and the rumors emerging are scary because they are things we don't deal with in bargaining. Some are saying this was a referendum about AT&T as a Company--a way to "reject" them as they've been "rejecting" us. Some are saying they are unhappy with the new ESM numbers but CWA does not bargain over appraisal plans and we never will. Why would we? What would happen if we agreed with a set number and you miss it? How would we defend you? Some are saying its about healthcare costs and I'm afraid that issue may be off the table now. I just can't imagine us getting something that doesn't look a lot like what every other District got.

I'll keep you updated like I always do with what is fit to post. I do try to avoid rumors but sometimes that's all we've got. Let me know if you know more. Oh, and if you come to the meeting February 9th I'll tell you a funny story about the non-member who called me all mad about not getting a retro pay check.

At&t rescinds large part of Q1 2010 Surplus 1/27/10
Today the Company began announcing cancellations of some surplus positions. Click here for the adjusted numbers.

IMPORTANT!! Pay dates are changing from Thursday to Friday! If you have any loans or other financial obligations dependent on the date your payroll is direct deposited into your bank account PLEASE notify your financial institution that they need to change the withdrawl date from Thursday to Friday to avoid mess.

Payroll date changes 1/27/10
The Company has notified us if the contract ratifies the following payroll change dates are as below:
This to confirm the pay dates for retro pay (CC.17.03) is as follows:

• A1 - formerly known as plant is 2/19/2010
• B1 - formerly known as clerical is 2/26/2010
  

Check stubs will no longer be mailed to most employees (CP33.01):

• A1 - formerly known as plant is 4/1/2010
• B1 - formerly known as clerical is 4/9/2010

Vacancies posted for C & E term jobs 1/27/10
Attached is the list of Regular Full time (RFT) vacancies that the Company has supplied the District. These will first be offered to Article 10 requestors, then surplus. At that time they will be put on hold pending ratification for us to work thru conversion. Click here for the spreadsheet. We have less than 30 term OPTs left in 3204 jurisdiction since Hignite job completed his terms.

Virtual Ride-Alongs 1/27/10
CWA has filed an executive-level grievance on failure to notify techs when they are being monitored on the virtual ride-along. You do have a right to know when you're subject to monitoring. We have also grieved the Saturday and Holiday Rotation process as it exists in ESP. Each holiday stands on its own and you should be credited for being scheduled holidays and Saturdays when you swap with another tech.

National Internet Contract 1/26/10
Welcome to our two newest members and our newest represented contract! Click here for the contract. Glenn and Richard are the first VSOT's (Video Site Operation Technicians) in the Southeast region under the AT&T Internet Services Contract.

Emergency Conditions/Inclement Weather 1/6/10
The Company has not declared inclement weather for the frigid temperatures or ice and isn't likely to do so any time soon. HR is located in Chicago, St. Louis and New Jersey and they mock our version of cold weather. You have the right to refuse forced overtime with a valid, personal reason and a right to refuse any directive that is unsafe, illegal or immoral. You must state the reason and do it before work so you don't get charged with a no-report. Be prepared to prove unsafe, illegal or immoral conditions exist.

Contract Coverage is Next Tuesday, January 12th at 7:30 at the monthly membership meeting. Ballots were received this morning (1/5/09) and were being prepared to mail out tomorrow or Thursday. The summary can be found here and your ballot must be returned by January 28th!

I have questions about:

• If this quarter's surplus is being processed under the new contract or the old contract: Update! Old contract.
• How many folks put in the SIPP on the ready-taker list. Update! Here is the list!
• How many folks have been missing out on their differentials for working more than 14 hours in a 24-hour period. If you are someone who hasn't been coding REGP for the time over 14 hours on your next shift you have the right to file a grievance for your money. I can only deal with time within the last 60 days but you'll never get paid if you don't code it or grieve it if you're denied the code.
• How ESM is going to be rated in 2010 and how often discipline is going to be given.
• If the Term OPTs are going to be converted to permanent employees. UPDATE: Don Hignite is job completing all 27 of his term OPTs in our jurisdiction. Still no word if Marc Roach intends to do the same.If the surplus STs are going to be able to bump the term OPTs or whatever. Update: No, Can bump Temps but not terms. Company was indignant about that. We are still negotiating on this.

