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VALLEI' VOI~E

Merrimack Valley Works Summer, 1982

Presiden t's Sa fety Avvard returns to the M errimack Valley

Photo by Roger Culliford WE President lauds Contents safety at the Works "This award is for events that did administrator of the Occupational Summer 1982 not happen - events that would have Safety Health Act, union officials and How HR 5158 affects caused pain and suffering to our a number of employees representing 3 WE employees employees." the work force here. With those words company The challenges to Western Electric, Pioneers president Donald E. Procknow Procknow said, include the House of Record number of smiles 4 presented the prestigious President's Representatives Bill 5158. Procknow New Chapter 78 President Environmental Health and Safety called the legislation a "bad bill" and 5 Pioneering Personified Award to employees of the a threat to Western Electric and the Merrimack Valley Works on June 23 , entire . ESP a day proclaimed "Merrimack Valley He praised employees who have 6 Employee Phone Discount Works Day" in Massachusetts by written to their Congressmen to urge Governor Edward J . King in opposition to HR 5158 and appealed 7 Retirements recognition of the Works' outstanding for continued letter-writing. Other safety record. challenges include competition, domestic and foreign, as well as the 8 etc. The presentation concluded competition among 38 Western general state of the economy. Electric entries for the coveted Procknow asserted the challenges On The Cover honor. Merrimack Valley first won would be countered by lowering costs the 1963 award, and this year became and increasing productivity in the On the upper right, General one of only five locations to win the manufacture of reliable, high quality Manager Robert E. Cowley, Jr. award more than once since it was products. accepts the 1981 President's instituted in 1961. Despite those challenges, Procknow Environmental Health and Safety was optimistic and cited several Award from company president Accepting the award on behalf of Donald E. Procknow. Bob Cowley employees was General Manager opportunities for Western Electric. If then escorted Don Procknow on a Robert E. Cowley, Jr. who said, "I approved, the Modified Consent tour of the Works which included a would not have believed the goals as Decree would permit the company to stop at the A-Line where they looked we set in January of 1981 could be sell outside the company's traditional at the work being performed by met and exceeded. It proves that markets. Procknow stressed highest Patty Delisle and Clement "Lefty" when we do set goals and work priority would still be service to the Berthiaume. All other guests at the together with total commitment that operating companies and to presentation also toured the plant. anything is possible. AT&T Long Lines, the AT&T Some of the employees touring the "We not only did it last year but subsidiary handling long-distance Works were Bennie Cordischi, Tony we're doing even better this year. I'm calling. Muribito (retired department chief of Safety), CWA Local 1366 President proud of all the employees who made it possible." Wally Silva, Paul Matt Safety Performance Comparison The safety achievements included a (headquarters), Audrey Catton, 1980-1981 George Desell and Doug Locy who 46 percent reduction in the number of narrated the tour through Thin Film. job-related accidents last year from Index/ l00 Employees Edna Dalton is operating the SIC 1980. Accidents requiring days off Improvement bonding machine. from work decreased by 59 percent Total Accident Cases 46 % in addition to large reduction in all Lost Time Cases 59 % VAtLEY VOICE other safety categories. Lost Work Days 70% This year employees are improving Work Restriction Cases 49% Tim Donovan, editor on the 1981 award-winning record. In Work Restriction Days 67 % Published for employees and retired the first five months of 1982, employees of Western Electric's accidents were down by 51 percent Safety Performance Comparison Merrimack Valley Works and lost time accidents dropped by 56 for first five months of 1982 1600 Osgood Street percent. Total Accident Cases 51 % N. Andover, Massachusetts 01845 At the presentation Procknow also Lost Time Cases 56 % (617) 681-2307 spoke of the company's challenges Lost Work Days 41 % and opportunities to an audience of Work Restriction Cases 46% @ Western Electric Massachusetts Safety Council Work Restriction Days 55% representatives, a regional

2 Valley Voice The challenges to Western Electric, Procknow said, include the House of Representatives Bill 5158. Procknow called the legislation a "bad bill" and a threat to Western Electric and the entire Bell System ... Despite those challenges. Procknow was optimistic and cited several opportunities for Western Electric.

