Union Proposes Safety Improvements at Verizon - CWA Local 1101
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NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
Tel: (212) 633-2666 July, 2019
www.local1101.org 2019 Issue 1
Union Proposes Safety
Improvements at Verizon
Technicians brought a number Mike Cefalo, Pete Ficorelli, Joe Peloso, on their backs. Union safety reps ap-
of health and safety concerns to the Robert Pignatello, and Assistant to proached management with a new
union, and we’re working to find so- the President Ken Beckett. The Tier design for a manhole cover lift, which
lutions and get management to make Three Safety Committees include shop is user friendly and would alleviate
changes. stewards and local management for the need for technicians to lift the
Members raised three big health each respective shop. covers manually. The manhole lift
and safety problems: the strain of lift- A manhole lift that works is in the trial phase now. Union reps
ing manhole covers, the use of a carci- A manhole cover can weigh up and technicians at West 47 Street
nogenic product to reduce lead dust, to 300 pounds. For years technicians recently trialed the manhole cover
and the weight of the Fios toolbag. have raised concerns about the strain lift and suggested changes, which
Local 1110 Vice the vendor is working on
President Al Russo sits incorporating.
on the statewide Tier A non-carcinogenic
One Safety Committee leadstop
which includes union In a class at West 26
and company represen- Street on lead safety re-
tatives. Tier Two Safety moval Verizon was using
Committees cover Man- a product to reduce lead
hattan and the Bronx, dust that came in an
one for inside work- aerosol can with a warn-
ers and one for outside ing about carcinogens.
forces. The Tier Two Technicians in the class
Safety Committee in- brought it to the Execu-
cludes 1101 Business tive Board’s attention.
Agents Bill Stefandel, “We found a product
Ken Spatta, Pete Tor- called Leadstop,” said VP
res, Val Valentino, and Al Russo. “It was better
Josey Allgor, and Chief
Stewards Frank Calisi, continued on page 2
Trialing the manhole cover lift: Local 1101 VPs Mike Baxter, Al Russo, vendor,
Chief Stewards Sal Palazzo, Frank Calisi, BA Pete Torres, Terrance Freer and James Whikehart
1
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
Local 1101 and 1105 Memberships
to Vote on Proposed Merger
CWA Local 1101 and CWA the TRG contract, at Dex Media and Purce said. “It will help strengthen
Local 1105 members will be voting other employers. Local 1105 members our collective bargaining power, and
soon on whether Local 1105 should currently work alongside CWA plant will make our union stronger overall.
merge into Local 1101. (See official members in a number of locations,
election notice below). including 204 Second Avenue, 395
CWA Local 1105 represents Flatbush Ave, and Garden City Long Safety Committees
more than 1700 members in the com- Island.
mercial, communication and sales The Local 1101 Executive Board continued from page 1
departments at Verizon. The majority voted unanimously for the merger, and
of Local 1105 members are Represen- is recommending a YES vote. than the original product, but still car-
tatives in the Verizon Commercial De- “This will be good for members cinogenic. We asked the company that
partment. They also have members in of both Locals,” 1101 President Keith produced it to change the formula to
make it green and non-carcinogenic,
and then we brought that to the Tier
Notice of Vote on Merger Between One Safety Committee.” Verizon
agreed to replace the original product
CWA Locals 1101 and 1105 with the new Leadstop.
In accordance with our Local By-Laws a secret A more ergonomic toolbag
ballot election for the merger of CWA Local 1105 Walking up five flights of stairs is
into CWA Local 1101 will be conducted by mail. hard enough. Try doing it with a 50
The election will be conducted by the CWA Local pound toolbag, standard for Verizon
Fios techs. Technicians experiencing
1101 Election Committee. Ballots for the vote will
back, neck and shoulder issues raised
be mailed on July16, 2019. this safety concern.
