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Olympia Local
APWU Press Release 11/9/05
Transfer of Mail Processing from Olympia to Tacoma will
Reduce Service to Entire State
For Immediate
Release 11/9/5 Contact Clint Burelson, President
360-970-2965
Statement by Clint Burelson, President
The Postal Service
study of the Olympia Processing and Distribution Center
justifying the proposal to transfer outgoing mail operations
from Olympia to Tacoma claimed that there would be no changes in
service as a result of the transfer. However the Postal Service
is already admitting that there will be service changes. Postal
Service spokesperson Ernie Swanson and postal managers have
admitted that cut off times for processing outgoing mail will
have to be earlier. This means that residents, businesses,
organizations, and state agencies in the entire 985 zip code
areas will have to drop their mail off earlier or their mail
will be delayed.
State agencies,
businesses and organizations that do large discounted mailings
will be faced with the unpleasant choice of paying extra postage
or delaying the mail if they don’t meet the earlier cut off
time. Consolidated Mail, a Washington State agency, has
predicted a cost of approximately $2 million if the proposal to
transfer the mail goes through. This cost will ultimately be
paid by everyone in the state.
Olympia is the
Capitol and the home of many state agencies and organizations
and if their mailings are affected, then mail going to residents
and businesses in the entire state will be affected.
Many business,
legal, and state transactions involving the requirement of a
postmark will also be in jeopardy if the Postal Service requires
an earlier cut off time to get that day’s postmark. As it is,
most people can mail their letters after work and the Olympia
Plant will place that day’s postmark on the mail and send it on
its way in a timely manner. An earlier cut off time will mean a
major readjustment for everyone and jeopardize important
business, legal and state correspondence.
While there is
concern about the postmark, primarily there is concern with the
service historically associated with having the postmark in
Olympia. The postmark usually signifies where the mail is
processed. Processing the mail in Olympia provides better
service to the entire state because of the mailing cut off times
that allow state agencies the time to get the mail to citizens
all over the state. Processing the mail in Tacoma, Seattle or
anywhere else will mean earlier cut off times. Putting an
Olympia postmark on mail processed in Tacoma or even the
ridiculous idea of a joint postmark is dishonest and will not
change the fact that mail cut off times will be earlier and
service will be reduced for the entire state.
Contact: Clint
Burelson - clintburelson comcast.net or 360-970-2965
 Annual
Costs of Olympia Plant
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Postal Service Should Stop Plans to Transfer
Mail Cancellation Operations From Olympia to Tacoma
For Immediate Release
11/7/5 Contact Clint Burelson, President 360-970-2965
Statement by
Clint Burelson, President
The Olympia Local of the American
Postal Workers Union is calling for the Postal Service to stop
plans to transfer mail cancellation operations from Olympia to
Tacoma. The main reasons to stop the proposal are: the loss of
the Olympia Postmark, the reduction in service to the public,
the lack of significant savings (if any), and the negative
impact on employees.
The movement of the mail to Tacoma
should also be stopped based on the Postal Service’s handling of
the proposal, which is in conflict with existing regulations and
policies. The failure of the Postal Service to be forthcoming
in their intentions, the failure to gather local input, the
failure to respond to requests for information and the failure
to follow other existing rules has undermined the public’s
confidence in the Postal Service’s Olympia proposal.
The lack of proper procedure by the
Postal Service has contributed to a flawed study. The study by
the Postal Service states that there will be no reduction in
service to the community. However, immediately after announcing
the completion of the study and their intentions to move the
Olympia mail to Tacoma, Postal Service representatives are
admitting that service to the Olympia community will be
reduced. There are also indications that the cost savings
claimed by the Postal Service are inaccurate.
A General Accounting Office (GAO)
report in April of this year strongly criticized the Postal
Service as whole for its lack of clarity, criteria and
accountability in handling consolidations. These criticisms are
valid for the Olympia case as well.
The Postal Service should be
required to cease all proposed consolidations until such time
they have demonstrated that they have a process in place to
insure that Postal Service proposals that affect the community
are fair, open, and beneficial to the community.
Contact: Clint Burelson -
clintburelson comcast.net or 360-970-2965
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New Jersey APWU Local to Hold Informational Picket at
Contract Postal Unit
(posted 7/27/05)
The New Jersey Shore Area Local, APWU, is holding an
informational picket at a new contract postal unit. The local
has requested the help from all APWU Locals and from all postal
employees.
