When are the "core" guys and gals going to realize that the company is going to surplus you into the prem position until there is no more core, or try and get you to volunteer to retire. By the end of 2019 we are going to have complete single dispatch, CO to prem. Does it cost more to have a core tech do that or a prem tech? The companies number one priority is cutting cost and paying debt. These core surpluses will continue at bigger numbers next year, than at the prem level, and they will work them the right way so there is no bumping in the geographical areas.
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"Maybe a dumb question but how did you folks acquire such knowledge? We’re you born knowing how to do these things. Throughout your careers you have acquired this knowledge and it’s naive to think that someone else couldn’t learn these skills and do what you do."
It's not naive at all.
The folks who possess said knowledge were working for the Company back when they actually spent the money to TRAIN their workforce on how to do their jobs. Let me put it this way, the last time I actually received company funded real training on equipment I maintain was FIFTEEN YEARS ago.
If we're talking new tech, you can probably burn some of your vacation time and spend your own money ( as I did ) to help you do your own job. Old tech, however, is a different animal. ( And trust me when I tell you this company is loaded with old tech. )
No one uses the old tech anymore except the Telecoms so finding any training isn't going to happen. So if you don't know it already, odds are you never will.
These days, you're lucky to get the manual or a .pdf file as " training " before they tell you to go make this new piece of equipment you've never seen work. Oh and we need it up by tomorrow.
As mentioned in another post, Premise Technician (Wire Technicians in the Southeast) was created as an entry level lower cost labor solution for U-Verse products delivery to help big T be cost competitive with other providers. U-Verse had a defined life cycle from the get go and we are nearly through it. Yes, anytime the company can migrate non-complex work from top craft to entry level craft, you can bet your a** that’s exactly what they are going to do. That being said, the level of ignorance shared by most Prem Techs about other CORE titles and job functions is almost laughable. Most Prem Techs really do think that CORE just means I&R (They really don’t know what that means either). CORE covers a lot of ground in multiple organizations within ATNO to include Field Operations East/West, FIeld Operations - Business, OOR, C&E, etc. This includes a lot of job functions to include construction splicing, cable maintenance, air pressure (pneumatics), Digital Electronics Group, Business Field Services, Special Services, Central Office 4-wall, Central Office-Power and YES, POTS and ATM DSL I&R.
My contract is expired.
Good luck adding work. If they are expecting more work, I am expecting a raise of no less than $25more/hour, doubling my 401k match, 2 weeks extra vacation, and freezing my healthcare cost.
The hell you thinking I am going to do someone else's work for free?
Some of you need to start growing a freakin backbone.
That is like them telling you to clean the toilet's because you are the only one in the building.
That thought process is only in the deepest darkest canals of Randall's hiney hole.
Contract the work out and lock me out
Hell give me a SIPP.
Until than it is a bad marriage and Att will need to understand f---ing me is not free.
In Ca Prem techs are being laid off every quarter. I have yet to see a core Permanent MST laid off in Ca! Only term MSTs are let go. We are doing more & more installs including single pr. It would take a lot of years before a PT could do it all lots of training lots of experience they don’t have!
@ncf...back in the day u hired on in the line crew. Period. U learned from A to Z, out to In. U learned by the book and not the "just slap the $hit on the wall so I can make my numbers" method. U worked your way in to slicing, cable repair, installer, and repairman all the time with older heads and management that would show u the right way. Nowadays not many know how to sweat and wipe a sleeve, most cable repair is pair changing, most managers couldn't poor pi$$ out of a boot with the directions written on the bottom of the heel, and folks who have never properly drive ringed an IW up under a house are now suddenly cable experts. The old knowledge is gone with out along with giving a rip about the customer. Folks now just wanna hurry up and make the numbers. Can't say as I blame them with the way the suits and ties treats folks these days.
1 billion is 1000 millions but I get your concern. While T was busy laying people off, an employee in Texas phone store ripped off 600,000 in 2 years.
1 billion is 1000 millions bit I get your concern. While they were busy laying people off, an employee in Texas phone store ripped off 600,000 in 2 years.
When you talk about cutting costs vs title, you are only talking about a few dollars an hour. The company is billions in bad debt and has to pay the high dividend. If they only cut every employees pay in half (including the board) they would still not pay down the debt while any of us are alive. Do you realize that 1 billion is 100 million? How many billions in debt? So a $6 an hour difference in pay doesn’t even cover the paper cost to print out the debt balance sheet. Wake up! Unite or fight it doesn’t matter. To late to turn things around, destruction by design started in the mid 2000’s
I am in management so not sure but let me give it a shot. Whichever position is paid less $ will be the winner. It is really all about $. The less they pay you, more in their pocket. Good luck all...we're all bottom feeders to them.
Prem techs are being phased out, most in my area are looking for other jobs since everyone is hiring.
taken from earlier post-
Dream on!!! Nothing to do with union just normal business decisions!!! NOTHING LASTS FOREVER!! OMG PEOPLE FIGURE IT OUT JOBS ARE BECOMiNG OBSOLETE!!! I feel for those of you that hired on at 18 or just after high school only job you know and probably your parent or parents did the same. Sorry to say that you are narrow minded this is no longer the Company your parents/grandparents worked for. Technology continues to grow and current craft/management is no longer sufficient for the upcoming future technologies.
In my area we took all the prem techs work back. And they’re still surplsing us!
Regional. Last contract there were different parameters set in the regions. Also let’s not act as if every Core Tech can bust into a lead sleeve. Have yet to see a regular Core Tech be the first choice when repairing a big cut unless there is no other choice or a rural area where the techs wear a lot of hats.
NEWSFLASH TO @GDY- Prem Techs in our district have been climbing poles for years. With hooks and ladders. And hanging their own drops. And testing pairs back to the crossbox and changing to good pairs. Many even remove bridge taps.
Prems may not be climbing into manholes, but neither does inr. Nothing around here is rocket science, with a little classtime and field experience anything can be learned.
No
It’s time to walk out
Simply a question. I keep hearing that prem techs don’t climb poles. Is this a regional thing because here in the southeast wire techs climb poles regularly with ladders/spikes and place ladders on span.
Shut up ... Core Field Techs have specialized skills and experience that Prem Techs do not have. Core Field Techs can learn and do Prem Tech Job because a lot of that work Core Field Techs already was doing as part of their work. Single Dispatch is the goal but Prem Techs do not dive manholes or climb poles nor go into SAI’s or RT’s or CEV’s... ... Prem Tech Job is a Term Job... that is why it is so low paying.... just think “Last in ... ... first OUT!!! “
There is a grievance process available for "downgrading" the work. That avenue would be available to core techs whose work was given to prem techs. There is no similar grievance process available for "upgrading" the work, if prem tech work was to be given to core techs.
Just saying... 😉
When are prem techs going to learn they will be gone long before core techs. Surplus core by by prem tech repeat.
Maybe a dumb question but how did you folks acquire such knowledge? We’re you born knowing how to do these things. Throughout your careers you have acquired this knowledge and it’s naive to think that someone else couldn’t learn these skills and do what you do.
Don’t see a complete single dispatch by the end of the year. Definitely working towards that but some issues involved are not things that can be learned in 6 months. Not sure how many Core techs could replace a shelf in a DEG hut for instance.
While i agree the company wants to cut costs they also want someone with experience and knowledge of cable prints and repair practices etc. I would go on a limb and say not to many prem techs would be capable of going into a man hole and working with pulp or dealing with iron cases etc theres just so much class cant teach you that experience trumps. Will see though when that day comes i guess.
You realize they are surprising prem techs also right? And giving Core much of their work.