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                        NEWSLETTER OF THE NJI&BMC BRANCH OF LOCAL 300

                                        “LETS TURN IT AROUND”             

   VOLUME 17, NO.14                                                                     80 COUNTY ROAD J.C.N.J 07097

   NOVEMBER 3, 2001                                                                   (201) 653-1767, IN HOUSE 5082, 5083

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

                                             ANTHRAX UPDATE

I am happy to report that the informational picketing that was conducted outside the facility last Friday was a big success. The turnout was great; we were spirited, enthusiastic and motivated. We’ve had enough of managements talk, we want action. More Postal workers have died from the anthrax, then soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.  We will not tolerate being treated like second-class citizens. If the Postal Service wants to show the public that it’s safe to open their mail, they first have to show them that the facilities that process it are anthrax free. What they did in NYC at Morgan Station shows how really stupid they are. That facility, which processes all of the first class mail for NYC has tested positive for anthrax and yet they refused to close it and forced the employees to continue working. Now think about it for a minute, who in their right mind in NYC is going to touch their mail knowing that it came thru Morgan??? It’s all over the news that the facility has anthrax in it. If we are to properly protect our employees and re-establish the publics’ confidence in the Postal Service. We have to prove to them that our facilities are anthrax free and to do that you have to test the facilities and the employees.

I want to thank Bulk Tour II Chief Steward Charlie Price and all of the other Stewards who worked hard to make Fridays’ demonstration the success that it was. You all did great. I also want to thank all of the employees who supported the Unions. We’re all in this together and we all have to work together. Our level of solidarity determines our strength

                       TRAGEDY EXPOSES MANAGEMENTS

                    INSENSITIVITY TOWARDS ITS WORKERS

Many of us have been saying it for years. But out complaints have always fallen on deaf ears. Now all of America is seeing first hand how Postal Management has such little regard for its’ employees. While all of Capitol Hill and the television networks were being tested and their workplaces were being evacuated. It took over ten deadly days before Postal Management thought about testing its employees in Washington’s Brentwood facility and probably would not have even thought about it then, were it not for employees turning up in the morgue. Unfortunately some lessons were learned the hard way.

Then to add insult to injury, when anthrax was found in Morgan Station in NYC they refused to evacuate the employees. The insensitivity of Postal Management toward its own employees is unbelievable. Well now the American public is seeing it first hand.

But I guess we’re expendable. Our families don’t need us.

Well you can rest assured Brothers and Sisters that this Union on the Branch level will do all we can to make sure that our workplace is safe.

As you already probably know the facility has been tested and the results are due back by early next week.

Employees are reminded to please use the proper disposal units when discarding their used gloves and masks. If we are demanding that management due the right thing then we too have to do the right thing. Also remember to always wash your hands several times a day and always before going home or eating.

So far our facility has not experienced the problems that have plagued some other facilities. Lets’ keep our fingers crossed and hope that the results of the environmental testing will give us a clean bill of health. As soon as the results are in you will be promptly notified.

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