PEIR

During contract negotiations in 1986, The Communications Workers of America and Mountain Bell signed a Letter of Agreement recommending the "exploration, development and implementation of a program to raise employee awareness and education of the magnitude and cost to the company..." of problems of substance abuse. The letter further recommended that "... the program should also provide adequate help to employees in seeking appropriate assistance in dealing with chemical and substance abuse..."

The PEIR program flourished in the Central region of U S WEST Communications during the 1986-1989 time period. During 1989 bargaining between the Communications Workers of America and US WEST Communications, in 1991 the program was expanded to include the Eastern and Western regions.

Currently there are 140 PEIR Facilitators throughout QWEST, offering help and support for employees and members experiencing problems with substance abuse, Chemical dependency or other stress issues.

PEIR facilitators help by:

· Forming a bridge between employees and Health Care professionals that facilitates appropriate evaluation and treatment,

· Encourage adherence to a treatment plan developed by an appropriate professional,

· Assisting employees involved in treatment with matters pertaining to daily life activities,

· Participating in return to work conferences, if requested to do so by the employee.


PEIR facilitators follow these guidelines:

· Activities are initiated only at the request of the employee.

· Facilitators strictly follow the guidelines for confidentiality.

· Facilitators do not represent themselves as counselors or attempt to function as such.

· PEIR activities are carefully differentiated and separate from any and all grievance and/or disciplinary activities.

· PEIR facilitator activities are in addition to the performance of normal job duties as a QWEST employee.

Our Local PEIR Facilitator is:

Chuck Miller

577-3314 (pager)