Prior to coming to the postal service I had worked at a clothing manufacturer where we had just become unionized. I had experienced the working conditions before, and after, the union was implemented. And trust me, there was a big difference. It was a hard fight getting the union in, but it was well worth it. I learned quickly that it pays to have a union. Since I always liked helping people I thought, how better to do this than assisting them in fighting for their rights? It took about 10 seconds to accept the Vice Presidents’ offer for me to become a union steward, and the rest is history.
Over the past years I’ve tried my best to represent you, my co-workers, as best I could, and in the same manner that I would like to have been represented. From day one I never took my position as a representative lightly. It has been a great privilege, and an honor, to serve this Local as union steward, LSM chief steward, Assistant Clerk Craft Director, Clerk Craft Director, Vice President and President. I’ve said it several times in the past, being a union representative can be a thankless job, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for nothing in the world. There is no better feeling than giving your all to help someone and accomplishing that goal.
There does come a time, if you are lucky and live long enough, that you have to consider moving over and giving the next generation a chance to carry the torch. Presently, that is where I’m at. Even though I know I will miss this work very much, there is comfort in knowing there are some knowledgeable, dedicated, hardworking individuals who are very capable of taking over the reins and leading this Local in the right direction. Without the assistance and support of representatives from the National, Regional and Surrounding Local Offices, along with, yes a few good management people, I’m not sure I could have made it. I thank you all for allowing me to serve you, and for all of your past support. This experience will remain with me for the rest of my life.
As you are aware, there is an election going on right now in Philly. I would suggest that you don’t waste this privilege and please vote. This will probably be the most important election that that this Local has ever been confronted with. So in closing I ask that you take care, be blessed and don’t sweat the small stuff; and GET OUT AND VOTE FOR THE LOCAL ELECTION.
Management at the hotel refused to even talk to the unions representing these employees until our state union officials intervened and told them if they didn’t we would cancel our reservations and move to another hotel. Unfortunately the talks failed and the hotel employees went back to the picket line. At the root of the problem was that management had contracted some of the repair work to non-union workers, many of whom were nothing more than foreign day-laborers.
The host Local, the Eastern Montgomery County Area Local (EMCAL), made the decision to switch hotels due to the anti-worker business practices of the Doubletree Suites management. This was not an easy task because they had only a short time to find another union hotel in the area, with the facilities and ability to host our state union convention all at the last minute. The host Local had the monumental task of negotiating a new contract; switching all the rooms for the delegates and had to set up for the convention, as well as for the Tri-state Educational Conference that would be going on too.
The Doubletree Hotel did not willingly give up their contract with EMCAL. I have to commend the leadership and members of EMCAL for their decision to take a stand and back the other unions, even at the potential cost of thousands of dollars. “There was no way we would cross their picket line” stated EMCAL President AJ Jones.
Luckily the Sheraton Hotel in King of Prussia recently became unionized within the past two months so things went good for us there. The EMCAL team was able to pull it all together in only a few days; a truly amazing feat. During the convention the delegates passed a motion to share in the cost with EMCAL if the Doubletree Suites pursued legal action, and applauded the stand they took.
The leadership of the Painter and Laborer’s Locals addressed our convention delegates and thanked them for their support. They said that it made them especially proud to be union brothers and sisters with us.
The first timers also learned how resolutions get to the national level to be presented for adoption. In fact, one of our own union brothers, Carl Bauer, presented a resolution that the Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union (PPWU) adopted, and will present at the National APWU Convention.
There were also elections held at the convention for PPWU officers, and our newer members learned how this procedure was done. Different Locals from around the state grouped together to push their choice for a position.
I am happy to announce that two members of the Philadelphia Area Local were re-elected to their positions. Jeff Renfroe retained his position as Clerk Craft Director and Ken Prinz remained the PPWU Motor Vehicle Craft Director. Congratulation to both of them!
This was an extremely well run convention, in spite of the hassle of having to change locations at the last minute. I believe our newer delegates learned a great deal about how our union operates at the higher levels and also will be looking forward to attending the National APWU Convention in August.
The best news reported was that the nurses union had decided to merge with the APWU. This merger has added 160 new members to our APWU family.
Mr. Stapleton reported that the APWU has 277,000 total members, of which 218,000 are full dues paying members. The remaining members are a mix of; retirees, private sector workers, support services employees, nurses and associate members.
The state convention also had the pleasure of being addressed by the President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Bill George. President George reported that across the country unions were gaining strength. He said that there were over 900,000 new union members across America, 85,000 of them in Pennsylvania alone. He called it the rebirth of the union movement.
