Minimizing the Threat from Coronavirus
To all the members of CWA Local 1104 and your families,
I hope this message finds all of you well and as safe as you can be during this extraordinary period of time. As a Local and District, we are doing everything possible to minimize the threat of the Coronavirus to each and every one of you as you perform your essential job functions. First and foremost are our Nurses at Presbyterian Hospital in Lower Manhattan. They are on the front lines of this war while working long hours and working without all the proper personal protection equipment necessary to keep them safe and healthy while performing their life saving jobs. We are so proud of all of you, yet so worried at the same time. God Bless each and every one of you!
The Union and Verizon have come up with some unprecedented agreements to keep workers as safe as possible, such as leave agreements, work from home and home garaging to name a few. Please utilize these agreements to the maximum. It is all for the health and safety of our members. Of course, our Field Techs are out in the public every day performing their duties, especially FIOS Techs who are still knocking on doors of customer's homes. Use your judgement, don't take chances, if it doesn't feel safe, then don't do it! Plain and simple. We are proud of you and pray for your safety!
We have been working with the State of New York and the Research Foundation in keeping our GA's, TA's and RA's safe and employed. Our Decision-Making Body of the GSEU continue to communicate with each other across the State to stay on top of things and stay informed and they're doing a great job!
In the Companies we represent that are non-Verizon members we have begun to see layoffs. This is certainly a different kind of hardship. The financial hardship, with non-essential construction at a halt is an expected situation we were hoping against.
We will continue to do all we can to get through this safely and healthy. If there are questions, please don't hesitate to call us. We are here for you.
Be well and God Bless each and everyone of you and your families.