The Postal Service in Toms River, NJ has called all of the
employees in the office in an attempt to intimidate and
discourage their participation in this informal picket to
preserve their jobs.
It has been a long hard fought battle to preserve our jobs and
we cannot and will not allow the postal service to give them
away.
Please come out and support our brothers and sisters in Toms
River and help send a signal that postal workers will not allow
our jobs to be given up without a struggle.
Future possible actions, may be to picket postal management "all
levels" at the managers homes on Sunday morning.
Date & Time
Sunday, July 31, 2005
9 AM until Noon.
Where
Silverton Pharmacy
1824 Hooper Ave.
Toms River, NJ
All who attend are invited back to the NJ Shore Area Local's
annual picnic at Mayo Park in Beachwood.
Come out and show your support.
See you there,
Bill Lewis
www.trentonmetroarealocal.com
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Message
From Trenton APWU Local President Bill Lewis
10/17/2004
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The Anthrax attacks on our nation and post office happened 3
years ago. For many postal employees and citizens of this
country, the attack and hardships afflicted on the Trenton and
Brentwood Postal Workers and other Postal Employees, are
forgotten. When I travel to different postal events in the
capacity of the president of this great local, I am horrified to
hear that people are led to believe the nightmare has ended and
we are all back home working.
We must never forget our fallen brothers from Brentwood who died
because no one cared for Postal Workers, or our brothers and
sisters who continue to suffer from the after affects of anthrax
and the antibiotics. We have all suffered at the hands of an
uncaring employer who chose to fight us instead of caring for it
employees. Let no one fool you, they refused to get us
medical help, refused to pay for medical bills, refused to
relocate us closer to home, even tried to close our facility,
no, I stand corrected, consolidate, refused to compensate us for
the time spent traveling, as outlined in their own manuals.
We cannot replace the time stolen from our lives and families.
We cannot replace our health that was damaged by exposure to
anthrax and the antibiotic treatment.
You must be proud of yourselves for all you have endured,
substandard working conditions in Monroe, South River, Annex and
the Trailers. We have commuted countless miles to other
Processing Centers to keep the mail moving and to feed our
families.
Collectively we have fought all of these injustices and will
continue to fight for our rights. Many in the postal family have
chalked the Trenton Local up. Did we fool them? We can stand
tall today for all of our accomplishments. Many other local's
memberships spiral downward, but we continue to recover and our
membership is growing. Instead of being excessed we are
receiving new members every payday. Instead of being
consolidated with other facilities, other facilities are being
consolidated with us.
The proof of our commitment to fight is shown today as work
continues on bringing our P&DC building back to life. The
building will be equipped with state of the art technology for
sorting mail. The environmental equipment will provide a comfort
level second to none. The building will have a Bio-detection
and filtration system; these systems are being installed at the
present time. This will be a new postal facility.
There are several reasons for our success; we're able to
mobilize our membership, we are raising political funds (COPA),
and developing relationships with all our elected
leaders. Utilizing our resources wisely, we concentrated on
organization and communicate with each other.
Today we can take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments, we
can lick our wounds and mourn our dead, but we must fight like
hell for the living and renew our commitment to reopening the
Trenton P&DC in the upcoming weeks.
Proudly wear you union shirt on Monday and stand tall.
Trenton P&DC Update - A Step Backwards
The Postal Service advised me on Friday, October 15, 2004, that
they were removing an overhauled AFSM 100 from the Trenton P&DC
and moving the machine to Monroe, the interim Trenton facility.
One of the FSM 1000s will be removed from Monroe and the AFSM
100 will be placed in its spot.
The reason provided to me for this move is management is
removing the 087 flat mail from the Monmouth P&DC in Eatontown,
NJ and is going to process the mail in Monroe.
Union members who attended the meeting Saturday, October 16,
2004, advised that the 087 mail has already begun to be
processed in Monroe. Maintenance employees who were in
attendance, advised they already have begun disassembling the
AFSM 100 for its journey to Monroe.
This AFSM 100 was totally rebuilt by postal service maintenance
employees. The overhaul of this machine including moving it for
the installation of the new floor took 6 months. Removing this
machine from the Trenton P&DC has raised some serious concerns
with me. I believe this is a major step backwards in our
eventual return to Trenton. In the past, when I have questioned
some bone head moves I was told, I was not a manger that's why I
don't understand. Well, I guess because I am not a manger is
why I don't understand.
