BRANCH PRESIDENTS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS

As I walk the floors and talk to the members the number one concern among them is still, what’s up with our contract? Well the best that I can tell you is what the National Union tells us. They has received and studied the supplemental report issued by the APWU Arbitrators panel and have begun negotiations with the Postal Service in an effort to reach a negotiated settlement. At the same time they have begun the Arbitration process in the event that they are unable to reach a negotiated agreement. That’s what our National Union has but out.

Many of you have asked me what I think about the APWU Award. Having read the entire Award, my personal opinion is that I don’t like it. I’m just tired of these meager wage increases that we always get. One point this or one point that just doesn’t cut it for me. For the past ten years or more we have been losing ground with other workers. For instance, all Federal workers this year are getting over a 4% wage increase. It takes us three years to have our raises hit the 4% range!

Let’s look at the 1.2% raise that was awarded for last year. It comes to maybe abound $ 450.00 on the average. Well my health benefits premium have increased by about half that much and that doesn’t include the increased co-pays and higher deductibles. On top of that they have cut benefits! And these increases are nothing new, our premiums have been going up substantially for the past several years.

Over the years I have heard the comment that as long as we have a COLA provision in our contract that we will never see any substantial percentage wage increases. While there is some truth to that statement, I don’t understand it when the Arbitrators decide to not make the COLA retroactive, why they still give us meager wage increases! When this happens, we are actually losing money! It makes me sick!

But that is the APWU contract. We, Mail Handlers do not face the massive job losses that the APWU is facing so understandably protecting the no layoff clause was a big factor for them. The Postal Service actually needs more Mail Handlers. Also worth noting is the fact that the APWU Award was issued shortly after the events of September 11^th and the Anthrax crisis. Well, the Postal Service just received a half a billion dollars from the Federal Government to help offset the cost of the Anthrax crisis. In addition, the Postal Service request for a three -cent increase for first class mail is on the fast track and is expected to bring in a billion dollars for each one- cent increase. That adds up to three billions dollars a year. So their economic picture should brighten some.

So to sum it up I think that we should roll the dice and go to arbitration. I don’t think that we can do any worse then the APWU Award. And with the March COLA expected to be very minimal, I think it’s worth the gamble. I’d rather see us go down fighting rather then accept an agreement willingly, where we lose ground. President Quinn is very smart guy and a shrewd negotiator and our Unions lawyer is also a very sharp guy. I’m willing to put my faith in them. I also think that if we willingly accept the meager wage increases that the Arbitrators imposed on the APWU, we will be sending out the wrong message. That can affect us, in future negotiations. That’s my opinion.

The APWU Arbitrators supplemental report is posted on the Mail Handler’s Bulletin board in the cafeteria. Check it out.

Grady R. Fitzgerald

NJI-BMC BRANCH PRESIDENT

APWU National Union Establishes Anthrax Victims Fund

The APWU National Union has established a fund that will be used to benefit the families of the two Postal Workers who lost their lives during the Anthrax Bio-Terrorism attack. It’s high time that someone took this action as it is comforting to know that if one of us were to be victimized by such an attack that at least our families would be cared for. We all know that the New York City Police and Fireman both have such funds to care for their fallen comrades families. Now there is a fund for Postal Workers families who become victims. I urge everyone to make a donation. It’s the right thing to do. It could have been anyone of us. This is one area that crosses all craft boundaries. So get your checkbooks out and make a generous donation. The address of the Fund is:

                                 Postal Workers Front-Line Heroes Fund
                                 c/o American Postal Workers Union
                                 1300 L Street, NW
                                 Washington, DC 20005

VISIT OUR WEBPAGE!!

http://www.l300nji-bmcbranch.org/

Don’t forget to visit our Webpage we have been updating it on a regular basis. There is a wealth of information there. So Check it our. Special thanks to Stewards Kelly Rush and Greg Cherico who do the work to keep our page updated.

LEAVE CHARTS ARE NOW IN

If you have not received your new leave chart, ask your steward for one or stop in the Union office and pick one up. It’s important to keep track of your hours.

EDITORIAL

I think that’s it’s time for me to get a few things off my chest, maybe vent a little.

