Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

March 2024

Brothers and Sisters I pray all is well. If you are called into a meeting with management and another individual who is from Asset Protection make sure you request union representation. Its hard to help after the fact. Again they may appear friendly and make you feel like you don't need the union, but this is a tactic to get you to answer questions about the allegations they are investigating. Be creative with the bargaining suggestion forms.

It is your responsibility to request union representation. Many employees are attending meetings without representation. Please be aware of your rights. You have the right to file a grievance. If you need to file a grievance, please call the local at 404-688-1256 from Monday to Friday or file a grievance online by clicking the "File a Grievance" tab. If you require assistance, please contact a Job Steward or myself.

Wire Tech

Make sure you are filling out the bargaining suggestion forms. We need to know what you want bargained for. We are still having an issue of techs leaving early without talking to management. You can not leave work early without talking to a manager, however you can if they send out the all clear message. If you are at your 14 OT cap you can refuse to work overtime. Work may be slow at times but your manager can not force you to take Surp time. Yes they will send you out of turf but you’re getting paid and its their gas. If a manager has forced you to take Surp let me know. Again you have to contact a manager before heading in. You can not tell your manager that you’re sick and asked to use vac/epo to cover it. They will mark you as illness. That’s considered an occurrence, not unless you get it covered via FMLA/Job Accommodation. Summer months are coming and be prepared for 6 day work weeks. You can not use your 2 flex days for the month of June, July and August. Be aware that you manager can see in compass if you are following expert path. Make sure to continue to work safely.

Consumer.

Don’t submit SPFT on your coworkers. Be careful taking e-time, you are not getting paid for it. I do want to remind you not to access any customers account without permission. I haven’t seen it as a issue lately. Stop going into meetings with management without representation. These managers are not your friends. Keep a close look at your targets. They are writing people up for not making monthly targets. Too many are not filing grievances when it’s a counseling entry and will file one when it’s a warning or suspension. Just remember the counseling led to the warning and the warning led to the suspension. You can not have your phones or electronic devices out at your desk. This is a violation of the clean desk policy. Please don’t let this be the reason you lose your contractual freebie. You only get one during your employment.

A reminder: Make sure to update/file/renew your Job Accommodation and FMLA if needed. If you have any questions about Job Accommodation or FMLA please reach out to EVP and Benefits Liaison Yolanda. Please let my self or a steward know if there is an issue. Our next LGP will be March 19th. Make sure to get with a steward for contract suggestions forms.

February 2024

Happy Valentine's Day. I would like to express my gratitude in advance for the birthday calls. Please ensure that you clock in and out using Infor. Take your lunch and 15-minute breaks. (There are no major issues in the building, but the Wire Techs need to take their lunches and breaks.) Do not attend any Asset Protection meetings without union representation. They may appear friendly and make you feel like you don't need the union, but this is a tactic to get you to answer questions about the allegations they are investigating.

Consumer

DO NOT ACCESS ANY CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS WITHOUT PERMISSION. Follow the CPNI training. Make sure you are continuing to follow the clean desk policy. I want to personally congratulate our job steward Lenny for making Summit. Congratulations Lenny. Continue to offer on calls, if you have any issues please reach out to management. Do Not go into any meetings with management without representation. Especially attendance meetings. At the moment the company is being very aggressive when it comes to attendance but a trained steward or VP can catch the mistakes before it progresses to further discipline.

Wire Tech

New Hires, do not share answers to your pass/fail test. You will be terminated. Cell Phones are to be in back of cab. Managers can not go into your pockets. They can not open your personal belongings without your permission. We are having issues with techs leaving work without letting management know they are leaving. You have to notify management if you’re leaving before your scheduled tour is completed. Make sure you update your tour preference or make sure to do it. If this isn’t done, no matter your seniority you will get what’s available after everyone who had a tour preference is completed. Some garages require you to contact a manager before jepping, if this is the case you must get management approval before jepping. If you are on a CAP/PIP plan, follow it to the letter. Failure to do so can result misconduct. The company is pushing Expert Path hard. They are now disciplining techs who are not following it. Continue to be safe, remember that safety is your personal responsibility. If you have not been properly paid do to Infor, please let us know. Suggestion forms are at every garage. Reach out to a Steward or myself when you want to turn them in.

January 2024

Happy New Years. I pray everyone enjoyed their holidays. New Year with some new issues. For Core, you can now make Selection for carryovers beginning January 1st to the 31th. No surplus announcement for the 1st Quarter. You can carry over 5 days excluding Flex. Contract Suggestions forms are going out as we speak. Please remember to do the Bargaining Suggestions forms by January 15th. Report to Local around 10AM to 1030AM on MLK day to March. Get with a Job Steward for Bargaining and Suggestion forms. I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday party last month. The Harlem Nights theme was a blast.

As always, Please remember that these managers are not your friend. If you have not received your payroll check. Call the Local or Myself ASAP.

Make sure you are logging into your system at your start time to make sure you are paid correctly. Infor pays us by the minute.

It is your responsibility to request union representation. To many are going into meetings without representation. Please know your rights. You have a right to file a grievance. If you need to file a grievance please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday or file a grievance online. Click the File a Grievance tab. If you need assistance, please contact a Job Steward or myself.

Consumer

Make sure to clock in and out with Infor. Please follow the clean desk policy. That mean that you can not have your cell phones out on the floor, especially while at your desk. I know it’s a new year and you have your Vacation days back but attendance is very important. Your new attendance manager is virtual so any and all occurrences will be Business as usual. Make sure to update/file/renew your Job Accommodation and FMLA if needed. If you have any questions about Job Accommodation or FMLA please reach out to EVP and Benefits Liaison Yolanda. There has been issues with Infor so please check your pay studs to make sure your pay. There was an issue last week about Compensation that was resolved quickly. Please let my self or a steward know if there is an issue. Our next LGP will be in February. Make sure to get with a steward for contract suggestions forms.

Wire Tech

Infor has started. Make sure you are clocking in on time, clocking in & out for lunch and clocking out . If you have not received a paycheck and management is tell you to wait until next pay period please call the Union Hall. You can not dispatch at home. Only home dispatch techs can do this. If you are not coming in to work, make sure you call or notify management. If you don’t it will be considered a no call, no show. Attendance has been big for new hires. WT do not have a attendance policy. First occurrence will be an informal, then counseling, warning, suspension and termination. Safety PPE: do not leave the yard without it. Make sure you have all your safety PPE on your truck (especially when you are checking off on our safety check list). Safety is you personal responsibility. Make sure you are securing all company assets and lock doors. This is an OP78 violations. Techs are now officially on the 10 to 7 tours. Continue to follow Expert Path. Not following it can lead to discipline. Most of all the new CAP plans has Expert Path in it. If you are on a performance step its important to follow this to stop discipline for misconduct. Counseling stays in your file for 1 year and warning for 2 years. Make sure to file a grievance, don’t matter if you’re right or wrong. Reach out to a steward for contract suggestion forms.

December 2023

Happy Holidays. I pray all is well. Thank you for the calls and prayers Remember tomorrow isn’t promised, reach out and talk with your loves ones when you can.

Vacation Selection should be over for everyone except WT. That should be over by the 21th of December. If your group hasn’t started yet, please let us know. Keep a look out for our bargaining survey and contract suggestions forms. We had LGP for Damita, Mignon, and Adkinson groups today. OT still being offered for Damita group and the 11 techs of the DCOE group has merge with Mignon group. They will be on separate VAC selection. Vacation and tours was discuss with Adkinson.

Please remember that these managers are not your friend. They have a job to do, just like you. When you give them information that can effect your employment, they have to document/report it. There is no reason why they should know your medical information as well. If you are having any issues in your offices, please let me know, so I can help correct the issues.

Consumer

As a reminder, the office will be closed on Christmas. Vacation Selection is done this month. I heard Hyper is going away but I haven’t officially confirmed it yet with your department.

Clean desk policy. FTD has been down.

Again I would like to welcome those employees from Louisville, KY. Welcome to Atlanta. Again Please be mindful that any disciplines you had in your file there will still be in your personnel file now. Word on the street is that Hiper is going away. Our next LGP will be in February, get with your job steward for issues or concerns and remedy you want to bring up on your behalf. These managers are not your friend, stop going into meetings with them without representation. Make sure you double check that you canceled the correct order. Make sure you are at your desk on time and logging in, they are not giving yal a grace period.

Wire Tech

Flavor of the Month:

-Infor starts next week.

-Techs still not reporting accidents in a timely manner.

-10 to 7 shift starting.

-Attendance Attendance Attendance

-Safety.

-Company is back hiring new techs.

The 12 month probationary period is serious. Most new hires are losing their jobs due to safety. Safety is your own personal responsibility. Please wear your PPE. There is no reason for a manager to catch anyone working with on a ladder on a pole without a hardhat and safety glasses. Yes, this is considered life threatening. Yes, they will send you home pending investigation and yes you may be terminated. For everyone who is working safe, thank you. I want reasons to fuss at the company when they are not providing us with the proper safety PPE or is this new policy is violating OSHA standards. Attendance, its black and white, its either you’re here or not. WT do not have an attendance policy, each occurrence is a consecutive step of discipline. Informal, Counseling, Warning, Suspension and Termination. Make sure you are scoping on every job. For instance 2 from the PFP, 1 at the terminal, 2 at the NID and 4 inside the home. Also make sure the correct ban is in and you are uploading before closing out your job. Expert path, follow it to the letter. This can be considered failure to follow. WT will start inputting time in Infor instead of GCAS/Elink. Infor is a min by min interval instead of a 15 min interval. If you have any questions about this please reach out to myself.

November 2023 Union Report

I Read acceptance speech to membership and part of October’s report.

I pray all is well. October was breast cancer awareness month. I hope everyone showed your support by wearing pink. I want to thank everyone for your support and allowing me to serve you these past 3 years. These years has been rough majority due to COVID, but we overcame it together. A lot of our love ones are not with us today but know that they are always with us through our faith. I lost a lot but this local held me down through it all, and again I wanted to tell each and everyone of you thank you.

Vacation Selection starts on November 1st. October 15th the vacation allocation should be sent out per our contract for CORE. Most groups are doing the same as last year but some are changing due to new hire and merging of departments. Please take a look, its our time to ask for changes before Vacation Selections start. WT Vacation Selections will begin in December, I haven’t received notification yet on how it will be done and what’s the exact date, but it should be close to how it was done in the past.

Consumer

As a reminder, the office will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Vacation Selection has started. Please check your email to see if you have any issues. If so, get with your job steward or myself. Again I would like to welcome those employees from Louisville, KY. Welcome to Atlanta. Please be mindful that any disciplines you had in your file there will still be in your personnel file now. Please be mindful to follow Hyper. Our next LGP will be on November 15th, get with your job steward for issues or concerns and remedy you want to bring up on your behalf. These managers are not your friend, stop going into meetings with them without representation. Make sure you double check that you canceled the correct order. Make sure you are at your desk on time and logging in, they are not giving yal a grace period.

Wire Tech

Sept 2023 Union Report

Brothers and Sisters, I pray all is well. Im happy to report there was no one from our local surplused this quarter. Some groups are still in overtime mode. Please take advantage of this overtime. Core OT cap is 12 hours and Wire Tech OT cap is 14.

