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                        NEWSLETTER OF THE NJI&BMC BRANCH OF LOCAL 300

                                        “LETS TURN IT AROUND”             

   VOLUME 17, NO.3                                                       80 COUNTY ROAD J.C.N.J 7097

   FEBRUARY 21, 2001                                                      (201) 653-1767, IN HOUSE 5082

   GRADY R. FITZGERALD, BRANCH PRESIDENT        FAX NUMBER  (201) 714-4869

                    CORRECTED BRANCH WEB SITE ADDRESS                  http://www.l300nji-bmcbranch.org/

FACILITY NEWS

                               NEW UNION CONSTITUTION

     The new constitutions of National Postal Mail Handlers Union are being distributed to Union Members ONLY at our branch. This new issue resulted from the work of the delegates many of you elected to attend the national convention in San Francisco, CA. Members are urged to read and become familiar with the content. It contains the basic structure of our union, its goals and objectives, and rights of membership, including all procedures of operations, etc, etc.

     There is always changing events to address, therefore, there is always need for improvements to strengthen our organization. In this regards your input is invaluable.

     Any member who hasn’t received a copy, please contact a steward or stop in at the office. Our constitution is in effect for three years until 2003,  

                                             ATTENTION:

PLEASE DO NOT FAX YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION TO THE UNION OFFICE. Please fax it to the medical unit. Their number is 201-792-0483.

We have been having some problems so to insure that your time is in get it to the medical unit.

                                     YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!!!!!

One of our members has had a family member who was burned out and the family lost everything. A young child’s life was also lost. Anything you can donate will be appreciated. For more information contact the union office.

  LOCAL NEWS                           

                             NO NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL!

     At this printing there is no further agreements on the contract. The parties have not formally declared to enter into the arbitration process. As it stands, the parties can still reach an agreement on remaining disputed issues. For additional contract information see Mail Handler’s bulletin boards throughout the facility.

CURRENT EVENTS

                  FEBRUARY- CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY

PROMOTING BONDS THAT UNITE US

     February is acknowledged as African American or Black History Months (B.H.M.). Local 300 branch at NJI&BMC in its ORGANIZING to build a stronger Union believes in the spirit of its founder Carter G. Woodson, that history is the product of all people, however, its largely misrepresented. In this tradition our branch endorses B.H.M. in acknowledging it being an avenue to build sensitivity among our Union’s diverse membership. The events celebrated during the month are intended to educate all about the omissions, contributions and intra-relationships between people. The focus of which are those of African ancestry and the experiences they encountered here in the western hemisphere and abroad.

     The trans-Atlantic (ocean) slave trade for example constituted a crime against humanity but it’s often overlooked in standard history. Those who profited the greatest from slavery used the wealth made trading, transporting, or working slaves to empower themselves. But never acknowledge the brutality of the act that produced their wealth or appreciating the value of those they enslaved. Today, those who inherited this wealth use it to dominate seats of power in this nation. The wealth and power gained from exploitation of slaves played a major contribution enabling this country to rise to power in the world of nations.

     Raw materials produced by slaves fueled the mills, factories, railroads and constructions trades that offered jobs to the developing working class largely European in origin. These workers housed and fed families and got a step ahead from wages earned by turning raw materials: cotton, hemp, sugar-cane, tobacco, rice, etc, produced by slave labor, into products. Remnants of slavery still factor in the lives of all workers today. Workers were paid but the wealthy had other plans for them.     Slaves had no rights, they worked from can’t see in the morning until can’t see at night, of course, they received no pay and no days off. Workers today may not relate to this but there are those in power around the world that believe workers have too many rights, are paid to much, don’t work long enough and shouldn’t be paid more for over time, etc, etc. Some readers may be aware of the reference wage slavery. The parallel of slavery and labor are insightful and usually not addressed in standard media history.

     Left out of history is the working relationship that developed between these peoples. All of it wasn’t favorable, blood was spilled, and lives were taken, much of it instigated by hatred, indifference and individuals in power with motives to keep the people divided. In spite of all, laws, violence, and misinformation, people have shared, suffered, fought, died, laughed, cried, loved and endured the times to make this nation live out the terms of its creed. All workers should realized by now, we’re just numbers to fat cats!

     What remains in place, however, is a steady rehash of corporate-media driven spin of race-centered history, in conjunction with paid psychiatry and psychology institutions claiming Blacks as inferior and violence prone. Its “history” that make everything black and white literally! This is the “history” or more properly his-story that is absent of contributions of: labor, gender, the working-class, other races and groups that immigrated here.

These versions basically mislead readers and reinforce stereotypes and negative characterizations. Attempting to bury dissent, radicalism, socialist and revolutionary individuals and events and foremost the class struggle. Naturally the heroes of these versions are mostly great men and only white men, capitalist, land or property owners, et al. But the general purpose of this selected “history” is to divide groups against one another, in order that the status quo remains in power.