President George urged everyone to vote this fall, stating “the working people/middle class needs to take back the flag – take back the country. We can do that this election.”
The state convention was very successful and well attended. At the end of the convention it was reported that there were 185 delegates in attendance from all over the state.
The minutes for the March 20, 2008 General Membership meeting were read and approved as read.
The Treasurer’s report was read by Treasurer Gwen Ivey. She gave her report on the Maintenance, Contingency, General Fund, Citizens checking and Citizens savings accounts for March 2008. The report was accepted as read.
The minutes for the April 24, 2008 Executive Board Meeting were read and accepted as read.
It was reported that Regina Fuller has been re-elected as Treasurer of Coalition for Labor Union Women (CLUW) and sits on the executive board representing APWU. A motion was made, and passed, that Regina Fuller’s dues for CLUW be paid by the Local.
In ‘Old Business’ it was reported that the issue of Retreat Rights Bidding Update-Disagreement with Postal Service on whether or not they created the correct number of jobs according to the contract is currently being researched.
In ‘New Business,’ it was reported that the Local would host an educational Open House on April 29th.
On June 7th, from 7PM till 2AM at Union Hall, the Local will hold a Beef and Beer to raise money for the Committee on Political Action (COPA). At the event a drawing will be held for the COPA raffle. The cost of the tickets for the Beef and Beer are $15. The raffle prizes are: first prize is a 26” LCD HD-TV and a Wii game system, second prize is a Wii game system and third prize is a $100 gift card. For tickets to the Beef and Beer or the raffle see a union representative.
I hope to see you all at the COPA Beef and Beer!
If you have not received a ballot by May 27, 2008, contact the American Arbitration Association, 230 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, (215) 731-2280, advising them that you did not receive a ballot, and one will be mailed to you. Be sure to give your name, address, social security number and craft.
All other questions concerning the election should be addressed to the Judge of Elections. The Judge of Elections isHarry Dugan. He can be reached by calling (610) 522-4520 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., from June 3, 2008, through June 12, 2008, except Saturday and Sunday.
Election results will be posted upon certification by the American Arbitration Association.
Voting will take place for the following positions:
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected USPS claims that the supervisor was exercising his rights under the First Amendment when he threatened to sue the employee and warned the worker that he “had better get a good attorney.” The supervisor was acting as an agent of the Postal Service when he made the threat, the court found, and his “illegal speech” was not protected by the First Amendment.
The National Labor Relations Act prohibits employers from retaliating or threatening to retaliate against employees who file such complaints.
The case stemmed from an incident on Aug. 25, 2004, when an employee at a Florida post office discovered white powder in a tray of letters. Mindful of incidents involving anthrax in the mail, several workers protested the supervisor’s instructions to process the mail. The supervisor told the shop steward at the Destin post office to shut up, and an employee filed an unfair labor practice charge, alleging that the supervisor had refused to allow the shop steward to perform his duties.
When the supervisor learned of the complaint, he was working at another post office. He phoned the employee who lodged the complaint, questioned him about the charge, told the employee he would be sorry, and said he was going to sue.
The supervisor never sued the employee, but the postal worker filed a charge with the NLRB, asserting that the Postal Service, through the supervisor, had threatened retaliation, in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
The NLRB, concluding that the supervisor’s statement constituted a threat for “protected union activity” filed an unfair labor charge against the Postal Service. An NLRB administrative law judge upheld the charge, and the full board adopted the judge’s recommendation. The board ordered the Postal Service to “cease and desist from threatening employees with a lawsuit or other reprisals for filing unfair-labor practice charges” and to stop interfering with employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
James, Oregon Postal Workers Union
That is why the APWU solicits voluntary contributions to COPA, the union’s Committee on Political Action. In many elections we use these voluntary contributions to support candidates we believe will stand up for working families.
However, Sen. Obama refuses to accept contributions from lobbyists or political action committees — including the APWU’s — because he is committed to eradicating the undue influence of “special interests” in the political process. His refusal to accept contributions from lobbyists and PACs demonstrates his dedication to this goal.
This commitment was one of the primary reasons for our endorsement. We believe it is far past time to stop big-money contributors from drowning out the voices of average Americans.
The union has multiple sources of income, including members’ dues, contributions to COPA, Health Plan service fees, and others. Expenses incurred to announce and explain the NEB decision are paid for from these sources of revenue, but no funds have or will be used from the membership dues during the Democratic primaries to support the candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama