SPRING
say we lost nothing and made some gains.
Mike lppoliti
V.FORCE AND
SURPLUSES
We started the Nen \-ear har ing to
deal with the Scheduling Center up in
Syracuse. The Field Tech: nill send a
text or an e-ntaii ri ith dar: $ e $ ant off
and then it's a big nvster\ as to \\ hether
or not the)' are -Qranted. The responses
are, "You have been denied as per the
projected work load," or. "You are being
put on a waiting list." or. "You have to go
through the appeal process." The process
as a whole is totalll, off the u all.
The Company can't tell us uhat the
work load is tu'o da1's fi'orn nou'. let
alone three u'eeks from nou'. It is just
another way to infuriate us. Then they
wonder why the morale is at an all-time
low. A committee has been formed on
the National level to sit with the Company
to get the issues resolved on the V-Force
issues and the contract violations of
Article 23.
A surplus of 1047 Field Techs in
Nassau and Suffolk Counties has been
announced as a process change. The
National Union and the Company met in
March to talk about an EIPP package.
The National Union told the Company it
was not adequate and they will meet
again to see if they can offer something
sufficiently attractive so that people will
be able to retire. The message the
Company is sending is that they will get
rid of bodies one way or another, so be
smart out there and be on yourjob.
On a sad note. last December 20,
2009, we lost George Jones, a Field Tech
(contittuetl on page 8)
George Magnuson
AVAYA AND LUCENT
Well. the Ten Little Indians saga
continues in AVAYA as two more Indians
are sone. Ken Horan and Bob Golden
linalll had enou-sh and retired. And then
there u c-re three.
It ri as nice to see Iny friends and co-
workers at the breakfast for them.
Nineteen of us got together and had a lot
of laughs. It was just like old times. It
made me sad to think about how much
ir,'e liked the lvork. but even more. holv
much fun u'e al1 had together.
Ercept fol one or t\\ o grottches.
nobodl n anted to be late in the morning
for two reasons. First. you didn't want to
miss whatever antics and pranks were
going on, and second, you didn't want to
be the target of such goings-on. Most of
us older dogs are retired, and except for
a few, all the young gllys are in Verizon.
If you know any, ask them - they will tell
you it was the best time of their lives.
Every day was fun.
In closing. I'd like to wish my friends,
Ken and Bob, all the best. Stay healthy
and enjoy your retil'ement.
UPDATE AT DOWNTOWN
George Magnuson
Well, it took a long time, but we have
a new contract. It was a hard fight and
your support was greatly appreciated by
the bargaining team. With the horrible
state of the economy and all the problems
the State is having, it's good to be able to
PAGE 3
Your health care stays intact with no cost
to you, your pension is stable, and you
are getting raises.
There was a time I didn't see how we
could avoid a strike. but we did. If you
have any doubts about how bad things
can get, just look at St. Vincent's or the
other hospitals that have closed.
The new cancer treatment cenfer is
underway. This has caused some
problems by using up some Med/Surgical
beds, but it should creale more nursing
positions. The renovations that are going
on should make it a better and more
comfortable place to work. The grants
for the new ambulances are bringing in
more patients.
The hospital is putting out a notice of
meetin-es abor"rt the change of carrier for
medical coverage. This is because United
Health bought Oxford. There will be no
chan-qe in coverage. We are also working
with the hospital on safe patient handling.
I will probably need a couple of nurses to
get familiar with the new equipment out
there and see how we can get these into
the units where needed.
As always, for any problems or
questions. see your stewards or just call
me 516-420-1104.
-
TO ALL THE OTHER
COMPANIES I REPRESBNT
George Magnuson
Congratulations to the members at
the North Babylon Public Library! We
now have a new contract and you should
be receiving your retroactive checks, or
you may already have them by the time
you read this. I wouid like to extend my
thanks to Susan and Linda, your members
on the bargaining team. Although I could
not achieve all that I wanted atbargaining,
especially on the part-time issue, I believe
it was not for lack of trying. The Library
would not give on that issue. However,
your health care stayed as is, and you will
get your raises with some contract
improvements in these times a major
-
victory.
(cotttirtuetl ott puge 8)