Please make sure management is not doing craft work. If you see this call the local ASAP. It is your responsibility to request union representation. Too many are going into meetings without representation. Please know your rights. You have a right to file a grievance. If you need to file a grievance, please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday or file a grievance online. Click the File a Grievance tab. If you need assistance, please contact a Job Steward or myself.

Wire Tech.

New hires are on a 12 month probationary period. So Attendance is huge. Don’t lose out on your sign on bonus because of this. Its black or white. Either you are on time or late, and at work or not. Make sure to file grievances on these entries. If you tell your manager you are resigning, they are going to accept your resignation. Reach out to an union official first so we can make sure the process is done properly. By the way, these managers are not your friends. Stop telling them everything, they are using that against you. Everything you say, the company will document it. So when you tell your manager “fuck this shit, I was tired”. They going to document saying “during our discussion about a quality for Mr. Barlow at 279 Logan St, when I asked what why he did not complete this job, he stated “fuck this shit". I've change the story of the person involved but this is an example.

We can start back using our flex days. Vacation selection will start in December. Please think about what you want to pick. For the new hires you will be able to pick your vacation selection as well. Most of all the disciplines have been safety related out side of failure to follow. It is important to test all your poles. Use you FVD constantly. Your environment can change up at any moment. OP78 means a lot, but to break it down, just make sure you are locking your truck doors and securing company assets. A lot of lost assets and open truck doors. Your managers are not policemens, they can not go into your pockets.

Consumer

Vacation Allocation will go out next month. I will follow up with the center manager to see if allocation will be the same for the previous year. Failure to disconnect will get you suspended. The company is being very aggressive when it comes to performance. FUNERAL Fraud. Fake obituaries. The center director told me they are working on the system outage issue. Stop going into meeting with the attendance manager without representation. Make sure you’re at your desk on time, if you’re schedule starts at 8, u need to be at your desk logging in at 8, not getting off the elevator at 802. Management will have someone watching the Elevators.

REMINDER: Vacation Allocation will be going out in October 15th. Questions about surplus and SIPP, please call Ed.

Aug 2023

Brothers and Sisters. I pray all is well. Please keep our Sister Elise Maloof's family in our prayers.🙏🏿 She will be missed.

Wire Techs

It’s been a pretty hot summer. The weather been crazy as well. Management can not force you to resign. If management ask you to resign, call the union. I’ve seen too many folks trick their selves out of a job. The company has never resided a resignation. Yes, you will have to wait six months to reapply. Beginning in September you will be to use your Flex days unto, the remainder of the year (As long as you have VAC/EPO available). Please understand your scope of work. You can find this on page 348 and 349 of the ATT SE/Bellsouth Contract.

Safety, Safety, Safety. Majority of the new techs are still getting safety infractions. Some examples techs not wearing safety glasses while management are on site observing. If you have eyes prescription, please get them filled. You can get them filled during work. Make sure to strap the ladder on the pole, and use the red ladder strap. I said this last month: If you are doing a mid span, CALL YOUR MANAGER before doing it. Make sure to request for representation, it’s not your managers responsibility.

Consumer

SCTI has been launch. We will be welcoming some new members to the Atlanta center soon. Please show them ATL hospitality. Hiper, Hiper Lite had been implemented in the center. I was told it will be for low performers or new hires but during our LGP the center director confirmed everyone will be using it. As well as the Asap AI. No one is allowed to change incorrect notes but you can make notes in CRM. During the LGP we discuss how hiper is behind during conversation and how some agents have to say the same thing over for it to registered. Do not slow down for hiper. Get with myself or steward for further information regarding this. If you have any system outages or issues, especially in the morning, report it as soon as possible to the designated person. Make sure you are at your desk ready to work on time. If you’re going to call out, make sure you are doing it correctly. Continue to be caution on FTD, FTR, clean desk policy, Hold times and any other GCA. These infractions were down in June but back up in July. Make sure you are showing available. They will be looking. If management is trying to review a call with you, request representation and call us. Stop snitching on your coworkers. Too many are still using the SPFT. Just Don’t DO IT. Please reach out to Ed with any Surplus or SIPP questions. As always these Managers are not your friends.

July 2023

Brothers and Sisters. I pray all is well. It is official, Sonic the hedgehog is now has a CWA union card. CWA represents some SEGA employees. Please make sure management is not doing craft work. If you see this call the local ASAP.

It is your responsibility to request union representation. Too many are going into meetings without representation. Please know your rights. You have a right to file a grievance. If you need to file a grievance, please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday or file a grievance online. Click the File a Grievance tab. If you need assistance, please contact a Job Steward or myself.

Wire Techs

Safety, Safety, Safety. Majority of the new techs are getting caught not being safe. It is your resposibility to be safe. Examples are making sure you test all poles before going up. Strapping the ladder on the pole, using the red ladder strap. Making sure you are wearing all proper PPE. (Safety Glass, Rubber Gloves, Vest, testing with FVD). If you are doing a mid span, CALL YOUR MANAGER before doing it. If you need help request a bucket or the manager to come on site with you. Six day work weeks are here now. Company promised it will not be like last year. Don’t forget you can only be forced to work 14 hours of OT. Don’t forget to enforce it if needed. Make sure to notify your manager before leaving, if possible that morning. Stay hydrated. Most of the MVA are techs hitting fix objects on the truck and not reporting. Cursing in the work place is not allowed. Please watch your language.

Consumer

Hiper, Hiper Lite had been implemented in the center. I was told it will be for low performers or new hires. Continue to be caution on FTD, clean desk policy. These has been the items we are getting hit with. Stop snitching on your coworkers. Too many are using the SPFT. Stop it. As well Dont take Etime. Our Sister center is Kentucky will be closing. I was told that at least 15 to 20 will be following their work to Atlanta. Get with me for seniority. Be caution when it comes to the Dress code, be professional yal, I've seen some stuff I don’t want my kids wearing. This center OA’s was hit during the surplus. Please reach out to Ed with any Surplus or SIPP questions. You want be able to change ASAPP (AI) notes. However I was told management will have ability to change notes but that will change as well. As always, these Managers are not your friends.

June 2023

Happy Fathers Day.

Wire Techs

As always its safety safety safety. Too many techs are getting written up for not wearing safety glasses, not testing poles and not using FVD. A lot of techs are telling on theirselves and coworkers. As well a few of yal are not filling grievances on displinary entries. Its up to you to file the grievance. Call down to the local or go to the website to file online. The company is still pushing Wifi Mapping, Smart Home Manager, and True Testing. Whatever you do, do not falsify company documents. We can not use our Flex days during the summer months. That includes June, July and August. New Techs, please remember that attendance, safety, misconduct will void out your signing bonus. We have techs sleeping at the training center and in their vechicles during lunchs. We can’t be sleeping in our trucks. Dynamic Dispatching may be coming back. It is being trialed.

Continue to be safe and stay hydrated. Keep at least 2 gallons water in your cooler.

Consumer

Please watch how youre taking FMLA. The company is investigating fraud. Please do not falsify funeral documents. The company is calling the funeral homes. Dont get trick yal. Contiunue to Disconnect all calls. Believe it or not. FTD has gotten a lots better. The company is pushing performance. I will like to know how the Sunday trail is going. These managers are not your friend. Request representation for all meetings.

You can not deny training. The company can change your schedule to reflect training.

May 2023

Happy Mothers Day

Wire Tech

Safety Safety Safety wearing proper PPE

Accident Investigation, stop extra details outside of the accident.

Test poles. Strap ladder on poles.

Company is looking at WiFi Mapping, Smart Home Manager, and true test.

DWA on fiber cleaning, don’t abuse it. They took drop dwa away because techs was falsifying docs.

Snakes are back, be careful. Look out for wasp and bees as well.

Stop snitching on co workers and your self.

Call your manager on all jeps, NJA and before going to shop.

Keep actual water in your water cooler.

Too many techs are not requesting representation and are not filing grievances until there are suspended or terminated. New Hires, don’t not be late or sleep in training. You are under a 12 month probation period.

If there is any news of automation please reach to the local to let us know. Be back on time from breaks and lunches. Do not be at chickfila while youre coded to use the restroom.

Consumer

May 7th Trial for Sundays has started. I’m hoping this will help increase the call volume thru out the week.

I Spoke with the company yal will be using a tool called....

Quick to transfer, It suppose to Improve transfer rate. The more they implement AI, the less they need us to do.

LGP meeting for this department this month.

Still will use the etsb process

The company is looking into funeral fraud. You will be terminated for it. Just take the hit.

Air Pressure and the service Rep in Damita group is still offering OT.

These managers are not your friends. Please make sure you are following the Clean Desk policy. The company is enforcing it.

There are stll has been complaints about the smelling like Weed and Smoking in the garage.

April 2023

Wire Tech

Safety wearing proper PPE

Test poles. Strap ladder on poles.

Stop snitching on coworkers and yourself.

Most of the issues out there are dumb sh*t we are doing to ourselves.

Call your manager on all jeps, NJA and before going to shop.

April 30th is the last day to use carry over vacation for WT. Don’t forget that in the month of June, July and Aug we cannot use our Flex days. We only get 2 but we have to have VAC or EPO available. New hires check to make sure you are getting your bonus. If not reach out me and I’ll make an inquiry to your AM on your behalf. All Disciplinary entries including COBC and Safety violations will void your bonus. Please ask for union representation prior to speaking to a manager and telling on yourself. Let us help you.

New DT at Ralph McGill please check your pay stub to see if you’re getting the dollar city differential. The company has agreed to back-pay it. This week pay check should have the back pay on it. Please check and let Kashi know.

As Ed stated the work from home agreement has expired as of March 31. It was not renewed. Everyone is back in the building.

Consumer

May 7th Trial for Sundays. This is not permanent.

These managers are not your friends. Please make sure you are following the Clean Desk policy. The company is enforcing it. If you feel like there are enforcing it based favoritism file a grievance on disparity. C360 are working on a trial AI. This is scary because the technology is there. The clean desk policy will take away your contractual freebie. You only get one freebie for your career. Overall the Atlanta group was rank #1 and 2. Congrats. At the district the meeting I brought up the concerns about the Service Promise Feedback tool. Other locals agreed to get back to their members to stop them from using this tool. We are tricking ourselves out of jobs by snitching on each other. During our LGP meeting we discussed the 4X10 section. I gave them some options that will not violate our contract . These managers are not your friends.

There have been complaints about individuals smelling like Weed and Smoking in the garage. I’m not saying it’s our members but the complaint of the smell came was brought to my attention.

Air Pressure and the service Rep in Damita group are still offering OT. I haven’t got word when they will start offering a 4x10 trial for this group.

March 2023

Wire Tech

Company is bringing back the code training for WT.

Don't upload false True Test or any other false results. This includes falsifying your narratives. They will get you for falsifying documents.

They are going to be Looking at Available Dispatch Time ATD. So stay dispatched as much as possible.

Remember to call a manager before heading in. Some may be cool with you not calling but the WT guidelines says you must call them. Don’t get tricked out of your job or a promotional opportunity.

I was on a district wide safety call and I heard that Clamps were breaking on the little giant ladders. Please let me know if anyone experienced this. Those clamps were the main reasons for the new ladders.

Don’t forget to Order your materials daily.

Consumer.