Please read all instructions before marking and The Union brought it the com-
mailing your ballot. Ballots will be counted on August pany’s attention at Tier Two and
6, 2019 at 12pm. proposed a stair-climbing cart with
Sincerely and fraternally yours, the toolbag to lessen the strain. The
Company agreed and the toolbags are
Richard Meringolo
being trialed in the FIOS shops now.
Chairman, Local 1101 Election Committee
NEW YORK GENERATOR CWA LOCAL 1101
350 West 31st Street, 2nd Fl New York, NY 10001 Bronx Office: 1703 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462
Phone: 212-633-2666 Bronx: 718-823-7330 Tapes: 212-633-6753 Web: www.local1101.org
Official Publication of CWA Local 1101. Reprint rights granted to all labor publications.
President: Keith Purce Secretary/Treasurer: Kevin Condy
Vice Presidents: Mike Baxter, Jerome Paredes, Al Russo
Business Agents: Josey Allgor, Ken Spatta, Bill Stefandel, Pete Torres, Heather Trainor, Val Valentino
Editors: Mike Baxter, Pam Galpern Photos: Keith Hogarty, Frank Ruggerio, Ron Van Long
Design: Tom Smucker Printer: Impala Press
2
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
A Heartfelt Thank You and Tribute to
Retiring Chief Steward Janice Reed
Janice Reed has been Chief Steward at Arms Acres is, they can call me. If I didn’t have people to lean on, I
for more than 10 years and a steward for more than 20. wouldn’t be the Chief I am today. I got so much support
She’s retiring in August. She’s been a leader in the union from people who were here early on – Donna Sharron,
since Local 1101 organized Arms Acres and Conifer Park Jimmy Trainor, Joe McAleer and Pat LaScala. And I’ve
in 1996. gotten tremendous support from the leadership now, Ken
Janice has been on the CWA Bargaining Committee (Spatta) and Jerome (Paredes). Keith (Purce) has always
for the last four contracts. “She took a lot of heat when the been there when I needed him.”
contract talks weren’t moving along,” Every member we spoke to said
said Gloria VanTassel, a retired case ‘You can call Janice day or night,
manager of 18 years who returned to and she’ll be there for you.’ “Janice
Arms Acres three years ago. “People treats all the members at Arms Acres
wanted to see things happen right like family and protects them like a
away. She’d explain, this is part of the mother protects her children,” Jerome
negotiation process. It doesn’t happen said.
overnight. They listen to her, because “When I became a Chief Stew-
she’s thought of so highly,” Gloria said. ard Janice made herself available to
Allen Taylor, a Milieu Counselor me whenever I needed her,” Chris
and Recovery Coach at Arms Acres for said. “She helped me so much those
17 years and a steward there described first few months.” Allen described
Janice’s role this way. “Janice walks Janice as a straight shooter. “Janice
quietly but carries a big stick.” Coni- always tells you the truth. It’s either
fer Park Chief Steward Chris Pulley going to work or it isn’t.” He was
described meeting Janice for the first quiet for a minute. “When my wife
time at bargaining. “She was one of the died of cancer, Janice gave me a week
strongest voices at the table.” Jerome of her time so I could be with my
Paredes, Local 1101 VP agreed. “Jan- family. I have six kids. She gave me
ice is extremely knowledgeable and a time that you don’t get back. I wish
fierce negotiator. She fights hard every I could give all the time back that I
single day to police the contract and owe her. But I can’t.”
ensure that our members’ rights are “I think when they made Janice
not violated.” they broke the mold,” Gloria said.
Robin Kett, Senior Cook at Arms Acres, has known “Her heart is so big. She treats everyone equally, patient
Janice for the 28 years she’s been at the facility. “She’s al- or co-worker. She’s just a remarkable person.”
ways been someone you could to talk. She’s very honest, “If I had to choose two words to describe how I feel
and very insightful.” Robin talked about Janice’s knack for about Janice, they would be love and respect,” Jerome said.
getting other people to speak up. She’d get you to do and “Her work ethic and determination is unparalleled and will
say what needed to be said, to be that voice.” But it’s not be greatly missed. I wish her all the best in retirement.”
all work. “Janice is funny,” Robin chuckled. “She’s always “Janice is the epitome of a Chief Steward - strong, te-
laughing, always has a good come-back.” nacious and compassionate,” said Keith Purce, CWA Local
“I have good stewards” Janice said. “We work as a 1101 President. “Local 1101, your Executive Board, and
team. They know no matter what time of day or night it our entire membership will miss you dearly.”
