Telephone Relay Office Closure

[Tracy Studyvin]

  Greetings :~)

  I'm Tracy Studyvin, a Vice President of Communications Workers of 
America, Local 7800 in Seattle. I am assisting a fellow Vice President 
LeAnn McLean with our Unions fight to stop AT&T's announced closure of 
the Washington State Telephone Relay Service office on august 12.

 AT&T recently negotiated a 2 year extension of their contract with the 
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. AT&T gained 
to changes to the contract. First they got an increase in the rate they 
are paid to provide the Telephone Relay Service. This means every 
telephone subcriber in the State of Washington will be seeing this 
increase on their phone bills. Second, and even more critical, is the 
concession allowing AT&T to close the office in Seattle. But don't 
think AT&T wants to give up the work. AT&T is just going to move all of 
the Washington traffic to an office on the east coast in Rhode Island.

  The operators in the Seattle TRS office have a high degree of 
experience, as well as great familiarity with Washington. They also 
have a high degree of committment to their customers. If AT&T is 
allowed to move this work out of State, all the Deaf Citizens, as well 
as the Hearing Citizens will have to deal with people on the other side 
of the country to place a call across town to each other. This could be 
critical in an emergency. Will operators in Rhode Island, due to 
distance and inexperience, assume people in Washington are in D.C.?

  Our Local Union represents the Operators in the Washington TRS 
office. We are trying to stop this AT&T office closure through a three 
pronged strategy. First, we are using our Contract articles to force 
AT&T to the bargaining table. Second, we are working with our attorneys 
and our International Union to investigate legal actions to stop this 
office closure.

  Third, we are trying to get the word out to all citizens of 
Washington, and specifically the Deaf Citizens. We need any and all 
support from concerned groups and individuals. So if this issue 
arrouses your interest please help get the word out. Don't hesitate to 
contact us with any questions.

  Sincerely, Tracy Studyvin, 1st Vice President CWA Local 7800


  Contact#'s

  Internet- catmant at ix.netcom.com

  Fax- 206-441-8789

  Voice- 206-441-7800

  Voice Mail- 206-528-8444