October 2015

Stand Up Against the Dangers of Right to WorkOn September 12, 2015, across the State of Missouri, Union sisters and brothers, their families

and friends, and allies came together to stand up against the dangers of Right to Work.Invited guests included: Governor Jay Nixon; Attorney General, Chris Koster; Mike Louis,

President, Missouri AFL-CIO; Jake Hummel, Secretary-Treasurer Missouri AFL-CIO; James P. Hoffa, General President International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Claude Cummings, Jr, Vice President District 6 Communications Workers of America; Phil Gruber, General Vice President International Association of Machinists; Tad Kicielinski, General Vice President; Retired, Ironworkers International Union

Local 6300Volume 08/No. 10 United We Bargain, Divided We Fail

Proposed Bylaws Amendment - See Page 5

Pictured L-R Ronnie Hutchason; Kara Hutchason, CWA District 6 Staff Rep; Mike Mehringer, CWA Local 6300 President; Gordon Smith Jr, CWA Local 6300 Vice President; Mark Crawshaw, CWA Local 6300 Vice President.

Pictured L-R Claude Cummings Jr., CWA District 6 Vice President; Mike Louis, AFL-CIO President

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PresidentMike Mehringer mmehringer@cwa6300.org

Executive Vice PresidentMark Johnson mjohnson@cwa6300.org

SecretaryVickie Jordan vjordan@cwa6300.org

TreasurerVirginia Anderson-Dunbarvadunbar@cwa6300.org

Vice President ATT Plant 1 / Legacy TMark Crawshaw mcrawshaw@cwa6300.org

Vice President ATT Plant 2Gordon Smith Jr gsmith@cwa6300.org

Vice President ASI/FACSFloyd Bell fbell@cwa6300.org

Vice President MetroSonja Gholston-Byrd sgbyrd@cwa6300.org

Vice President Appendix B and ITori Pratt tpratt@cwa6300.org

Vice President YP Holdings LLCMark Kennon mkennon@cwa6300.org

Vice President Centurylink/ VerizonJo Wise jwise@cwa6300.org

Vice President Print and Media SectorJohn Ebeling jebeling@cwa6300.org

Newsletter Editors/Graphics/Website:Daniel JuedemannMark Schweigert

*Reprint permission granted to all Union publications

Circulation 4,000Published Monthly by

CWA Local 63002258 Grissom Dr.

St. Louis, MO 63146Phone: 314-991-0200www.cwa6300.org

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pmMonday through Friday

“Thank you for your service.”As a member of the Marine

Corps who served in Iraq, I am grateful to everyone who has expressed those words to me.

When I returned home to Missouri, all I wanted was a job where I could work hard, support my family, and be a member of my community. Sadly, my fellow vets and I returned home only to find the Missouri Legislature pushing “right to work” legislation.

“Right to work” is wrong: it’s an attack on the values we fought to defend and on the future we are fighting to build.

“Right to work” states have lower wages — with an average worker earning about $1,500 less per year than in non-right-to-work states — higher poverty rates, lower rates of health insurance coverage, more dangerous workplaces, and they invest less in their schools.

It seems the Missouri legislators

pushing “right to work” have decided that contributions from the out-of-state CEOs are more important than the rights of working people throughout our great state.

That’s not the country I signed up to defend.

I fought to protect the rights of people to negotiate for a living wage and benefits that lift up communities, not legislation like right-to-work that only serves to pad corporate profits and reduce our standard of living.

So to the Missouri legislators supporting this anti-worker legislation, I urge you to reconsider your vote.

And to the legislators voting to sustain Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of “right to work,” I say, “Thank you for your service.”

Tim Mehringer • St. Louis County Member of Communication Workers of America Local 6300

October 2015Page 2

Right to work’ legislation does not honor my service, or my work

Editorial reprint from the St. Louis Post Dispatch on September 15, 2015; submitted by CWA Local 6300 Member Tim Mehringer

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October 2015

Attorney’s Report/Officers Report

Page 3

This month I wanted to discuss how the Social Security Disability system operates. The mainreason that anyone who is not 65 years old would be involved with the system is based on aclaim that the individual can no longer work as a result of some type of medically determined disability. This can be a physical or mental disability. The main determination that the Social Security office will make is whether or not the individual is unable to engage in any substantial gainful employment. This is not based on simply returning to your old job but any job. There are some important things you can be aware of in order to improve your chances to get these benefits. I will try and provide some basic guidance on issues that arise in these type of cases.