Management reach out to me last night and told me that starting May 7th there will be a Sunday trial for 8 weeks. Meaning that the center will be closed. They will be observing to see if it will be permanent.

As a reminder please Be open and available. There is a report for this.

Idk if your center director addressed this or not but having a beauty salon or doing make up tutorials is not professional. If you are doing this, please stop.

Please disconnect all accounts. Do not be rude to the customer no matter what.

Stop taking E Time. Keep your business to your self. These managers are not your friend.

Air Pressure will be offering OT on a Voluntary basis.

Fisher’s departments will be cross trained to do ADI and AVPN work. The department head asked for volunteers but only got 15% of the group. They will be training everyone by seniority and hopefully to be done by the 4th quarter. This training is not going to be by choice. They are creating a system to check your productivity as well as they will be using the Verint system to record calls and review them for coaching.

E911 group, be professional on all company communications. They told me they are working to get everyone trained.

February 2023

Happy Black History Month, Happy Valentines and Happy Birthday to myself & everyone else. When was the last time you checked your paycheck?

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” —Harriet Tubman

Funeral fraud will get you terminated. Take it when you need it. As well, the company shouldn’t be able to predict what day and time in the future you will use FMLA. Stop telling your business your manager without talking to a job steward first. These managers are not your friend.

If you need to file a grievance please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday. If you need assistance contact a Job Steward or myself.

Wire Tech

Job opportunity may come available. Your Yearly appraisal can stop you from getting those jobs. Make sure you are ranked satisfactory, if not file a grievance. If you need proper safety PPE, reach out to your manager before ordering what you need. There is no excuses for not wearing your safety glasses, working aloft without a hardhat and not strapping your ladder. Safety is your personal responsibility. If you get hurt on the job, report it right away. You will not get discipline for getting hurt but they will discipline you for not reporting the incident right away. Be careful while driving. Believe it or not, most accidents

Consumer

Weighted units for the month is changing from 24 to 33. 4 X 10 schedule ends after Feb 18th. Make sure your preferences are up to date.

January 2023

Happy New Year. I pray all is well with everyone. Vacation Selection for all departments are over. Picks for those carryovers for CORE has begun January 1st and will end January 31th 2023. If you have any questions about surplus, SIPP or jobs bids and transfer, please reach out to President Barlow.

Wire Techs

Safety will always be the top of my report for WT. Majority of the representations, disciplines and terminations are for safety infraction. You can not leave your ladder unattended, working without safety glasses, not testing poles, not strapping your ladder, and not strapping off when on the pole working. Safety is your responsibility. Continue to work safe, test and wear all proper PPE. New hire will have training for 13 weeks instead of 6. Integrity will go a long way. If you see something wrong, speak up.

Consumer

As always, these Managers are not your friends, they will still fire you. Make sure you continues to follow the Sales Integrity Policy and Gross Customer Abuse policy. Make sure the accounts are properly authenticated and disconnected properly. There a group called the CXI listening to random calls along with the SOR team Keep an eye on adherence and report all systems issues with C360 ASAP.

December 2022

Happy Holidays. The mid term season is finally over and we can now enjoy the upcoming holidays No more text messages and political calls. I pray your happiness with your families and friends. Vacation Selections should end on the 15th for the Core contract and December 17th for the Network Addendum (Wire Tech). Vacation Allocation for 2023 should have been posted already and if Vacation Selection isn’t done by the 15th let me know ASAP. Remember Core employees can carryover 5 days. Picks for those carryovers will begin January 1st and end January 31th 2023. As a reminder on HO, if the company don’t grant it to you, to get paid double time and half you will have to work that scheduled day. If you are scheduled off on the day you had your HO on, move it to a schedule day. Christmas schedule should be posted. Remember holidays are rotated for the Core Contract. There is still no word on the floor movement for the Bellsouth and Mobility departments at 754 Peachtree. Hopefully we will know something before the year is up. I had a blast at the holiday party. CWA 3204 showed out.

Wire Techs

Please be careful, especially when its dark. It’s the holiday season and crooks are watching our every move. Double check to make sure your doors are locked. If your group is not done with Vacation Selections, I need to know ASAP. WT can only carry over 5 VAC days and 8 EPO days that must be scheduled and used before April 30th. Continue to work safe, test and wear all proper PPE. New hire will have training for 13 weeks instead of 6 next year.

Consumer

UPDATE for 4X10 grievance. The company has decided to end the trial on Jan 1st. But they will take a look at the open ended scheduling VS tour selection. So it may come back in the future. Thank you for the participation. As always, these Managers are not your friends, even though the holidays are coming up, they will still fire you. Making sure you follow the Sales Integrity Policy and Gross Customer Abuse policy are at high importance. Make sure the accounts are authenticated and disconnected properly. There a group called the CXI listening to random calls along with the SOR team Make sure you are being careful signing up for the E-Time. Yal are back under old/new management. The companies expectations will not change. Keep an eye on adherence and report all systems issues with C360 ASAP.

November 2022

Sisters and Brothers today is election day. Make sure you have expressed your right to Vote. . Your voice and vote counts. Click Files Tab to see endorsed candidates. Vacation Selections have started for all departments. Vacation Allocation for 2023 should have been posted already. Vacation selection for all departments should have started already. If not, please let me know. There is no word on what floors departments are moving to at 754 Peachtree. Hopefully we will know something before the quarter is out.

Wire Techs

Its getting dark earlier now. Be safe and keep your head on the swivel. Make sure you are following all compliance reports. DO NOT FASIFY!!! We get paid by the hour. There is no need to rush when it comes to safety. If you are on a plan, make sure to follow it to the letter. Stop giving your manager ammunition to use against you. Attendance is black and white for WT. The company is back hiring which means they are back firing. Don’t get tricked out of a job. WT can only carry over 5 VAC days and 8 EPO days that must be scheduled and used before April 30th. Continue to work safe, test and wear all proper PPE.

Consumer

There is a group grievance filed on 4X10 schedule. Please contact myself or a steward for information regarding this. Vacation selection for 2023 is underway. If you are not going to be in the office, please make sure the company has your vacation preferences. New Hires: Attendance is the fastest way out the door. Do not get tricked out of a job. These managers are not your friends. If you need help with Job Accommodation, please reach out to us to help. Keep an eye on your Adherence. The company is watching it closely. Don’t promise to do something for a customer and not do it. It’s an easy way to get in trouble. Make sure to not put in a SPFT on your coworkers. Continue to disconnect all accounts, follow all procedures that’s in place if you have issues placing disconnects.

Air Pressure

For some reason with yal new scheduler. They are not posting on time. I have sent an email out on your behalf to get this resolved. The first line manager has been working with us to resolve this. It’s not her, it’s the scheduler. Please continue to let me know of all issues you are having regarding this.

October 2022

**** UPDATE 600 N.Point* Please call me individually for questions about LGP.

The company said they are willing to entertain some ideas for those stuck in traffic in the morning.****

I pray all is well brothers and sisters. Make sure you are registered to vote. Your voice and vote counts. Please remember these managers are not your friends. Keep your business to your self. Your friends will end up using it against you.

For the SE Bellsouth Core employees at 754 Peachtree. The company will be moving all craft employees on floor 10 thru 16 to floors 2 thru 9. This move should be done by the end of the quarter next year. Management will be letting each group know when their group will be moving to another floor.

Vacation Selection starts on November 1st. October 15th the vacation allocation should be sent out per our contract. Most groups are doing the same as last year but some are changing due to new hire and merging of departments.

600 Office will be closed the day after Thanksgiving.

Consumer

I’ve been getting plenty calls about scheduling issues with the 4X10. The company will not be offering 1hr lunches for this preference. The 4X10 is a trial. Sometimes trials don’t work out. Please know that this is voluntary but based on seniority. Keep putting pressure on management about issues with your schedules. As a reminder your office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. The company is still punishing yal failure to disconnect and GCA. Assume that all calls are being recorded because they are. And they will be used against. Follow all company procedures to the letter so you’re not caught off guard in an investigatory meeting. If you’re unable to disconnect get the right department or management involved.

Wire Tech

The pine Street XBOX has been cleaned up. Continue to work safe, but I do want to congratulate all the teams for your safety accomplishments. Test poles, wear proper PPE, use ladder straps and use your FVD. Dont sacrifice your safety to rush a job. Its getting close to the holiday season. We already had techs robbed. Be cautious of your surroundings. The company is offering for techs to go to Florida for work. Make your money but be safe. Power lines are still down. Vacation availability will be posted no later October 26th. Vacation selection will start November 2nd and should be completed on December 20th. If you’re not available to pick during this time please express your preference to your manager.

September 2022

I pray all is well brothers and sisters. I first want to think everyone for their prayers, calls and text messages concerning the passing of my father. It didn’t go unnoticed and it’s helping our family get thru this.

Yes, The WFH agreement has been extended to March, 2023 providing your department decision to return or not but majority are back in the building.

Consumer

The Consumer Retention department is implementing a trial with the 4X10 scheduling starting 9/18. The company is still cracking down on GCA and Sales Integrity. A group of new hires will be coming in this month and some the following month. Remember to Request union representation.

Wire Techs

The Xbox at pine Street is a safety hazard. Please be careful, ask management to come clean this up before you do any work. If you get any push back please contact the hall. The conditions at this site is horrible and its creating an unsafe working environment. Unsafe working conditions. We can continue to use our flex days now. But remember you only get 2. Majority of the MVA happen towards the evening time. Please be careful while driving. Please continue to use all your safety PPE. Test poles, use all ladder straps, wear safety glasses and use your FVD. If you need a n95 mask. Requests needs to be made to the company1. New weight limit policy is at 325, call me if you need further details. Do not use Surp.

600 North Point

We have a LGP scheduled in October. The company will be temporarily moving yal to the 400 building due to the construction, loud noise and smell. Thank you for those who filed OSHA complaint. Spoke with EHS for safety concerns about construction work. The company was suppose to have been doing work at night but something changed. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the local or myself.

AUG 2022

Everyone

Brothers and Sisters, I pray all is well. Thanks to all who came out to our rally for the unsafe working conditions in the building. Covid is still on the rise and now monkey pox. Take care of your self and keep your family safe. We are being attacked from all fronts (women reproduction rights, right to vote and legal right to hold a company accountable for Covid 19 safety and right to organize an union) and this fight is not over. We should not stay complacent. Our Mobility brother’s and sister’s contract is coming up and ours the year after. We got to keep fighting for what we believe in.

Yes, The WFH agreement has been extended to March, 2023 providing your department decision to return or not.

600 N.Point

The company is writing individuals up for performance. Please call for union representation so we can have someone there to represent you. Don’t forget to file a grievance on those entries. Continue to follow the clean desk policy as well as any performance improvement plan you’re on. Follow this plan to the letter.

Wire Tech

SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!!! I’ve been here for 15 years, but this month and the last has made safety even more personal. Our job is Dangerous, don’t ever forget that. Don’t ever get complacent. All it take is one time of not being safe to loss your life or be seriously injured. Majority of the MVA involved techs hitting NCV in the rear. LETS STOP THE DUMBNESS. We are getting written up for not wearing safety glasses at the XBOX, not properly testing the poles, not using ladder straps, not using FVD, and not wearing a damn hard hat when working on a ladder. It’s hard for me to hold ATT accountable for safety procedures when we are doing these things. Safety is our own personal responsibility.