3
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
COEI Stewards Strategize Together at Verizon
Central Office Equipment Installation (COEI) Stew- “They want to contract out a large part of our work but
ards, Chief Steward Bill Cordova and Business Agent Josey nobody’s going to protect the network better than Verizon
Allgor met with the new second level manager for COEI workers.”
at Local 1101 recently. Stewards discussed the contracting issue with manage-
What does COEI do? “We build from the ceiling to ment at the meeting, and other issues like study materials
the floor,” said George Bloom, COEI technician and Shop for Materiel Equipment Technicians who want to upgrade
Steward. “We install all of the equipment that makes your to Materiel Systems Technicians, tools, and problems with
telephone, television, and internet work, except for the pay. “It was really useful,” Bloom said. “Josey (Allgor) put
power and switch.” in a lot of to help us collaborate together and go in with a
Mike Hunter is also a Shop Steward in COEI. “I like game plan, and present the major concerns our members
that we’re part of every big move that Verizon makes,” Mike had presented to us.”
said. When Verizon went into FIOS, we started seeing large
orders of large bandwidth
being installed. We get to
see the direction the com-
pany’s going firsthand,
whether it be wireless,
FiOS or 5G.”
“The biggest issue we
have in COEI is constantly
filing grievances on con-
tracting out of work,” said
Bloom. Hunter agreed.
Locals 1101, 1106 & 1400 members at Runaway Inequlity Training in May
4
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
USIC Workers Break New
Ground With 2nd Contract
Local 1101 members at USIC from Hudson Valley became part of securing an overwhelming majority on
who tone and mark the streets for Na- CWA 1101 as well. CWA filed for cards. At first, the company rejected
tional Grid, Con Edison, PSE&G and an election in May to represent the our demand for neutrality and card
other companies voted overwhelm- Hudson Valley USIC workers after check, but then agreed to voluntarily
ingly to ratify a r e c o g n i z e C WA
new contract in Local 1101.
April. The contract The 14 new
includes a signifi- members will be cov-
cant wage increase, ered by the same con-
improvements in tract as the NYC and
scheduling and the Long Island USIC
grievance proce- workers. Many of
dure, and paid rest these new members
time. will see life-changing
It was a hard raises as a result of
fought battle. being in CWA Local
Workers at USIC 1101.
beat back two de- Vice President
certification votes Al Russo, Business
over the past 2 Agent Ken Spatta,
and a half years. District 1 Staff Rep-
Their tenacity and re s e n t a t i ve Jo h n
determination to Dempsey, USIC lo-
remain union and cators Tony Morales
members of CWA and Michael Hackett
Local 1101 held were on the bargain-
strong and their ing team, and Orga-
hard work paid off. nizer Keith Hogarty
They won a much worked on the Hud-
stronger contract son Valley organiz-
which makes USIC ing campaign.
work in NYC and
Long Island a ca- Top two pho-
reer path, not just tos, USIC Stewards
a job. trainings. Bottom:
Not long after New 1101 members
the ratification, from USIC Hudson
14 USIC workers Valley group.
5
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
Local 1101 Equity Committee is on the Move!
Equity Committee members have been busy. They This summer the Committee is helping build the Local
helped fundraise for the Scholarship Golf Outing, and they 1101 Family and Friend’s picnic Saturday Aug 10 at FDR
organized the trip to the Museum of African American Park in Yorktown Heights, and we’ll be organizing soon for
History and Culture in Washington DC. They initiated the African American Day parade in Harlem on September
the Spotlight in the Generator, honoring 1101 members 15. Join us! Contact Ken Spatta at 914-572-1101 or Ken
who are active in social justice, political, and community Beckett at 917-679-0138 if you want to get involved.
efforts. The first Spotlight is in this Generator honoring Go to local1101.org/committees to see the Equity
Danny McNamara. (see below) Committee mission statement.
