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Great News about Daycare
Reimbursement Click Here for more info!
Membership Meeting
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Get details from our Fairpoint brothers & sisters about their contract!
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Getting ready for contract expiration – August 2008! Bargaining begins soon!
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Talk about what goes on in your office, call center or store
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Ask your elected officials questions about contract and workplace issues
Saturday, April 26th 12:00 PM
The Lawrence Elks 652 Andover Street Lawrence, MA
Click here for a Printable flyer. Please share the info with your co-workers!
Rally to Support Idearc Workers and Retirees
Fight For Our Rights! Good Jobs • A Secure Future • Respect
Saturday, March 29
10:00 am
Boston Teachers' Union, 150 Mount Vernon Street, Boston
(refreshments will be on hand)
Please read our News Page for the full story and flyer
03-04-2008
As of 03-04-2008 the following members have refused to step down from
a TP or Acting Position:
Taunton
- Kelly Boyer, Tracy Long
Andover
- Kerri Cormay, Greg Naffah, Patrick Farmer
Thanks for your support "brothers and sisters"
03-03-2008
Monday March 3rd All members who are TP or Acting managers are asked to step down as of today. please return to your normal union functions
The Winner of the
2007 Melissa A. Morin Scholarship
is:
Charina Melmmolo, Daughter of Nancy Melmmolo, Andover Natural
Returns
Congratulations!
Membership Meeting 10/20/2007
Click here for a printable flyer to
share this info
Saturday October 20th 12:00PM 155 West
Road Portsmouth NH
Find out
what is going on in the Northern States and what you can do
to help!
Getting
ready for contract expiration – August 2008!
Talk
about what goes on in your call center or your store
Ask
your elected officials questions about contract and
workplace issues
The Winner of the
2007 Melissa A. Morin Scholarship
is:
Charina Melmmolo, Daughter of Nancy Melmmolo, Andover Natural
Returns
Congratulations!
CWA's
Presidential Endorsement
To:"cheryl ahern"
Subject: CWA's Presidential Endorsement
<http://www.cwa-union.org>
Dear cheryl,
As a CWA activist, you are the union.
You represent what is best about CWA, America's most democratic,
member-driven union. That's why I want your views about CWA's
presidential endorsement process.
The CWA Executive Board will be meeting in mid-September to
discuss, among other topics, whether CWA should endorse a
candidate for President, and we want your input.
If we endorse a candidate, he or she will have the full weight
of CWA's political resources--but we only want to plan a course
of action if we have overwhelming support from our members.
Please take our three-question online survey, which will be
compiled for our Executive Board deliberations.
Give us your feedback now by clicking on the link below.
CWA Presidential Endorsement Survey
CWA has already asked each candidate to respond questions on our
three key issues: jobs, health care and the right to
collectively bargain and organize. We will be putting up the
answers from every candidate who responds on a special CWA 2008
political website.
But we can do more than post responses to survey questions. Some
unions have already made endorsements for the primary elections,
while others are holding off.
Over the past week, the Steelworkers and Mine Workers unions
endorsed former North Carolina Senator John Edwards. The
Machinists union endorsed New York Senator Hillary Clinton and
former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee for President. And
the Fire Fighters union endorsed Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd.
At CWA, we want to make sure that members have the opportunity
to weigh in directly on the critical issues facing our union.
That's why we need your input on three simple questions:
* Should CWA endorse a candidate for President prior to the
first primary?
* Should the CWA Executive Board seek input on which candidate
to endorse by holding a national membership referendum?
* Who are your current top three presidential candidates?
Please answer those questions here:
CWA Presidential Endorsement Survey
A CWA presidential endorsement means much more than a press
release. It means a commitment to knock on doors, make phone
calls, and get out the vote for that candidate now until
Election Day.
The results of this survey will help determine our plan for the
coming weeks. We need as many CWA activists to participate as
possible by Wednesday, September 12, to ensure that our
leadership knows where you stand before our next Board meeting.
We look forward to reading your responses.
In Solidarity,
Jeff Rechenbach
Executive Vice President
----------------
P.S. Please copy the special message below and e-mail it to
other CWA stewards, mobilizers and activists, asking them to
take the survey:
Millions of union members have already made endorsements for the
2008 presidential election.