Western Electric, he said, is now Procknow toured the Works and Pocknow said that if the trend in also diversifying uses for greeted many employees after the accident reduction continues at the telecommunications equipment. In presentation hosted by Jim Meadows, Works, he might be returning to addition, efforts are underway to Director of Production Control and present the 1982 President's increase government sales. Customer Service. Environmental Health and Safety Award.

How HR 5 158 affects WE employees

Western Electric President Donald E. Procknow has tric. This provision requires that Western Electric urged all employees and retired employees " to express disclose its own technical information. .opposition" to the telecommunications biIl being consid­ Third, the bill requires Western Electric for a three­ ered by the U.S. House of Representatives. However, year period to license its patents and technical informa­ employees are advised to write on their own stationery tion to ANY and ALL companies with manufacturing fa­ and on their time. Statements on personal stationery are cilities in the United States - including those which are more effective and wiIl not be construed as a lobbying foreign-owned. Thus, our technology would be available by the company. to our competitors. Ironically, HR 5158 does not impose The Public Relations Department would appreciate this requirement on our competitors. In other words, copies of replies from Congressmen in order to gauge technologically, what's ours is theirs and what's theirs is sentiment on the biIl. theirs. The experience of the auto and steel companies with foreign competition should be instructive. Employees of Western Electric cannot enjoy the lux­ ury of thinking that HR 5158, now under consideration in As if the necessity to divulge our trade secrets were the House of Representatives, is an ordinary piece of not enough, HR 5158 provides that Long Lines cannot legislation that would affect everyone in this nation provide "commercial information" or information on equally. Instead, HR 5158 is a bill that would aid West­ specifications and technical standards to Western Elec­ ern Electric's competitors and unfairly affect Western tric without providing it simultaneously, and subject to Electric and its employees. the same terms arul conditions to our competitors. How­ How? ever, Long Lines could provide this very information to First, contracts that Long Lines enters for the pur­ any other manufacturer - so long as its name were not chase of Western Electric equipment will have to be Western Electric - without having to provide it to all. filed in advance of the sale with the FCC. These con­ Finally, at a time when we will be trying to reduce tracts thus would be available to our competitors. This prices so that we can sell competitively, HR 5158 im­ would give them an insight into our pricing and other el­ poses on Western Electric further regulatory scrutiny ements of our business and could blunt our competitive which is bound to add to our costs of doing business. No edge. However, we would be given no insight about these such added scrutiny is imposed on our competitors. elements of our competitors' business since HR 5158 does not require other suppliers to file their contracts of HR 5158 , in short, is unfair to Western Electric and its sale with Long Lines with the FCC. employees. It bestows - for the asking - our technol­ Second, HR 5138 provides that AT&T must "report ogy and technical information on all our competitors. It regularly" to the FCC any significant change in any specifically denies to us the information it provides to technical requirement which will be necessitated by the our competitors. And by singling us out for FCC regula­ specific design or development of any telecommunica­ tion it raises our cost of doing business at a time when tions facility or product manufactured by Western Elec- reducing expenses will be a major objective.