Use the 14 hour OT rule. This was added into our contract for a reason. Use it. The company is back hiring techs but not fast enough for relief. For the new techs that haven’t received your sign on bonus let me know so I can look into it for you. Some areas are still surping techs, I strongly advise not to surp. Just remember that the company can not force you to surp. If this is happening call me. Stay hydrated. If you need to use AC to cool down, use it but don’t abuse and show up on the idling report.

Consumer

If you are retiring soon please reach out to President Barlow. The Company will start polling for 4 by 10. Keep your self safe in the building. Wear your mask and wash your hands. If you’re under Accommodation for Covid make sure to follow it. I do not want you to get into serious trouble. The company is in the process of hiring external and internal for Sales Consultants. Hopefully they will start in the beginning of next month. I want to thank yal for the hard work you’re doing. Yal have put Atlanta on the map. Some of yal came to the rally on your off day, I want to thank you for that. We will continue to fight the company to allow you to WFH. Cell phone sells will count towards FAME points now. Just make sure you’re offering when it makes sense to not have a coaching discussion about not offering. Stop the DUMBNESS, authenticate the accounts and follow all procedures to avoid GCA and Sales Integrity.

If you are using FMLA please make sure you are coding your time correctly. If you have questions about coding please contact your attendance manager. This is probably the main reason most are getting an attendance hit. If you need help with Benefits please speak with Yolanda.

JULY 2022

Everyone

I pray all is well with everyone. I do want everyone to be aware about the rising Covid cases, so please protect yourselves and your family. If you are sick or have Covid symptoms, please stay home. Do not come to work and get your coworkers sick. We still have some departments coming back into the building. And a few without a date set yet. But the WFH agreement is due to expire in September 30, 2022. As a reminder, make sure your ID is up to date.

600 N.Point

Wire Tech

Please remember the ATT safety creed. There is no problem reminding your manager about this safety creed. But its hard trying to throw back safety concerns to your manager if your going up a pole without your hard hat. STOP THE DUMBNESS. Hard hats are to be worn if we are working anywhere aloft, construction sites and crawl spaces. I said this last month but I want to repeat it. The summer is here and we are still on 6 days district wide. The contract allows us to refuse overtime once the 14 hour cap is reached, make sure you reach this cap early in the week. It will make the rest of your week manageable. Some areas are surping techs, I strongly advise not to surp. Just remember that the company can not force you to surp. If this is happening call me. Stay hydrated. If you need to use AC to cool down, use it but don’t abuse and show up on the idling report.

Consumer

If you are retiring soon please reach out to President Barlow. Majority of the investigatory meetings are for failure to disconnect or gross customer abuse. They are usually triggered because of a SPFT that a coworker put in on you. Some are going into meetings to listen to the call without union representation and are not requesting a copy of the SPFT. These managers are not your friend. This department is in the process of reporting back into the building. If there are any issues please reach out to steward or myself. If you are using FMLA please make sure you are coding your time correctly. If you have questions about coding please contact your attendance manager. From what I am seeing this is the main reason most are getting an attendance hit. If you need help with Benefits please speak with Yolanda.

JUNE 2022

Hello brothers and sisters. I pray everyone is doing well. Please be careful when reporting back to the office. The company will have zero tolerance when it comes to work place harassment. Please don’t get into an argument with your coworkers. Walk away, this will save everyone in the long run.

600 N.Point

The company is writing individuals up for performance. Please call for union representation so we can have someone there to represent you. Continue to follow the clean desk policy as well as any performance improvement plan you’re on. Follow this plan to the letter.

Wire Tech

The company is still looking at pictures of your fiber jack. Make sure you are taking and uploading the correct picture. If you are uploading the wrong picture so you can close a job out, AGAIN just STOP IT. Make sure you are uploading True Test. Wire tech do not do any fusion splicing or any splicing function in any outside plant. I’m hearing that some managers are asking techs to put connecterized ends on ribbon fibers to get light. DO NOT DO THIS. Report it and file a grievance. The summer is here and the 6 days are back. The contract allows us to refuse overtime once the 14 hour cap is reached. Some areas are surping techs, I strongly advise not to surp. The company can not force you to surp. If this is happening call me. Stay hydrated. If you need to use AC to cool down, use it but don’t abuse and show up on the idling report. Request your records and reach out to Casey to sign up with Partnership courses.

Consumer

Make sure your ID is up-to-date. Please watch your language in the work place. Stop snitching on each other when you see an account not disconnected. Just send that agent a Q message, don’t use the SPFT. CRM is no longer a qualifier but it can be used as a behavioral issue if not used. In our quarterly LGP the company discussed that attendance is getting better but not good enough to request new hires to help with the load. This department is returning back to work starting July 6th. This was the majority of the concerns for this department. Please understand that the company is having everyone report back into the building. Those who volunteer to come back early name will be in the raffle for vacation prize. I asked can they add the names of those that’s already working in the building and they said No. The company did acknowledge that yal were number 1 for performance in April. Great job. Heads-up: the C360 App is coming. Stop cheating the numbers. This is why the disconnect rates are unrealistic. If you need help with Benefits please speak with Yolanda.

MAY 2022

As of April 26, 2022, we are no longer required to use the entry assessment before entering the workplace. The work from home agreement is not permanent. The company has started bringing a few departments back in. Be prepared to get notice from your department to report back.

It is your responsibility to request union representation. Please know your rights. You have a right to file a grievance. If you need to file a grievance please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday or file a grievance online. Click the File a Grievance tab. If you need assistance, please contact a Job Steward or myself.

Wire Tech

The company is looking at pictures of your fiber jack. Make sure you are taking and uploading the correct picture. If you are uploading the wrong picture so you can close a job out, STOP IT. Use the override process they have in place. The company will consider this falsifying company documents. The summer time is approaching us. Make sure you are staying hydrated. Your water cooler must have cool water in it. For the month of June, July and August you will not be allowed to use your 2 Flex days. You should have received a Bonus on your UEarn card on April 20th. Don’t let your manager tell you to work in the splice or behind the terminal. A ticket need to be dropped. If a manager telling you to do this, file a grievance. As a reminder, we have a lot of new managers and they will be looking at all compliances. Just make sure you don’t get caught up by not doing them (Call backs, True Testing, SHM, ect.). Snakes are out so please watch were you step and where you are putting your hands. Keep your business to your self, your coworkers are snitching on you to management. Safety is still on my mind. Safety is our personal responsibility. That means its up to us to be safe.

Consumer

Please stop snitching on each other on the SPFT. As a reminder, the work from home agreement is not permanent. Atlanta attendance is not were it need to be. The company is looking into individuals lying about attending a funeral of a love one. Please be careful and truthful. As I also said months ago, the company should not be able to determine a pattern with your FMLA or guess what time and day you will request representation. If you need help with Benefits/FMLA please contact Yolanda. 250 call is still the minimal. That has not change. Continue to stay open for calls and watch your adherence. All your Your CRM usage is 80% for the month of May. “When interacting with the customers you are required to access each account, thoroughly notate the account and disposition the contact correctly, even if you have to transfer the call. Flagging an account as an outbound interaction, not accessing and notating the account makes it difficult for the customer and the next agent attempting to assist the customer and considered a violation of AT&T's Code of Business Conduct.”

APRIL 2022

We have some departments starting to report back into the buildings. If you have any questions about this please reach out to myself or a job steward. I hope by now that everyone knows that the work from home agreement was permanent. The company will give your department notice when to report back.

It is your responsibility to request union representation. Some times the company will reach out to the union but majority of the time they don’t. Please know your rights. As always keep an eye out for Article 14 violations. If you need to file a grievance please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday or file a grievance online. Click the File a Grievance tab. If you need assistance contact a Job Steward or myself.

Wire Tech

We have a lot of new managers and they will be looking at all compliances. Just make sure you don’t get caught up by not doing them (Call backs, True Testing, SHM, ect.). The survey is not mandatory. I do hope everyone do it and be honest. Its an opportunity for your voices to be heard. If a manager told you that this survey is mandatory, I need to know ASAP. Safety has been on my mind all month. Safety is our personal responsibility. That means its up to us to be safe. If the company haven’t provided you the correct safety equipment, do not leave the yard without it. There is no reason to rush a job by being unsafe. Techs have been going up ladders without straps, hardhats and not even testing the poles before climbing. I do not want to hear the excuse I was rushing. We get paid by the hour. For the new hires, in order to get the sign on bonus you can not have any disciplinary entries. If you have an entry you will be disqualified. The company can not force you to work overtime when you have reached your overtime cap.

Consumer

I cant say its been quiet because they are looking hard at performance. TO MANY are not requesting representation and filing grievances on entries that can easy get removed. Make sure you are double checking that you have disconnected the accounts. Stop snitching on each other with the SPF, especially people that we work with. We are our on worst enemies. I spoke with the Center Director and was told as of now the qualifier for CRM usage is 80%. The Call Mix will be changing overtime since BB was hiked up. I don’t know how though. The biggest issue I’ve seen is that we are not coming to work. There are a lot of folks out on unapproved benefits. Good new is there is no more mandatory OT at the moment, the company is still allowing voluntary overtime. If you need help with your benefits please reach out to Yolanda.

Service Reps

The company will be asking for volunteers to start the Variant Trial. This will give them the ability to see your screens real time. I don’t know how long this trial will be but I will report next month after speaking with your Center Manager.

600 N. Point.

The company reach out to me and told me that they will be issuing PIP’s to those who haven’t been making their targets for the last few months. Please be diligent, because they will be cracking down on the clean desk policy. If they bring you into the office to discuss your performance, you have the right to have union representation available.

MARCH 2022

The company has already implemented the Covid 19 policy. If you were suspended, I highly recommend that you file a grievance. This Suspension will stay in your file for 36 months. Keep an eye out for Article 14 violations. Please remember the work from home agreement is not permanent. The company still has the right to cancel it at anytime. All groups excluding Wire Techs should be posting the overtime equalization report. The local fax line is still down due to renovations, if you need to file a grievance please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday or file a grievance online. Click the File a Grievance tab. If you need assistance contact a Job Steward or myself. Air Pressure will be offering voluntary Connecting OT Monday thru Friday for all shifts. No end date in site. The department that was under Horton is now under Fisher.

As I stated last month. FMLA fraud will get you terminated. Take it when you need it. The company shouldn’t be able to predict what day and time in the future you will use FMLA. Attendance is a major. A center can be shut down for bad attendance. If you are working from home and there is a situation where you have a power outage or no internet, report this immediately.

Wire Tech

The National Safety Team is out. Make sure when you pull over, you get out and put your cones out. Way too many people are not doing this. Its very easy to spot an ATT vehicle without its cones. You can use your yellow card when going thru a safety inspection, I suggest you do so. Make sure to leave the yard with your proper PPE. They will be questing you about gloves, bond cords, doing vehicles inspections (so make sure your truck is clean), FVD, driver licenses, safety glasses/googles, your parking location (be ready to defend), ect. Some have started on the yearly appraisals. Make sure you are ranked satisfactory on your yearly appraisal. A not met result can stop you from transferring or taking a promotion for the entire year. If you are ranked unsatisfactory please file a grievance. When you are putting in a BSW ticket request make sure your location is turned on in safari. I’ve seen issues where this will stop the order from flowing through. For the recently new hires that came on payroll, a discipline will stop you from getting your sign on bonus. Make sure to file grievances. The company have been disciplining techs for performances, make sure you are following your CAP/PIP plan to the letter.