Do you want CWA to get in on the action?
CWA wants to hear from as many local activists as possible about
the upcoming election. Who do we support for President--and what
role should the Communications Workers of America play?
Please give your feedback now:
www.cwa-union.org/endorsesurvey
Thanks!
Photo Album has been updated including new
photos from the rally on 08/02/2007
Announcing.........
GREEKFEST 2007
Join us in NH
Saturday and Sunday August 18th & 19th
Click Here
for more Info!
Click Here
For an update on The Rally that took place
August 2nd 2007 in Boston
Telephone workers' to rally
in Boston one year before contract expiration
August 2, 2007 marks one year before the
Verizon telephone workers' contract expires!
Join IBEW and CWA members for a major rally as we show our
strength in numbers!
5:30 pm, August 2, 2007
185 Franklin Street
Boston, MA
Here We Go Again!
Year of Strike Issue
1968 Wages
1983 Job security
1989 Health care
2003 Movement of work
2008
ALL OF THE ABOVE!
We Beat Them Back Before:
Here We Go Again!
Please wear RED on Thursdays!
N.Y. Times Backs Free Choice Act
click the text above to read
the story
Urgent: Comments Needed to Save FMLA
As CWA fights to preserve the Family and Medical Leave Act, the
union quickly
needs to hear from members who have benefited from the law, or
else have had employers reject their requests for FMLA time.
CWA will be filing a response to the Labor Department's request
for comments in
what the AFL-CIO says could be the first step in a process to
revise the law and
make it harder for workers to take FMLA leave.
Corporate America launched a campaign last year to water down
FMLA, which has
helped an estimated 50 million working Americans since it became
law in 1993.
Michael Eastman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said, "Changing
FMLA is our No. 1 priority right now in terms of labor issues."
CWA General Counsel Mary O'Melveny said she needs information
from members by
the end of
January. She asked members to e-mail her their stories
at
maryo@cwa-union.org.
More information about the comment process, including a sample
letter, is available
on the
website of the National Partnership for Women and Families. Go
to
www.nationalpartnership.org
and click on the FMLA regulations link under
"In the News." E-mail and postal addresses are available if
members want to submit
letters directly to the Department of Labor. O'Melveny requested
that members s
end her a copy of their letters.
Excerpts from CWA Communications
Department
Subject: link to pictures from IBEW, CWA, UWUA New England
organizing strategy mtg 12-2-06
Click on the link below to view pictures from an all-day New
England-wide meeting to develop and share strategies for
uniting workers at VZ Wireless, VZ Business, Comcast and
other cable companies. CWA President Larry Cohen was the
kick off speaker. After the meeting, most participants
joined with Jobs with Justice to protest at the nearby
Sullivan Tire in support of thousands of workers on strike
at Goodyear Tire fighting to preserve health care benefits.
You do not have to join Shutterfly to view the pictures. If
you want prints, order from Shutterfly. If you would like
any on the original .jpg files, just email the number to
me.
Rand Wilson, Organizing Director
IUE-CWA Local 201
Hyannis Closing in the news
(letters to the editor of the cape cod times)
November
16, 2006
50 lost jobs
belong on our radar screens
I am
appalled by the comments of David Augustinho of the Cape &
Islands Workforce Investment Board as reported Nov. 7. The
loss of 50 Verizon jobs on Cape Cod is a loss not only to
the employees, but to Cape Cod as well.
The minimum wage earned by all the employees at Verizon
at North Street, Hyannis, is $56,004 a year. Due to overtime
requirements, bonus, and other incentives, there isn't one
of the 50 employees that earns the base. Has Augustinho
created one job on Cape Cod with a base salary of $56,000?
Does he have 50 jobs awaiting the Verizon employees with a
similar salary?
How dare he take so lightly the loss of 50 well-paying
call center jobs. Let's see him come to the plate and create
50 new jobs for these employees. Maybe it's time call center
jobs were put on his ''radar screen.''
Mr. Augustinho owes the employees of Verizon, the Cape
& Islands Workforce Investment Board, and all residents of
Cape Cod an apology for his comments and his lack of concern
for jobs on Cape Cod.