I have been somewhat obnoxious lately in asking these questions because, like y'all, I'm getting impatient and want these answers.

OK so the surplus is a damn bloodbath. Here is the breakdown by title for outside techs in Georgia.			And here is the breakdown by exchange and title for Local 3204.
			Exchange	Title	# Displaced
			Alpharetta	Services Tech	2
Title	# Displaced		Atlanta	Services Tech	12
Digital Tech	2		Buford	Services Tech	4
Facility Tech	9		Chamblee	Services Tech	2
Outside Plant Tech	10		Fairburn	Services Tech	4
Services Tech	134		Jonesboro	Services Tech	3
h			Norcross	Services Tech	3
Email me to ask where you are on the State Seniority List	Surplus Flowchart		Roswell	Services Tech	2
			Tucker	Services Tech	3

Be advised if you are thinking of retiring and possibly returning to payroll later--the restructuring of our benefits plan means that if you come back you will not have retiree benefits but the benefits of a NEW HIRE paying 50% of your coverage. Plan accordingly.

Contract Questions updated 12/21/09
Yes we can still roll over 5 days. They must be full day increments of VP or HO time, no D/DP days. People got the idea that we could no longer roll over days when a document mentioning aligning Mobility and Dobson managers was floated around. Just that should tell you it has nothing to do with craft people. Further there have been no changes to the number of weeks of vacation you get.

12/16/09
I am 100% sure the Prem Techs are not in our contract and Article 14 remains untouched protecting drop work.

If you think you may be impacted by the surplus this is what you should be doing:

Commendations 12/28/09
You have the right the get your customer commendations on B-Forms placed in your personnel file. These are a tremendous help to you should you get accused of being nasty to a customer to show you have a history of performing exceptional customer service. These should sit in your file for 3 years.

"Performance Management" 12/2/09
The mass discipline has begun to take out the bottom 10% of performers in Network. I have confirmed with Randy Loyd that the ESM numbers, not HPD/Tasks per day will drive the discipline. Our understanding is that you will be written up on the 3rd month you are below target. At that point you can count on getting more quality observations, safety inspections, more scrutiny of your attendance and a serious dig to find any possible code of conduct violations (i.e., GPS violations, too long on lunch/breaks, etc.). YES--they CAN do this. How to avoid it? Be where you are supposed to be, when you're supposed to be there, doing what you're supposed to be doing. And Senior Techs--DO NOT THINK YOU ARE SAFE FROM SCRUTINY. Believe it that you are especially under close watch-- you typically have higher benefits costs than the junior guys and so far I can't prove that connection when you get disciplined for unsatisfactory performance. You have GOT to address the stuff that causes your numbers to drop everyday! You have to be able to prove it! Take pictures, send emails to your managers. Keep notes and take them home with you.

Work Center Consolidation 10/05/09
All the Howayeck transfers should be complete as of today. If you feel your seniority was violated you must get your grievance to us as soon a possible. Delaying only makes it harder to get a settlement that doesn't keep you waiting.

Metro Lead Team Meeting 10/05/09
Metro Presidents and GMs met last Monday to discuss a number of issues including Emergency Conditions. We have referred the problem of the Company abusing this policy to suspend provisions of the Contract to our Bargaining team. If you feel you have a contract violation that resulted from the abuse of this policy please contact the Local immediately to review the situation. A grievance should be filed if the policy was abused.

We spoke at length (again) about ESM. There are ongoing problems with inaccurate results being posted in the workcenters daily. It is very very important that you address these inaccuracies with your manager as soon as they come to your attention. DO NOT WAIT until the end of the month when you are rated below target. That creates multiple problems: 1) Your manager is inundated with requests to back stuff out and that makes it more likely your manager will avoid backing out anything for anybody, 2) Complaining AFTER you get a below-target scorecard looks like an effort to cover your butt more than a legitimate complaint and 3) Failure by your manager to address the problem on a steady basis makes your case much stronger as it appears you have been diligent in addressing any performance issues on your part.

5-Star was addressed and it is being reviewed in Minnesota at an upcoming meeting. CWA and the Company have issues with this program for some of the same reasons. We were going to grieve this program on the basis of disparity in treatment since techs working on the same crew have different objectives but we're waiting now until we get more information after this program is reviewed next month.

