cwabenefits@yahoo.com
404 614-3237 office 678 822-2993 Cell
Monthly Report
July 2022
Hello members:
As the year is half way gone and we are now living in a new norm, please remember that no procedural changes that have been made regarding the filing of job accommodations, FMLA, or short term disability. Please get your documents into the proper medical departments based on your needs in the time allotted. I have been running into a lot of members who due to the Covid 19 and doctor offices changing how they see patients not meeting the deadlines for paperwork. You will be denied due to timeliness. Please contact your physicians to see how they are accepting paperwork request. Get me involved as early as possible when medical benefits are needed with your questions, don’t want to you are denied and the fire is burning to contact me it may be to late. However if you are denied please reach out so we can work together to see if we can get it overturned based on the reason of denial.
COVID-19: Taking care of your health and wellbeing
With the current COVID-19 situation, taking preventative steps to care for our well- being is more important than ever before. Exercising, eating healthy, sleeping well and managing stress are basic principles to stay healthy and in shape. But when more is needed, here’s an overview of AT&T benefits and U.S.- based resources available today.
Mental Health Resources
Stress and anxiety are normal in situations like this one. We are all feeling it, and it’s important to seek help. Caring for our mental health is also part of protecting our physical well-being. If you’re experiencing stress or anxiety, here are some of the resources available to you at no cost today through Live and Work Well.
• This benefit is available to all active employees and your families, there is no requirement that you enroll in coverage.
• Confidential help is just a phone call away 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the Live and Work Well hotline.
• A series of professional counseling sessions – including virtual options – are free of charge for you AND your family.
• Mindfulness techniques for managing coronavirus anxiety at home and work.
• Seminars on managing stress and coping offer actionable tools.
There is added strength in reaching out for help, and that’s what the Live and Work Well program is all about. Call (866) 263-9253 or visit the website. Use access code ATT.
Nurselines and Telemedicine
If you need to connect with a healthcare professional, our medical benefits administrators offer nurselines and virtual visit support*:
• Nurselines are available 24/7 to talk with a nurse and get help with health questions and tips.
• Telemedicine is available to connect you virtually with a physician or licensed behavioral health provider.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS-IL)
Nurseline: (800) 299-0274
Telemedicine: Visit the BCBS-IL website or call MDLIVE at 888-676-4204
Cigna
Nurseline: (800) 564-9286
Telemedicine: Download the MDLive app and register with your Cigna information found on your ID card or call (888) 726-3171
Aetna
Nurseline: (800) 556-1555
Telemedicine: Visit member.teladoc.com or (855) 835-2362
UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
Nurseline: (877) 861-3861
Telemedicine: Visit uhc.com/virtualvisits, access the UnitedHealthcare app and search for Virtual Visits under “Find Medical Care” or call (855) 615-8335
Kaiser Permanente – Virtual Options
If you are enrolled in a Kaiser plan, please visit healthy.kaiserpermanente.org, select your “Region” and then click on “Get Care” to view your virtual options.
If you are not enrolled with one of the medical benefits administrators above, please contact your administrator for information.
AT&T Health and Wellness Centers, Operated by Premise Health & Onsite CVS Pharmacies
Health centers and pharmacies at AT&T locations will remain open. Premise Health staff will be available to refill medications and see patients via virtual visits in accordance with state regulations. Download the My Premise Health app for more information. CVS has free, 1-2 day prescription delivery.
COVID-19 Testing
Visit evive.care for an overview of COVID-19 testing locations across the country.
Please continue prioritizing your health and the health of your families. We’ll get through this together, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. We’re here for each other.
Additional Information
• Visit the Employee Resources & Recommendations website for the latest information.
• Additional information is available on the CDC website.
*Nurselines and telemedicine apply to employees enrolled in U.S. AT&T medical plan coverage which is not an HMO.
Reminders
As a reminder, here are 5 things to minimize to spread of this, and other respiratory viruses.
• Visit the Employee Resources & Recommendations website for the latest information.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly. Be sure to count to 20.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Disinfect your workspace daily. Don’t forget your phone.
• Take care of yourself by eating well, staying hydrated and resting.