Leslee Blackler
South Harwich
Our business
warriors waved a white flag
For
one whose title is executive director of the Hyannis Main
Street Business District, Cynthia Cole must have a
laissez-faire attitude about Hyannis' economic future in
characterizing Verizon's move as a redevelopment
opportunity.
I have worked at Verizon's North Street offices since
1999. My colleagues and I represent $3.5 million in annual
salaries. We patronize businesses in the Main Street area
daily. We buy coffee, lunches and snacks at local
establishments. We shop on breaks and after work. Maybe
Cynthia Cole won't miss our contributions to local coffers,
but she might want to check with area businesses a few
months after Verizon shuts its doors on the Cape. Chances
are, her perception will be altered.
I am equally disturbed by comments made by David
Augustinho of the Cape and Islands Workforce Investment
Board, who said he was not particularly concerned about the
loss of jobs. If his domain is investment on the Cape and
Islands, we should most certainly be on his radar screen -
'' any local business that generates $3.5 million a year
should be. Furthermore, we're a clean industry. We don't
pollute and we don't create noise.
I'm appalled that neither Ms. Cole or Mr. Augustinho
seem concerned enough to fight to keep the jobs here, where
they belong and will benefit everyone.
Deborah A. Mason
Dennis
Below is a letter from MoveOn to its supporters in
Massachusetts regarding MoveOn's possible support for Question
2. Please click on the link or paste it into your browser and
vote YES for Question 2. It only takes about 30 seconds.
Also Vote YES for Question 3!
Sincerely,
Rand Wilson, Candidate for Auditor
Wilson for Working Families
Dear MoveOn member in Massachusetts,
This November
voters in Massachusetts will be asked to vote on 2 ballot
measures we wanted to bring to your attention. MoveOn's
position on these measures are decided by a vote of MoveOn
members in Massachusetts.
Please cast your
endorsement vote by clicking on the link below. You can also
learn more about the measure at that link.
The 2 measures we
want your feedback on would allow fusion voting to let
candidates run on the ballot line of more than political
party and provide important workers' rights to child care
workers to improve conditions for children and the workers.
Please weigh in
on MoveOn's stand today.
Thanks for all
you do.
–Tom, Jennifer,
Ilyse, Nita and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Sunday, October 15th, 2006
Press Release
For immediate release: August 22, 2006
Contact: Rand Wilson, (617) 623-8405 or rand@mindspring.org
CWA Local 1400 endorses Wilson for state Auditor
The executive board of Communications Workers of America Local
1400 - a union of Verizon and Cingular customer service
employees and other communications workers in Massachusetts
and northern New England - voted to endorse Rand Wilson for
state Auditor on August 16.
"Rand was one of the key organizers for our union when
thousands of NYNEX customer service workers united in Local
1400 back in the 1980s," said Cheryl Ahern, president of Local
1400. "While the phone company has gone through many changes
since then, Rand has never stopped working to support union
members and their families."
"Our Local's endorsement for Rand and for the Ballot Freedom
campaign sends a message to the politicians who have too often
taken our support for granted," said Local 1400 Treasurer
Sarah Rotcavich. "That's why we support a new, independent
Working Families Party and why we are proud to stand with the
Rand in his bid for Auditor."
The Ballot Freedom campaign supports passage of a statewide
referendum question in November's election that would allow an
issue-based party - like the Working Families Party - to
support major-party candidates on its own ballot line. It
gives voters an opportunity to support independent political
parties but not waste their vote on someone who can't win, or
inadvertently elect the candidate that they least support.
With Ballot Freedom, citizens could vote for a Democrat or
Republican on the Working Families Party ballot line, showing
their support for the party's pro-worker platform. Although
banned in Massachusetts in 1912, seven other states still
allow cross-endorsements. The Working Families Party has been
the margin of victory in several tight races in New York State
and is a growing force in Connecticut.
To learn more about Ballot Freedom, visit the campaign website
at: www.massballotfreedom.com or call 617 282-2002.
"As a long-time CWA staffer, it's an honor to have this vote
of confidence," said Wilson. "With growing support from unions
and community groups, I'm sure we will change the face of
politics in Massachusetts forever."