Well, if I was a manger and my true intentions were to get this
once anthrax contaminated P&DC fully functional within the next
few months I would focus all of my resources into getting this
building capable of processing mail.
Several Bad Ideas & Union Concerns:
If you planned on moving the mail from the Eatontown P&DC why
not move their machines along with the mail.
Develop a plan to process flat mail on the overhauled machine in
Trenton, it is a workable plan, management planned on doing it
with letter mail on the AFCS's and the DBCS's.
Staffing issues have not been discussed.
Lack of space for storage of mail and trailers have not been
discussed.
My concerns of the sick building syndrome will return with the
upcoming heating season and additional machines and people.
The new time frame for reoccupying the Trenton P&DC is now moved
back until March/April, 2005. I still believe if we stay
focused and direct all of our attention on Trenton an earlier
return date could be achieved.
Yours in Unionism,
Bill Lewis
President
Local #1020
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October 3, 2004
Dear Union Member:
The presidential election is approaching quickly. Before you
go to the polls on November 2, I encourage you to educate
yourself about where the candidates stand on working family
issues. There is a clear difference between the presidential
candidates in this election, especially when it comes to health
care.
Since President George W. Bush took office, over 9 million
workers have lost their employer-provided health insurance.
Those workers fortunate enough to continue to have
employer-provided health insurance are finding themselves paying
higher premiums. In fact, family health insurance premiums
have increased by almost 50 percent, costing families more than
$2,600 a year.
President Bush has done nothing to address rising health care
costs in this country, and now he's campaigning on a plan that
will actually shift more health care costs onto workers.
John Kerry has a plan too address sky rocketing health care
costs. John Kerry will offer tax credits to employers that
offer their employees health care coverage. By helping out
with certain high-cost cases, the plan will cut working family
premiums by up to $1,000 a year.
John Kerry’s plan will bring down the costs of health care by
cutting out waste and fraud, lowering the costs of prescription
drugs and shielding rate payers from the costs of catastrophic
illnesses. Check his plan out for yourself at
www.johnkerry.com.
This is an important election, and I encourage you to educate
yourself about the issues and go to the polls on November 2.
How you decide to vote is your decision. However, after
researching the candidates’ records, your union and the New
Jersey State AFL-CIO have endorsed John Kerry for US president.
In Solidarity,
William J. Lewis
President
Local #1020
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NO C.A.R.B. (Cheney/Ashcroft/Rumsfeld/Bush) buttons
Detroit still
has a quantity of our NO C.A.R.B. (Cheney/Ashcroft/Rumsfeld/Bush)
buttons. I will mail
quantities of 50 or more to
anyone who wants them. They are $1 each for COPA. Payable by
check to APWU Detroit. Anyone interested should contact me
right away since I will be on leave for two weeks starting
10/6/04.
Jane Duggan APWU
Training Coordinator (313) 234-8839
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Members of
Concerned Postal Workers will be available for questions and
suggestions after each day's session of the APWU National
Convention (4 to 6 p.m., Wilshire Grand Hotel--BYOB).
to contact us for more information.
(August 11, 2004) Concerned Postal Workers announced at a
meeting held August 10 that a permit for the August 31st event
has been secured. Concerned Postal Workers is one of only 19
organizations to receive a permit. The event will be the corner
of 8th and 30th, a block away from the New York Metro offices,
between 2 and 5 p.m. Participants should meet at the event
site. If you need help finding your way around, look for
"monitors" wearing white Concerned Postal Workers T-shirts. At
5 p.m., we plan to return to the offices of New York Metro. A
Press Conference is planned for the near future.
Because the event is within the Convention "Safety Zone,"
attendees are advised to bring Postal ID. Check
"Convention City Info"
page for more info and a link to a map of the area.
At a meeting on July 27, Concerned Postal Workers were addressed
by Steve Albanese from National Headquarters and Boston Metro
President Moe Lepore.
Steve presented an update on the current status of Postal
Reform. Although only 14 legislative work days remain, and the
9/11 Commission Report tops the Congressional agenda, changes to
the Postal Service remain possible this year. Though the APWU
is pleased that the most draconian Commission recommendations
were rejected, we would prefer, ideally, the present Bills not
be adopted. And certainly not while language limiting OWCP
benefits remains. Even if the Bills die on the vine this year,
the battle could begin anew next year if the political climate
in Washington does not change.
