what was that word.....pebkac???

Okay... I realize I'm probably going to suffer the wrath of the whole board, but there are some rules in regards to 'secrecy of communications' which happens to be a federal law, that we all signed on to abide by when we came to work for the phone company in any or all of it's manifestations.  If we post anything that would breech this law on this board (and that includes the nature of our facilities, our customers' names, the types of services we provide them, how long they're out of service, etc) we've broken the law.  Qwest has an obligation to correct that problem with that employee.  This is grounds for the company to go to the provider of any bulletin board and get the identity of the poster.  Yes, there is freedom of speech... but there are consequences to that free speech, good, bad and ugly. 

 

There is proprietary information... again it's facility locations, types of plant (fiber, copper, etc), switches, capacity, outages, construction jobs, etc... the company has a right to maintain the secrecy of that information for a variety of reasons, and we all signed papers, not just code of conduct, but employment agreements that said we would not divulge any of this information to anyone who didn't have a need to know, in and outside of the company. 

 

Let's use some common sense here.  Yes, we want to discuss the problems we're having.  We need to.  But we need to find a secure place to do so, that is not in conflict with the agreements we signed when we hired on and with the federal laws that protect all of us.  That secrecy of communications is what we want here on this board, but we can't use that law to let us break it.  Instead of working hard to find work arounds, let's watch what we say, talk directly to one another via a listserv rather than a bulletin board, where members are vetted before joining.  Let's talk about these problems in our local union halls and with our local officers, members and yes, even in our work places with our managers.  Otherwise it's just an exercise in futility.  We won't see any change, we'll just become more adept at complaining about the problems in cyberspace.  Just how many grievances are being filed and followed thru by the grievant to the end on these complaints and gross violations of the contract and the intent of the contract?  How many who don't get some level of satisfaction from their stewards (assuming you've filed a grievance with a steward) have picked up the phone and called your local president?  How many have then gone to the next union meeting and brought the issue up under good and welfare or new business?  If you still don't get any satisfaction, how many have called your state representative like a Jay Boyle or Rick Sorenson?  Still no help, got Reed's number at the district office?  This is a like a gym, many want the body, the results but they don't want to use the equipment or break a sweat to get what they need.  You have to open the door to the gym and climb on that treadmill. 

 

No one can protect us from ourselves.  We can't break the law or the agreements that we signed in good faith when we hired on because someone else (Qwest) is wrong.  My Dad always told me that two wrongs don't make a right.  We need to work smart here and do the right things, even if it takes longer and more work.  We don't have the luxury of time nor money to do it 'right' the second, third or more times.

pnb

I don't really see anything on this board that is so proprietary anywhere. If we need a "secure place"....where might that be? We have no other options at all concerning the internet. It's pretty obvious people like the electronic forums. The only way we could get an electronic forum that would not supposedly violate any Code of Conduct is if the company would provide one. I think the chances of winning a multi state lottery are much greater. Since we supposedly cannot discuss "company issues" here, what can we discuss? Should we just close this board down and give up? Once again, I don't see any proprietary info on here. All I see is the thoughts and opinions of many people that share one common interest.

We can create a listserv, where the manager, disconnected will approve members to the list and e-mails would go to your personal e-mails rather than being posted on an electronic board that anyone can access and read.  Anyone who wants to let folks know of things, posts to the address of the listserv. The downside is that the sender's e-mail is visible as the sender/poster of message, if you want to maintain annonimity.  The manager monitors for content, reminds folks of what might be misconstrued as proprietary, if need be, etc. 

 

Yes there has been what could be considered proprietary info posted on this board, if you were to take the company's definition. There has been information that the company would consider 'subject to bargaining' and can't be discussed or taken to a public forum under that pos letter of agreement. (This is why the CWA District 7 website has a password to access bargaining issues.)  And when it comes to grievances, discipline, etc. they're in control. We can grieve it, file complaints with the NLRB, etc., but until those issues are resolved there, the poster is suspended, disciplined, and in the worse case scenario, terminated.  I'm not saying we shouldn't discuss issues, but knowing what the rules are, we need to play safe and smart.  A listserv vs a bulletin board.   Again, I would hope that this is not the only venue where people are discussing these issues or taking action on them.  This is my greatest worry.  We can't be all talk and no walk, otherwise we're just as effective as those folks in leadership roles that many on this board complain about doing nothing. 

 

I was just offering another means of communicating with one another that is thru e-mails to individuals rather that a bulletin board.  It's splitting hairs, but you're not 'posting' something for all to read, you're communicating with individual(s).

Im with you Den Im sick and tired of watching over my shoulder. I refuse to give into them. If they are going to get me then bring it on .  we dont need a secure site . if the co dosent like it,  tuff sh_t. we are in America. pucker up and plant one on the south bound end  of a north bound  45auto.    

45,

 

Don't think of it as giving in..... think of it as another way to outfox....

 

It keeps them on their toes and makes them spend extra $$$$ to keep up with what we are doing.

 

It drives them nuts.....

 

Another thing for them to check up on and it eats them up alive.......

 

It drive them nuts to know that their employees are moving info around and by doing that they are also figuring out ways to skin them alive too!

 

that is why we file grievances whenever they f*ck up.....

 

they are trying to make life miserable for us.....they love doing that to us..... soooooooooo turn about is fair play.

 

instead of spending our time being profitable and helping each other out..... we end up spending every last dime the company has fighting with each other......

 

it was their choice...... they had to be the smart ones that were gonna teach us a lesson.....   ok fine.... beat on us everytime you get a chance......

 

but don't you dare think that i haven't returned the favor......