President’s Report 6/19/19

President’s Report

June 19^th, 2019

Frontier Updates:

Membership Counts by Title as of 05/31/19

Resignation

Retirement

Voluntary Severance:

Terminations

LTD Absences

Frontier 2nd Step Grievance Meetings:

December 4^th, 2018 Grievance committee in attendance: John Pusloskie, Andy Cimino, Rich Winter, Mike Sutphen and Pat Clancy.

Gr: 7-1485-18:  Union presented on the Unjust termination of Sales and Service tech Brian Hart.  The Union sent a letter on January 29^th and February 15^th, May 21^st and June 11^th requesting the Company’s answer.  Tracy Owen from Frontier finally responded on June 17^th, 2019 with a written response reaffirming the Company’s position that the termination was just and denied any violation of the CBA occurred.

Gr:  6-1515-18:  Management performing craft work.  Director John Gilbert performed craft work on Liebert air conditioner.  Steward Joe Joram was denied time off for meeting, so grievance has been deferred.

Gr:  5-329-18: On October 25^th, Paul Thom, Pat Clancy, Tony Smith and Thanh Nguyen had their 4-hour overtime assignment revoked after starting the tour.  A follow up letter was sent to HR Manager on April 30^th, requesting verification that the two hours of base pay agreed to on December 18^th, 2019 was issued.

December 18^th, 2018 Grievance committee in attendance: John Pusloskie, Sue Phillips, Joe Joram, Andy Cimino.

Gr:  6-1515-18:  Management performing craft work.  Director John Gilbert performed craft work on Liebert air conditioner.  John Gilbert doesn’t agree that this is craft work.  To date the Company hasn’t sent a second step grievance answer.

Gr: 5-329-18:  Overtime administration violation.  P. Thom, P. Clancy, T. Smith, and T. Nguyen were solicited for OT and accepted.  Then after the start of OT they were told OT was cancelled and told to go home.  The Company agreed to pay each individual two hours to settle the matter.

March 12, 2019 Grievance Committee in attendance: John Pusloskie, Andy Cimino, Joe Cicero, Patty Roberts, Sue Phillips and Rich Winter.

Gr: 5-330-19:  Network-Switch tech Rick Hawkins was bypassed for callouts due to the Company not updating the call out list with his name.

The Company answered the Grievance on March 12^th agreeing to provide Rick a 12-hour overtime make up on a non-precedent setting basis.

April 23, 2019 Grievance committee in attendance:  John Pusloskie, Andy Cimino, Rich Winter and Mike Sutphen.

Gr: 6-1516-19:  On January 8, 2019 the Union was notified that the Company was bringing in contractors to perform Lineman work (Make Ready Work) in violation of the CBA.

Closed Out: 

Gr: 7-1484-18 The Company violated the contract when it hired a contractor to repair the central office ladder.  We received a 2^nd step answer dated December 6, 2018 denying the grievance.  The Union closed the grievance on 6/12/19.

Gr: 3-4164-18:  Payroll errors, members suffering OT pays, regular work hours loss, etc.  Time reporting clerks frustrated, if they had access, ½ the problems would go away.  Issues have been resolved, closed on 6/19/19.

Gr: 3-4165-18:  Payroll violation. Mechanization, violating administration.  Implementation of PATS.  Issues have been resolved, closed on 6/19/19.

Gr: 7-1486-18:  Payroll violation. Unilateral changes to tech portal, MyWork/MyTime System. Issues have been resolved, closed on 6/19/19. 

Gr: 2-2592-19:  Desk Tech Jeff Boxx was issued an unjust verbal warning on December 13^th, 2018.  The Union received the Company’s second step answer on April 24^th, 2019 denying the Unions grievance.  The Company maintained its position that Mr. Boxx’s demeanor and attitude were disrespectful and inappropriate.  Grievance was closed on May 29,2019.

Gr: 3-4166-19: The Union recently became aware that the Company moved time reporting functions performed by the Communications Clerks to other employees of the Corporation.

The Company answered the grievance on April 24^th.  The Company agreed that the Rochester Time reporting functions will continue to be performed by CWA represented Communications Clerks but they now will report to Frontiers Capacity team managed by West Virginia. The Union closed the grievance on May 20, 2019.