COPA funds have helped tremendously and are still needed.
In response to a question from North Eastern Regional
Coordinator Liz Powell, Steve told Concerned Postal Workers, "We
(National APWU) support the rally."
Moe inspired attendees with one of his finest speeches ever.
Moe spoke of 9/11, noting that Union Brothers and Sisters were
the ones who died in the tragedy, the ones (fire and police) who
fought to save the victims and locate survivors. George Bush
rewarded this heroism by declaring Union Brothers and Sisters
could not be trusted with Homeland Security. Moe spoke of the
Anthrax crisis, that it was the Union Brothers and Sisters of
the Postal Service that held the country together, by showing up
to work, when it easily could have collapsed. George Bush
rewarded this heroism by launching a full-out assault upon the
Postal Service and postal workers. "Labor," said Moe, "needs to
stand up and take America back for the people. We need
solidarity. And its got to go on today.
Let's put our stamp on this country!"
New Jersey President Joe Shevlin asked that Locals, attending or
not, should order the T-shirts and plan local media events, such
as informational pickets, at their facilities on August 31st.
T-shirts are available for order direct from our Union printer.
Design and details have been posted on "T-shirts" page. Postal
Workers are encouraged to wear these shirts on August 31st in
SOLIDARITY, whether or not they can attend the event.
It is important that the American people know Postal Workers are
on their side and want to keep the Postal Service as a public
service, and the best in the world at that. August 31st is to
be promoted as a national Day of Postal Worker Solidarity.
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Concerned Postal Workers Prepare
for National Day of Postal Worker Solidarity
Commentary and Invitation
If you could change the world for the better,
would you do it? If you could help secure your job, your wages
and benefits--for yourself, your children and future
generations--simply by being somewhere for one afternoon, would
you do it? Why wouldn’t you? This is the question Concerned
Postal Workers are asking their Brothers and Sisters across
America.
On Tuesday, August 31, 2004, beginning at 2:00 PM, Concerned
Postal Workers, dedicated to the preservation of Universal
Service, will gather at the offices of the New York Metro Area
Local, in the shadow of the Republican National Convention. The
meeting is open to all postal workers, regardless of craft, and
massive participation is required. We are not calling this a
Rally or a Protest or a Demonstration--those words have negative
connotations. We simply wish to exercise our Constitutional
Right to peaceful assembly. We simply wish to let the American
people know that, where Universal Service is concerned, we are
on their side.
Hell, that’s what it is all about anyway. We ARE the people.
Those CEOs, with their multi-million dollar bonuses, they aren’t
the people. Do you think they care what the price of a First
Class Stamp is for you and me?
T-shirts are available, directly from the printer. We wish
August 31st to be a National Day of Postal Worker Solidarity and
that members who can not attend wear the T-shirts on that day.
More information available on the Concerned Postal Workers web
site at:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze835wq/concernedpostalworkers/
Imagine 1000, or 1500, or 2000 postal workers gathered at a
single site, exuding positive energy. Imagine the power of that.
Commitments have been received from New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio,
Kentucky and Hawaii. But more is needed. We need you.
The drive for Postal Reform is about one thing only--corporate
profits. So rich are these corporations already that they have
been able to control the debate. Their goal is privatization,
and then the elimination of high-priced labor and the
institution of delivery point pricing (i.e. charging more for
delivery to Osh Kosh than to Los Angeles, more for delivery to
your home than to their business).
The founders of our country, however, so recognized that
affordable and equal access to the mail was essential to the
cause of a free America, they put it in the Constitution. Look
it up. You won’t find a Department of Homeland Security in
there, but you will find a Constitutional mandate to establish
and maintain Post Offices.
These corporations, companies that use and compete with us,
argue that mail is in decline. We move over 200 billion pieces a
year. They argue we are losing money. Since the Reorganization
Act in the 70s, we have, as mandated, “over the long haul” broke
even or made a profit (strangely coincidental, we only seem to
lose money in contract years). Most of our “debt” was inherited
from the days when we were a completely government agency with
no such mandate. They argue that the Internet is rendering the
USPS obsolete. The only studies ever done on the subject show
that the impact of the Internet is negligible. Indeed, every
advance in communication made since the telegraph was supposed
to signal the demise of the Postal Service. We’re still here,
and thriving if the truth be told. What has changed is that
Standard Mail is now about 50% of our volume. So it is high time
these modern day robber barons pay more than 17% of
institutional costs.