First, I want to explain the basic procedure for Social Security. You would apply at your local office or online by submitting forms detailing

your problems. You will also provide medical information to Social Security to support your claim. An initial evaluation will be made by a case worker on your file and a decision will be rendered. I would estimate that at least 75% of all claims are denied at this first level. You then have a right to appeal and go to a hearing in front of an Judge. This is usually when an attorney might get involved. At the hearing which takes over a year to get, the Judge will render a written decision. If it is favorable, you will start to get benefits and will receive back benefits. If it is denied, you have further appeal rights. Your best shot at getting benefits is at the level of the Judge. You must present your best evidence at this hearing and make sure that you are well prepared to discuss your limitations as a result of your problems.

The most significant problem with this system in my opinion is the different views of the Judges who hear your case. I

have seen one extreme to the other. Some of the Judges that have been around for awhile are sympathetic and seem to at least want to make sure that everything is considered in rendering a decision. While other Judges, especially some of the Judges I have been in front of that have been appointed in the last few years, clearly believe that people are trying to really take advantage of the system and they feel that it is their job to fix all of the problems by denying a significant amount of the cases to save money for the government and to force people to get back to work. This is happening more and more as the new Judges seem to have a new agenda . This clearly comes as no surprise as they are all political appointments and the last number of years has not been very good to those people looking for sympathy and support. It is a different environment now and people are often made to feel bad for asking the government for help. The fact that these same people have worked their entire lives and paid into the system in case they were ever put in a situation where they were unable to work does not matter anymore.

You have to be well prepared to win a Social Security disability case. Make sure you have the medical support to back up your claim before you even file . If you have any specific questions please feel fre to contact me to discuss.

Michael C. Goldberg, Esq.1800-481-2891Mcgoldberg1964@gmail.com

How Does Social Security Disability OperateBy Michael C. Goldberg, Attorney

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Page 4 October 2015

Officers Report

Labor Day Parade 2015The 2015 Labor Day parade was once again a huge success. The theme of this years Labor day

parade was “Stand with Working Families”. The CWA was well represented by Members, families, pets and friends from all of our affiliated Locals, including 6300, 6350, 6355, 6390, 14620(Mailers), 36047(The Newspaper Guild) and our Retirees chapter. Before the parade our marchers enjoyed donuts and coffee. Hotdogs, chips and refreshments were awaiting the revelers at the parades conclusion. A big thanks to all that helped the Communications Workers of America stand out at this year’s Labor Day parade. With special recognition to Eric Watson for putting the float together and safely pulling it through the streets of downtown St. Louis.

6300 News6300 NewsCommunity Service Committee held our annual golf tournament this year at Union Hills Golf course in

Pevely, MO. We had a great turn out of golfers and all enjoyed the beautiful day. The winning team was Mark Johnson, Tim Johnson, Brian Walsh and Frank Tocco. We want to thank our major sponsors: Networth Financial, Keystone Financial, Wells Fargo, The Sage Group, Enterprise Bank and Trust and United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 655. Other mentionable sponsors include: Dobson, Goldberg, Berns, & Rich, State Rep Mary Nichols, American Income Life, Galmiche & Sons Heating & Cooling, Greater St. Louis CWA City Council, CWA Local 6300, BOI, American Painting, Deaf Group, APRI, St. Louis Labor Council, and Ridgebrook Brewery. We would also like to thank Grey Eagle for donating the beer for the tournament. See you all again next year!

October 2015 Page 5

Officers Report

Proposed Bylaws Amendment By Jo Stout

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS(a) General Membership Meetings of this local shall be held monthly, except for December and one month to be designated by the Executive Board. Special Membership Meetings may be called by a majority of the Executive Board or by a petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the membership. Upon receipt of the proper petition, the Executive Board shall call a special Meeting to be held within ten (10) days.

The Amended ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS will read:(a) General Membership Meetings of this local shall be held monthly. Special Membership Meetings may be called by a majority of the Executive Board or by a petition signed by ten percent (10°/o) of the membership. Upon receipt of the proper petition, the Executive Board shall call a special meeting to be held within ten (10) days.

Pictured L-R 1st place team, Mark Johnson, Tim Johnson, Brian Walsh, Frank Tocco.

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Page 6

Next Meetings:October 21

November 18

October 2015

Please see your Union Steward to submitnotices of deaths,

retirements, disabilities, or other announcements

within your office.

New MembersYP Holding LLC

Alexandra ArcobassoCharles BarronColin BeneckeLarry BlakeRena ColePatricia DamronSeth DeuserLoyd Dowd, IIIJerry DuncanRyan FinanTiena FlukerAnton French

Tracey GibsonJames JoernAshleevJohnsonJoseph KaltenbachRobert LippertTiffany LongKenneth Mayes, Jr.Jamaal MitchellJamarl OusleyShanaie VealJoseph WarlickGrant Williams

VerizonNathan CarrigLuke DeisnerMarcus DickinsonEdward GallantChad GreenDorian Harold

Nisha JohnsonChristina MatthewsRoss RandallAaron RomeAaron Vallero

AT&T MobilityAmber AlfordMarielena AnguianoCharles Bailey, Jr.Jharritson BoykinKyle BrocahoSean CarnellLauren CoffeyZachary CurryMaria DeGangeBrok DickeyRachel HarringtonFrancois HobbsNicholas Karpel

Zach KennedyHannah McNuttMichael MijiaCorey MontgomeryThao NguyenAlbert NovoaBrian PierceWilliam SchaedelJason SteinmetzRobert TsuchiyaAaron WalkerDerek Watts

AT&T Telephone

Tenesha AllenTravis AndersonRay AntonioSean BernhoesterLouis BrooksPeter BrownDerrick CarlinRyan ConradTheodore EiskantTyler EnnorEthan EvansJared GidneyJasonvGuzman

Frederick HovenMichael JonesCraig MatthewsMichael MatychawiakLamont MiltonJames Ratliff, Jr.Kevin RayMalik RobinsonDennis SchmiedScott SchwerbRandy TaylorChristopher WilliamsJoshua Ziegler

In SympathyJohn Bourgeois Member Elvira Barron RetireeClara Parks Retiree

RetiringIrma Jamison 01/25/15Cherri Wilson 07/15/15Brent Hawkins 08/31/15

Motions September 16Motion: Motion Earline Jones, second Jeff Spraul to send Mike Mehringer, Mike Lavoie, Shenease Gregory and Mike Songer to Jeffer-son City for the Right to Work Vote September 15-17, 2015 with an ap-proximate cost of $2,186.20. Motion carried.Motion: Motion Earline Jones, sec-ond Jeff Spraul to send Mike Meh-ringer to the Missouri Presidents Meeting from October 7-9, 2015 at Osage Beach with an approximate cost of $1,333.50. Motion carried.

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North County Labor ClubMeeting: First Monday of the month. Times: 6PM Eboard/7PM general meetingLocation: Machinist Hall, 212 Utz Rd, Hazelwood MO, 63042President: Tom Sansevere (IBEW 1)Contact Info: email t21sansevere@att.netCell: 314-974-2382Address: 18 N. Elizabeth, Ferguson MO, 63135Tri-County Labor ClubMeeting: First Tuesday of every month. Times: 6PM Eboard/ 6:30 GeneralLocation: #10 Droste Square, St Charles MO, 63301President: Steve Bailey (Bricklayers Union)

Contact info: tricolabor@gmail.comPhone: 636-794-4878Address: 60 Gailwood Dr, Suite D, St Peters MO, 63376St Louis City Labor ClubMeeting: 2nd Thursday of the month. 7 PM Location: St Louis Police Officers Assoc. 3710 Hampton Ave., St Louis MO 63109President: Dave Holmes (PnP 562 retired)Contact info: daveholmes1948@yahoo.comCell: 314-581-5246Address: 500 Talcott Ave, St Louis MO 63147Vice President: Jimmy Clifford (Sprinkler fitters 268)Contact info: sprink268@aol.com

Get Involved

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The meeting was called to order by President Bob Huss. He said a prayer and

led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

A moment of silence was done for the deceased: Bettye Cox, Charlie Davis, Vernon Ellis, Gary Hobbs, Robert Rehling, Dorothy Zipzel, Clara Louise Parks, Therese Mazzola and Edward Havens, Jr.

Secretary Nancy Jinkerson announced the lunch menu and read the minutes of the August meeting. With no corrections or additions offered a motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes as read.

Nellie Girouard gave the Treasurer’s report. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the report.

Vice President Earline Jones reported on the status of the Right to Work Bill which was vetoed by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. The legislature will be voting to override the veto when they reconvene. Those in favor of Right to Work have stepped up their advertising campaign and have brought in outsiders to try to influence the vote. The vote will take place on Wednesday, September 16.

Bob Huss expanded on the issue. He shared information on how many state legislators accepted money from lobbyists and how many did not. He discussed the upcoming renewal of healthcare and

he cautioned against scammers. He also confirmed that retirees will get the same amount for the coming year. He shared information on House Bill 722 which would take away local control of minimum wage and other local laws. This bill was also vetoed by the Governor.