Summer 1982 Pioneers

Every participant not only received a me­ Pioneer Aline Menasian of serves Ronnie Lacey and Cathy Scherbon. She is dallion but most also received a loving assisted by Michael Mulkern of the Newburyport Group Service. Pioneers sponsored hug. the sports banquet for Special Games participants. Record number of people and smiles "Let me win. But if I cannot win, support and assistance of their Hospital's Employees Association let me be brave in the attempt." members. provided lunch. Participants were particularly That is the Olympic pledge Spectators at this year's Special enthused by the help and advice of a repeated by nearly 100 handicapped Field Games witnessed a number of professional athlete. John Smith of children and adults before the start of records being broken. New records the New England Patriots was the Special Field Games at Northern were set in both the number of honorary chairman of the events and Essex Community College on May 23. volunteers and participants. Possibly came to the Works when contestants The games were again sponsored a world record was set in the number were given a sports banquet here in by the Bon Secours Hospital's of smiles, hugs and kisses if happiness June. Employees Association and the could be measured. The Clan McPherson Bagpipe Band Telephone Pioneers of America, led participants onto the field where Chairman of the 1982 Special Field Chapter 78. In all, some 300 Pioneers Pioneer clowns provided a festive Games was Roy Keiser. Co-chairman officiated the contests and also atmosphere. The Bon Secours was Dick Clarke. assisted participants to allow contestants' friends and relatives to cheer from the bleachers. Introducing sharp cookies and hot dishes Participants competed in a variety How would you like to meet dinner or your special dessert, please of events on the field before rain "Magnum's" Tom Selleck or Goldie remember to jot down the recipe. forced the last events and closing Hawn or Rick Springfield? How Our neighbors in Bell Labs are ceremonies to be held in the would you like to have a million especially invited to join our gymnasium. The Games included dollars? committee. conventional dashes from 25 to 300 The answer is: Sorry, none of the This has the potential of being one yards as well as wheelchair races, above. But now that I have your of the Pioneers' most successful softball toss, ball-in-the-box race, attention I want to tell plans are in projects. AU proceeds from the sale Frisbee toss and the turtle-pull race. progress to have a new Ethnic of the cookbook will benefit the many Communication Workers of Cookbook. All contributions of recipes Pioneer projects for the handicapped. America Locals 1365 and 1366 also will come from employees. Flyers will announce more details. contributed much to the success of We welcome contributions from all PAULINE SULLIVAN the Games with their financial employees. Next time you cook

4 Summer 1982 Fran: We need your help employees' willingness to help when "Everyone in the organization is asked. "Employees want to be dedicated. I'm amazed at the amount involved. We need your help, and of time they donate. But we're going to ask for it." communications is one of our biggest Telephone Pioneers of America are hang ups. We should be proud of our volunteers employed for at least 18 community service and should tell years in the telephone industry and others." retired employees known as Life Fran has been active in Pioneering Members. The group constitutes the for the last ten years of her 28 years largest community-service with the company. Starting her organization in the world. career as a bench hand in the coil But Fran noticed at the Special winding area, she was promoted to Field Games in May the large section chief six years ago. Fran has number of employees too young to also served as WEV Alley Club have 18 years of service. "They want President and on the Executive Who are these Pioneers we to help. So why not let them form Board of Communications Workers of occasionally hear about, and what do their own organization and let them America Local 1365. they do? get started now as Future Pioneers?" Fund raising for Pioneer projects, Answering those questions i§ the To achieve her goals, Fran plans to Fran says, will be both a challenge goal of Fran Arzoonian, newly distribute a leaflet listing projects of and an opportunity. She explained elected Chapter 78 president. She Pioneer Chapter 78. The leaflet will that fund raising permits Pioneers plans to improve communication include an application for employees "to do more for more people." But about Pioneer activities and increase to indicate desired areas of fund raising requires more people to employee involvement during her involvement. In addition, Pioneer work. tenure as president. representatives will also solicit help If you want to know what Pioneers Fran cites employees' contributions from anyone showing interest but and Future Pioneers do, ask Fran to fund raising this year as proof of needing direction. what you can do.

Pioneering Personified

Irene Chretien can't remember Only recently has Irene assumed a when she first became involved in leadership role in Pioneer Chapter 78. Pioneering although she has been a She is now on the Fund Raising Pioneer for five years. Committee under chairman Bob Irene doesn't have amnesia. But Gagnon. Irene is also planning having been active in community "Operation Johnnie." service in her church and in various "Operation Johnnie" will provide union positions including CWA Local colorful johnnies to nursing home 1365 Secretary for six years, she just patients "to let them know they are is not sure when her volunteering not forgotten." Irene also lets became Pioneering. patients know they are not forgotten and all employees together. "There's "It's because we have labeled by performing as a Sweet Adeline in always going to be disagreements but ourselves as a community-minded nursing homes. there should always be harmony to company and a community-minded The Pioneer projects "are so allow us to work together. When we union," Irene said. worthwhile. People are oriented to it can't do things together, we'll fall As a Pioneer, Irene has been active and always respond. You only have to apart. It's a bit frightening when you in her work area by soliciting help approach people in order to get them see things wavering." and contributions such as food for the to help." Irene sad the Pioneers' greatest annual Christmas party for the "We've got to keep this going or potential is recruiting employees at handicapped. She has also been a one­ the elderly and handicapped will an earlier age for active involvement. on-one helper at the Special Field suffer, and the company will suffer." "Everyone has something to offer. Games. This year her husband and Irene explained that community It doesn't have to be much in order to son volunteered as well. service draws the company, unions help."