But the Mailers' arguments, though fabricated, make sense to the
average American. They don’t want the Postal Service changed
(beyond LONGER hours and MORE clerks). But they are being sold a
lie. They are being told that the only way to save the village
is to burn it down. It is up to us to tell them the truth.
I’ve heard all the arguments for NOT coming on August 31st.
Let’s answer those.
It won’t work. It is a fact that the leading cause of failure is
believing in failure.
What if they say we can’t? So far, authorities have been
cooperative, but nothing’s guaranteed. But, hey, what if the
American people found out we were denied the right of peaceful
assembly on our own property? Not in OUR AMERICA, as Moe Lepore
would say. When they say you can’t, you say, “WATCH ME.”
Wouldn’t a National Rally in Washington be better? There are
something like 3 Rallies a day in Washington. How many of those
do you ever hear about? So far, APWU has indicated that there
will not be a National Rally in Washington. We cannot afford to
sit by, letting opportunities pass, in the hopes of something
that may never happen. Anyway, it isn’t written anywhere that we
can only have one major event. The more the merrier.
What does National think? We’ve kept National in the loop. What
they choose to do with that information is up to them. For the
record, Steve Albanese told attendees at a July 27 meeting of
Concerned Postal Workers that National supports this event.
I support the GOP. This is not a partisan event, really. The
site and date were chosen for largely logistical reasons. It is
our intention to convey a positive message.
It’s too expensive. I know everybody is feeling the pinch these
days. For reasons previously stated, its too expensive NOT to do
this. The Red Bank Local will be providing transportation from
central New Jersey.
If you need further assistance, please talk to us before you
decide not to attend.
The Postal Reform Bills don’t look that bad. The best gauge of
whether the Postal Reform Bills are good for us, good for
America, is checking where the Corporations stand. And they are
rabidly in favor of the legislation. Though mildly bemoaning
that the Bills don’t go far enough, especially on wages and
benefits, the Privateers know the value of incrementalism. They
know that if they can open that door a little, it is only a
matter of time before they can kick it down. The Bills call for
studies on the “feasibility” of universal service. That doesn’t
sound to me like a bill designed to preserve it.
The Postal Service works for everyone. We just want to keep it
that way.
Woody Allen once said that 80% of success is showing up. I’ve
said before, and will continue to say, that we all have the
capacity to change the world. And it is easy. Here’s your
chance. You can change the world and all you have to do is show
up. How easy is that? How cool is that?
Bring your Postal ID. Be positive. Be civil. Be there, August
31st, 350 West 31st Street. Contact Joe Shevlin or Moe Lepore
for more information.
By Martin W.
Johns
Director of Industrial Relations
Red Bank Local
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JOIN
US! FOR A LABOR TO LABOR WALK On Saturday, JULY 31ST In PHILADELPHIA
APWU
members from NJ will join the PA State AFL-CIO as we go door to
door to union members in Philadelphia.
Union members are spreading the word on George Bush's
ANTI-WORKER policies. Help us elect a President who stands with
us!
APWU members who reside in PA should meet us at the rally
location.
TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Rally Location:
SEIU Local 1201
455 N. 5th St.
Philadelphia
(between Spring Garden & Callowhill)
Some NJ members are meeting at 7:30 AM at the
Carpenters Union Hall,
41 Ryan Ave.
Trenton NJ
We will have a van available if we get enough volunteers to take
us to the rally point in Pennsylvania. If not we will carpool
over, or you may drive your own car. Either way lets just get
there!!!!
Hope to see all postal workers out there!!
Bill Lewis |
www.trentonmetroarealocal.com
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Volunteers needed, your jobs depend on it.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO has established a program
Adopt-A-Saturday. Each affiliate union has adopted a
Saturday to conduct labor walks. On this date union members
will go to union members homes in Pennsylvania encouraging them
to vote for labor candidates.
You may be asking why Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is considered
a battleground state in this upcoming presidential election and
labor organizations are devoting major resources into this
battleground. New Jersey is a must win state and we will begin
a labor walk in the fall.