Consumer

We had a LGP in this department on 3/8/22. During the LGP we told Atlanta is number 1 under Frank and number 2 out of Garcia Organizations. I want to say congratulations. Keep up the good work. Unfortunately there is no end date on the OT. Wireless will not be required to offer on every call according to the letter sent out by Frank. Effective Immediately all teams will follow this letter. However the Wireless .9 target is still a metric for you March results and everyone will still be compensated for it. The new team led management position is now in effect. We have a few transfer from Atlanta to this position. Working from home is not permanent. The company can cancel it at anytime per the Work From Home Agreement. However the company did squash a rumor about everyone returning back to work right away. We will continue to work under this agreement. Remember if you are having issues disconnecting an account to get with a manager to help resolve.

FEBRUARY 2022

Happy Black History Month, Happy Valentines and Happy Birthday to myself & everyone else. MLK is now a paid holiday, make sure your paycheck is correct. The company has already implemented the Covid 19 policy. If you were suspended, I highly recommend that you file a grievance. This Suspension will stay in your file for 36 months. This entry will keep you from transferring and getting a promotional opportunity. Keep an eye out for Article 4 and 14 violations. All groups excluding Wire Techs should be posting the overtime equalization report. The local fax line is currently down due to renovations, if you need to file a grievance please call the local at 404-688-1256 Monday through Friday. If you need assistance contact a Job Steward or myself.

FMLA fraud will get you terminated. Take it when you need it. The company shouldn’t be able to predict what day and time in the future you will use FMLA. Stop making deals with your manager without talking to a job steward first. There is no reason when we go into a grievance meeting and find out you made a deal with management. Let us fight for you on your behave. If you are working from home and there is a situation where you have a power outage or no internet, report this immediately.

Wire Tech

Job opportunity are coming available everyday. Your Yearly appraisal can stop you from getting those jobs. Make sure you are ranked satisfactory, if not file a grievance. The company is still hiring new wire techs every week. The company is sending Techs out of town to Louisiana. Just remember that your numbers still count. Right now management is being shuffled to different work locations. Right now will be a good time to check your records. Reminder to get the 1000.00 payout you need to work at least 30 jobs. Don’t leave the yard without the proper PPE, make sure you are using your PPE. Always use your FVD, wear your safety glasses and use your ladder straps. CONES CONES CONES. Cones must be out if you are not driving the vehicle. You must do your circle of safety. Don’t get caught slipping closing a job in your drivers seat and your cones not out.

Consumer

I was advise that the company is creating a Teams led management position and reqs has went out already. This will be a centralize team where you can transfer a customer to an actual manager instead of lying to the customer. The company has corrected an incident where agents were told they couldn’t take any VPP, flex or Easy time I’m February. It’s business as usual when trying to use this time. I have finally heard about individuals taking a training refresher on handling sales calls, call flow, FTD, GCA, ect. Make sure all accounts are disconnected, if you are having issues contact a team led/manager to help resolve. The company is still cracking down on adherence and your availability time. Please try to be professional at all times. Don’t be on your camera smoking while in training. There are way to many not filing grievances. These managers are not your friends.

JANUARY 2022

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters. I prayed that everyone had a blessed time during the holidays. Again for the Core folks, refer to Article 4.01 J. It discuss OT for time worked after 7pm on 24th and 31th. Refer to 5.03 for holiday falling on Saturday. Keep an eye out for Article 14 violations.

If you need to file a grievance, click here; www.cwa3204.org/s/Grievance-Info-Sheet and fill out sheet and fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

Wire Tech

Make sure you are getting you CW (Contractual Weekend). I have found in some cases that some haven’t had it in December and not scheduled for any in January. If you see that you don’t have one, please contact your manager now to correct it. If you get push back please reach out to a job steward, myself or call the local. The Wire Tech attendance policy is short and to the point. If you miss any days or tardy its considered an occurrenceand the company can quickly move to terminate you. It’s a new year, make sure you request your records. There going to be job openings available and those entry may stop from taking those jobs or transferring. Please remember these managers are not your friend. Too many of us are going into these disciplinary meetings with management without union representation. It is your responsibility to request it, not the managers.

Two Directors has retired as well a few Area Managers. We haven’t had a chance to meet with the new director, but once we do will report. There is going to be a 1000.00 dollar payout for the 1st quarter. But you have to be on payroll by November 1st2021 and completed 30 jobs each month starting January 2022. This is not a union negotiated incentive. If you are working out of town, your numbers still count. Be safe and remember safety is your own personal responsibility.

Consumer

This department will be under mandatory overtime in the next few weeks. If you are having issues with OT please reach out to your stewards. The company is recognizing MLK as an official paid holiday. If you are scheduled to work that day you will be paid according to holiday pay in the contract. There is a new Attendance manager in your department. Make sure you areshowing that you are available at all time. The company is really going to be cracking down on Adherence. That mean you cant be late after your breaks and lunches. Effective Jan 1, 2022, the PCDR (Product Channel Disconnect Rate) goes into effect. Please make sure you are disconnecting all accounts.

If you are having issues or questions about FMLA, Job Accommodation or other benefits questions please get with Yolanda.

December 2021

Happy Holidays Everyone. I pray everyone stay bless and safe during the holiday season. For the Core folks, refer to Article 4.01 J. It discuss OT for time worked after 7pm on 24th and 31th. Refer to 5.03 for holiday falling on Saturday. Vacation Picks should be done by December 15th. Let me or a steward know if this is not the case. Wire Techs let me or a steward know if your groups vacation isn’t done as well.

Wire Tech

Wire Tech Additional Cash Award for armed force members should have received their cash award on December 10th. If you haven’t please let me know. For the new hires hired after 10/29/21 the company will increase the uniform allowance from 200.00 to 300.00. This additional money will help equip the new hire WT with 5 pants, 5 shirts, a piece of outerwear of their choosing and a hat. New hires who were hired between 6/1/21 to 10/29/21 they will be receiving an one time increase of 100 dollars to assist in the purchase of outerwear.

Safety and attendance is still a top priority. Most of the issues I am seeing is coming from the newer techs. Please remember that attendance and safety is the fastest way out the door. Think about what the safety creed means to you and then think about not following it will mean to your family. A lot of folks have not filed grievances for performance and it may stop you from a promotion or transfer. We will have a new director and 2 additional area managers by the first of the year. I have not got word who our replacement will be but I have met the 2 new area managers. I do not know what area they will be covering.

Consumer

Effective December 1th, this department will be reporting under a new director. We meet with the company last week for a LGP. During this LGP I asked if there will be any changes to the center hours and at the moment its business as usual but they will take it up for consideration. Head count has went down since the last time we meet and there is not any plans for back filling. We also discussed the overall performance of the center. Atlanta is rank number 4 but there is a lot for us to approve. Since working from home the attendance has approved but the company did bring up some issues concerning adherence, failure to disconnect and gross customer abuse. For instance if you disconnecting an account, make sure its disconnected. I personally seen some issues with hold time and representatives over talking the customer. The company told us they will be pulling some agents for a thirty min workshop concerning FTD, Sales Integrity, and GCA. If you are having issues disconnecting an account, please get with your team lead or manager, failure to disconnect an account will result in discipline. Just saying I don’t know or I’m new to this job will no longer work. As a reminder make sure all disconnect orders are placed in CRM. Putting them in OPUS to avoid a disconnect will be considered a COBC violation. They are still cracking down on all calls where there isn’t a saved attempt, or if you didn’t offer a sale. Make sure we are doing this on all calls and following the call flow on all calls, even misdirects.

I had a blast at the holiday party, unfortunately something happened and President Barlow gracefully forfeited the dance battle. LOL. Happy Holidays Everyone.

NOVEMBER 2021

Buildings

Vacation selection should be underway in all departments. If you are not going to be available for this, make sure you left the company the selections you desire so you are not overlooked. Continue to do your daily assessment if you work in the building.

Remember these managers ANIT your friend. They have a job to do, just like you. Please continue to keep an eye out for article 14 violations, even though most are working from home. It’s the perfect time for the company to try and chop away at article 14. In the work from home agreement the company can cancel it at anytime. If you are having any issues in your offices, please let me know, so I can help correct the issues.

Everyone

The Community Service Committee is having a Holiday Party this December. {insert applause 😁} If you have questions about the vaccine mandate, please join our facebook group and visit President Ed Barlow’s page. It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, click here; www.cwa3204.org/s/Grievance-Info-Sheet and fill out sheet and fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

On a personal note. I want to send my prayers to everyone who needs it. A lot has been going on. We all know someone who is going through hard times. We are a union family. Lets pray and help those who needs it.

Wire Tech

The Cash Award was finally paid to those who qualify. If you didn’t qualify, please ask your manager why. Give me a call if you have questions. Again, make sure you are reporting all accidents and injuries in a timely manner. Failure to report such issues can result in severe disciplines. Techs have been terminated for not reporting accidents. The national safety team has been in our area for weeks. Don’t leave the yard without the proper PPE, make sure you are using your PPE. Within the last three weeks the most safety issues I have seen has been FVD, safety glasses and ladder straps. CONES CONES CONES. Cones must be out if you are not driving the vehicle. You must do your circle of safety. Don’t get caught slipping closing a job in your drivers seat and your cones not out. It is the holiday season, please be aware of your surroundings. Most groups have started vacation selection this week. Let me know if they haven’t so I or a steward can get with your manager to find out when the process will start.

Air Pressure

Let me know if there is any issues with vacation selection. I am aware of an email that went out asking for your emergency contacts. The form in the email do say its voluntary. Volunteer what information you want to or just don’t.

Consumer

Vacation Selection is underway. Remember to Disconnect all accounts. I still want to remind everyone about the email that was sent out last month “all disconnect orders MUST be placed in CRM. Placing orders in OPUS to avoid disconnect tracking will be considered a violation of the COBC.” As well please do not use the no line of site reason code. If you are having issues and unable to disconnect the account, get your manager or team lead involved. Remember to CYA. They are cracking down on all calls where there isn’t a saved attempt, or if you didn’t offer a sale. Make sure we are doing this on all calls.

METRICS, METRICS, METRICS.

Effective Jan 1, 2022, the company will be revising the way they measure your effectiveness in the Loyalty organization with the new Product Channel Disconnect Rate (PCDR). An email was sent out about this. Please reach out to a steward if you have questions.

The company is going over monthly scorecards. During these coverages, make sure you are requesting union representation. They are issuing a CAP and Counseling’s to agents and other progressive steps of disciplines. It is not an informal when you receive a CAP and Counseling. A Counseling entries stays in your file for 6 months. Please remember to file a grievance, a lot can happen in six months when it comes to performance. Make sure you are requesting representation. Its your right, so request it. Make sure to continue to watch your adherence & attendance, keep your self available, and keep your business to your self.

The holiday party is coming, lets end this debate about which Barlow dance the best {insert applause for Tony 🤩}. LOL. Happy Holidays.