Spotlight: Dan McNamara
Danny McNamara is a Verizon lineman out of 500 Zerega Avenue
in the Bronx with 22 years on the job. He’s also a volunteer firefighter
with the Silver Lake Fire Department in Middletown NY. Volunteer
firefighters there are certified fireman, and get the same training as paid
fireman - First Aid, CPR, Command scene classes. All of that proved
crucial earlier this year when Danny’s co-worker Nick Bucci suffered a
serious injury.
Danny’s crew was replacing a cable strand when a tractor trailer came
through the work area and dislodged the strand. Nick was in the bucket,
and the strand whipped across his face and hit him in the arm. He had
a serious laceration to the face, and a severely broken arm.
Danny and the other members of his crew – Nelson Roldan, Ray
Clementz, and Bobby Monday – leapt into action. They closed the face
wound and stabilized his arm. They kept him calm until paramedics ar-
rived 35 minutes later. If it hadn’t been for Danny’s firefighter training
and the crew’s quick actions, the doctor’s agreed Nick would have lost his
arm. Great job guys. Way to stay calm under pressure. Get well soon Nick.
6
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
Talking Safety at Verizon Business
Photo Left: Verizon Business Technicians at a safety
meeting.
Catalina Rios (photo right below) is one of the
VZB Stewards, and the first woman steward for the
division. She described a recent safety meeting the
stewards, Chief, and Business Agent had with manage-
ment. “We talked about
the importance of using
only Verizon-issued lad-
ders. We work in a lot of
different co-locator sites,
and there are often ladders
there. But you don’t know
the condition of those
ladders, and that’s why we
should never use them. I’ve
been emphasizing that to
my workgroup.”
Women’s Committee
Remembering the Past, Building for the Future
Local 1101 Women’s Committee members joined a and came together with other 1101 members at the May
commemoration of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1 International Workers day rally at Columbus Circle.
1911, where 146 people, mostly young women immigrant We’re organizing a group to march in the October
workers, died in a fire. The tragedy sparked outrage and 20 Orchard Beach Breast Cancer march. If you’re inter-
galvanized efforts to pass health and safety protections and ested in participating or joining the Women’s Committee,
fire safety laws. contact Josey Allgor or Heather Trainor at 212-633-2666.
Women’s committee members also collected clothing All are welcome.
for women at Covenant House in midtown Manhattan,
7
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
CWA Strong at Param
We asked Local 1101 members at the AT&T Call Center in Paramus how they like wor
Top Row: Lauren Benton, Richetta Oliver, Chief Stewards Nikk
Middle Row: Ken Meluso, Steward
Bottom Row: Steward Teshona Brimley, Lavana Wilson, Daryll W
8
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
mus AT&T Call Center
rking there, and what the union means for their job. Quotes are on the next page (10).
ki Watson and Bill Nebeling, Melisa Southall, Jacqueline Brown.
d Salvatore Grande, Damian Adams
West, Paul Freeman, Syheem Farrar, John Organo, Evelyn Garland.
9
NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
“The current 350 jobs would not
be here if it were not for CWA”
We asked Local 1101 members who work at the Damian Adams 14 years, ATS. “I love learning about
AT&T Mobility Call Center in Paramus, New Jersey all the new technology. My coworkers are like family to
how they like working there, and what the union means me and I’ve made life-long friends here.”
to them. Here’s what they said
Steward Teshona Brimley, 9 years, NBS. “I love
Lauren Benton, 14 year, ATS. “I love the job security, working with the members and am always here to help
the benefits for me and my family and the constant support resolve their issues. I like to make a difference. I like that
from our union. I enjoy the team I work with in ATS and members come to me and I feel good about that.”
look forward to overcoming new challenges in my work.”
