CWA Local 1170

Your Union Officers met with the Company on August 18^th.  The Company was represented by Kathy Slocum, Jim Currie, Steve Kozel, Frank Liberti, and Bob Smith.  The Union discussed its concerns in regards to the customer first certification process and the new FMLA procedure.  To be clear, the Union hasn’t endorsed or agreed upon this program being a condition of your employment and will not be participating until our concerns are addressed.

We are concerned with several things, the most important being discipline issued to anyone who doesn’t follow the process, especially as it relates to the sales portion.

The Union has asked for a letter that no one will be disciplined for not following the program.

The FMLA booklet put out by Prudential, requests authorization to release your entire medical file.  The Union has issues with this and is looking into the legality of this authorization.

One week from today is Labor Day.  Your Union will be participating in this year’s parade.  We will be gathering at 10:15am on Meigs Street between Park Ave and East Ave.  For those who march in the parade, we will have discounted tickets to SeaBreeze, which entitles you to rides all day and all you can eat picnic from 1pm to 5pm, which includes Italian sausage (peppers & onions), Zweigles hots, hamburgers, salads, ice cream, soda, and beer.  Tickets will be $15.00 each.  Please call Marge and Angela at the Hall if you need them.

Tickets for the Clambake are also out in the field or may be purchased directly from the Hall. 

Please come out and support these important solidarity events.  This is your President John Pusloskie thanking you for calling your Union tape, and Up The Rebel.

Your Union has weathered a difficult period mourning the loss of many members and members’ relatives in the past days.  These experiences show us all how important it is to be together so that when we are called upon to help each other, we do so with a solidarity like no other.

 As we move forward together to comfort our hearts and strengthen our membership, let us not forget those whose lives have been given that paved the road for which we travel.

Your Union would like to recognize a fallen Statesman, Senator Ted Kennedy, a champion of the poor, the middle class, and the elderly, who passed this week after a long courageous bout with brain cancer.  Senator Kennedy fought for and initiated many pieces of legislation for Americans since 1962 in Massachusetts, a seat his brother John Kennedy previously held.  Whether you are a Republican, Independent, or Democrat, everyone who knew Senator Kennedy understands that he was a great advocate for health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act.  Senator Kennedy had a passion to work in a bipartisan spirit to get these 2 reforms to where they are today.

It is our challenge as union tradesman and women to continue the work necessary that Senator Kennedy and others have started. Senator Kennedy’s passing is an end to a great era of family brothers that worked to improve the lives of all Americans.  He will be missed by labor across our Country.

This is your Vice President Rick Sanchez thanking you for calling your Union tape. Remember all those who have passed and let’s all look to a better tomorrow.  Never forget, we are Union, we are Family, and damn proud of it!

I am saddened to announce the passing of our Brother Gerald Howes in the Canandaigua Water Dept.  Gerald was hired in 1988 and had 21 years of dedicated service to the Town of Canandaigua.  Gerald was 63 years old and is survived by his wife Donna of 32 ½ years.  There are no calling hours.  A memorial mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 27^th at 10am at St. Mary’s Church, 95 N. Main Street, Canandaigua.  The family wishes in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Serenity House, 1278 Braa Road, Victor, or Sands Cancer Center, 360 Parish road, Canandaigua.  The officers and membership of Local 1170 would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Howes family and friends.  May he rest in peace.

Julio Scipioni passed away on Friday August 21^st in Florida, there are no funeral arrangements.  Julio was an IR tech for 41 years, hired in 1953 and retired in 1994.   We are saddened to hear of his passing.  We wish to express our sincere condolences from the officers and membership of Local 1170 to the Scipioni family and friends. 

Richard Volkmuth passed away on August 18^th.  Richard was a Switch tech hired in 1957 and retired in 1992 with35 years of service.  Funeral arrangements have been completed.

It goes without saying that this has been a difficult week for this membership.  We have lost 6 members, a member’s mom, and a member’s wife.

Life is truly a mystery and our hearts go out to all of our members whose pain and sadness we now all share together.

This is your Vice President Rick Sanchez thanking you for calling your Union tape.

I am saddened to announce the passing of retiree Thomas Williams.  Tom was a PBX Tech who was hired in April of 1957.  Tom retired after 39 years of service in November 1996.

Cards of condolence may be sent to his home @ 258 Huffer Road, Hilton, NY 14468.  Our sympathies go out to his family.  May he rest in peace.

This is your Vice President Rick Sanchez thanking you for calling your Union tape, the place where we are Union and proud of it.

I am again saddened to announce the passing of yet another retiree.  Herbie Warren, who was a Cable Splicer, was hired in April 1954.  Herbie retired in October of 1988 after 34 years of dedicated service to your Union.  Calling hours are 4pm to 7pm Tuesday, August 25^th at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, 735 East Ave in Hilton.  Funeral will be at 11am on Wednesday, August 26^th at White Haven Memorial Park on Marsh Road in Pittsford.  On behalf of the Officers and Membership of Local 1170, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Warren Family. 

Cards of condolence for Thomas Williams, who also passed last week, can be sent to his home at 258 Huffer Road, Hilton, NY 14468.  We offer our deepest sympathies to the Williams Family from the Officers and Membership of Local 1170.

This is your Vice President Rick Sanchez thanking you for calling your Union tape, and God Bless Our Membership.