October 2021

Buildings

Wearing a mask can save a life. Please remember that these managers are not your friend. They have a job to do, just like you. When you give them information that can effect your employment, they have a job to document/report it. There is no reason why they should know your medical information as well. Continue to keep an eye out for article 14 violations. Work from home has been extended to September 2022, please remember in the agreement the company can cancel it at anytime. If you are having any issues in your offices, please let me know, so I can help correct the issues.

Everyone

If you have questions about the vaccine mandate, please visit/join our facebook group and President Ed Barlow’s page. It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, click here;www.cwa3204.org/s/Grievance-Info-Sheet and fill out sheet and fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

Wire Tech

I was told that the cash award check will be the first pay period in October. But I couldn’t get a different answer. Make sure you are reporting all accidents and injuries. Failure to report such issues can result in severe disciplines. Hitting stationary items are the majority of the accidents we are having. Don’t leave the yard without the proper PPE. Make sure you are billing all accounts when its appropriate. I know Grandma might have the TV on the wrong input and you might feel bad about billing herbecause she demanded a dispatch. But Grandma needs to be billed. If you are on any type of improvement plans, please follow it to the letter. If it says call your manager every two hours, call your manager every two hours. Please watch your surroundings, its getting close to the holiday season. We have had some techs in our that had gunshots at their trucks and guns pulled out on them. Please report these issues to myself, Ed, any E-board member, or a Job Steward. Vacation Selection will be done by the current agreed MOA. Basically, the same as last year.

Air Pressure

The company will now offer 30 mins lunches. If the schedule has not been posted please let me know.

Consumer

If you are eligible to work from home and you’re having trouble being able too, let me know. It does take some time for them to change your profiles, but it should not take forever. Vacation selection is coming soon, yal will be back to one work group. Please remember to Disconnect all accounts. A recent email went out about “all disconnect orders MUST be placed in CRM. Placing orders in OPUS to avoid disconnect tracking will be considered a violation of the COBC.” We are still having too many members going into meetings without requestingrepresentation. Some of yal are actually forgetting to file grievances for counseling, warnings and suspensions. Know your rights. Make sure you are requesting representation and call a steward or myself. The company is still looking at reasons to bring you back into office. That includes your adherence, performance, attendance, GCA and FTD. Keep your business to your self. These managers are not your friends. Make sure you are available when the manager reaches out to you via Q, email, or phone, there is no reason why you should not be available.

If you are having issues or questions about FMLA, Job Accommodation or other benefits question please get with Yolanda.

September 2021

Work from Home has been extended for another year(September 30, 2022). With that said, keep your eyes open for Article 14 violations.

It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, click here;www.cwa3204.org/s/Grievance-Info-Sheet and fill out sheet and fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

600

This center is transforming into a data center. Please be cautiousabout the clean desk policy. When you are paying your bill, write a check.

Know the ATT safety creed. Apply it on all jobs. “No job is so important and no service is so urgent that we cannot take time to perform our work safely and in an environmentally responsible manner”. When you in a safety investigation, you will be askedwhat the safety creed is and what it means to you. Just in the Atlanta area alone we are having to many preventable vehicleaccidents. Majority of them are hitting stationary items. Backing should be your last choice when parking. Our period starts when we close our job and ends when we dispatch on the next. Lunch period is 1 hour. Take your lunch close to your last job. Don’t give the company any reason to pull up your GPS records, example: getting into an accident, dispatching late for lunch, speeding, going out of route. Make sure you are going where you suppose to be.

Continue to do your Covid assessment daily. Make sure you are requesting representation when going into meetings with your manager. This is your responsibility, not your mangers. To manyare not doing this and filing grievances out of time. These managers are not your friend, they will fire yo ass. Please contact myself or your steward if you need representation or help filing a grievance.

Consumer

Condolences to the Jones family. Please keep them in your prayers. Grief counselors should have been made available to those who need them.

Please make sure you are back from your breaks and lunches on time. Make sure all of your time is accounted for. The company is cracking down on your adherence. Make sure you are covering your self because a few have been disciplined. If you are working from home, make sure you are answering all emails, Q's, Phone calls, ect.. in a timely manner. Work from home has been extended but the company can still cancel work from home at anytime. Lets not give them any reasons to bring you back into the office for 30 days. This includes violation of the sales policy and gross customer abuse. If you do need to use bereavement time, make sure you are notifying the company a few days in advance of the arrangements. I know todays work environment is stressful but the rudeness I heard on some of the calls are not called for. Its kind of hard to argue you wasn’t rude when you was being a complete ass hole on the call. These customers pays our bills. Like always make sure you are disconnecting the accounts.

The company agreed to hire at least 6000 customer care jobs throughout the US by the end of 2023.

We are still snitching on each other. STOP THE SNITCH. Please reframe from using the Service Promise Feedback. The referrals are making it easy for the company to suspend or fire your coworkers.

AUGUST 2021, I want to thank everyone for the calls and prayers. My family truly appreciate it.

Thank you to those members who were keeping their eyes open for Article 14 violations. We have some good news regarding the article 14 grievances for the ET’s in the 911 group. We sent these grievances up to the district a few months back and the settlement stated that the Company has agreed that management in the 911 group should not perform bargaining unit work and will follow the contractual language found in Article 14. Please stay safe out there, wear your masks because you can save a life.

It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, click here;www.cwa3204.org/s/Grievance-Info-Sheet and fill our sheet and fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

600

Keep those members who are surpluses in our prayers.

We need to test all poles before going up them. There are toomany techs that are getting in trouble for this. MVA has went up. Be careful driving, school is back in session. Continue to do your Covid assessment daily. To many new techs are being disciplined for attendance and safety. If yal haven’t heard, we do go into crawl spaces and attics. Hang your drop on the J hookand make sure the ONI is grounded & tagged. After August we will be able to use our 2 Contractual Flex days again. Make sure you are requesting representation when going into meetings with your manager. A lot of yal are not doing this and filing grievances out of time. Contact myself or your steward if you need representation.

Consumer

STOP snitching on each other. We should not be putting in referrals on each other. The referrals are making it easy for the company to suspend or fire your coworkers. If you are out on Benefits and return back to work, you will have to return back to the office. Since July 1st, the company is not allowing new WFH requests. Please remember that the company can cancel work from home at any time. Hopefully this will change if the WFH agreement is extended. If not, everyone will be reporting back in the building when this agreement expires. Please avoid takingEasy Time, it will come back and bite the whole department in the ass. Continue to watch your hold times and make sure you are disconnecting the accounts. The company is going to be looking strongly at VOC’s. At the moment Atlanta is the worst when it comes to VOC. I know we are going through some extraordinary times but remember to treat the customers with respect. I have witnessed some calls that’s probably the rudest I have ever heard. Protect your self by doing the right thing. Unfortunately, we are still having too many members going into meetings without requesting representation. Make sure you are requesting representation and call a steward or myself. The company is still looking at reasons to bring you back into office. That includes your adherence, performance, attendance, GCA and FTD. Keep your business to your self still. Again, keep in mind that the company can cancel WFH at anytime and as of now the agreement is expiring at the end of next month. Make sure you are available when the manager reaches out to you via Q, email, or phone, there is no reason why you should not be available.

July 2021

Hey yall. I hope everyone is doing great. I also hope that everyone is prepared to be reporting back to the buildings soon. I have been getting some report that the company is planning to bring some departments back in waves. Last month I reported about some ET groups reporting back in July, management agreed to honor the September date. If you are planning on retiring, please let the local know. 🥳

Keep your eyes open for article 14 violations. If you see any violations, please report it to your job steward, myself or call the local. We still have way too many members going into representation without an union representative. These managers are not your friends, they have a job to do. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

If your department is forcing overtime, please let me know. We have not received any notification.

It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, click here https://www.cwa3204.org/s/Grievance-Info-Sheet and fill our sheet and fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332 Mon – Fri 8am-5pm. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

600 N. Point

Last month some of our members found out that they will be surplus. Please keep them in your prayers. The company did announce that they will be able to follow their work to Illinois.

Consumer

To many members are going into meetings with management without representation and the manager is issuing a warning. PLEASE NOTE: A WARNING STAYS IN YOUR FILE FOR 24 MONTHS. This is NOT a verbal. Contact the local if you want to file a grievance. Make sure you are continuing to followthe company call out process. They company may be planning to bring everyone back in the building soon. Make sure you are prepared if that’s the case. They are still finding what ever incident they can to bring you back into the office. PLEASE KEEP YOUR BUSINESS and others to your self. Continue to follow the call flow and do not forget to disconnects. Check for that confirmation number and put it in your notes. Failure to do so will be considered failure to disconnect and you will be disciplined. DO NOT SNITCH on your coworkers by using the Service Promise Feedback Tool. The company is going to be looking closely at your Adherence. Make sure that all your time is covered.

The company advise us last month that Atlanta was the #1 Loyalty Center. CONGRATULATION. Please keep up the hard work.

Wire Techs

The company announced that there will be new extensionladders. Hopefully we will start seeing them soon. Make sure you are doing your COVID19 Assessment daily. I am getting a lot of grievances of techs for attendance and majority of them are new techs. This is not a good look if you’re a new tech. Let your steward, myself and the local if you see any contactors out doing work from the NID. Recently the company has forced 6 days. Remember that the contract says they need to give you 48 hours notice. We posted this last on our Facebook page. When you are testing poles make sure to test it properly. Stay hydrated and be safe.

JUNE 2021

I pray all is well. WFH has been extended to September. I know about the email that was sent out to the ET groups about Atlanta reporting back in July recently. I spoke with local management, they wasn’t made aware of this and I am waiting to see if they going to honor the September date or not sometimes this week. Our agreement allows the company to cancel work from home at any time.

Keep your eye out if you see management violating article 14, make sure to contact the local or a steward to file a grievance if this occurs. We still have a lot of members going into representation without an union representative and they are not filing grievances or filling them out of time.

Consumer

This department is currently under a new attendance manager. Make sure to call a manager first for callout requests before contacting work force. Please remember the company can cancel work from home at any time. Currently they are looking at any little thing you do to remove you from the work from home program for 30 days. Make sure you are following the call flow matrix and completely disconnecting accounts when needed. The last training class should be in progress. We have a LGP with this department next week. A few issues was resolved for this department via your job stewards and we will handle the rest at the LGP. Your stewards will be sending out forms this Thursday. Make sure to fill out and return to them.

Wire Techs

Please continue to work safe. Safety is your personal responsibility. Again, make sure to call your manager for a Bucket truck or to come on site to perform a Mid Span. Check your ladders, I am still seeing a lot of defective ladders, checking the ladders means checking the rope too. Make sure we are wearing our safety vest, this can lead to an OSHA fine. Please be caution about the weight policy, the summer holidays are here and the grills are burning. The policy state we have to be under 275 with work attire on. That includes boots. Don’t forget to do the daily Covid assessment. Our Job Stewards, Kashi and myself will be going to garages to discuss safety. Be careful while driving. Atlanta’s MVA are starting to reach the top of the triangle. We are still getting new hires and I can expect a six day work week to come soon.

May 2021

I pray everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. 4 Services Reps and 3 ET’s are taking the upfront SIPP offer. I want to wish yall the best, don’t forget to contact the local when you retire. Please let your job steward or myself know if you see management violating article 14. We have a lot of members going into representation without an union representative and they are not filing grievances. Way too many people have been over looked for a job or transfer because of this.