Gr: 5-352-19:  Beginning in January of 2019 the Sales and Service tech Tuesday to Saturday schedule was increased without discussion with the Union and with disparity to the different regions.

The Union received the Company’s second Step answer on April 24^th, 2019 agreeing to adjust the number of technicians working the Tuesday to Saturday effective with the next quarterly schedule.  The Union closed the grievance on June 19^th based on discussions and agreement to reduce the number of people scheduled to 4/4 Metro East and West, and 2/2 Suburban East and West.

Arbitration Update Frontier:

• Transfer of bargaining unit work due to M6 Conversion. As of February 4^th, Mike Miceli has been assigned to the Network provisioning team getting trained to provision Metro E circuits for the Rochester market.
• Grievance 7-1476-17 Unjust termination James Everts request arbitration 2/2/18.
  • The arbitration has been approved by our CWA Staff Rep and the CWA District 1 office. An Arbitrator has been selected and June 4^th has been selected by both parties.  The first day of hearing was held on June 4^th, 2019, the Attorneys argued over evidence and court reporter and the hearing was adjourned until September 24^th, 2019.
• Grievance 7-1477-17 Unjust termination Peter Loss request arbitration 2/2/18.
  • The arbitration has been approved by our CWA Staff Rep and the CWA District 1 office. The case has been assigned to CWA attorney Atul Atwar and August 5^th has been scheduled before an arbitrator.
• Grievance 7-1479-18 Unilateral change to Long term disability income capping it at $3,000 per month. The grievance was protected for arbitration on May 15, 2018 and is now in the CWA review process.
  • On October 18^th, the Union received a letter from Human Resources that they are not willing to settle and the grievance is untimely.
• Grievance 2-2585-18 Unjust Layoff of Network tech Ernie Magar NCS 8/15/2016. The Local requested arbitration on June 21st, 2018.  Sue Phillips has taken the lead on investigating and presenting this case.
• Grievance 7-1482-18 Unjust termination of Desk Tech Marnye Knight on April 19^th, 2018. The Local requested arbitration on August 15^th, 2018 protecting time limits.  On October 16^th, 2018 the Union sent a letter requesting Marnye Knight be reinstated based on Prudential approving loss of benefits thru April 30^th beyond the April 19^th termination date.  The Company has rejected the Unions request.  CWA Staff and Area Rep Shawn Leblanc and Deb Hayes have approved the case, now goes to CWA District 1 office for review.
• Grievance 7-1481-18 On September 5^th, 2018 the Union requested arbitration on the Company failing to provide paychecks on time.
  • John Pusloskie, Andy Cimino and CWA Rep Shawn Leblanc met on October 10^th, 2018 with Frontier HR Manager Tracy Owen to settle the matter.
• Grievance 3-4162-18 On August 31^st 2018 the Union requested arbitration on Frontier contractors, management and other employees performing clerical work.
• Grievance 5-327-18 and 5-328-18 On August 31^st the Union requested arbitration on Overtime administration violations involving Lead Man status.
  • On October 10^th, 2018 the Grievances were settled with the Company agreeing to provide 12-hour overtime makeups to Sales and Service techs Brian Hart, John Gardner, John Fridd, and Tim Wallace.
• Grievance 7-1485-19 Unjust termination of Sales and Service tech Brian Hart on October 17^th, 2018. The Union sent a letter to Frontier dated March 11^th requesting arbitration on this grievance.

Take the Lead Sales Monthly Reports

                        Referrals        Sales               Total Revenue           Annualized Revenue

No information has been reported by the Company for 2019.                                                          

Managerial Changes

Angela Christian was promoted to be in charge of Customer Care operations nationwide

Tracy Owen is leaving her position as Sr. Labor Relations Manager in Rochester and Peter Homes from Corporate Labor Relations is being assigned to Rochester.

Alex Levy Director of CNOC has resigned as of April 15^th, 2019

Don Moscaret Supervisor of Lineman has resigned effective April 2019

Bryan Conklin Supervisor of Network tech/Carrier and Time Reporting has retired as of April 23^rd, 2019

Peg Kalbfus, Supervisor Operations has resigned effective May 2019

Bill Carpenter, Director of Operations resigned effective May 13^th, 2019

Commercial NOC Center:

With the pending sale of the Frontier properties in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana there is potential to impact the amount of work for the CNOC clerks and Desk techs.

