The Local has been notified that Verizon is revising the COT Job Brief for the Central Office Technician position. To include the Maintenance Administrator – All others (4609.99) as a related job.

The Company is also adding a new certificate program to the Education Selection Factors to include the Certificate in Telecommunications Technology program offered through Applied Professional Training, Inc. (C81-Telecommunications Technology). Associates must provide a copy of the certificate to their supervisor.

Local 2336 worked with Applied Professional Training to obtain the Education Selection Factor. The Local also hosted the Applied Professional Training Telecommunications Course at the Local offices and many of our members now have this qualification.

After opposition from the local labor community (Metro Council Opposes Mt. Ranier Bargaining Ban 12/18 UC), the Mt. Ranier Town Council has withdrawn its proposal to repeal collective bargaining for its town employees. The proposal would have prohibited Mt. Ranier’s police union from negotiating a contract with the city and would have stopped public works employees, if they desired to form a union, from negotiating a contract.

We congratulate CWA Staff Representative Jimmy Tarlau for his efforts in spearheading the opposition to the proposal. Jimmy is assigned to work with Local 2336 and is a resident of Mt. Ranier. Those of us who work with Jimmy know he was a "man on a mission" in stopping the anti-union proposal.

The Local will be conducting new steward training on Wednesday and Thursday, February 7^th and 8^th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on both evenings, here at the local office on 5321 1^st Place NE, Washington, D.C.

Any members interested in becoming a steward of Local 2336 should contact the Local office on 202 291-1500, or a steward in your location, as soon as possible.

The Local will be conducting advanced steward training on Tuesday, February 20^th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., here at the local office on 5321 1^st Place NE, Washington, D.C.

Initial notification of this training will be mailed to every steward on Monday, January 22, 2007. There will be a RSVP specification in that communication.

With the Union Plus Online Tax Preparation Service, union members can prepare and file their state and federal tax returns online for $14.95 each—that’s less than similar services from H&R Block(R) and Quicken(R). The online tool is an easy-to-use service that automatically calculates taxes and minimizes errors. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/npanqL91EPmP/

Winter can mean lower temperatures and higher heating bills. This year, you and your union members can save $200-$300 on home heating oil with the Union Plus Home Heating Oil Discount. http://www.unonvoice.org/ct/j7anqL91EPm5/

Through our program provider HEAT USA, union members, in addition to the already discounted fuel costs, get:

• $50 certificate for free heating oil
• $10 off the first year’s membership fee
• Free service contract with free heating system tune-up and 24-hr emergency response – a $100 value
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

Areas covered: Now available in parts of Maryland and northern Virginia. Enter your zip code here to find out if the discount is available in your area. http://ww.unionvoice.org/ct/i1anqL91EPmH/