600 N Point

From our last LGP, the company stated they will be coaching your metrics around your error rates on an individual basis. The center director told me this will be done on a case-by-case measure. There will be a ramp up process. Any questions, please get with your job steward or myself.

Consumer

Currently this department officially is now reporting under the Garcia Organization. New Management means new processes. We meet with the new center director. We look forward to continue to have a great working relationship with this department. This department work is now under the retention umbrella. Make sure you are following call flow and offering on every call. Make sure you are disconnecting the account and not just canceling the change order. The SOR team will be back to listening to your calls. Make sure to get with your steward with you records if you haven’t yet.

Services Rep

They have closed the California office and Atlanta is taking on some of the work. The company is looking for volunteers to go back in the office twice a week for Monday and Tuesdays. Please let your job stewards know if you’re volunteering to do this.

Wire Techs

Please continue to work safe. Safety is your personal responsibility. Make sure to call your manager for a Bucket truck or to come on site to perform a Mid Span. Check your ladders, I have seen a lot of defective ladders in the last few weeks. DO NOT UPLOAD more than one picture on your job. Some are uploading pictures where they are not in the customers home. The company is checking all pictures that are uploaded. The company will say you are falsifying documents when you’re uploading the same picture on all jobs. If you are unable to upload, please advise management and CYA with an email or text. Stop telling everyone you work with your medical condition. This can be used against you. Please contact your manager and smart chat when you get NJA. Please continue to wear your safety glasses at all times. We are still getting New Hires weekly.

April 2021

Wire Techs

Please make sure you are taking your breaks and lunches. Its heating up, so don’t forget to stay hydrated and keep your wasp spray close by. If you are having issues getting paid or have not been paid for testing positive for COVID-19, let myself or a Job Steward know so we can assist you. Please keep track of your vacation and personal time. If you use more time than you have available the company will get that over payment back. The company periodically conducts safety blitzes. Make sure you are working safe all the time. Safety is your own personal responsibility. There should be no reason for you to not have your FVD and your safety glasses. We can now put in future bids. Go ahead and put in future bids on different job titles and exchanges. A few of our techs are working out of town in Louisiana. Make sure yall are doing what you suppose to do out there and don’t forget to CYA. Make sure you continue to wear your masks at the work centers and the customer’s home. If you see any contractors/managers doing work covered under article 14, please take pictures and report it to the union. Like I said in previous months, the company is hiring, so they are expecting nutrition. There are some upcoming promotional opportunities, please take advantage. Don’t trick yourself out of a job or get an unpaid vacation.

Consumer Retail

Job duties will change as of May. The department is transferring back over to Retention. There will be new management. As of now, the union has not meet with the new management team. I hope we can keep having a great working relationship. There is no confirmation if there will be a fruit basket with the new management team. There are currently 3 training classes in place. Currently there is no grace period, numbers will count as of May. Monthly Max obtainable is at 300%, Please refer to Abstract report for more Compensation details. The new targets will be:

-30% Disconnect -30% Loyalty Rate, -25% VOC, -15% Video/HSIA/Wireless

As I said last month. Check your payroll and compensation checks to make sure its correct. If you find any issues with your compensation, please file a myticket request and get with your job steward for assistance. I am still getting notices that Reps are not taking breaks. Take your breaks please. The company have been issuing disciplines to those who are not taking it. Please continue to follow COBC policies, do the right thing and continue to keep Authenticating the account, Access CRM and notate all accounts.

Buildings

The company will try everything they can to get rid of or weaken Article 14, so if you see any article 14 violations, please report it to your job steward and file a grievance. Even though most are us are working from home. The contract is still in play. We have appealed the Article 14 grievance to our district office concerning the 911 group. Please make sure you are requesting representation and filing grievances when you received discipline. Wearing a mask can save a life.

March 2021

WireTech

A few techs are not reporting workplace injuries and they are being suspended or terminated. Make sure you are following proper COVID-19 practices and policy the company have in place. I have seen a lot of techs not wearing mask while on yard socializing with each other. Make sure you are wearing your masks at the work center and the customers home. As always please follow all safety practices: put out your cones, safety vest, test poles, and used FVD. We are still having new hire classes for WT. They are currently running two shifts at the training center. Those of you are at training, please look at your check to make sure your getting paid for mileage and shift differential if you’re entitled to it. The company suppose to the using the Braking report just to make sure we are driving safely but they also are looking at your speed limits. Be careful not to speed, there is a report that is generated if you are speeding. If you see any contractors/managers doing work covered under article 14, please take pictures and report it to the union. Like I said in previous months, the company is hiring, so they are expecting nutrition. There are some upcoming promotional opportunities, please take advantage. Don’t trick yourself out of a job or get an unpaid vacation.

Buildings

Article 14, we are the only district with the company that has this article. The company will try everything they can to get rid of it or weaken it. If you see any article 14 violation, please report it to your job steward and file a grievance. Even though most are us are working from home. The contract is still in play.

Consumer Retail

Please make sure you are Authenticating the account. Check your payroll and compensation checks to make sure its correct. There was a Comp check error and it has been resolved. If you was one of the individuals effected by this and your Comp check isn’t corrected please let me know. As well if you are having issues with your compensation please file a myticket request and get with your job steward for assistance. And just check it to make sure its correct. I am getting notice that Reps are not taking breaks. Take your breaks. The company will start issuing disciplines to those who are not taking it. I know it may increase your calls but I don’t want you to lose your job over this. Make sure you are following COBC policies, do the right thing and DO NOT change notes to outbound interactions and notate all account.

Comp

Everyone

Please make sure you are filing grievances. I have received a few termination grievances from members and nonmembers, but they didn’t file a grievance on the counseling, warning, LILO, or when they was suspended. These managers are not your friends.

It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, you can go to website www.cwa3204.org look under “file a grievance” then grievance info sheet. Once you fill it out fax it to 404-688-6236. Or call the local at 404-688-1256 ext. 3332. Please contact a Job Steward or myself to assist you.

FEB 2021

We are officially under a new labor friendly administration. Let’s hold them accountable just as we did the last. It is Black History Month Brothers and Sisters. Here is a quote: “In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as ‘right to work.’ It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights. “-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Work From Home

We have a grievance filed concerning article 14 in the 911 group. That grievance has now been appealed to the district office. There is an arbitration this week concerning article 14 as well. Make sure you are requesting union representation and filing grievances in a timely manner. I know I say this all the time but these managers are not your friend. Too many of our members has found this out the hard way. I hope everyone vacation selection is completed, if not please let me know ASAP. Make sure you continue to take your assessment if you are coming into the building. Those working from home please keep your system active, answer all Q’s, phone calls, emails from your manager in a timely manner. Please continue to work safe. Wear a mask, it saves lives.

Consumer Retail

We have filed a grievance concerning leverage compensation for Jan 2021 on your behalf. We know about the low volume and we have addressed it to the director’s level. I do have a copy of the call mix report for Jan. Please do not take SPI. Make sure to Authenticate all calls. Request union representation for all attendance issues. Let's not wait until you get suspended before filing a grievance. If you are having issues with your compensation please file a myticket request and get with your job steward for assistance. And just check it to make sure its correct.

WireTechs

We are having a few centers with WT getting Covid-19. Please make sure you doing everything possible to stay safe by following the CDC and the company’s guidelines for Covid-19. Brothers and Sister please stay in route when going to your jobs. I know we all know this but I have to stress this: Do not stop at home for lunch, put out your safety cones, USE YOUR FVD and do not stop at the gas station or waffle house on your way to your first jobs. Like I said last month, the company is hiring and they are expecting nutrition. There are upcoming promotional opportunities, please take advantage. Don’t trick yourself out of a job or an unpaid vacation.

As of Feb 2021, through June 30, the company will follow the tight labor market set in section 10.02B in the Network Addendum. “New hires with no prior experience may be granted up to 24 months wage credit to meet market conditions (tight labor market) as determined by the Company. Thereafter, each such employee shall progress in keeping with the steps for the wage scale in which the employee was hired. The Company will adjust the wage rate of all employees in the title where wage credit was granted and on the payroll in the exchange where the tight labor market is declared to the new rate established if they are currently below the new rate. Before any adjustments are made to increase or decrease the wage credit given to potential new hires, the Company will advise CWA.” If you fall under this please let me know.

I know many of us was covered on the Core to Complete Installation (CTC). Please do not let this divide with WT vs Core. Let’s do our job and let them do theirs. Make sure the drop meets Company standards, Homerun meet company standards, customer is registered, AB jack installed where RG will be placed, CPE is placed & operational, and advise the customer an outside tech will finalize the installation and the customer should be home in order to finalize the installation.

JANUARY 2021

Happy New Year brothers and sisters🍾. I personally want to thank all the volunteers. We did something many said was impossible, we elected the two US Senators we endorsed to represent all of working family. Rev Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff will represent us very well.

Everyone

Make sure you are requesting union representation and filing grievances in a timely manner. These managers are not your friend. Many of our members has found this out the hard way. If your vacation selection is not completed please let me know ASAP. We had a few groups that didn't finish. Make sure you are taking the assessment; the company will be cracking down on this. We meet on LGP with Retail support group since our last meeting. We have a few LGP coming up this month. Please continue to work safe. Wear a mask, it saves lives.

Please alert your manager as soon as possible if you are experiencing internet outage, phone issue, power outage, system outages, etc.. Make sure you DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION or PAYMENTS over the phone; follow the option the company have in place for your department.

Wire Techs

It’s a new year, keep your head in the swivel. They will be looking for any or all things to gig you on a job. Stay in route, make no detours to your first job, gas vehicles before end of tour, wear proper PPE, booties, test all PPE before & after use, once a month, and upon receipt. Make sure we are running True test and logging call backs. Do not falsify your callbacks. Do not log it if you haven't done it. This is a new year and you will get suspended or terminated. They are hiring new techs and some of us will be gone through nutrition. Please don't use all your flex days early in the year, some are already out. 🤷🏿‍♂️

Work From Home Call Center

Please do not take SPI. Make sure to Authenticate all calls. Request union representation for all attendance issues. I don't want anyone to be tricked out of a job. Let's not wait until you get suspended before filing a grievance. I hope everyone will choose not to use all your excuse paid/unpaid days up in the beginning of the year. Majority are getting gig because you don't have any more time left.

December 2020 Happy Holidays,

I pray everyone one is doing well. I want to thank the membership of local 3204 for re-electing me to serve you another 3 years. My job duties will remain the same for the inside buildings but I am now over WireTechs as well. I was appointed to oversea the Safety Committee. With that being said, please make sure you are taking your assessment test, if you are sick stay home, practice social distancing and always wear your mask. If we all do our part we can save a life. Everyone, if you are called in for any kind of Investigation please call the local at 404-688-1256 or myself Tbarlow@cwa3204.org to request union representation.

GO VOTE 🗳 in January’s Runoff election. We are supporting Rev Warnock and Ossoff for US Senate. I believe this election will be more important than ever before. Get your family and friends out to vote.

Wire Techs

Please make sure you are doing your call backs and following up with the customer. The company is disciplining us when we fail a survey by using the call backs against us. WireTechs are working a 6 day work week. The 54 hour work rule still apply. Make sure we being street smart, it’s that time of the year. Please keep your head on the swivel. Make sure you have your FVD on you and your safety glasses.. Make sure correctly billing and issuing claims. A few have already been suspended. We have too many techs not requesting representation or filing grievances. These managers are not your friends. The company is hired for WireTechs, if you know anyone who needs a job it’s a good time to refer them.

