Jim Frederickson

- Jimmy Frederickson, President, CWA Local 9419, Redding, California, reported a "near miss" incident in which a member and AT&T (formerly SBC) employee was working from an aerial platform to correct a telecommunications trouble when he noticed (i.e., heard and saw) the bridal wire was arcing.Thus, he descended from the work area and performed a visual inspection of the electrical lead.He found that one leg of the primary electric power line had come off of the electrical insulator and was resting against the metal pin holding the other insulator.In turn, he contacted the Pacific Gas and Electric Company to correct the problem and notified AT&T of this workplace hazard (July 2005).

President Jim Frederickson (530) 246-9419 cwa9419@c-zone.net

Most of their careers have been here," said Jim Frederickson, president of the Communications Workers of America Local 9419.Frederickson emphasized that the loss of these high-paying jobs will be a significant blow to Shasta County's economy."We figure a wage loss of about $4.5 million" annually, Frederickson said.And Frederickson is certain that few of his union members will find a job that pays as well or offers the same benefits as the SBC call center."It is one of the highest paying jobs in Shasta County," he said.

"This success is the product of a collaborative effort between Pacific Bell, the Communications Workers of America and the City of Redding," said Jim Frederickson, CWA Union President."It's a great example of what can happen when we work together for the good of our customers, our employees and our community."

Pacific Bell is a company of SBC Communications Inc., a global leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 34.5 million access lines and over 5.9 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as investments in telecommunications businesses in 11 countries.Under the Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Cellular One brands, SBC, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide range of innovative services, including local and long-distance telephone service, wireless communications, paging, Internet access, and messaging, as well as telecommunications equipment, and directory advertising and publishing.SBC (www.sbc.com) has more than 118,000 employees and reported 1997 revenues of nearly $25 billion.SBC's equity market value of $81 billion as of September 30, 1998, ranks it as one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.

Jim Frederickson, president of the CWA Local 9419, said the walkout shouldn't cause major interruption in service to north state SBC customers.

But Jim Frederickson, president of Communications Workers of America Local 9419, said some directory assistance calls weren't going through and orders for connections, disconnections and repairs were not being taken.He said 246 union members, from Corning to Yreka, are taking part in the walkout.

Most employees at the center on Mountain Lakes Boulevard make at least $21 an hour with full benefits, according to Communications Workers of America Local 9419 President Jim Frederickson.

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Frederickson said all employees will have an opportunity to relocate to SBC facilities in Rohnert Park or Riverside. SBC's call center in Redding was converted from a "411" information facility in 1998.

Most of their careershave been here," said Jim Frederickson, president of the Communications Workers of America Local 9419.

Frederickson, who has worked 23 years for the company, is now considering taking an early retirement.

Employees in Redding were told Tuesday morning by region General Manager Tom Weber, Frederickson said.
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Frederickson emphasized that the loss of these high-paying jobs will be a significant blow to Shasta County's economy.

"We figure a wage loss of about $4.5 million" annually, Frederickson said."A lot of retailers are going to lose.The other thing that concerns me are those who can't go (to Riverside or Rohnert Park).They're going to lose their benefits in six months, their unemployment money will run out, so you're going to have people scrambling for what jobs are available here in the north state."

And Frederickson is certain that few of his union members will find a job that pays as well or offers the same benefits as the SBC call center.

"It is one of the highest paying jobs in Shasta County," he said.
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Frederickson contends that the number of calls into Redding has not decreased.

"We have people who normally work until 6 o'clock (p.m.) having to stay until 6:30," Frederickson said."We noticed yesterday (Monday) our call volume did a drastic drop.We think that is because they have just routed the calls to other offices.They can do that with the flip of a switch."

Frederickson also claims that two weeks ago company officials talked about changing the work SBC employees did in Redding -- not closing the entire operation.

"That is why it's a total surprise," he said.