CWA Local 1170

I’ve been contacted by Jim Currie and Rod Dietz.  They have advised me that the Company will be polling for an estimated 8 to 10 Sales and Service Techs to leave early tomorrow morning for Middleton, NY.  The area has received 3 feet of snow and has drop wires down and power outages throughout the area.  I’ve asked the Company to poll Linemen and Cable Splicers if they don’t get the necessary volunteers from Sales and Service.

Today the expected need is for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  Depending on the damage, it could be extended for a couple of days.

This is your President John Pusloskie thanking you for calling your Union tape and reminding you to work safely.

A reminder in response to the severe snowstorm working conditions will be very hazardous.  Please take the necessary precautions to perform your work safely as the driving conditions and working on the shoulders of the road will be very difficult due to the large amount of snowfall.  Remember, no job is so important that it cannot be done safely.

In the matter of Pat Patterson and the trial that occurred on Wednesday, Mr. Patterson was found guilty by a jury of his peers and ordered to pay a fine.  He will also be a member in bad standing until the fine is paid.

Saturday, March 13^th is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Flyers will be posted in the workplace.  A meeting place for the parade is yet to be determined.  We will be gathering at Casey Jones afterwards for a workingman’s lunch.  Please bring your family out and join us in this fun event.

This is your President John Pusloskie reminding everyone to work safely and to have a great weekend.

Tomorrow is a Union Apparel Day.  Please wear your Union hats and shirts as a sign of solidarity.

We will have many issues to confront in this bargaining year.  We need to stand together as one.  The injury of one is the hurt of all.

Speaking of injury, Sales & Service Tech Tony Alfano has suffered a stroke.  We are taking a collection in the workplace for Tony and his family.  We wish him a speedy recovery.  Please help support Tony and his family in their time of need.

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

Your CWA Local 1170 Retirement Plan statements were mailed last Thursday and Friday.  I received a couple calls yesterday questioning the wages that the contributions were based on.  The statements only included two months of contributions for October and November.  December’s contribution from the Company was received late and will be included in the 1^st quarter statement for 2010.  You should also check your years of service on the statement to make sure you’re getting the correct band.

The trial of Pat Patterson will be held tomorrow evening for working overtime on Labor Day.

This is your President John Pusloskie thanking you for calling your Union tape.

At Tuesday’s grievance meeting the two day suspension for a motor vehicle accident of sales and service tech Dennis Pulver was heard.  The Union discovered in its investigation that the truck Mr. Pulver was driving had a recall since 2004 for braking issues.  Dennis had an accident which in the Unions opinion was attributable by the faulty brakes on the truck he was driving.  The Company stated in so many ways that Mr. Pulver admitted to knowing he had braking issues the day of the accident and therefore he has  accountability.

My message to you driving company vehicles, if you think or have concern with a problem with your vehicle that may affect your safety, get your vehicle in immediately to have it inspected and fixed.  Drive it to the W. Henrietta Rd. Garage and have a CWA mechanic take care of it.  Driving a vehicle with problems that potentially could affect your safety is never condoned by the Company or the Union.  The driver is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle he or she is driving.

With that being said, Ford has notified the company of a recall on certain Ford vans, bucket trucks, and high cubes involving a speed control switch.  The company has sent out notices to the drivers of these vehicles.  Please make arrangements to take care of this problem immediately.  Any questions, please call Joe Limbeck or your Union Vice President Rick Sanchez.

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