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Opinion
Piece from a Reader According to
Steve Tisza, President of CWA Local 4250, Chicago, "AT&T is
circumventing the H1-B Visa Program by training foreign nationals from India and
China to act as strikebreakers in the event the Communications Workers of
America must withhold their labor on May 11, 2002, To perform our work, the
foreign nationals Must have access to every AT&T 4E and 5E switch in
the United States." Jennifer and Peter
The Letters January 24, 2002 Daniel P. Burnham, NSTAC CHAIR RE: THREAT TO NATION’S COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE Mr. Burnham: I am writing to you requesting an immediate inquiry and/or hearing by the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Council (NSTAC) to investigate the training of foreign nationals from India by AT&T Corp. Training is currently taking place at an AT&T work location in Oakbrook, Illinois. When questioned by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) National Office, AT&T employee relations would only state that the ongoing training is a contingency plan to be used by AT&T in the event of a strike by the CWA on May 11, 2002. AT&T has denied CWA Local 4998 access to the Oakbrook, Illinois work location and has changed all door codes. NLRB charges are in the process of being filed. However, time is of the essence. Meanwhile, Indian nationals are being trained on work formerly performed by approximately one hundred sixty-five (165) CWA Local 4250 and 4998 represented workers from the Oakbrook, Illinois and 10 South Canal, Chicago AT&T work locations. Most of these workers were fired by AT&T on December 14, 2001. Trained Indian workers will have access to AT&T’s network via all nationwide 4E and 5E switches. Access is needed to provide AT&T’s large and small business customers services such as inbound and outbound 800 lines, ISDN and T1 pipes. This information is being conveyed to you because of your position as Chairman of the NSTAC. As you know, former President Ronald Reagan created the council in 1982. It was accomplished via his Executive Order (E.O. 12382) due to the pending divestiture of AT&T, the increased reliance of the Government on commercial communications, the potential impact of new technologies on NS/EP telecommunications and the growing importance of command, control and communications to military and disaster response. September 11, 2001 made us all too aware of the importance of protecting our nation’s communications infrastructure. Obviously, our national air security and intelligence was breached when three of four terrorist-piloted planes hit their targets. One did not, solely because a few passengers decided to fight back. As a CWA Local Union President and former AT&T technician, I represent AT&T/CWA employees in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. I know a little bit about AT&T security, or lack of, as a result of thirty-five years of experience in dealing with them. Did AT&T inform U.S. Security and/or Intelligence Agencies of "AT&T’s contingency plan?" Should AT&T allow foreign nationals access to our nation’s communications infrastructure? AT&T refuses to answer these questions and others. Their response has been, It’s our contingency plan." It wouldn’t take much for a computer hacker, with access to the AT&T network, to wreak havoc on our nation’s critical communications infrastructure. Why should AT&T be allowed to continue with this un- American contingency plan? Especially, in the aftermath of 9-11, the ongoing war on terrorism and current stand off between India and Pakistan. This is not just a CWA – AT&T labor relations issue. If unchecked, it could become a potential threat from hostile foreign intelligence agents to the telecommunications, energy, financial, transportation, health care, manufacturing and emergency service sectors of our great country. God Bless America! Fight Back: Steve Tisza, President - - - - - - - TO: All Local 4250 Members, AT$T Employees and Shareholders SUBJECT: ARMSTRONG MUST RESIGN NOW I want to preface this important news bulletin with something you should all be aware of by now. AT$T, under the direction of CEO C. Michael Armstrong, is training foreign nationals from India at 1000 Commerce Drive, Oakbrook, Illinois. AT$T Employee Relations Vice President Fred Murray verified the training is AT$T’s contingency plan in the event CWA members Strike AT$T on May 11, 2002. Scabs from India will have access to every AT$T 4E and 5E switch in the United States to perform the work of CWA strikers who want the same job security that Armstrong has assured himself when he leaves AT$T to become Chairman of AT$T Comcast. Other CWA locals are trying to verify rumors that similar training is being done in their areas. With that said, I want to read the following news report from www.andhranews.net It is dated July 5, 2001 – New Delhi - and reads as follows: INDIA AND IRAQ SET UP JOINT WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNICATIONS NEW DELHI OFFERS IRAQ HELP IN MANUFACTURING CONSULTANCY AND R&D IN TELECOM SECTOR " An Iraqi delegation led by Minister of Transport and Communications Dr. Ahmad Al Khalil called on Minister of Communications Shri Ram Vilas Paswan here today. During the talks Shri Paswan referred to the historical and traditional ties between the two countries and expressed concern at the enormous human suffering and hardship caused by sanctions against Iraq. He reiterated India’s support to Iraq for its independence sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said that India has consistently advocated lifting of the UN sanctions against Iraq through articulations in UN and various other for a. Indicating that India would like to further strengthen its ties with Iraq. Shri Paswan suggested for cooperation in the training manufacturing consultancy and R&D sectors. He said that India has an excellent network of training centers having 43 training centers spread across the country. He said: "the Advance Level telecom Training Center (ALTTC) is a world-class training institution equipped with the most modern training facilities. He also said that with the large pool of technical experts available in the country India can cater to the telecom equipment requirements of Iraq. Shri Paswan also mentioned about the telephone exchanges developed by C-DOT which are rugged and operate in adverse environmental conditions. He said that India has been very successful in providing consultancy in setting up telecom network in a number of countries. R&D Development could also be taken up jointly’, he said. The Minister of State for Communications Shri Tapan Sikdar said that India has stood by Iraq all the time and will continue to so in the future. The Iraqi Minister expressed his happiness at the cooperation extended by India and said that his country would look forward to collaborations in the fields in which India has expertise. He specifically appreciated India’s political support in the efforts to lift sanctions. Later both the sides held delegation level talks and decided to form a Joint Working Group on Communications under the overall framework of India-Iraq Joint Commission. The Joint Working Group will consist of representatives of Department of Telecom Department of Posts and Ministry of External Affairs besides representatives from Telecom PSUs and CII and FICCI. Iraqi side will also nominate their representatives for the Working Group." I believe AT$T CEO C. Michael Armstrong should resign immediately. Perhaps he should be arrested and put in the same cell with John Walker Lindh. THE CHARGE: CORPORATE TERRORISM! FIGHT BACK: Steve Tisza, President
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© Peter and Jennifer Wipf 1999-2002. All rights reserved. No duplication without explicit written permission. |
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