Postal union members in the state of New Jersey have adopted
July 31, 2004, as our day to conduct labor walks. In the
Trenton area we will meet at the Carpenters Union Hall, 41 Ryan
Ave. Trenton, NJ, at 7:30 AM. We will have a van available if we
get enough volunteers, to take us to the rally point in
Pennsylvania. Members of the Trenton local who reside in
Pennsylvania will be able to meet us at the rally point. The
rally point will be at the
SEIU Local 1201
455 N. 5th St.
Philadelphia
(between SpringGarden & Callowhill)
More than 50,000 union activists in 16 states talk with tens of
thousands of union members about the presidential candidates
position's on the key issues in this election.
“Never before have working people been so energized so early
about an election,” says AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “We've
been overwhelmed by union members who are eager to volunteer to
help bring about a change in our nation's leadership.” Local
unions and central labor councils are recruiting and mobilizing
activist, who handed out leaflets contrasting President George
Bush’s and Sen. John Kerry’s records on jobs and health care.
“Walking precincts is crucial to ensuring working family issues
are on the political agenda,” says Richard Deeter a member of
UAW local 1112 who went door to door in Youngstown, Ohio.
“You can't wait for anyone else to do it for you. You have to
do it yourself.”
Please email me if you are going so enough refreshments will be
available. For additional details contact Bill Lewis.
Bill Lewis TMAL@ AOL.com or 609-631-7745.
See you in Pennsylvania.
Failure is not an option!!
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CAL PRESS May 2004
California State APWU Convention Report
(posted 5/26/04)
The California State APWU Convention
began on Thursday, May 20, 2004 with the convening of the
California State APWU Executive Board. This meeting gives union
officials from all parts of California an opportunity to discuss
current issues. In addition, the financial status of the state
organization is updated. The state organization appears to be
financially sound. Our state officers have a good handle on
current issues. Major concerns are excessing, labor scheduler
staffing model, unwarranted discipline, PTF conversion,
maintenance staffing, and postal reform which could have an
effect on every one of us.
The actual California State APWU Convention began on Friday, May
21, 2004 and ran through Sunday, May 23, 2004. One of the most
important reason to attend the state convention is the fact we
get an opportunity for face-to-face meetings with national union
officers from Washington, D.C. as well as regional officers.
Another important reason is we get to discuss issues with local
union officials from all parts of the California.
The following officers address our delegates:
· APWU, AFL-CIO President Bill Burrus
· APWU, AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Terry Stapleton
· APWU, AFL-CIO Maintenance Director
Steve Raymer
· APWU, AFL-CIO Clerk Director Jim
McCarthy
· APWU, AFL-CIO Director of Research
and Education Joyce Robinson
· APWU, AFL-CIO Director of
Legislation Roy Braunstein
· APWU, AFL-CIO Assistant Motor
Vehicle Director Mike Foster
· APWU, AFL-CIO Assistant Maintenance
Director Idowu Balogun
· APWU, AFL-CIO Assistant Clerk
Director Pat Williams
· National Auxiliary President Doris
Poland
· California State Auxiliary
President Dorothy Burr
· Western Region Coordinator Omar
Gonzalez
· San Francisco Clerk NBA “A” Leonard
Trujillo
· San Francisco Clerk NBA “B” Shirley
Taylor
· San Francisco Clerk NBA “C” James
Scoggins
· Western Region Maintenance NBA “A”
Charles "Chuck" Sundgaard
· Western Region Maintenance NBA “B”
Richard Shepard
· Western Region Motor Vehicle
Service NBA Bruce Bailey
The message was very clear we are in a battle at all levels of
the union: national, regional, state, and local as well as with
the congress. Issues such as excessing, labor scheduler
staffing model, unwarranted discipline, PTF conversions, new
equipment and staffing, and postal reform, which could have an
effect on every one of us as well as our families and friends.
The union is on top of all of these issues as well as many
others. Nothing is being taken for granted.
The long delay with grievances is being addressed. Most of the
delay is due to sheer volume of the grievances we file.
Nationwide the backlog of grievances has been reduced from
approximately 90,000 to 47,000 grievances. This has not been an
easy task and has been accomplished due to the efforts of many
union representatives at the national, regional, and local
levels. We have approximately 8,800 grievances pending
arbitration in the Pacific Area. We have 586 grievances pending
arbitration in the Santa Ana District. Santa Ana has 41 clerk
craft, 7 maintenance craft, and 1 motor vehicle craft Step 3
grievances pending discussion. We have made some positive
headway.