Lavana Wilson, 6 years, NBS. “I love working at the
Richetta Oliver, 11 years, ATS. “I love the diversity Paramus Call Center and love the people I work with. I
we’re exposed to, the strength of our union membership. have great benefits and a 401K.”
We have a voice, a grievance procedure, and we’re making
more than nonunion employees. We’ll continue to work Daryll West, 11 years, ATS, “We have a great union
together and have a solid union presence here in Paramus.” and I’m able to provide for my family. Our chiefs and E-
board work hard to keep us gainfully employed.”
Chief Steward Nikki Watson, 6 years, ATS. “I love
being a Chief here because I’m able to talk to members Paul Freeman, 13 years, ASCS. “The current 350
about what’s going on, where we stand as a union, where jobs would not be here if it were not for CWA. We fought
AT&T stands, why we’re fighting. AT&T is giving our and got the best contract we have ever had, especially for
work away any way they can and we have to stand together call center workers. We’re guaranteed work. We have to
against that.” continue to fight and stick together.”
Chief Steward Bill Nebeling, 18 years, ATS. “When Syheem Farrar, 11 years, ATS. “We’re a family here
we first became union people weren’t as gung ho as they and I love working with my family. The chiefs here always
are today. We have a lot more communication through have my back.”
the steward trees, from the Local and the Executive Board,
and because we are talking to members every day. A lot John Organo, 18 years, NBS. “I do First Net which
more issues are getting addressed and the feedback from is our future. I like being a part of the future of AT&T.
members is very positive.” My Union gives me a voice and job security.”
Ken Meluso, 2 years, NBS. “I love being here as a Evelyn Garland, 11 years, ATS. “We have a great
member of CWA Local 1101. The work we do to support working environment. The union is always looking to
and help our customers and each other makes it a plea- improve our conditions and resolve our concerns. There
sure to come here. Our union stewards are always full of is such wonderful diversity here in Paramus, there’s work,
knowledge and here to help.” opportunity to learn new things and better ourselves.”
Steward Salvatore Grande, 12 years, Fraud Depart-
ATS - Advanced Technical Support
ment. “We’re fighting corporate greed every day for the
NBS - National Business Support
betterment of our families.”
ASCS - Advanced Solutions Customer Support
10NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
LIU Post Adjunt Professors
Fight for Pay Parity
Vice President Jerome Paredes, Business Agent Ken Spatta,
and Chief Steward Dr Geoffrey Lasky met after a grievance at
LIU Post, where they discussed pay discrepancies among ad-
junct professors at the University. There have been a number of
changes in LIU’s management, so they were also there to meet
the new management team and talk about the union/manage-
ment relationship.
“We’re working on building increased steward participa-
tion,” said Spatta. “We want to make sure all the adjunct faculty
know their union representatives and know the rights they have
as union members. We’ll continue working to bring a union
presence to LIU Post.”
Years of Hard Work Paid Off!
New York Passes Call Center Bill
Since 2006, greedy compa-
nies like AT&T and Verizon have
eliminated 40,000 call center jobs
in New York State and sent the work
to low-wage areas in the U.S. and
overseas. We’ve been fighting for Local1101 Member
years for legislation to protect call Named Valedictorian
center workers and penalize compa-
nies that send jobs out of New York. Glen Guild was named Vale-
And we did it! dictorian of the first graduating class
The NY Call Center Jobs Act of CUNY’s new School of Labor &
passed the NY State Legislature in Urban Studies in June, 2019. Glen,
June. The bill requires call center a field technician at Jerome Avenue
employers to notify the Department garage, is a second generation member
of Labor if they intend to relocate at of CWA Local 1101.
least 30% of call volume in a year. Glen started taking classes in
Those companies would lose all the CUNY/Cornell Labor Studies
grants, loans, tax benefits, and state certificate program as part of Local
contracts. The bill also ensures that 1101’s Education Program. He went
all state business-related call center on to pursue a bachelors’ degree in
work is performed by New York Urban & Community Studies with a
State companies. concentration in Labor Studies, and is
Thanks everyone who did their the School of Labor & Urban Studies’
part! first Valedictorian.