Frontier Updates:

• The Company has polled for out of town work on two different occasions. The assignments have been in the Gloversville and Northville, NY region.  The first assignment was from May 28^th thru June 15^th and then polled for June 17^th thru July 3rd.  Techs who accepted the assignment are the Vice President’s report.
• On May 29^th, 2019, Frontier announce the sale of its properties in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana to a couple of hedge fund companies that have invested in Broadband assets. The sale was for 1.35 Billion dollars and is expected to take 12 months to close according to CEO Dan McCarthy.
• On June 11^th, 2019 Frontier announced the selection of three new board of directors effective immediately. They are; Kevin Beebe, Paul Keglevic and Mohsin Meghji.  Michael McDonnell and Howard Schrott have resigned.
• A sales and Service tech received a 3-day suspension and final warning and returned to work on Monday June 17^th.
• We’ve had to deal with various denied disabilities in order to get members paid.
• Call out issues, especially with regard to stakeout have resurfaced.
• Two grievance were file by executive board member Sean Kennedy against the Company for finding various contracting violations.
• The Union sent an information request on behalf of Sales and Service tech William Morsman to request the notes and documentation in his file as well data that supports the Company calling him in.

Safety Committee

No report

Affiliate Report:

AT&T Mobility:

ATT-219-18    The Company unjustly terminated Patti Ross’s health insurance benefits.

The grievance is still pending as we wait for the Company’s response to Ms. Ross’s employment status.

ATT-221-18    Kelli Pilaroscia was unfairly denied Paid Family Leave and unjust disciplined in the attendance program.  A first step meeting was held and AT&T has denied the Grievance.    A second meeting was held on June 29^th with Ben Marcello and Stephen Papageorge with AT&T.  The Company agreed to remove the points, leaving the issue of pay.  We’re waiting on the Company to resolve the pay issue.

ATT-225-18    Unjust Termination – Anthony Contrera.  1^st step meeting held on 12/20/18.  2^nd step requested on 12/19/18.  Currently waiting for information requested before having 2^nd step meeting.  Grievance closed 4/12/19.

ATT-226-19. Unjust Coaching- On January 22, 2019 Jeff Stone was issued an unfair unjust coaching for failing to walk the customer to the door properly.

ATT-227-19. Unjust Coaching- On February 12, 2019 Jeff Stone was issued an unfair unjust coaching log for failing to demo DTV during a customer interaction.  Grievance withdrawn on April 12, 2019.

ATT-228-19.  Unjust Final Warning- On March 26^th Jeff Stone was issued an unfair unjust final warning for failing to perform AT&T’s retail promise.

ATT-229-19.  Unjust Written Warning- On April 1^st Nick Linville was issued an unfair unjust written warning.  Grievance closed on April 23, 2019.

ATT-230-19.  Unjust termination- on April 15^th Brianna Pevc was unjustly terminated.  Union closed grievance on June 13, 2019.

ATT-231-19.  Unjust termination- On April 29^th, 2019 Anthony Manning was unjustly terminated.  Anthony was approved for personal leave and still progressed in the Company’s attendance program.  Union requested 2^nd step June 19, 2019.

City of Canandaigua PBA:

No updates for April.

Town of Greece

Gold Badge Club:

Several fund raisers have been organized for Sergeant Chris Beach who is fighting an aggressive form of Cancer.

Greece Part Time Unit:

No updates.

Town of Greece Crossing Guards:

No updates

Greece Lighthouse:

The current contract expires 12/31/19.

A meet and greet was held at Davinci’s restaurant on April 24th for 5:30pm.  The bargaining survey was mailed with responses from 12 members.  Health care and wages seem to be the focus of everyone’s responses.

City of Canandaigua DPW:

The Union filed Grievance CDPW 00-65-19 on behalf of Guy Parker who claims he was bypassed for a callout.  The City has denied the grievance at second step, the Union has requested a review with the City manager at 3^rd step. 

