Calvin Patrick

Calvin Patrick has written and published five books. The first book by Calvin Patrick "Inside the Hurricane" was written about his activities over 40 years with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) representing employees as a steward, Local officer and for 23 years as a CWA Representative. He was involved in administration and negotiation of contracts, in many companies including BellSouth, South Central Bell, General Telephone of Kentucky, and United Telecommunications. His second book "Patrick Family History", is unique in that it tells story's about many family members, their interactions with each other, an their family history.

A third book "Divine Inspiration" by John Calvin Patrick is a book of poems written as John prepared to meet his Lord and Savior. It can be read in an hour and those who have read it say they can't put it down once they start. a forth book "McIntyres of South Mississippi"

is a history of the McIntyre's who came from Scotland purchased land built homes and raised families all in Eastern Jefferson County MS. Their families are now scattered all over the west

from California, Oregon, Utah. New Mexico Texas etc. Book five, is a history of Patrick's own immediate family and has the family history and challenges of being share cropper's and then becoming self sufficient, then each of the five children shares their personal stories.

In 1980 Patrick was promoted and transferred to the the CWA District office in Birmingham, As a pioneer in recognizing the danger of escalating health care cost Patrick began discussions with then South Central Bell to contain health cost. The Company insisted on monetary penalties when employees failed to complying with the rules that were being negotiated.. Negotiations continued for two years before an agreement was finalized in 1983. At the next round of negotiations it was recognized that the rules were complied with and the penalties had been unnecessary.

Patrick was innovative and developed a Grievance/arbitration retrieval system that was used as a template for CWA’s first nationwide computerized grievance system (called GRIT). Another innovation he had urged was getting Bellsouth to agree to an expedited arbitration and mediation process’s that allowed the parties to handle suspensions and most discharges cases without attorneys or formal rules. The result was many more cases were resolved and resources saved thus satisfying everyone. His last innovation was convincing BellSouth that it was appropriate for employees to wear the CWA Logo on Company uniforms. This was placed in the 1996 agreement. Building Mutual Respect and Trust was a hallmark of Patrick’s work. After two strikes of five and seven months each, Payton Adams, President of General Telephone of Kentucky penned a personal letter to Patrick, “As we close out the year I want to personally thank you for assisting in making our Company have a successful year. In the years of dealing with Union personnel, I put you at the top of people I know that are outstanding Union leaders. “I shall always be totally grateful for the assistance you gave me in improving the relationship between the craft and management employees in our Company”. Local President Carol Moss wrote, “We sure do miss having you as our State Director. You were and are a mean little @#%$, but at least you got the job done, and a hell of a job at that. I still love you just like I do my two brothers - - -Well I know you just want the facts. - - - We all love and miss you. Sure wish you were up here for negotiations. Regina Carol Moss, President Local 10372. In retirement Patrick is heavily involved in Ancestry and was instrumental in starting a Foodbank and Furniture ministry in his Church which continues to grow with over a hundred volunteers. He continues in service to others. Having gone on 14 mission trips in 4 different countries.