We talked about Z-time being properly and consistently applied and Randy stated he would cover his managers. We also asked about GPS not crediting accurate time earned for cable repair. Advise me if you have issues with this messing with your scorecards.

We also spoke about headcount issues. The Company stated bluntly that 2010 looks very very bad. The phrase "massive headcount reduction" was used more than once but we were not provided with any details regarding which titles, organizations or classes (management or craft). The Company went into some detail about "performance management" which is their program to coach the bottom-performing 10% of all employees into better results or out the door. If you are one of these individuals you should already know it. This will be used to achieve lower headcount and local management will have much less control so document training problems for your own career safety.

Later the same night after this meeting we got notified about bargaining report #74 regarding making terms/temps in network permanent. We asked more questions last night (10/04/09) at the District 3 meeting and we still don't have a clear idea of how many permanent positions are available and where. I'll let you know when/if I get anymore info.

There was a lot of discussion at the District 3 meeting about the Prem Tech negotiations at the bargaining table. I really wish I could tell you more about what is happening but the situation keeps changing. The Company wants Prem Techs to get IP work all the way to the crossbox. CWA doesn't want to add another title while the Company fails to backfill current Tech titles. We don't see why the Company can't use the titles we already have. Facts to consider: We are the only district without CWA-represented Prem Techs so we are negotiating for the titles we have now, not the titles we might have later. If we refuse to give the Prem Techs the drop could they try to do it anyway? At what level and to what extent? Could they claim we are at an impasse and implement a contract (i.e., if we don't give them the drop could they just take it?) What could we do about it legally? These are the issues our legal teams locally and at the National level are researching. Please click here for updates as we get them. They are few and far between as the Company's bargaining team is not actually empowered to make any decisions--they must get approval from the Company.

IVR Discipline 08/22/09
The Company has stated that you will get disciplined if you don't call ahead. Period. If you are installing the CBR number, call and let it ring at least a minute so it will show up on your company cell phone. UPDATE 10/05/09 We are aware that you cannot call a SAFAL because of the intercept on the line. Advise your manager when you get one of those.

EAP 08/2209
Feeling Pressured? Need to talk to someone? Call E.A.P: 1-800-984-9135. Help when you need it!

Ga Expectations of Techs 08/22/09
If you are presented with this document you do not have to sign this.

Forced OT 08/22/09
You don't have to give them a "valid personal reason" as long as you have worked 12 hours OT (Art 4.06).

OT 08/2209
Continuing issues with not offering overtime Sunday through Wednesday but forcing Thursday through Saturday as well as with denying with valid personal reasons and lack of notification. You can grieve the latter.

Fast Tracking/Aggressive Discipline 08/22/09
Writing folks up each month. Techs with 20 years they don't like, processing them out. Discipline was on a 6 months basis, now doing it on a 3 month basis.

GPS 08/22/09
(C&E): no fishing/not the intent of GPS. Looking at GPS where folks are low on ESM; folks are not doing anything wrong.

ET Training 08/2209
Training: if they give you work 8 to 5, it's not training. However, if they tell you to go over to help someone, that's training.

Utility Guys and rumors about "phasing out" Utilities 07/2709
CWA hasn't heard anything to substantiate these rumors other than the same surplus report that y'all saw in June. I can tell you the FCC has set a new deadline to make the whole nation Broadband Internet accessible by February 2010 and CWA lobbied in June for AT&T to stop all layoffs of and to rehire laid-off Machine Operators to work on burying cable to meet this deadline.

No Idling Policy update 07/2709
Turning your truck key to the Accessory or On position will register on GPS as your truck idling. Be advised this will kick you over the ridiculously low objective set by Dallas, TX.

Closing out jobs at the Premise 07/2709
You must close out your jobs AT THE PREMISE or you are risking yout GPS and ticket not matching. This has resulted already in discipline when you get audited because it looks like you're gaming the system somehow.

GCAS reporting 07/2709
If you don't report your time into GCAS at the end of the day it will reflect goofy numbers the next day.

ESMs Working Aloft 07/2709
CWA and the Company discussed the STIs being the same working aloft on ladders and in buckets. You have the right to call your manager and ask for a second tech to help with your ladder. DO NOT feel pressured into working unsafely and if your manager makes any statement sounding even remotely like they care more about your numbers than your safety YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY.

HPD and Cable Repair 07/27/09
I know the Hours Per Dispatch is 2.5 hours including travel. Do what you can, woork safe and DO NOT CUT CORNERS. You will get in a lot more trouble for cutting safety and quality than for missing HPD. I can defend taking too long (within reason, for a good reason) than falsifying something.

Less Than Sat Scorecards 07/27/09
If you are getting less than sat on your monthly scorecards and you don't at least protest things counting against you that were beyond your control it will be VERY HARD to defend you once you get your Performance Improvement Plan and/or subsequent discpline (Counseling, warning etc.).

OP78 06/19/09
LOCK YOUR DAMN TRUCK. Check your co-workers trucks and lock them for them if they forget. You will very likely get suspended if your manager finds your truck unlocked. Yes, we know the keys all work interchangebly and we are grieving the suspensions we know about but keep yourself out of the hotseat altogether.

Increased Evening and Weekend Coverage 06/19/09
Due largely to summer load and to Uverse all crews are very likely to see increased evening and weekend coverage after July 4th.
Yes, the Company can do this. No, they cannot deny vacation already granted. Do not be surprised if they use this as a business reason to deny any time off. Grieve it if you think the load should allow you time off but do yourself (and me) a LARGE favor and request your time off as far in advance as possible.

July 4th scheduling 06/19/09
If ANYONE in your crew works a Saturday rotation (stand-by OR regular shift) your holiday is SATURDAY July 4th. If NOBODY works on Saturday, your holiday is FRIDAY July 3rd. Working on the recognized holiday for your cxrew will get you holiday pay. There is some ruckus in some crews regarding the Company selecting any day in July as the holiday and that this was approved by "somebody" in CWA. The Company cannot name this "somebody" and we have referred the issue to District 3. If you fall into this circumstance please call me at 678-910-0970 and leave me a message or email me here.

Ill-fitting Uniforms 06/19/09
We have had several calls concerning some of our men not having enough room for their..um..."equipment." The Company claims those men may have ordered women's pants by accident. Please let me know if you are one of these people because there have been far too many to have made this mistake.

BSU and forced excused time 05/19/09
We have had several calls concerning the company's position that they will force excuse utility workers due to lack of work. The Company is hanging their hat on Article 6A of the contract. We believe this violates the intent of what was originally negotiated. We are researching bargaining notes and waiting for the Company to get back with us on this issue. As soon as we have further news we will let you know
UPDATE 5/22/09
Some of our utility members have been forced to take non-paid excused time. After talking to Tracy Garner yesterday she has agreed to stop the forced E Time until bargaining notes back to 1992 can be researched by both sides.
We hope to have this resolved within the next two weeks.
In the meantime contact us to file grievances for any members already forced.

Safety Blitzes & OP78 checks 05/14/09
Metro is getting killed on inspections. Let me be very very clear: Keep any of your personal items out of the cab of your truck. It is far far too easy to let items accumulate and if something happens to your truck the Company is NOT liable for your personal effects. If you have any question about what belongs in the cab then here is your guideline: ASS AND AIR.

GPS and Attendance Discipline 05/14/09
Your managers are getting direction straight from HR to issue disciplinary action on attendance and GPS not matching timesheets and/or work reports. Be advised that attendance still accrues and drops on a rolling calendar year and FMLA time runs on a calendar year. Occurance are still uninterrupted days despite what you may have heard to the contrary.

EAP and Lifecare 05/14/09
Tensions are running very high everywhere and the worries over the economy have everyone pretty stressed out. Please do not dismiss EAP as a service just for crazy people or as something that will cause you to be viewed as a freak. EAP is a tremendous service available to help you AND THE PEOPLE IN YOUR FAMILY deal with eldercare, childcare, issues with your learning disabled or accelerated children as well as anything else work or non-work related that you feel you might want help addressing. They can be reached at 1-800-984-9135 and the visits are on paid Company time. What you discuss is confidential (as long as you don't make any threats of bodily harm to yourself or anyone else.)