Some of the key issues addressed by the California State APWU
Convention delegates are:
· Adding a new Oxnard SCF Representative was not
approved.
· Four years elected terms for state officers was
approved.
· Reduced the state executive board
meetings to once a year was approved
· All California State APWU office to
be located in a home was not approved.
· Recommendation National Conventions
every three years rather than two years was not approved.
· Recommendation National APWU
Officers term increase from three to four years was approved.
· Resolution California State APWU
commends the Postal Press Association on its 40th
anniversary.
· Resolution seeking military
buy back provision for retirement credit be repealed was
approved.
· Resolution seeking REC site TE’s
get reasonable medical benefits was approved.
· Resolution seeking Caesar Chavez
national holiday was approved.
· Resolution seeking veterans the
right to be off on Veteran Day Holiday was approved.
· Resolution seeking no lunch
provision was not approved.
· Resolution seeking union LWOP for
part time union officials will not reduce employee’s benefits.
Congratulations to California State APWU President Isabelle
Bailey, and all of the other state officers elected for the
state term of 2004-2008.
The 2004-2008 California APWU Officers are:
President Isabelle Bailey
Vice-President Bill Villa
Secretary Carolyn Fullerton
Treasurer Larry DeNayer
Clerk Craft Director Zedie Ramage
Maintenance Craft Director Jimmie Waldon
Motor Vehicle Service Director Phillip Parham
Support Services Director Edwin Cox
Legislative Director Phillip Warlick
Retiree Director Tex Severe
Alhambra SCF Director Terry Stoller
Bakersfield SCF Director Gaare Davis
Eureka/Redding SCF Director Nanci Resendez
Fresno SCF Director Brian Eldridge
Inglewood SCF Director John Driver
Long Beach SCF Director Norma Jones
Los Angeles SCF Director Bridget Wolfe-Williams
Marysville SCF Director Rick Page
Oakland SCF Director Lisa Herrera
Pasadena SCF Director Mike Evans
Sacramento SCF Director Chuck Locke
San Bernardino SCF Director John Ewanizyk
San Diego SCF Director Gwen Wills
San Francisco SCF Director Refugio (Moses) Ramirez
San Jose SCF Director Tina Vanderpluym
San Rafael SCF Director Dave Swaney
Santa Ana SCF Director Ralph Lefter
Santa Barbara SCF Director Steve Green
Santa Rosa SCF Director Colman Pigott
Stockton SCF Director Toni Allison
Van Nuys SCF Director Gloria Banta
The Greater Los Angeles Area Local provided a presentation
related to the National APWU, AFL-CIO Convention.
The national convention is in Los Angeles, California from
August 18-27, 2004. The national convention provides training
on many subjects, craft conferences to address craft needs,
resolutions for collective bargaining, and resolutions
addressing the directions and administration of the National
APWU, AFL-CIO.
Isabelle Bailey
President California APWU, AFL-CIO
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posted 5/19/04 |
Special Announcement
Postal Labor Unions Summer School
June 13 - June 18 2004 marks the 26th Annual Postal Labor Unions
Summer School at the Institute for Labor Studies, West Virginia
University.
Courses being offered this year are: Basic Grievance Handling;
Handbooks and Manuals; Interviewing; Negotiating at the Local
Level; OWCP and the ELM 540; Advance Contract Applications;
Discipline and Due Process; and The Stewards Role in
Arbitration.
Additionally there are assemblies on different subject matter:
the Postal Inspection Service; Abusive Supervisors; The
Pre-Disciplinary Interview and open forums to discuss a variety
of topics.
The mission of the school is to promote Unionism and provide the
best possible representation through intensive, quality
education.
All Postal Crafts - Clerk, City Letter Carrier, Rural Letter
Carrier, Maintenance, Motor Vehicle and Mail Handler participate
and are welcome.
Pricing for the school is as follows:
$ 550.00, single, (1 per room, 2 per bath).
$ 515.00 double (2 per room, 4 per bath).
$ 365.00 commuters (meals, but no lodging)
$ 25.00 parking fee (per car)
These prices include all meals, classes, materials and
assemblies.
For additional information call
Jeff Kehlert, 1-856-427-0027, Bill Lewis, 1-609-631-7745 or
Sarah Etherton, 1-304-293-3323.
Visit TrentonMetroAreaLocal.com
See you in West Virginia,
Bill Lewis
check out Labor News |
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