Buildings

Make sure your groups vacation selection is completed by Dec 15th. Please make sure your paychecks are correct. The company has sent emails out to those who are affected. A lot of us have become complacent to not checking our paystubs, and I am guilty of that myself. Let’s not give this company any free money. I want to report that a few of our termination cases got the approval for arbitration. 😁

Many have filed grievances on not making the minimal call threshold on the 2nd floor. We are fighting those grievances on an individual basis. We have some grievances for October’s compensation, the company is now claiming that October was capped. I disagree with this because I was told it was it wasn’t capped and going forward that November and the following months will be capped. If anyone have this in writing please send it to me. If there is a issue with your compensation please put in a myTicket request. Make sure you are requesting representation, way too many of us are going into these meetings. Let us help you. Since the 3rd quarter there has been a lot of management changes in this group. Get with your stewards about the changes.

WFH Employees

Please alert your manager as soon as possible if you are experiencing internet outage, phone issues, mower outages, system outages, ect.. Make sure you DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CAED INFORMATION or PAYMENTS over the phone, recommend an online option, or use the transfer option the company has provided.

It is your responsibility for requesting union representation. If you need to file a grievance, you can go to our website www.cwa3204.org look under “file a grievance“ then grievance info sheet. Once you fill it out fax it to 404-688-6236 or call the local at 404-688-1256. Have a happy holiday, if you know members in need this holiday please contact the local.

June 2020 I pray and hope everyone is doing alright. Thank you for your sacrifices during these hard times. If you are feeling sick please stay home and get proper medical attention. Please wear proper PPE while at work. A mask can save a life. Please try to follow all CDC guidelines.

All LGP’s has been postpone due to COVID-19. If there are issues in your department, reach out to me and your job steward. If you need help with food assistance, please contact the local 404-688-1256 or myself at tbarlow@cwa3204.org. We are helping with food drives throughout the metro area, we will gladly assist you with the locations.

If you are not registered to vote and you need help to register, you can contact me for assistance. You can also visit the Georgia Secretary of State My Voter page to find out early voting times & dates and you can check on your absentee ballot status at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do

Work From Home Please alert your manager as soon as possible if you are experiencing internet outage, phone issue, power outage, system outages, etc.. Make sure you DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION or PAYMENTS over the phone, recommend an online option, or use the transfer option the company has provided.

May 2019

Please remember to write checks to pay your AT&T bills to help save our collective bargained jobs. We have members who process these checks and will love the work. We had multiple LGP meets with in the last quarter. One of the major incidents that occurred is when management sent an email out requiring in order to get paid for funeral time you need to bring in an obituary. During that meeting they agree they can’t require you to bring in an obituary to get paid since paid time for funerals/deaths are in our contract for certain family members. Please be mindful that this department may investigate to see if you attended or even had a funeral/death for your family member or friend.

For the ET’s at 754 Peachtree, there has been some shuffling of management and we believe its finally done. There is a new 911 center opening here in Atlanta. The great news is that some of our surplus employees have filled some of those positions.

To many of our people are still going into meetings with management without union representation and calling us to work miracles when they are terminated. Please get us involved early. These managers are not your friends. Stop telling them your person information. They are using this information against us. The local is having Mobilization classes at the local. The Local will pay your loss salary for the day and provide you lunch. Please call 404-688-1256 to ask to sign up for class. Spaces are filling quick.

Consumer on the 2nd floor at 754 Peachtree are going into meetings with management without representation. These managers are not your friends. Please express your rights. Its covered by federal law. There are rumors that 2 managers are telling their employees not to file grievances and denying union representation. Please know your rights, if not please call Tony Barlow at 404-614-3230 or call the local at 404-688-1256.

Legacy T is still going through a contract negation. IT HAS BEEN OVER 400 DAYS WITHOUT A CONTRACT. I hope to hear a lot of noise and clicking on the floors. We are in solidarity with our brothers and sisters fighting for their contract. Our contract expires on Aug 8, 2019.

At 575 our Retention department on 13th floor has been in force OT, there are grievances in place. we got some confirmation that the attendance mangers are not supposed to discipline employees, the employee first line manager will be the one doing the discipline. Please get your coworkers involved. Our livelihood is on the line this year. I know we all have busy lives but I like to challenge everyone to get involved. Its not just my fight, its our fight and we got to fight like hell to get what we deserve.

October 2018 UNION MEETING

Make sure you are registered to VOTE. Early Voting begins October 15. We have an opportunity to change the state for the best. Georgia has been ruled by one party for the last 14 years: we are ranked 50th (the worst in the Nation) in Mortality Rate. Half of the 159 counties in GA don’t have an OBGYN. GA is ranked 44th in Quality Healthcare. Rural Hospitals are still closing. We need candidates who will expand Medicaid and Medicare to help fix the healthcare crisis in our State. We are also ranked 35th in education for pre K-12. Our Secretary of State is withholding 53,000 voter registration application, and 70% are from black and minority voters. Lets make GA better for everyone not just a select few.

Please visit the link of Endorsed Candidates by Labor.

http://www.cwa3204.org/s/Labor-2018-Endorsements-ANGLC.docx

From September through October we had 1 LGP meetings for the group covering our Sales Consultants and Sale Associates in Retention. We will be passing out correspondence of the meeting shortly.

600 North Point

Please encourage your family members and friends keep writing those checks to pay their phone, U-Verse, and Mobile bills to save our collective bargained jobs. We have members who process those checks at this location.

575 Morosgo

The company is still cracking down on Adherence and AUX time for our Service Reps in CPE. In Retention please make sure you are disconnecting the right order. The company isn’t being reasonable when it comes to this. Please read the disclosures after every call and make sure you are canceling the correct order. Please take your time. You are no longer receiving a Warning Entry, they are suspending people for 5 days.

Please be aware that the company is still using the SORE Team against us. The Service Promise Feedback tool is not mandatory, please remember this tool is voluntary and it will put your co-workers’ job in jeopardy. We should not be turning in referrals against our co-workers. Our members are getting suspended and terminated from these referrals.

754 Peachtree / 675 Peachtree

I meet with Management concerning the Equalization of OT in Air Pressure, the company has agreed to follow Article 4.06 of the contract when it comes to connecting OT. Thank everyone for all the data, it really helped.

2nd Floor, please make sure you are following the clean desk policy. The company is cracking down on this. Also make sure you are arriving on time to work. There are too many new employees from last month with numerous occurrences.

Legacy T is still bargaining for a contract. They are fighting for survival. We are one union, union strong, we will stand side by side with each other, we will not be broken, United we Stand because a blow to one is a blow to us all. CWA Local 3204 is still standing in solidary for our sisters and brothers.

SEPTEMBER 2018 UNION MEETING

From August through September we had 1 LGP meetings for the group covering our Service Reps under CPE. Please pay close attention to your adherence in this department. Do not go into AUX close to the end of your shift. Please don’t have anyone cover your phone for you while you are away from desk. You should be in AUX around this time.

600 North Point

I ask that our members, family members and friends keep writing those checks to pay their phone, U-Verse, and Mobile bills to save our collective bargained jobs. We have members who process those checks at this location.

575 Morosgo

Many of our members have already moved from 575 Morosgo to 754 Peachtree, if anyone hear anything concerning this please call the local. Tim Adkinson group is reshuffling managers. The company is cracking down on Adherence and AUX time for our Service Reps in CPE. Our HR Department (Board Members and Stewards) has been hard at work with following our contract especially when it comes to grievances. It seems the company is starting to let up a little. Our biggest complaint from the company is attendance. We have to do better with coming to work. Our Retention Department must do better with disconnects. The company isn’t being reasonable when it comes to this, you can only get suspended so much. It’s hard arguing that it’s a mistake when it’s your 4th or 5th time. Please read the disclosures after every call and make sure you are canceling the correct order. I rather we have a meeting talking about the length of your calls instead of failure to disconnects. Please take your time. Toby told us during our last LGP meeting that he rather for everyone to take their time to ensure we are not making those mistakes.

Please be aware that the company is using the SORE Team, AKA “the RAT/Snitch” team against us. All because we are using the Service Promise Feedback tool, please remember this tool is voluntary and it will put your co-workers’ job in jeopardy. The tool says: “The Service Promise Feedback Tool is intended to improve the customer experience by sharing feedback that can drive process improvement and coaching. THIS TOOL IS NOT INTENDED TO REPORT CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT VIOLATIONS which should be reported through your designated process. This tool may be used for quality control purposes.” We should not be turning in referrals against our on co-workers. Our members are getting suspended and terminated from these referrals.

754 Peachtree / 675 Peachtree

Those in Risk Management that are site seeing their new location, make sure you are getting paid for this. We filed a few grievances on the behalf of the Sales Consultants and Sales Associate group. The company finally gave us a union board in this department, we will be posting updates on the board soon. We settled a few other grievances concerning OT Equalization, Movement of Union Distributed Materials, and the Company speaking with the grievant about their grievance without the union. Please remember to tell management to speak with your union steward concerning your grievance. If you want more info about the grievances that were filed, please feel free to call me. We passed out contract books to our members on the second floor and signed up the remaining non-members in the group. If you need contract books, please let me know. From the Organizing committee report we are 100 percent organized for this group. There is some OT issue concerning the MA in Air Pressure, the company has agreed to offer OT in a reasonable manner when possible. Please keep track of what jobs was in the load when they offer OT.

Legacy T is still bargaining for a contract. They are fighting for survival. We are one union, union strong, we will stand side by side with each other, we will not be broken, United we Stand because a blow to one is a blow to us all. CWA Local 3204 will stand in solidary for our sisters and brothers. And please feel free to go to the ice machine. 😉Make sure you are registered to vote.

JANUARY 2018 UNION MEETING

From December through January we had 4 LGP meetings for groups covering our ET’s, MMT’s, and our Service Reps. We received notice that the company will be moving from 675 Peachtree to 754 Peachtree in the coming months. I ask that members remember to keep writing checks to pay their phone, U-Verse, and Mobile bills to save our collective bargained jobs. We have members who process those checks.

We have a group of MA’s at Morosgo who are having unnecessary issues because the company unjustly changed their vacation allowance, which is causing hardship on our members. We have filed a grievance on the behave of this group. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome of the grievance.

Our members in the Loyalty Department are still getting severe disciplines for alleged disconnects. The company is using the SORE Team, AKA “the RAT/Snitch” team against us. All because we are using the Service Promise Feedback tool, Please remember this is voluntary. It’s says: “The Service Promise Feedback Tool is intended to improve the customer experience by sharing feedback that can drive process improvement and coaching. THIS TOOL IS NOT INTENDED TO REPORT CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT VIOLATIONS which should be reported through your designated process. This tool may be used for quality control purposes.” We should not be turning in referrals against our on co-workers. Our members are getting suspended and terminated from these referrals. We need to let our neighbor know, ”I got you” because in these troubled times, we must build solidarity amongst each other.

404 614-3230 office 770 549-5259 cell tbarlow@cwa3204.org

BST VP Tony Barlow

CWA Local 3204

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