ACCIDENTS 05/08/09
If you get into an accident you need to call

1. The Police
2. Your Manager
3. The Union: 404-688-1256

DO NOT start answering your manager's questions before your Union rep gets there. Federal law gives you the right to have a union rep present before you fill out the red book. This could save your job!!!

Prem Techs and ONIs 05/08/09
The District has been receiving reports of Prem Techs who have changed out ONI's and one that replaced a drop. We are currently trying to determine why they have this equipment on their trucks and who is instructing them to perform the work.

Please check with your ST's, DT's , and FT's and see if they have found any of this occurring in you area. If so please get as much information as possible about the occurrence. We need, if possible, the customer info, what work was done, the name of the Prem Tech and his supervisor. If your technicians talk to prem techs try to get as much info as possible about what type of equipment they carry and what instructions they have received.

Let me know by clicking here.

FT Differential 04/07/09
It is becoming increasingly common to get calls from STs and OPTs who are really angry that they can't get a job as an FT but then tell me in the same breath that "it's too much trouble" to leave inaccessible plant to the FTs or charge for the differential. ATTENTION OPTs AND STs: EVERYTIME you do FT work without charging the differential you are giving away thousands of dollars in free labor and telling the Company it's ok to NOT open more FT slots.

ESM re: Dispatch and Flow-thru Orders 4/7/09
CWA is working to send issues to the Network Operations Board to help remedy the revisit problems created by Dispatch-Out orders at the front or back end of flow through orders. The issue comes when all the work our techs do is essentially undone when the flow-thru order reassigns part or even all the facilities of a given dispatched-out order causing another truck-roll to fix it and a revisit on the original tech. PLEASE ADVISE CWA IF YOU HAVE BEEN RATED LESS THAN SAT FOR REVISITS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED. The Company's policy appears to be to give you a Counseling for the first 3 months not met, Warning for the next 3 months, and so on.

ESM Recalibration 03/24/09
Teams have been deployed to ride along with y'alls to re-do the ESMs. Let me be clear: STOP SHOWING OFF. Work to the rule and do not cut any corners ESPECIALLY with regard to safety. The job you're saving is likely your own!!

Did Not Order 03/24/09
I was advised today about a new process for Did Not Order (DNOs) that directs you to provide information that will be used to question Sales Associates later. This appears to us to be asking Craft to essentially rat out other Craft people. We're just not comfortable with that. I'll update you here when we have an answer to this problem.

Captive Audience Meetings 03/24/09
Please contact me to advise if your manager is discussing the Company's view of Bargaining in your morning or afternoon huddles. This is basically a captive-audience meeting and we need to ensure such discussions cease immediately or we will ensure equal time for CWA to discuss OUR view of bargaining.

Members: Stop relieving for your manager! 03/24/09
Contingency Plan 09 (CP09) is the name of the training your manager is attending to learn how to do craft work in the event of a strike by our Brothers and Sisters out West.
The Company is investing millions of dollars into this training they could be using to bring a decent contract to the table.Relieving for your manager while they attend this training or while they scab if there is a strike is worse than CROSSING THE PICKET LINE yourself. They don't think you're worth Sunday, Standby or Night differential. Why give them any help taking away what we fought to get?

Bargaining Proposals and Issues 03/08/09
Please take the time to look through the various bargaining pages and really take in the proposals the Company has made and the issues they are creating for everyone.I continue to be amazed at non-members who can still deny CWA is all that stands between them and these crap proposals.

OPTs & STs doing FT diff work 03/17/09
I'm getting reports that the dispatch efficiency project seems to be encouraging STs and OPTs to do FT work without differential. Remember that you are only to work on any accessible plant. If you have questions then contact me.

TIA Bonuses 03/01/09
You should be getting your TIA checks no later than March 15 from your manager. To estimate your bonus, multiply your total 2008 wages by 3% (.03) then multiply that amount by 45% (.45). The final amount you get will be taxed at close to 42% unless you're exempt. I'll be using mine to buy a happy meal.

Utilities Surplus 03/01/09
CWA has received a surplus declaration for 5 Machine Operators in Alpharetta to be off payroll on 03/28/09.

Surplus update 02/23/09
As of today all Techs impacted should have had their Surplus meeting. RIGHT NOW...