Union/Management Meeting

Thursday, June 5, 2003

(Bury Drive Garage)

 

In Attendance:

Management                                                  Union

Pam Kvalvag                                                    Tim Lovaasen

Pat Fahey                                                         Bruce Clark

Julie Dietering                                                   Greg Perez

Nate Marcotte                                                  Mark Weinmann

Mick Loucks                                                    Bob Haik

Dave Keller                                                      Dan Jerde

                                                                                                Travis Genetzky

                                                                                                Tony Murray

 

ITEMS DISCUSSED

1)  Cell Phones:

Management is working with Qwest Wireless to get a better package deal for more minutes for POTS and Design Services Organizations.  Should be done in the next  2-3 weeks, and there should be more cell phones included in the package.

 

2) Tools:

Supervisors are pushing back on requests.  Pat Fahey says orders are going in for more tools.  Stewards to call Pat if there is a problem.  Map book will be coming in July with a new Hudson publication.

 

3)  Selection Process:

Union and Management will work together to make sure the process is done fair and right by seniority.  Process to start Monday, June 9, 2003.

 

4)  Overtime:

There is a problem trying to get rid of work so the technicians can go home at a normal quitting time when the load is heavy. 

 

After much discussion of the needs of the business and the contract languages pertaining to this issue, two points were evident:

 

a)      Overtime is needed to serve the customers, which is the major need of Qwest to comply with the watchful eye of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

b)      Technicians should inform their supervisor at the beginning of their shift if they will not be able to work overtime or as soon as possible if an emergency should arise preventing them from working overtime.

 

This covers incidental overtime due to a heavy workload.  Mandatory overtime is a different animal.  If mandatory overtime is put into place, it involves everyone.

 

 

 

Union/Management Meeting

Thursday, June 5, 2003

(Bury Drive Garage)

page 2

 

5) Pager Duty:

Discussion held about policy.  Manager Pat Fahey handed out a copy of the policy for those volunteering for pager duty.

 

The policy that Pat handed out addressed the concerns of the stewards. The policy will be reviewed in 2-3 weeks to see how it is going.  Local 7200 favors voluntary pager duty and believes this policy will work fine to keep pager duty voluntary.

 

6)  PNI:

Discussion was held on this issue around two items of major concern:  drop work with no access and secure buildings.  All were in agreement that service should be restored.

 

a)  The drop problem centered around the placement of the SNI on the outside of a house.

1.  Replace the bad drops and leave enough drops to complete the drop work and SNI       placement when making the splice to the old drop.

2.  Give all pertinent information to your supervisor.  The supervisor will arrange time to complete the work on a routine ticket.

 

7)  Secure Buildings:

Work with the supervisor to get the lock boxes placed at these buildings whenever possible.  Do the best you can in familiar and unfamiliar areas to get good C.B.R.s from the LRAC.  This will continue to be a problem and will need continued work with management.

 

8)  Productivity:

This issue causes a major concern with Local 7200.  Local 7200 will be filing a grievance on behalf of any network technician who gets a Written Warning for not reaching the needed numbers.  Local 7200 is concerned that the Productivity Plan is flawed because we are getting more and more technicians receiving Written Warnings.  Management handed out the plan to Local 7200 for us to study.  This item will definitely be up for further discussion whether through the grievance process or other joint meetings.

 

Local 7200 wants all our technicians to do the best job they can and to do their work in a timely and safe manner.

 

 

Any questions regarding this meeting report should be directed to the attendees of this meeting.

 

 

In solidarity,

Tim L. Lovaasen

1st Vice President CWA Local 7200

                 

opeiu #12/ns