FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK:
Branch 43 Delegation to Washington:
In June, I along with 7 other officers and members
of Branch 43 visited our Congressional leaders in Washington to address
critical issues concerning letter carries and the future of the Postal
Service. As I reported to the membership at the June meeting, it is
imperative we elect individuals---regardless of their party affiliation,
who will stand with letter carriers in their fight to preserve our jobs
as well as protecting the future of the Postal Service. With
legislation pending addressing issues such as Do Not Mail, Outsourcing,
and Vote by Mail, electing individuals who will support the NALC
position is critical more now than ever. The middle class of this
country has all but disappeared over the last 8 years of the current
administration and this trend must stop now. Workers are being forced
to take whatever “peanuts” the companies want to offer their workers
while the CEO’s are reaping millions of dollars in pay and benefits. In
addition, it is not only the workers who are suffering but also the
retirees. An example of this recently occurred when the Teamsters Union
reached an agreement with the Ford Motor Company. Not only did the
workers see their pay and benefits slashed, but the retirees also found
their retirement benefits reduced and a significant increase in their
health insurance premiums resulting in a huge portion of their monthly
annuity checks to disappear. Unlike Postal Service retirees who
receive COLA increases in their annuity checks, the retirees from Ford
receive no COLA increases so a decrease in benefits and an increase in
premiums can drastically affect their monthly checks. Add this to the
increase cost of gas and food and you can see why so many people are
suffering. But don’t let yourself be lulled into a false sense of
security as a Postal Service retiree. The stroke of a pen on
legislation could jeopardize your retirement benefits leaving you in the
same predicament so many retirees are now facing. You too could easily
find yourself with reduced benefits and out of pocket expenses which
would eat away at your annuity. Active carriers are also seeing first
hand the effects the reduction in mail volume has had on them. Overtime
in some locations is all but gone while in other stations there still
remains a limited amount of overtime. Yet with the “Do Not Mail”
initiatives, the outcome could be devastating on the Postal Service if
this were to become law. The same would hold true if the Postal Service
continues its pursuit of outsourcing letter carrier jobs. Many
companies are turning to outsourcing as a key business strategy for
their core functions in an effort to reduce costs which in turn will
reap larger financial rewards for the company which in turn brings
bigger bonuses for the CEO’s of the company. Between now and the
elections in November we will be inundated with a barrage of information
on the candidates running for office. YOU need to take
the time and educate yourself on the issues so you can make the right
decision when you walk into the voting booth. Regardless if you’re a
new employee, 20 year vet or a retiree, your future will hang in the
balance this election year.
National Convention:
As this edition goes to press, Branch 43 delegates
are preparing for the 66th Biennial NALC Convention in
Boston, July 21 thru July 25. This convention will encompass many areas
of letter carriers jobs for now and long into the future. From the
political arena to the implementation of the FSS machines and the
decline in mail volume are only a few of the urgent topics the delegates
will be addressing at the convention. Delegates will also have the
daily opportunity to attend various workshops prior to the business
sessions to learn more about specific issues facing carriers. A list of
these workshops is listed in the June edition of the Postal Record.
Bill Chitwood, retired letter carrier and former health benefits
representative will be in the office to monitor calls and handle
business during the convention week.
Raffle for MDA:
Branch 43 is raffling off a host of items including
framed Cincinnati Bengal prints, a Branch 43 “corn hole” set, gift cards
and passes to various events in an effort to raise money for MDA.
Tickets are $1.00 a piece or 6 for $5.00. Please see your station
steward or call the office and we will send you the tickets. The items
can be viewed at
www.branch43.com
Branch 43 Picnic:
Alesha Chappell and her committee are making plans
for the Branch picnic this year. The picnic will be at Coney Island on
Labor Day, September 1, 2008. As soon as the final plans are in place,
we will get the info out to the membership. Mark your calendar now!!
Sincerely,
Jerry Giesting, President