The Wilson for Working Families campaign has also been
endorsed by ACORN's Political Action Committee, Communications
Workers of America Local 1365, Boston Democratic Socialists of
America, IBEW Local 2222, Teamsters Local 122, United
Electrical Workers Northeast Region, Women's Health Institute,
and Women's Universal Health Initiative.
For a candidate bio, photos, news clips, and background
information, please contact the Wilson for Working Families
Campaign at (617) 623-8405 or visit www.randwilson.org.
Read a
Unity at Verizon newsletter
HERE
Sign up for the Unity at Verizon Newsletter
HERE
A Picture With
Vermont
Governor Douglas
In this picture from left is:
IBEW Business Manager Mike Spellane
Vermont Governor Douglas
CWA Vermont Chief Steward Darlene Stone
CWA Vermont DVP Mike O'Day
TAPE UPDATE 08-03-2006
Thank you for
calling CWA Local 1400, Steward Steve Carroll speaking. On
August 2, 2006 DVP Mike O'Day and Chief Steward Darlene Stone
met with Vermont Govenor Douglas regarding Verizon putting the
Northern States Landlines up for sale. Mike
O’Day presented the case that the ratepayers financed the
creation of the phone infrastructure in Vermont, as in all other
states, and for Verizon to sell off Vermont in order to raise
cash to build a fiber network in Massachusetts would be shorting
VT ratepayers. Why let VZ sell VT to benefit MA? It doesn't
benefit MA because every CWA rep takes calls from NH, ME and VT
and if those calls disappear so don't our jobs. WAKE UP. THE
FIGHT IS ON! Stay Strong Stay United.
TAPE UPDATE 07-19-2006
Thank you for calling CWA Local 1400, Steve Carroll union
steward speaking. 1496 CWA delegates carrying 474,720 votes
attended the CWA convention July 10-11. In a close
vote Resolution 2, The Establishment of a Strategic Industry
Fund was passed. SIF will allows the National to
finance large scale campaigns to increase our bargaining
power. Working much like the Defense Fund, locals will send
in proposals to the National Executive Board.
Talk about pulling your chair out from under you,
Cingular
will replace any chair that was removed during remodeling.
The Share Chief Steward election will be held onsite at Share
July 27, 2006 from 12:30-6:30. Remember every vote counts!
The District 8 Vice President election count will be held July
28, 2006 at 11:00am in the AAA offices.
TAPE UPDATE 06-16-2006
On
Thursday, June 8th, the NH AFL-CIO hosted former Senate
majority leader Tom Dachel & State Rep Jim Craig. Labor
leaders were invited to an "inner circle" with the
politicians to voice our concerns. Local 1400 was
represented by President Cheryl Ahern and Treasurer
Sarah Rotcavich. They were joined by IBEW and both
unions articulated the potential negative impact of
rural red-lining. Our message was heard and both men
pledged their support. The meeting then opened up to a
larger labor audience and other potential NH political
candidates were there to hear our collective concerns.
On June 16, 2006 President Cheryl Ahern, Darlene Stone
and Mike O'Day representing Local 1400 will be attending
a meeting at Senator Leahy's Burlington office to
discuss Verizon's planned sale of land lines in
Vermont.
We know many of you are looking for a way to help our
brothers & sisters in the Northern States, and right now
the best way to assist in the fight is to pledge your
solidarity. Please do so by wearing black on Fridays
and signing the petitions that your chief stewards and
DVP's are circulating.
Watch for Bring your Kids to Work Day in your Verizon locations. Remember
to Support Our Troops during the upcoming Christmas in
July drive brought to you by the Work and Family
Committee.
On June 23, 2006 there will be a Cingular Labor
Relations meeting, please contact the local office or
Cingular Steve Dillman with issues and concerns.
TAPE UPDATE 06-05-2006
CWA Locals 1400 and 1298 met with Cingular in Rocky Hill, Ct
on May 31, 2006. Just to give you a heads up on what this
company thinks is important to our membership, they
unilaterally decided to remove the chairs from all Cingular
locations. Guess what? Your on an eight hour shift and your
feet hurt, you can't sit. RIDICULOUS, the union is fighting
this decision in the meantime the Cingular will be allowing
members to have there Dr's fill out a Cingular form to return
to Cingular and they will decide if you medically can have a
chair. In the meantime,,, , There is a Cingular Working
Relations meeting scheduled for June 23
, 2006 if you have any issues or concerns please contact the
union hall or youe DVP Steve Dillman.
