Remote Technical Managers (RTM) are being hired by Avaya to ride around with technicians to assess their skills.

• Could any portion of this assessment lead to a warning or more serious form of discipline? YES NO
1. If YES, request, per Article 5 of the general agreement, a union representative to be present during the work day today and any future work days when the assessment is performed.
2. If NO, please have the RTM sign the following statement:

DATE_______________________________________

I________________________________________have no intention of doing anything that could lead to the issuance of a warning or other discipline based on the skills assessment performed on technician______________________________today____________________________and/or any future dates when skills assessment may be performed on this employee.

____________________________________________

Signature

 

"Performance Award ‘07"

The Avaya Performance Factor for FY07, approved by the Board of Directors is 128%. This Performance Factor establishes award payments for both represented and salaried employees.

Based on this Performance Factor for October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007, the award payout under our negotiated Avaya Award Plan for Represented Employees is $1,649.00. The award will appear in paychecks payable December 14, 2007.

 

ON THE POLITICAL FRONT

"Embryonic Stem Cell Research"

Section 2 of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 amends the Public Health Service Act and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services:

• To conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo.
• Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements:
1. the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment;
2. The embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and
3. Such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.
• To issue final guidelines to carry out this Act within 60 days, and submit annual reports on activities and research conducted under this Act.

Section 3 requires the Secretary:

• To develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of stem cells that are capable of producing all or almost all of the cell types of the developing body and may result in improved understanding of treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions, but that are not derived from a human embryo.
• To provide guidance concerning the next steps required for additional research.
• To prioritize research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit.
• To take into account techniques outlined by the President’s Council on Bioethics and any other appropriate techniques and research.

This significant piece of legislation was passed in the House of Representatives on June 6, 2007, but vetoed by Bush on June 20, 2007. However, this legislation is extremely important to the future of our members and their families—and still very much alive.