There will be a very important meeting of the Stewards and Mobilizers of Local 2336 that will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. here at the Local office on 5321 1^st Place NE, Washington, D.C.

This meeting is open to stewards from all units of the Local, and also to any members interested in becoming a steward or mobilizer of the Local.

During our March membership meeting held on March 18, 2008, there was a "show of interest" by some of our members of upcoming CWA functions including the "08 Legislative and Political and Civil Rights Conferences to be held in April here in Washington, D.C.

There are two committees of the Local that support these functions. The Local’s Legislative Committee supports the Legislative and Political Conference and the Local’s Committee on Equity supports the Civil Rights Conference.

"Safety Update"

Verizon recently approved Telco sales foreign Voltage Detector (FVD). Network Planning was contacted by Verizon Safety Management and asked to review a new voltage detector. Verizon Technicians had seen the product while on loan to Bell South for storm duty. Safety Management was also having issues with the current Voltage Detector giving false readings on voltages under 50 volts. Field trials were conducted in nine areas within Verizon, the Technicians were directed to use the FVD and current Voltage Detector, C9970. All feedback from the Field Trials was positive including evaluation of the product done by Verizon NEBS Team. The FVD and associated parts was approved as an alternative to the C9970 Voltage Detector and was added to the current Telco sales contract. Please consult your Supervisor, Logistics or Verizon Sourcing for additional information.

Once implemented, this act will require employers in the District of Columbia to provide paid leave to employees for illness and for absences associated with violence or sexual abuse.

• An employer with 100 or more employees shall provide for each employee not less than one hour of paid leave for every 37 hours worked, not to exceed 7 days per calendar year.
• An employer with at least 25, but not more than 99 employees shall provide for each employee not less than one hour of paid leave for every 43 hours worked, not to exceed 5 days per calendar year.
• An employer with 24 or fewer employees shall provide not less than one hour of paid leave for every 87 hours worked, not to exceed 3 days per calendar year.

This act shall not diminish the obligation of an employer to comply with any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or any employment benefit program or plan that provides greater paid leave rights to employees than the rights established under this act.

The impact of this act on the different collective bargaining agreements of this Local is currently being assessed. These assessments will be communicated to the membership as soon as they are available.