As of today the only surplus that Verizon has declared is in
NH, we will keep you updated with any new information. The
fight to save the landlines in NH, ME and VT continues, the
members have mobilized and you will be asked to sign
petitions, write letters to your local politicians, whatever
it takes to keep VERIZON JOBS HERE! We need to stop the
corporate greed. This potential sale affects every member and
job function that CWA Local 1400 represents. If you want
to be on our CWA Local 1400 e-mail list please contact the
local at 603 436 4388.
On Friday June 2, 2006 a Labor Management Committee meeting
was held at Share. The company passed out a proposed
amendment to the performance standards. The union is
currently reviewing the proposal. As you re call during 2003
bargaining the company declared an impasse and implemented the
performance standards. CWA Local 1400 has never agreed to
performance standards. The Share Workplace Improvement
Committee will meet June 9, 2006 please see any committee
member with issues and concerns.
P.S.......A little red birdie told me that a 1st level manager
stormed out of a 1st step grievance hearing last week and
refused to come back ............mmmhhmmm interesting
Stay Strong, Stay United
TAPE UPDATE FRIDAY 05-25-2006
Union leaders from CWA and IBEW met at local 2320 in
Manchester, NH to mobilize to stop Verizon from selling
landlines in VT, NH and ME. IBEW and CWA are committed to work
to together. Remember, if Verizon is successful this will
affect every member in every state. All business and
residential service reps take calls everyday from NH, VT and
ME. What will happen to our jobs if those customers disappear.
Rural areas are under attack, Verizon is once again showing they
do not care about the people that work tirelessly day after day
for them. All the big wigs in Verizon care about is how can
they their own pockets with more money.
On
May 16, 2006
CWA Local 1400 President Cheryl Ahern and Maine District Vice
President Ann Mussenden met with Maine Govenor Baldacci.
Govenor Baldacci agreed to write a letter to Verizon CEO Ivan
Seidenberg, to stop the sell off of landlines.
We currently have a backlog of 200 Verizon grievances,
your Local 1400 Officers are working very hard to clean this
up. We appreciate your patience if you have a grievance waiting
to be heard. A special thanks to Executive Vice President Meg
Collins for making a dent in the backlog by staying up
late prepping and pinning the company down with grievance dates.
The CSSC's internet access was restricted as of Friday May 12,
2006.
The union is putting together a list of sites that reps need for
job use for the company to review. Please forward suggestions
to your Chief Stewards. The company has also agreed to set up a
cyber cafe in each location for reps to use on breaks and
lunches, if your office doesn't have one already you should by
June 1.
On
Monday May 8, 2006
President Cheryl Ahern attended the Regional Work and Family
meeting, the committee voted to up the cap for daycare
reimbursement to $100,000. This is great news for our union
brothers and sisters in Verizon.
Share and union leadership me t on May 9, 2006. The company is
looking into a revision regarding fulfillment standards and will
be drafting a proposal to present to the union at the next Labor
Management meeting scheduled for
June 2, 2006.
The Share Work Place Issue committee will consist of Linda
Blair, Miki Bell, Steve Singer and Lenore Myers.
Cingular District Vice President Steve Dillman is addressing the many concerns
and issues our Brothers and Sisters at Cingular have. A meeting
is scheduled for
May 25, 2006.
The company is waiting 45 days after a SAM to discipline. THIS
IS UNACCEPTABLE.
STAY STRONG AND STAY UNITED
TAPE UPDATE FRIDAY 04-28-2006
Well, the Braintree Encore members have a new home at the
Taunton MAC. RUMOR has it that the Braintree SRC will be moving
sometime in JUNE. I think JUNE 2006 but you never know with
Verizon. Who is running the show over there? If they only
listened to us to begin with.....
WE are under attack! Verizon is asking for Doctor's notes at an
alarming rate. The Local is looking into the issue with the CWA
Legal Team, in the mean time , STAY STRONG follow the grievance
process and see your steward or District Vice President with any
questions.