Bob urged everyone to act on their health insurance right away. Doing nothing will not result in an automatic renewal of their coverage.

Bob has the numbers to call regarding the paperless bill from the phone company if anyone is interested.

One of the members shared information about a friend who is a Wounded Warrior and is in dire need. The person in question does odd jobs for money. The member is selling key rings for six dollars to raise money for his friend. He will bring some to the next meeting. Bob urged everyone to bring extra money to the next meeting to purchase key rings and support the cause.

The monthly drawing for the birthday cake was won by Diane Dold.

Drawings were held and monies were given out as prizes. Bob told a joke. A motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting.

Bingo was played afterwards.

Retirees

October 2015 Page 7

Retirees Meeting September 14, 2015Retiree Meetings

October 12 & November 9

Meeting 11:30 / Lunch 12:00Meeting Location2258 Grissom Dr.

$12 charge per person. Bring a guest but make

reservations:Bob Huss - 636-947-4299

BHuss6350@sbcglobal.netEarline Jones 355-6860

Nellie Girouard314-739-0317

Nancy Jinkerson 314-809-3264

Get Involved Cell: 314-226-4449Treasurer: Shawn Milligan (PnP 562)Contact info: shawnm410@gmail.com Cell: 314-280-6048Jefferson County Labor ClubMeeting: 2nd Monday of the month. 6PM Eboard, 7PM GeneralLocation: Jefferson County Labor Office, #4 Main St, Festus MO 63028President: Bart Valasco (IBEW 1 retired)Contact info: ibewmex1@sbcglobal.netCell:314-708-3105Address: 2109 Devonshire, Imperial MO 63052Rockwood Labor ClubMeeting: Fourth

Wednesday of the month. General meeting at 7PMLocation: Eureka Pacific Elks Lodge, 19 West 1st St, Eureka MO 63025President: Marty McClimens (PnP 562)Contact info: mmcclimens@local562.orgCell: 314-920-1404Address: P.O. Box 31, Eureka MO 630252nd Contact: Jeff AbouisseMineral Area Legislative ClubMeeting: 1st Tuesday of the Month 7PMLocation: American Legion Post 39. 5073 Old Flat River Rd, Leadington MO 63601President: Travis Barnes (Ironworkers 396)Contact info:

tbarneslocal396@yahoo.comCell: 314-631-4395Address: P.O. Box 92 Farmington MO 63640Financial Secretary: Lee Asher (IBEW 1)Contact info: lee.asher@ibew1.org Cell: 314-805-6762Franklin County Labor/Political CommitteeMeeting: 1st Monday of the month. 7:30 general meetingLocation: Hagie’s 19th Hole, 618 N Washington Ave, Union MO 63084President: John Smreker (Ironworkers 396)Contact info: johnminglewood@gmail.comCell: 314-388-1070Address: P.O. Box 21, Union MO 63084Warren Co Labor ClubMeeting: 1st Wednesday

of the month. 6:30 Eboard. 7PM generalLocation: Ruiz Mexican Restaurant, 233 W Service Rd N, Wright City MO 63390President: Ron McDaniel (UFCW 655) Contact info: Cell: 314-616-7016Address: 28761 Kenwood Dr, Wright City MO 63390South County Labor Political OrganizationOFFICERSScott Ramshw - PresidentJim Barrett - 1st Vice-PresidentEd Koeller - 2nd Vice-President Mike O’Connell- TreasurerBernie Ryan-Recording SecretaryLocation:Genesis Banquet Center2651 Telegraph Rd.St. Louis, MO 63125(314) 894-7073

6300 News2258 Grissom DriveSt. Louis, MO 63146-3309

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PAIDPermit No. 495St. Louis, MO

CWA Local 6300

AnnualChristmas PartyDecember 12, 2015 • 7pm - Midnight

CWA Local 63002258 Grissom Dr, St. Louis MO 63146

Hor d'oeuvres provided throughout the evening

DancingBasket RafflesOpen Bar (ID Required)

Members Only - One Paid Guest Allowed per MemberContact your Chief Steward or Steward for Tickets

Donations of canned goods & toys appreciated for local charities.

Balloon Art! Face Painting!

YOU MUST RSVPby 5:00 pm on November 30th.

Kids 10 and under, Leave the Members name, child’s name, and age.

December 6, 20158:00AM - 10:00AM

At Local 63002258 Grissom Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146

Call: 314.991.0200

CWA Local 6300 Presents

Kids Party with SANTA Entertainment and Photo’s

with Santa will be provided at no cost for the childrenParty time and catering are still being planned

we will announce the final details on the website and in upcoming newsletters.