Summer 1982 5 APRIL AWARDS $280 J ean J. Grandoit $25 $75 Richa rd T. Coleman Grace T. Va lcanas Henry R. Cha bot Paul Deblois $12.50 $50 Leo Desando J ohn J . Bourdon ESP Edward M. Arthur F . Smith Kim S. King Beauvois MAY AWARDS

$1180 Richard 1. Goodwin Rober t A. Kenneth F . Ca ron Walter M. Ha ley Benede tto $355 Paul W. Ha nnagan Ra lph M. Borrelli John H. Robinton Cliffor d E . Hicks Ruth F. Briggs $2 40 Denise L. Lambert J ames F. Cloherty Leslie C. Kus Samuel R. Martori Thomas M. Coa kl ey $220 Bradley L. Mayer Me lvin Correira Ca rlos A. Ol iveira Albert C. Ragust Richa rd C. Davis $112.50 Di a ne R. Woefel Robert P . Drouin Kevin M. $37.50 Robert P . Drouin Hi gginbottom Lorrain e P . Hi gton Anthony E . F avas R icha rd L. Lucy W. Tiberio Cl ifford E. Hi cks Mar solais, Jr. $25 Robert M. Hill $100 Eliza beth P . Donald A. Richa rds Chris F . Gannett Andrukatis Robert C. $80 George J . Ares Rowell. Jr. J oanne M.Gi conda Frank M. Ba ttistone Teresa K. Walsh $75 Joseph M. Apitz Michael E . Dawson IN MEMORIAM Clarence L. J ohnson Anne R. La mbert Ronald N. Lu ssier John J . Donahue, May 8 $7 0 *George A. Elie, June 6 J oseph M. Chery Benjamin M. Fedenyszen, May 5 Laura A. Hoga n Raymond F . Grandmaison, May 18 $50 Edward A. Holloran, May 15 Theresa D. Beaudry Frank R. Manley, May 6 Leo A. Ca rbone Manager Ron Lindquist listens to Kenneth F. Caron 's Leo A. Carbone Howard F. Moore, April 5 explanation of his suggestion which earned Ken a $1180 award. Michael P. Costas George H. Smith, April 29 By changing the location of a hole drilled in a faceplate, Ken 's Gerald J . Daniel Alfreda Squires June 21 idea made use of material that would have been "junked." Edwa rd J. Early ' Active Employees to receive discount on special Design Line phones Beginning August 2, you'll have a Phone*; The SNOOPY & Payment will be made through chance to do something you've never WOODSTOCK Phone**; the TelstarR payroll deduction and may be spread been able to do before .. . buy a phone; the Stowaway ~ phone: the out over three months. Sets will be Design Line telephone at a discount. Country Junction" telephone; the sent directly to the employee's home The discount offer will run for 60 Sculptura ~ telephone; the and are covered by a WE warranty, days, and there's a limit of two Chestphonet telephone and the equivalent to that provided with per employee. You'll be Candlestickt:j: phone. Design Line sets purchased at Bell able to choose from specified models The models offered are limited to PhoneCenters. (For warranty service, of these phones: The Mickey Mouse those of which the company has employees will be asked to return Phone*; The WINNIE-THE-POOH sufficient inventory to handle sets to a designated WE location for anticipated demand without repair or replacement.) impairing service commitments to For more information on prices the telephone companies. and availability, contact Bob Vaughan on extension 2383 between 7:30 a.m . and 4:15 p.m . The Works is considering reviving "Exploring" is a division of the Boy the program here for sons and Scouts of America for young men and daughters of employees. If you would ':8 Registered Trademark of AT&T • (C ) Walt Disney P roductions women aged 14 through 20. Its like to participate in this worthwhile •• PEANUTS Characters (c) 1958, 1965 United purpose is to bring a character­ program, consider volunteering as an Feature Syndicate, Inc. building, citizenship-training, and advisor. Please call Merrill on :\: Trademark of American Telecommunications Corporation fitness program to the youth of extension 2312 and we will arrange a :j::j: Registered Trademark of American America. meeting for those who respond. Telecommunications Corporation