The 2006-2009 membership cards have been signed (thank you
Kerri, and no you can't call out sick for writers cramp) and
mailed.
We are all waiting for the final certification for the Share
District Vice President Election, I'll let you know as soon as
we get it.
The next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for May 10, see
your District Vice President with any issues that need to be
addressed.
Listen up folks............there are only 830 days left until
the Verizon contract expires, CAN YOU HEAR ME 830.......we need
to MOBILIZE, MOBILIZE, MOBILIZE. The company is already having
bargaining strategy meetings, REMEMBER WE ARE
UNION, WE ARE STRONG AND WE ARE PROUD!
TAPE UPDATE FRIDAY 04-21-2006
You can here this by calling the tape at 603 431-4440. We will
update the tape, and the website as often as possible
Thank you for calling CWA Local 1400 union steward Steve Carroll
speaking.
We are getting a lot of positive feedback on our Membership
meeting 4/8 held in Springfield MA. Thank you to those in
attendance and thank you for your participation. Special thank
you to our staff rep Paul Bouchard for his presentation on
T-mobile.
We discussed the following….
The Union and Verizon met Thurs 4/13/05 for a common Issues
meeting. The company gave a presentation on VIBE it is the
system that will be replacing hard reference.. ez reference that
is. We discussed the following issues: Dr’s notes - the union
has advised the co of the issues surrounding Dr’s notes and we
are aggressively seeking a solution. The company is checking the
legality of the departments having drs letters info, and
violation of the hippa law.
We discussed the following…..
Chief steward elections: congrats to: JoAnne O’Leary – Andv blue
team,, Deb McCarthy – Andv FIOS, Gregg Irving – Brain Encore,
Darlene Stone – Burl, Jay Ribaga – Hyannis, SueWinchell –
Marlboro, Barb Finn – Portland, Christine Parker - Worc, John
Krol – Andover, Bob Mutty - Bangor, Joe Cody – Boston, Lisa Kay
– Elm St NH, Jessica LaFleur – Spfd, Jean Piccardi Braintree SRC
Cingular members, thank you and congratulations to Steve Dillman
–appointed DVP for 60 days pending ,an election.
Results Share DVP election: Congratulations Linda Blair pending
final certification
Please email clocal1400@aol.com w/ any changes to your adr,
phone / email info
The SCR Split & SafeGuarding
Thank you for calling CWA Local 1400, Steward Steve Carroll
speaking, it is
Friday March 24, 2006.
The Share District Vice President election is under way. If any
member has not received a ballot please call the AAA at
617-695-6037. Ballots must be received by
5pm,
April 5th and will be counted
April 6, 2006
at
11:00am at the AAA offices.
Welcome all Cingular members, please feel free to call the local
at 800 910 4388 with any issues and concerns you have. Any
Cingular member that has not signed a membership card please
notify the local.
CWA Local 1400 has a Verizon Common Issues meeting scheduled for
March 31, 2006.
If any member has any thoughts or issues please e-mail
clocal1400@aol.com.
The company is maintaining that they are unable to accommodate
the entire SRC in one location because it will not allow for
room to grow. The company is now stating that they will move
the fiber group as a whole in place of the working service and
499 functions. The UNION has advised the company that if they
do not follow the contract a NLRB will BE FILED. SENIORITY MUST
NOT BE VIOLATED. Our Brothers and Sisters are united and will
stick together on this issue.
There is no clear issue from Verizon regarding safeguarding. We
have cases where the company has been disciplining members for
not safeguarding. CWA Local 1400 is keeping an eye on this and
will discuss it at the next Common Issues meeting. We as a
UNION
want a clear understanding of what members should or should not
be doing in regard to what Verizon CLAIMS to be compliance.
Verizon notified CWA that they are starting an AD campaign which
will be stressing their reputation through, TV, print, and radio
ADS. It is the companies intention to use CWA members in these
ADs. Verizon does not intend to pay any member for their
participation. CWA has NO INTEREST in participating.
Attention all Business reps, Verizon has a new company due to
the MCI merger. All accounts can be under attack. With no
neutrality clause keep an eye out on all accounts.
UNITED WE STAND
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