• If you start to feel sick, prepare to stay home to not pass it on
If you need assistance with your medical benefits or have questions please don’t hesitate to call me directly on my cell at 678 822-2993 or email at cwabenefits@yahoo.com. Due to the Covid 19 I am not at the local as frequently as in the past so the mentioned contact instructions are the best at this time to use. Because I am at work please allow me time to get your questions answered.
Contact numbers:
Job accommodations: 866-276-2278
Disability claims: 866 276-2278
Worker compensation:866 276-2278
FMLA or LOA:888 722-1787also visit HRONESTOP(leavelink)
LIFE INSURANCE888 722-1787
Again we’ re living in what we call “THE NEW NORM” please stay safe. Wear your mask, stay in as much as possible and use your hand sanitizer. STAY SAFE
January 24, 2020
Beginning January 1, 2020 the
Parental Leave Benefit began. Please remember that the child has to be born or
adopted after January 1, 2020. You will be entitled to 2 weeks of Paid leave.
This leave is to be taken in 2 consecutive weeks. It can not be broken
up.
Many job steward applications have
been received at the local. We have just completed a class of 14 new stewards.
Please welcome to the team Delano Everette, Kimberly Green, Ramisha Howard,
Twanda Hagan, Brendalyn Wright, Lenard Evans, Leanard Thompson, Rhonda Metayer,
Melissa Mojica, Casey Moses, Lennox Reid, Shelia Sawyer Reed, Cecily Williams
and Kevin Wilson. Applications being recieved will be kept and applicants will
be contacted if another class is scheduled.
Remember there will be another
benefit enrollment in June. If you have paid into your deductible and you
change to another option in June your deductible amount will not carry over you
will start over with out of pocket cost.
New Benefit changes are taking place
for AT&T Bargained Retirement Plan in 2021. Please read below:
UPDATE: Eligibility for
Retirement Benefits
To: Select
AT&T bargained employees
Planning for retirement requires careful consideration, and we want to point
out an important update to the retirement benefits currently enjoyed by retired
AT&T bargained employees.
Once eligible for Medicare, generally at age 65, your primary health insurance
coverage transfers to Medicare. The company currently offers a subsidy to
eligible retirees to help cover out-of-pocket costs or to purchase incremental
coverages, like Medicare Advantage or supplemental coverage.
Here is what’s changing: Individuals who retire on
or after Jan. 1, 2021 will no longer qualify for a company subsidy
once they are eligible for Medicare. This does not change medical coverage
prior to qualifying for Medicare.
We continue to provide our current eligible retirees who are not yet eligible
for Medicare with some of the best health care coverage in America, and we
remain one of only about a quarter of large firms that offer retiree health
benefits.
Below are additional resources to learn more about other retirement benefits.
RESOURCES
Use this Retirement Guide to help you prepare.
If you need help refining or creating a retirement
savings plan, take advantage of the Fidelity planning tools and Financial
Engines.Thinking about what healthcare coverage you might need?
Call the AT&T Benefits Center at 877-722-0020.
You can also review the Where to Go Guide for contact
information of all AT&T benefits providers.Remember if you
have FMLA, STD, or Job Accommodation questions please feel free to contact me
at CWA Local.
**The Women Committee is collecting
after 5 attire for High School Prom. We will be given to those who are unable
to participate in prom because they don't have the clothing. If you or someone
you know has items please let us know so we can collect from you or feel free
to bring to local.
**The Community Service will be
doing a Feed the Homeless event on March 21, 2020. We will meet at the local at
7am. Everyone interested in participating please meet us there.
If you have any questions or
concerns regarding any issue you may have feel free to contact me.
December 10, 2019 Hello Members,
There were a number of changes that took place within the contract for SE Core Contract that will go into effect Jan 1, 2020 however one that did not change was the time given to file a grievance. Please remember you have 60 days from the date of the occurrence. For SE Mobility it is 45 days from date of the occurrence. Do not wait until the last minute to make that call. The union number is 404 688-1256 x 3332. You can also download from CWA Local 3204 webpage a grievance form and fax to 404 616-6236. If you have not heard from a steward within 5 days from you filing please contact me by phone at 404 614-3714 or email at cwabebenefits@yahoo.com
Remember if your manager calls you into a meeting that may lead to discipline please request union representation.
