Ready for 2012?
2011 is over and I’m looking forward to a brighter
2012. As we venture into a new year, I want to reflect on the year just
ended. Although the economy and the Postal Service continued to
struggle, we witnessed a resurgence in the Labor movement. 2011 began
first with Wisconsin and then the Ohio statehouse, led by overzealous
governors, waging deliberate attacks on the bargaining rights of state
workers. Their agenda may have had an irreversible impact on public and
private workers. The stage was set that could have created a domino
effect on the labor movement across the entire country.
Following the annual Bowl Against Dystrophy, Branch
43 hosted a successful Committee of Presidents (COP) meeting in March,
welcoming NALC representatives from nearly every state including Puerto
Rico. In conjunction with the COP weekend, we held a Texas Hold’em Poker
tournament for MDA. Then, H. R. 1351, was introduced by Rep. Stephen
Lynch in April to amend the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
relating to the methodology for calculating the amount of any Postal
surplus or supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement
System, and for other purposes. NALC continues to support the bill and
to date 227 members from both parties are co-sponsors of the USPS
Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act.
In May the USPS began downsizing upper management by
consolidating districts. We learned that the Cincinnati District would
be absorbing much of the former Columbus District. While this was
welcome news at the time, additional Customer Service and Processing
consolidations would be announced. Cincinnati was host city again during
July, this time to the Ohio State Association. Letter Carriers and their
families from Ohio gathered here for the State convention. For the third
time in as many years, many routes were evaluated and adjusted under the
latest JARAP agreement. During this round of adjustments, we were
introduced to the COR process for the first time.
In an unprecedented collaboration of all USPS craft
unions, and spearheaded by NALC, Save America’s Postal Service rallies
were held in every Congressional district at the end of September. The
goal was to spread the truth about the USPS and delivering signed
petitions to each Congressional Representative showing support for the
Postal Service in their district. NALC held a RAP session in October,
and outlined a course of action for the USPS to sustain the established
delivery network and methodology currently in place. The Labor movement,
along with community and faith leaders, scored a massive victory in
November by overwhelmingly approving a citizen’s veto of SB 5.
As the year wound down, our collective bargaining
agreement with the Postal Service expired. While the parties at the
national level continue to engage in negotiations, they have extended
the current round until January 20th. The extension will allow the
parties to continue to work on the important economic, health care,
workplace and other contractual issues being discussed. President
Fredric Rolando recently stated "We are encouraged that progress is
still being made and we want to take all the time necessary to reach an
agreement that serves the interests of America’s city letter carriers.
We are committed to achieving a win-win contract at this crucial time in
the history of the Postal Service."
Although some say the current Legislators are being
labeled the "do nothing Congress," we must stay focused. H.R. 2309 is
NOT a positive fix for the Postal Service. In fact it would dismantle
the USPS and would end the delivery of mail to the front door or mailbox
for 90 percent of America’s homes and businesses. In response to a
request made by Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and a number of other
Senators, the USPS agreed on Dec. 13 to delay closing or consolidating
any post offices or mail-processing facilities until May 15. This time
frame will be a window of opportunity for Congress to address the needed
legislation the NALC can support.
I would like to close on a few local notes for the
year in review. I am privileged to announce that Branch 43 had a record
year of fundraising for MDA. With the help of many, many letter
carriers, we raised over $24,600 in 2011 for our national charity. This
surpasses our past record from 2002, when we raised $22,155. Finally, I
want to announce that Fred Kirchgessner has retired as Branch Secretary.
For those who call the office with any regularity, Freddy K. will
continue in his part-time role in the Branch 43 office. Thanks to Fred
for his long time commitment and continued service to the branch.
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Burt Hughes will move to the Secretary
position, and Board member Kevin Hensley will become the Assistant. I
also thank Burt and Kevin for their willingness to serve in these roles
as we face the upcoming challenges in 2012.
In Solidarity,
Dave Kennedy