6 Summer 1982 Clinton L. Rand, 15 yrs. Annunziata D. Rembis, 16 yrs. Richard L. Roix, 20 yrs. Retirements John M. Ryan, 25 yrs. John J . Sayers, 25 yrs. MAY George H. Geary, 30 yrs. Norman F. Smith, 25 yrs. Yiota C. Adamopoulos, 22 yrs. Vincent J. Gorman, 25 yrs. Jean M. Spinella, 25 yrs. Pauline M. Arcari, 20 yrs. Helena V. Guy, 30 yrs. John Srabian, 30 yrs. Clinton J . Arnold, 26 yrs. Nettie H. Hartwick, 26 yrs. Edmund A. Stryeski, 40 yrs. Ethel O. Backard, 36 yrs. Harriet C. Jackman, 21 yrs. Richard A. Sullivan, 26 yrs. Horace M. Baril, 29 yrs. Thomas E. Ingham, 37 yrs. Mildred M. Summers, 25 yrs. M. Rebecca Bisbee, 21 yrs. Warren F . Kearn, 30 yrs. Paul A. Tilden, 35 yrs. Albert J. Blazavitch, 30 yrs. James J. Kenny, 25 yrs. James G. Yule, 26 yrs. Arthur Bley, 41 yrs. Anna Kostrzewa, 20 yrs. Arlene M. Warner, 29 yrs. Robert P. Bolan, 30 yrs. Betsy R. Langlois, 29 yrs. Joseph H. Watton, 28 yrs. Roland E. Boucher, 26 yrs. Donald A. Lavallee, 38 yrs. Catherine F . Wilder, 25 yrs. Pauline P . Boudreau, 32 yrs. Donald J . Lee, 28 yrs. Eileen B. Willett, 26 yrs. William F. Brandy, 30 yrs. J . Leo Legare, 30 yrs. James W. Williamson, 20 yrs. James H. Christie, 28 yrs. Amelia M. Lukaszka, 21 yrs. Douglas W. Winslade, 19 yrs. Isabelle E. Ciardello, 37 yrs. Robert E. Lynch, 20 yrs. Vincent J. Cirincione, 29 yrs. Herman A. McGauley, 31 yrs. JUNE Fred L. Collins, 29 yrs. Francis J . Mitchell, 28 yrs. Benedetta P . Donegan, 20 yrs. Loretta P . Corello, 25 yrs. Pearl M. Mitchell, 11 yrs. Mary E. Dupuis, 19 yrs. Louis A. DeMonte, 26 yrs. Josephine D. Mooers, 21 yrs. Esther W. Ferreira, 20 yrs. Mary A. Denaro, 25 yrs. John Morgan, 28 yrs. Frieda E. Gale, 13 yrs. Daniel J . Denney, Jr., 20 yrs. Anthony J. Murabito, 29 yrs. Paulette R. Gallant, 30 yrs. Lionel A. Dichard, 20 yrs. Bernice D. Newton, 23 yrs. Walter M. Haley, Jr., 20 yrs. Donald W. Dow, 29 yrs. Gilbert F . O'Brien, 30 yrs. George J. Huberdeau, 17 yrs. Constance P. Fotos, 13 yrs. Richard C. Paolino, 26 yrs. William G. Noonan, 33 yrs. Warren Gaffney, 28 yrs. A. Marie Pelliccione, 30 yrs. Wendell C. Quinney, 34 yrs. Merlin O. Gage, 29 yrs. Carmen D. Perzechino, 30 yrs. Barbara G. Redman, 24 yrs. Jacques J. Garand, 17 yrs. John A. Peterson, 40 yrs. Phyllis C. Stevenson, 21 yrs. Raymond J . Gaudet, 29 yrs. Kenneth R. Poitras, 28 yrs. Eleanor M. Towle, 21 yrs.