     As a Union, we know how division HURTS workers collectively and keeps the Union from achieving stronger gains and empowerment. Bias, racism, sexism and its ilk within the labor ranks- - defeats us! No matter who says it, believes in it or what race, gender or class they are. Our collective charge is building SOLIDARITY!! This is our challenge!!!

Black History Month is an experience and opportunity to teach, understand, learn, grow, share and exchange. And it can serve more so to build Union SOLIDARITY. Its focus was/is always to enlighten not bash, explaining the unknown or little known. Presenting other points of view. Presenting perspectives that broaden the understanding and correct the misinformation presented by those who prosper from working class division. As a Union, we’re committed to combat disparate treatment whether its in social policy, social relations or in social practice. Our Union remains committed.

     With so much misinformation behind us and with so much history to be made for the improvement of the future, labor more than any other group must grasp the lead in the struggle to defeat corporate greed, privatization and globalization. And we must do it as a class- - UNITED, US against THEM.

   SAFETY & HEALTH

SLEEP, WORK: THE DEMAND FOR IMPROVED HEALTH  

     A recent study revealed one- third of adults got less than six and a half hours of sleep a day during the workweek last year far below the eight hours recommended by experts, according to the National Sleep Foundation*. A surprise – one third of adults suffered from significant daytime drowsiness. And 49% of shift workers averaged less than 6.5 hours of sleep during workweek. Shift workers who do not work regular day hours reported getting significantly less sleep during the week than the general population. Those who regularly work overtime daily and on off days get even less.  In general, those who work evenings or nights, as in the post office, tour 3 bulk and foreign and tour 1, are stressed more by unusual sleep patterns. Even if paid at a full 10% night differential (which postal workers don’t even get. The USPS froze our rate at a fixed dollar amount of 92.5%) isn’t enough to compensate for the negative impact of late shift work.

     What can workers do to get more rest? According to Joyce A. Walsleben, director of New York University’s Sleep Disorder Center. Regular 20 – minute naps in the afternoon would be a good start. And employers could help by creating more nap rooms. Only 16 % of workers were allowed to snooze at work last year. The MHV wonders what per-cent of the 16% of workers had occupations considered blue-collars. And more importantly what % worked nights?

     The working class should be leery of conclusions presented by corporate sponsored studies. They offer weak solutions that place the burden on workers to tolerate their working condition rather than exposing the root cause. Employers unwilling to negotiate reasonable labor contracts that are adjusted to new issues that benefit workers **. The MHV advocates workers should pay close attention to their overall health. Sleep and rest are major factors to monitor. Workers should be demanding through their Union stronger contract demands to meet our needs. 

* Reported in “TRENDS”, N.Y. Times, Feb. 07,01, pg. G 1.

** For example, employer opposition to FMLA or OSHA Ergonomic Standards.

LABOR HISTORY&FACTS

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY

Jan. 01,1863: President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves

                       in rebelling (Confederate) states that refused to lay down their arms.

Feb. 01, 1865: National Freedom Day anniversary, President Lincoln approval of the

                        13^th amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery.

Jan. 02,1920: 5000U.S. labor organizers arrested as “reds.” Hundreds deported. The

                        Union movement grew stronger.                   

Feb. 04 1869: Birth of William D. “Big Bill” Hayward labor leader and Industrial Workers

                       of the World (Wobblies) co-founder.

Feb.05, 1830: First daily labor paper, the N. Y. Sentinel begins publishing.

Feb.05, 1993: President Clinton signs Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers

                       [private and public] (USPS) have tried to get around it since its inception.

Feb.11, 1937: 48,000 G. M. workers end sit down strike in Flint MI. with first United

                        Auto Workers contract.

Feb: 12, 1817: Birth of Frederick Douglass, runaway slave, abolitionist, writer and

                       advocate of civil, labor, and trade union rights for Africans in America.

Feb.12, 1880: Birth of John L. Lewis, United Mine Workers President and founder of the

                       Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) played a leading role in

                       organizing mass production workers in unions not only craft workers.

Feb.20, 1792: President George Washington signed an act creating the U.S. Post

                        Office.

Jan. 22, 1973: U.S. Supreme Court approves women’s right to choose in Roe vs. Wade.

                        Women finally win control of their reproductive rights.

Feb.25, 1913: 25,000 immigrant textile workers strike Patterson, N.J. silk factories in

                       one of the most heroic struggles for justice in American Labor History.

Feb.27, 1979: APWU declares Amnesty Day to protest the firing of over 200 postal

                      workers during the 1978 contract dispute.

Jan.28, 1853: Birth of Jose Marti, national hero of Cuba and a champion of Cuban

                      Independence from Spain. Marti organized labor, especially Tampa

                      cigar workers.

Next issue there will be a critical review of safety at this facility.