Union Meeting the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
To receive important information please continue to visit our CWA Website and our FB page at CWA Local 3204 (Members Only)
If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at 404 614-3714 or. Y email at cwabenefits@yahoo.com
October 4, 2019 Open Enrollment is coming soon! Please review your packets and enroll by the cut off date.
There are still a lot of denied FMLA, STD and Job Accommodation denials that are being brought to my attention at the last minute not allowing me enough time to attempt to assist you. Please contact me as soon as you have a question. This allows both of us time to work together and try to make sure you are approved.
As an AT&T employee based on your seniority you are given ill paid days. You must advise your manager when you call out ill that you want to either be coded ill paid or ill unpaid. Review your contract to see your entitlement of days.
Vacation selection is fast approaching. Per the contract you are suppose to have by October 15 the vacation slots posted to advise how many employees will be granted off per day for the year 2020. November 1 through December 15 is the time noted for vacation selection to begin. Begin thinking of the days you will select now.
If you need assistance with Leavelink, FMLA, Job Accommodation, Short term disability or benefit questions/concerns and you are a CWA Local 3204 member please contact your benefit liaison Yolanda Pearson at 404 614-3714 or by email cwabenefits@yahoo.com
Yolanda Pearson
CWA Local 3204
Executive Vice President
April 4, 2019
Please remember the change made November 2018 in reference to the filling of FMLA. This is done by accessing HR 1 Stop and entering leave link. FMLA documentation is to be received by the FMLA department 5 days from the date of the first absence. If you need any assistance with FMLA, STD, or Job Accommodation feel free to contact me at 404 614-3714 or by email.
November 9, 2018 From the desk of Benefits
OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1 THRU NOVEMBER 2018. BST MEDICAL COMPANY OPTIONS: KAISER PERMANENTE OR BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
As an AT&T employee based on your seniority you are given ill paid days. You must advise your manager when you call out ill if you want it to be coded ill paid or ill unpaid otherwise it is being found managers are automatically putting ill paid. Review your contract to see your entitlement of days.
Remember when you return back to work and you are claiming FMLA you have 48 hours from the day you return to access Leavelink and send your information.
If you need assistance with Leavelink, Fmla, Job Accommodation, Short term disability or benefit questions and you are a CWA member please contact your benefit liaison Yolanda Pearson at 404 614 3714 or by email cwabenefits@yahoo
June 13, 2018
From the desk of the Executive Vice President and Benefit Liaison
BST employees, please remember the union has 60 days in which we have to meet on a grievance on the 1st step, being an informal and requested for a 2nd step meeting being either a panel or formal grievance if we could not come to a settlement during the 1st step with the company. Immediately after you receive a discipline or feel as though some form of violation has been conducted and you wish to file a grievance call the union. Dont wait and take the chance of being told we will take your grievance but due to the 60 day deadline the company may and tell us they are not going to meet because we have gone over the 60 days. Dial 404 688 1265 x 3332 and let us put it in writing asap.
Mobility employees please remember our time limit 45 days from the date of discipline to meet with the company on the 1st and 2nd step and to have it at the district of we have to push up due ti not being able to settle. .
We are on the clock once your discipline has been given so contact the union as soon as possible if you wish to proceed with a grievance. Again 404 688 1256 x 3332.
Remember your Weingarten Rights. You have a right to union representation and the company must honor this right.
BENEFITS
You have 48 hours to report to the FMLA dept time that you were away from work ill. You have 14 days to file FMLA paperwork from the day that your return to work. If you mail in your forms you have 20 days. Remember your days run concurrent this includes Saturday and Sunday. On the 8th day if you don't return to work you go directly into Short Term Disability.
To claim FMLA you need to have worked 1250 hours.
If you have questions in regards to benefits to include FMLA, Short Term Disability and Job Accommodation please don't hesitate to contact me directly at 404 614-3714 or by email cwabenefits@yahoo.com
If you need to contact me with questions or concerns regarding any Union matter please don't hesitate to contact me directly at 404 614-3714 or by email cwabenefits@yahoo.com
Thanks
CWA Local 3204
Executive Vice President and
Benefits Liaison
404 614-3714
cwabenefits@yahoo.com