The Union held a 3^rd step meeting on June 12^th, 2019 with City manager John Goodwin.  We will post an update once we receive the City’s response.

Town of Canandaigua Employees Highway Association:

The Union received notice on May 3^rd from the Town which included changes to the Employee handbook.

The Union has reviewed the changes and sent the Town Manager a letter agreeing to the changes and requested a MOU stating the agreement.

Town of Henrietta:

On January 17^th, 2019 the following grievances were heard at second step with the Town Supervisor.

H00-552-18:  The Union claims that Corey Jones was bypassed for Out of Title pay on 10/11, 10/12, and 10/13 for being assigned the responsibility to drive truck 314.  The Town has denied the Grievance.

H00-553-18:  The Union claims on 10/11, 10/12, and 10/13 that Laborer Joey LaRocca was bypassed for Out of Title assignments by a lessor Senior employee Corey Jones.  The Town has denied the Grievance.

On February 18, 2019 the Union signed an agreement with the Town to add GIS Operator A to the CBA at Group 9.  Jeremy Difilippo is going to be promoted to that title.

The Highway, Parks, and Sewer department voted to change the hours to the Summer hours effective May 13^th thru September 30^th.

Village of Waterloo PBA:

No updates for April

Town of Gates Full time:

On March 27^th an information request was sent to personnel director Jim Donovan requesting wage and Health Insurance information in order to prepare for bargaining.  The Union will be requesting bargaining dates for May to begin negotiations with the Town.

Political Action Committee:

The Save NYS Call Center Jobs Act passed in the NYS Senate 58-3, with the following State senators voting yes; Rich Funke, Joe Robach, Pamela Helming, Patrick Gallivan.  We thank all of them for their support.  The Bill must now go to the NYS Assembly where it has already passed the last two years.  The Bill would do the following:

• A call center employer that intends to relocate at 30% of call volume in a year out of state is required to notify the Labor Commissioner. Failure to do so will subject the Company to a fine.
• The Labor Commissioner will make public an annual list of all call center jobs and call center employers that move at least 30% of calls out of the State.
• Companies on the list will not be eligible for any public grants, loans, tax benefits and state contracts for three years.
• The state can claw back any governmental support for five years
• All state agencies are required to ensure that all state business related call center work is performed by companies located in NYS. State contractors who currently have call centers outside of NY have two years to comply.

Other:

On May 21^st, 2019 a combined Unit 5 and 7 meeting was held for the purpose of nominations and elections to the Union executive board.  The following members were elected.

• Unit 5 East Steve Spector, Chairman and Rob Krupcznski, Vice Chair
• Unit 5 West Mike Sutphen, Chairman and Bill Peacock, Vice Chair
• Unit 7 Bruce Cotton, Chairman and Ryan Bills, Vice Chair

Frontier has notified employees at the Internet Help Desk 280 in all that their employment will be terminated on July 31^st.

Frontier notified employees in the training department on May 14^th that their employment will be terminated on May 31^st.  Twenty-two employees in all are impacted.

On May 14^th, the Local received notification from Area Staff Rep Deb Hayes that the bylaws are in compliance with the CWA National Constitution and have been moved to Dennis Trainor, CWA District 1 Vice President who advances to CWA Headquarters in Washington, DC for review.

On May 18^th Local 1170 officers John Pusloskie, Rich Winter and Demiah Smith attended the Annual meeting of the Rochester Labor Council Area Labor Federation.  Featured speakers were the following.

NYS Attorney General – Letitia James

US Congressman – Joe Morelle

NYS AFL-CIO President – Mario Cilento

NYS Commissioner Department of Labor – Roberta Reardon

The Federal Communications Commission on May 21^st, 2019 one touch Pole attachments Rules take effect.  The Chairman who came directly from Verizon as a Corporate attorney took Verizon and Google’s side to allow contractors to perform make ready work bypassing the Local Utilities.  Our position is that this work is still bargaining unit work covered by the contract.  More information is in your packet.

Local 1170 members Fritz Amrhein and William Netchke received the award for best Campaign Coordinators for this year’s annual United Way workplace campaign.  Congratulations to Fritz and Bill!