Congratulations Glen!
11NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
E Board Holds Worksite Meetings
In Manhattan & the Bronx
Executive Board members met with members at
worksites throughout Manhattan and the Bronx PPAs Sign Up Co-Workers
to discuss issues at Verizon, the proposed merger
with Local 1105, and to hear from members. Parking Production Assistants who work on NYC
Pics clockwise: 26 St I/R, 47th St, Jerome Ave, TV and movie sets joined CWA Local 1101 last year
129 St, 26 St CXM. and ratified a first contract in January. Now we’ve got to
get everyone signed up to be in the union! Not an easy
Verizon Techs: task when PPAs work for multiple production units on
job sites all across the city.
Plant Pride Tickets! PPA leaders are traveling to different production
See a feeder that needs to be rehabbed? A congested
sites, signing up members, giving them a copy of the
manhole? A box falling off a pole? Submit Plant Pride tick-
contract and a new member packet and making sure
ets for ANY poor plant conditions you see, copper or fiber.
This is our work and the company is required to resolve they know their rights. Derek Lawrence is the first PPA
75% of the tickets submitted within 90 days. Union Steward for CWA Local 1101.
It takes 2 minutes. Take a picture, go to Tools in your If you’re a PPA and haven’t joined the union yet,
tablet or via PROD Tech tablet on your company phone, contact CWA Local 1101 at 212-633-2666. We are
create an OSP ticket. stronger together!
Our work, our future!
12NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
The Local 1101 Ed Dempsey Scholarship Golf Outing raises funds for the Local’s Scholarship
Fund. Congratulations to this year’s winners below. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make
the event a huge success, to the vendors who sponsored it, and to everyone who participated. Special
shout out to our own Joe Marks who did a bang up job with the bar-b-que.
Recipient Sponsoring member
Ed Dempsey Scholarship winner
Caitlin Lambe Norman Lambe
Local 1101 Scholarship winners
Darryl Jones Roberta Davis-Jones
Shannon Barry Robert- Theresa Barry
Christine Whelan Robert Whelan
Kamma LaGattuta-Pennetti Benita LaGattuta
Retirees Are Ready Nicolette Sardo
Amani Boyce
Joseph Sardo
Fitzgerald Boyce
Above: Retired Members Angelina Schiaffo Duane Schiaffo
Council prepares for proposed Jordan Vallone Michael Vallone
Local 1101 & 1105 merger by Nicolette Auld-Griffith Darien Griffith
Mia Comunale Dan Comunale
honoring our own RMC Liaison to 1105, Denice Hawley. Naomi Moore Wendy Moore
All CWA retirees have always been welcome at all of our Frank J. Scoca Frank Scoca
meetings and events. Above right: 1101 RMC retirees Janelle Boss Bryan Boss
“fundraising” on the third hole at the golf outing. We are Elpida Manolas George Manolas
always grateful to the Local and all participants for giving Svhania Vazquez Israel Vazquez
The Scholarship Committee is Sec-Treas Kevin Condy,
us this opportunity each year, and everyone’s generosity.. VP Jerome Paredes, and BA Pete Torres
13NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019
Verizon members
Have Kids In Summer Camp?
The Verizon Summer Camp Reimbursement Pro-
gram is a bargained-for benefit, negotiated between
Verizon and CWA. The fund will reimburse up to
$600 per child, for up to two children, for summer day
camp and overnight programs for kids under 15 years
old. Applications are due August 23, 2019. For more
information go to www.regionalwfrc.com or call Local
1101 at 212-633-2666.
14NEW YORK GENERATOR • JULY 2019 15
CWA Local 1101 PRSRT STD
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350 West 31st Street, 2nd Fl PAID
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