August/September 2005

WORKERS COMPENSATION AND STEWARD TRAINING / PROBLEM SOLVING were the topics at Local 70's Shop Steward Council meeting in mid-June.

Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Mack gave an update on recent worker's compensation changes and in a departure from the Local's past position, he recommended that new physician pre-designation forms be completed by our members. The old forms did not require a physician signature. New forms distributed to the stewards have a physician signature line where the doctor indicates he is willing to treat a member for job related injuries.

“The law does not require a physician signature;” Mack advised, “but refusing to provide one has often delayed care to injured members.” That coupled with the problem of physicians opting out of the worker's compensation program suggests that getting a signature would make life easier for everyone;” he added.

The workers comp handout given to members suggested several steps to make the pre-designation process easier:

• Call the doctor's office and ask whether the doctor agrees to be pre-designated.
• Ask if the doctor will sign the sign or whether the doctor has authorized an employee to sign the form.
• Ask whether the form can be faxed or whether an appointment needs to be made to enable the physician (or physician's employee) to sign the form in person.
• Make three copies of the form: One to keep, one to file with the employer and one to file with the union.
• If the doctor refuses to be pre-designated, the employee should call the health care provider (e.g. Kaiser, Blue Cross) to ask to be assigned to a new primary care provider who will agree to be pre-designated.

Members should contact their Business Agent or Shop Steward to obtain a Physician Pre-designation form. The Local recommends that every member complete this form so that they control the worker's compensation medical treatment .

Stewards also we given the booklet, Workers Compensation in California – A Guidebook for Injured Workers. It provides information and answers questions that workers have about the workers compensation system. Copies are available at the Local on request.

STEWARD TRAINING AND RESPONSIBILITIES – David Rosenfeld, attorney for Local 70, conducted a steward training program. He focused on both rights and responsibilities of stewards and members. The information was helpful but too much in the time available. Rosenfeld will continue his presentation at the Steward Council Meeting on December 10.

The Local's membership meeting followed the Steward Council - and it was well attended. This is the first Saturday regular membership meeting in the history of the Local. It grew out of a debate on how to increase member participation. The Executive Board decided to schedule Saturday meetings for June 11, September 17 and December 10. The October membership meeting will be the 4 th Thursday, October 27 and the November meeting will be the third Tuesday, November 15. Members approved suspension of member meetings in July and August.