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posted August 3, 2002

The last meeting we voted to send a Steward (Renee) to school to learn more on OWCP. I believe is a good move, with management harassing our members on this issue we need representatives that Specialize in OWCP. Upon returning Renee will give classes/seminars for members that are on OWCP and stewards that are interested in learning more about it. The problem that we as a Local are having is getting the information to the people that need it most, the members. It is not the lack of availability from the OWCP representative, but the lack of participation from the members. If you are or have been injured on the job it is your responsibility to seek help from the Local. It is also in your best interest to attend these classes / seminars that we provide to educate you on your rights and how to protect yourself. Classes are not yet scheduled and Renee says that she is flexible, my advice to the members that would like to attend one of these seminars is to contact the Union Office and suggest a date and time.

Once again the Postal Service is sending out surveys to its employees, this time under the name of “transformation survey”. I urge members to boycott the survey because management will misuse the results. On previous employee opinion surveys, the Postal Service used the results to show employees were satisfied with their wages, benefits and working conditions during contract negotiations. It is believed that the opinion survey might be designed to obtain a desired result. If it is the Postal Service can show that the employees believe in the transformation plan that the Postal Service has implemented. This Transformation Plan will result in loosing craft positions and sub contracting our jobs. Do not help them justify the Transformation Plan by showing that the employees believe in it.

We are once again gong to have a push for inside Organizing. Myself, along with “Bear” and other officers and organizers are going to visit the sub-stations and the GMF talking to members and non-members in hope of obtaining members. If you are a member that have concerns please feel free to express them, for the non-member please be willing to talk to us and let us have a chance to share your feelings about the Union and what it can are can not do to help you. The Union is the only thing that is stopping management from getting rid of your job and hiring unskilled, low wage employees. The Union is also responsible for your “living wage” and the benefit package that you enjoy. With that in mind I think 5 minutes of your time is not too much to ask in return.

Here are three words that have been annoying me: Adverse: (Repugnant, Hostile, Unfriendly, Antagonistic); call it what you will, but the meaning is still the same. Our Local Constitution states that NO adverse articles towards any member of this Union or any other Union is printed in the Dispatch. During the last Executive Board it seemed that the some of the Officers would rather appease some members than to stand up and tell them that we will not publish anything that is adverse. Myself I do not believe this Dispatch is the place to wage conflict among us but an avenue to keep our members informed on their rights and what is going on with the USPS that might affect them.

Appease: (alleviate, satisfy, pacify). Another annoying thing that too many of us do. The responsibility of the Union Officers and Stewards are not to appease the members or each other but to educate and protect the members of this Union. You cannot always do what is right and proper while you are trying to appease people.

Racist (Narrow-minded person) and Bigot (One who believes his race is better than any other is). We encounter this type of people everyday. Personally I do not care to be around them, but sometimes being a Union Representative I have to. I have heard people associate me with these names but let me assure you they speak out of ignorance. I pride myself in not seeing color, gender or religion. I believe that everyone stands equal in life and should be treated accordingly. I also believe that if an Officer or Steward is a bigot or racist that they should be relived of their duties.

Last I would like to thank Jeff Greenlee for his years of devotion toward the SAAAL’s paper “The Dispatch”. The past years the Dispatch has won numerous State and National Awards reflecting the hard work that he put into this publication. Jeff decision to resign from his position did not come as a complete shock; he had repeatedly expressed his concerns and feelings about being the Editor. I tried to address his issues with to the Executive Board and the Membership but I believe I did too little too late. Being a friend of Jeff I know that he has been contemplating resignation for about six months for reasons that he can better explain. Personally I feel that this Local has lost a great asset, Good luck to our next editor, he will have his hands full.

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