October 1, 2002

To:    All Staff/BellSouth Units

From: Linda B. Crawford CWA Representative District 3 

RE:     New Staffing System  

__________________________________________________________________

The Company is preparing to roll out a new on-line staffing system on December 2, 2002. During the last two months a small committee consisting of Mike Amos, President Local 3101, Debbie Helsey, President Local 3805 and I have met to discuss this new system and determine that it will function within the provisions of the working agreement.  Although it appears that all contractual requirements have been met, we are still discussing and insisting upon sufficient access to PC's so that all employees will be able to utilize this system.

In the meantime the committee has established a time line during which employees will be notified of the coming change.  It is as follows: 

 On or About:

 October 2, 2002     An initial announcement will be made electronically to employees.

 October 21, 2002   Second communication will include more detail- i.e. Website address etc/also sent electronically.  

 November 4, 2002   Postcard mailing to employee's home advising that info packet will be arriving soon.  

 November 15, 2002  Usage packet/instructions manual sent to all employees via U.S. Mail to home address.

 December 2, 2002   Final notice sent electronically that the system is up and running.

As information, the first posting of jobs on the new system will be December 9, 2002-December 16, 2002.

It will not be necessary for employees to re-enter future bids they have already submitted via BETSI.  These will automatically convert.  However, it is strongly recommended that between December 2 and December 8, all employees verify their bids on record. 

Please share this information with your Locals and encourage them to post notices in their newsletters that the new on-line system is on its way.  

LBC/afw

Opeiu#2-afl-cio 

cc:    Jimmy Smith,  Noah Savant, Beverly Hicks