Since venting seems to be a popular pastime for many people here. Let me start by saying that our Stewards, that you all elected, for the most part do the best that they can. They devote their time and effort to the Union for very little in return. They do it because they understand that the work that the Union does is important for all of us. We all enjoy, the benefits that over the years, the Union has fought for. While none of us agree with everything, that’s in the contract. While we are often frustrated by some of the contracts provisions, it’s still better then having no contract at all. Just ask any worker who works at a non-union shop and they will tell you some real horror stories. Are we happy about not having a contract? NO! Are we happy when Management drafts 100%? NO! Are we happy when at times we lose grievances and people lose their jobs? NO! Are any of these examples the fault of our Stewards or My fault as the Branch President? NO!

We’re not miracle workers. We’re workers just like you, who have taken on the added responsibility of serving our Union. Do we deserve to be cursed at, abused and to be victims of your bad day? I don’t think so. We’re doing our best. If you think that you can do a better job and wish to step forward and help out please, by all means feel free to do so. All I’m asking you is to treat your Stewards with a little dignity and respect. Treat them as you wish to be treated. We’re on your side and the job is tough enough.

We all get a little frustrated at times, we all have a bad day sometimes, we all have our own problems on the outside. That’s life. Deal with it!

Our job is to enforce the provisions of the contract that is negotiated at the National level.

We don’t know everything or have all the answers to all of your questions. Sure we’ll do our best to get you the answers, but you shouldn’t expect us to know everything off the top of our heads.

Another thing you should understand is that when a problem arises, whether it’s, a safety problem, a problem with your paycheck or a problem with compensation, we cannot always solve that problem immediately. Of course some things can be done quickly. But some times things take time. You should know by now, that while significant improvements in the time it takes to process a grievance have been made, it’s still a rather slow process. Sometimes we don’t get the cooperation from Management that we would like to get. Sometimes we do. Then there are times when we get no cooperation at all. Does it make us happy? NO! Does it frustrate and sometimes embarrass us? It sure does! Do we sometimes make mistakes? Yes we do! Nobody is perfect. The contract is often vague and misinterpretations are made. If we find out a mistake has been made we try and correct it.

I’ve made mistakes but I have always been man enough to admit to them and make the corrections. I’ve never lied to you, the members and never will. I have devoted 18 years of my life to serving our Union. I have made sacrifices in my personal life to serve the Union. But those were my decisions and I don’t for one minute regret making them. Many of our Stewards have devoted years of their lives serving our Union and I’m proud of and appreciate their efforts and you should be too. Our Stewards do far more then just police the contract, they entertain your gripes, they help you get information, help you fill out paperwork, get transfers and countless other things that are not in the realm of steward duties. I know this because I see them do it everyday. We get postcards from people who have transferred to other facilities and they tell us that they didn’t know how good we were until they experienced other union reps in other places.

Just understand that we are all trying to do the best we can and give a break once in awhile.

We don’t expect a present at Christmas time. A little less abuse would be even better!

Thank you.

Grady R. Fitzgerald

NOTIFICATION OF STEWARDS WHEN NEEDED

What a mailhandler should do when a shop steward is to formally request a steward from his/her supervisor. Too many people think that a steward knows what’s going on when there’s a dispute in ones pay location. Unless a steward is told of a problem it cannot be solved, especially if we don’t know the particulars. If you see a steward on the floor and explain the situation and they can help you, fine. Otherwise your best bet is to follow standard procedures, which have been in place for many years. When you are confronted, by someone in management ask them for a steward. This is your absolute right and you can’t be refused. Also keep a mental note as to when you’ve requested one. No matter how large or small the situation is don’t be afraid to ask. We are here to assist you any way we can. This why were here, to protect your rights with your best interest in mind. Don’t forget your steward is also a mailhandler. The union is not a separate entity. There are some people who think different. Some folks look at it like this: Postal management, the union, than you. Lets make it clear. Here is how it really is: YOU, THE UNION AGAINST MANAGEMENT. Keep in mind that your steward does not carry a crystal ball with them nor is there ouiji board in the union office available to them. Sorry. If we don’t know where there is a problem we can’t help you. If you don’t know the mailhandlers union office numbers here they are: in-house 5082 or 5083 Out side ph# is:201 653-1767. Al Possiel Steward Tour II Military

BRANCH PRESIDENTS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS

APWU National Union Establishes Anthrax Victims Fund

Postal Workers Front-Line Heroes Fund c/o American Postal Workers Union 1300 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005

EDITORIAL

Postal Workers Front-Line Heroes Fund
c/o American Postal Workers Union
1300 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005