American Postal Workers Union
AFL-CIO
Executive Vice President
Bob Lauer
I simply cannot imagine the reasoning behind anyone wanting to quit the union, ever, let alone at this point in time. By itself, the multiple problems we face daily due to the anthrax attack should unite us stronger, not even considering the assault on the workforce and our job security nationally. We have cultured several new scabs over the past few months in our local, and you can only assume they have chosen to put personal feelings and agendas at the forefront. Fortunately, newly signed members, some of them former long-term scabs, have realized the benefit of a strong united union and have decided to come onboard. The only possible motive one could have to not belong is that they are too cheap to pay dues. Updated non-member lists will be displayed in all facilities in the near future and every member should make it a point to approach these freeloaders and solicit them to unite. Maybe they would rather work in a non-union environment, so take an application for WalMart with you.
When was the last time the union disapproved your annual leave or change of schedule request? Place the blame where it belongs.
In my opinion, the pre-arbitration has gone very well,
except for some straggling payouts and slight resistance by maintenance
management. Labor Reps Yvonne Caprola and Keith Reid led the management team.
Surprisingly, Motor Vehicle, which has had the most volatile relationship of all
the crafts, went rather well, although we have been waiting several months for a
response to a fairly large settlement proposal we have on the table covering
multiple issues. Please inform your steward if your pre-arb pay adjustment
hasn’t shown up on your check since we have no way of knowing if you’ve been
paid yet. A special thanks to National Business Agent Jeff Kehlert, a fellow
member of the Trenton local, who has been at the table with us throughout.
At one time, a weekend bid on tour 1 was within anyone’s
reach. Today, if you don’t have 25 years seniority, you’re lucky to be
successful bidding on a premium night job. Want weekends off on tour 2? Add
another 5 years. How times have changed.
Speaking of changing times, I was recently going through
some old records in the union office, and came across several management
directives I wanted to share with you. For those who have been around awhile,
you might remember them and the authors; for the newer employees, see how far
we’ve come:
Since November 1977,
regulations were that no radios, CB’s, tape recorders etc. were to be
permitted on the work floor. This regulation does include the bone phone,
and its use will be discontinued immediately.
R. Suydam, Postmaster, 2/10/81
Any employee caught
placing their arm in a vending machine and extracting cups will be subject to
removal or suspension of at least 14 days.
R. Suydam, Postmaster
Leaders of your employee
organizations and myself have entered into an agreement, which will test a new
concept in sick leave administration during the period of 9/24/88 thru 12/16/88.
During that period of time, you will be responsible for your own sick leave use,
no record will be kept and you will not be asked for a reason you are out…
J. Crosson, Postmaster, 9/24/88
…the self-governing sick
leave program will be terminated effective 11/5/88. This action has become
necessary due to extremely high sick leave usage…
J. Crosson, Postmaster, 11/5/88
Smoking is prohibited on
the work floor. Smoking is permitted in the lunchroom, vending areas,
lavatories, locker rooms and offices only.
R. Suydam, Postmaster, 1979
We are not obligated to
pay mail processors higher level if they are assigned to manual distribution
because they are on light duty. This is considered an accommodation.
P. Gorman, Mgr GMF Ops, 12/11/8
What is a bone phone???
We need to be notified of carriers and mail handlers doing
APWU craft work, especially in the stations and branches. This problem has
surfaced recently in several stations and has been occurring for some time
without us knowing. The carriers performing clerk duties as temporary light duty
work is becoming prolific, and could come back to bite us, especially with
function fours upon us. Protect your job!
How many of these bids do you recognize? Priority Bullpen; Mailgram Clerk; LSM Operator; PSDS Data Tech; Accounting Tech; SCF/City Belts; States Secondary; Foreign Mail; Alpha Scheme; City Uncoded; CFS Markup Clerk; Driver Instructor Examiner; Special Delivery Messenger; Airmail; Personnel Clerk; Scheme Examiner. If we don’t protect our work, this list will get much longer.