Company reimburses M edicare premiums

Medicare is a Federal Health Insurance program for people 65 and older and some people under 65 who are disabled. If you and/ or your Class I dependents* are eligible for Social Security Medicare Part B, the Company will reimburse you quarterly for the basic premium EASTER SEALS BENEFIT charged by the Federal Government. Members of our Women's Softball League who recently raised $1,184 at a In order to receive reimbursement, tournament are Road Runners (front row) Karen McGayhey, Janet Swain, you must apply at the Benefit Office. Joan Higgins, Cathy Caron, Mickey Sullivan, Donna Martin, Chris Tuccolo and Initial applications should be coach Ralph Quagleitta; Golden Bananas (second row) Lynne Daggett, Gayle completed prior to the end of a Tourma, Diane Stabile, Gay Lynn Cartier, Linda Rice, Diane Caron, Dawn calendar quarter; i.e., March 31 , June Bunting and Patti Mosher; and from the Green Machine (third row) Deborah 30, September 30 or December 3l. Matranga, Nancy Lewis, Karla Busch, Susan Sciuto, Phyllis Lowther, Sue *Class I dependents are defined on Sirois and Judy Gagnon. Page 3 of your Medical Expense Plan booklet.

Summer 1982 7 etc.

ROUNDUP NETS CACHE The two-week silverware and china roundup was com­ pleted in June but the cafeteria is still accepting any TREASURY RECOGNITION utensils or china inadvertently forgotten in drawers or A Minuteman Flag was recently presented to the Works work areas. by Bill Morriston (second row, left) of the Treasury De­ During the roundup employees returned 2,642 pieces partment in recognition of employees' suppport of U.S. of silverware, 74 cups and mugs, 223 trays, 14 ashtrays, Savings Bond drive. Accepting the award were General 102 dinner dishes, 134 fruit dishes, 60 salt and pepper Manager Robert E. Cowley, Jr. and members of the shakers, 27 water pitchers, 19 coffee pots, 86 pie plates, drive committee (front row, from left) Eldon Berthi­ 124 sandwich plates and 37 assorted bowls (as well as aume, Brenda Johnston, Julie Wameling, Doris Cepeda, 112 pieces of silverware and china which did not belong Della Eichhorn, Becky Dubose, chairman Bob Wysocki, to the cafeteria). The cafeteria is grateful for the re­ (second row) Bill Morrison, Winn Rowell, Bob Cowley, turns. Employees will also appreciate the supply which Gary Reiss, Larry Farrell and co-chairman George Eng­ has replaced much of the plastic service. elhart. Visits

P ACE SPEAKER Corporate Comptroller Jim Meenan, second from left, tours the Works with Section Chief Armand Lamontange, manager Don Hevehan, assistant manager Dick Hewett and Ron Donahue, president of the Professional Comptollers Employees (PACE). Jim Meenan visited the Works to speak at a meeting of PACE. Weighted thoughts behind the scenes On June 23, when company Cowley to recognize employees' comes the bad news. According to the president Donald E. Procknow contributions to safety here. Russell Stover chocolate makers, presented the President's However, nothing is ever easy in a each box of their delicious bon bons Environmental Health and Safety place as large as this. contains about 1,300 calories. This Award, he mentioned that the Every message was placed by hand means employees consumed some 13 Merrimack Valley Works is now the on all 10,000 boxes. Delivery of 5,000 million calories. largest Western Electric Works. pounds of Russell Stover Chocolates If an extra 3,200 calories puts on After that day we are a bit larger. turned an ordinary conference room one pound, we collectively gained Each employee received a box of into a dieter's nightmare and/ or a more thim two tons. chocolates with a congratulatory sweet freak's heaven. Tennis anyone? message from General Manager Bob Loosen your belts because here Have a safe and dietetic summer.

8 Summer 1982