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It's Crunch Time (Presidents' Conference Report) by
Martin Johns
We can make a difference. And the time is now.
This was the message APWU President Bill Burrus, and others, brought to the
National Presidents’ Conference held at Foxwoods in Connecticut on February
21-23, 2004.
In this election year, Burrus said, APWU employees have a unique opportunity
to make a difference. Our efforts, our votes, our voice, can help shape the
future of the United States Postal Service and the future of the nation.
Burrus praised the members of APWU for their record breaking contributions to
COPA in 2003 and set a goal of $2 million for 2004. In this year, of all year’s,
we need a “presence” in Washington. “Not only can we do it,” said Burrus,
“we must do it.”
Through our letters to Congressmen and
women and our Senators, we have already influenced the pending Postal Reform
legislation. We cannot stop those efforts now.
And it is essential that all APWU members
register and vote. The time is now and we can make a difference.
“Something’s going to happen this year,” said Legislative Director Roy
Braunstein. Only one more hearing remains . No testimony has been or will
be solicited from consumer groups or rank-and-file employees. But Postal
Reform legislation is being drafted in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House
of Representatives. Lobbyists for the large Private Mailers are hard at
work, trying to shape the pending legislation. The APWU, and other Postal
Unions, are working behind the scenes, as well. Something will happen this year.
 As it currently stands, APWU
officers expressed that we have successfully impacted Capitol Hill opinion on
President’s Commission recommendations to create an all-powerful politically
appointed Postal Regulatory Board. It is believed we may also avoid a BRAC-style
Commission which could result in the wholesale closure of Post Offices.
However, Collective Bargaining and Outsourcing issues remain and
represent a grave and imminent danger to APWU members. Additionally, the future
viability of the Postal Service depends a great deal on CSRS reform, something
supported by Private Mailers, Unions and the U.S. Postal Service.
President Burrus also told Conference attendees that the APWU is
“insisting” on language about rate discounts in any reform legislation that
goes forward.
In other news from the February Presidents’ Conference:
 | There was extensive discussion and debate over proposals designed to
preserve the viability of the APWU in the face of declining membership. While
the percentage of organized Postal Workers has remained constant, retirement
and attrition have decreased the actual number of members.
The Presidents’ Conference voted to support efforts to extend the APWU
national election cycle from three years to four, but to maintain the
Convention cycle at every two years. Burrus said both proposals, which he
supports, would be introduced at this summer’s Convention. New
Secretary/Treasurer Terry Stapleton, in his presentation, also supported the
changes. Burrus backed off proposals to cut National Officer positions,
in spite of the general support for that proposal from the NPC. |
| The Presidents’ Conference voted to back a resolution to compel “timely
adjudication” of Trenton Metro Anthrax travel grievances. |
| South Shore Area Local (MA) President Don Sheehan spoke about using local
media, such as “cable access” programming to educate local communities
on Postal Reform and other labor issues. |
| Some locals expressed that management is marking all absences as
“unscheduled”. Locals are reminded that designating an absence as
“unscheduled” should not be automatic. Additionally, where an “expected
duration” is proffered by an employee, at worst only the first day could be
considered “unscheduled.” |
The next National Presidents' Conference is scheduled for June in Butte,
Montana.
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"It's Our Time" to Stand Up for America
(Presidents Conference Report) by Martin Johns
America is at a turning point, APWU President Bill Burrus told attendees of
the National Presidents Conference in Atlanta on October 6, 2003. For a
generation, he said, American workers have survived on the victories of our
forefathers in the Labor Movement. Now, however, Americans must either stand up
to protect what they have or face "an increasingly repressive society"
with fewer rights and benefits each year.
“This is a time for progressive leaders,” Burrus said. “It’s our
time. It’s our job. We’ve been called upon. And this is not about
winning grievances. This is about changing the country…making sure it moves in
the right direction.”
The APWU President indicated that some of the finest labor minds in the country
were gathered at the Presidents Conference, but that the challenge to America’s
future was formidable. He called upon those present to reach deep inside
themselves and summon “leadership abilities you’ve never used before.” Burrus
also addressed the membership, saying, “We need their involvement.
In every respect.”
Turning specifically to Postal Reform, President Burris renewed his call
for COPA contributions, saying “there’s nothing more important” than raising the
funds necessary to wage our battle in the halls of Congress to protect the
Postal Service for both employees and consumers. He noted that no legislation
has yet been drafted as a result of the President’s Commission Report, and that
none is expected until February or March 2004 at the earliest. The Senate Reform
Committee, which held its first hearing on the subject in September, will have
at least two more hearings before the end of the year. The House Committee has
not yet scheduled any hearings.
President Burrus also presented a thorough analysis of the “Early Out”
dispute with the USPS. It is the official position of the Postal Service,
that they have no Consolidation Plan at this time. Burrus postulated that the
“official position” was devised for legal wiggle room, to relieve the Service of
its obligation to grant Early Retirement to ALL APWU represented employees. With
individual Districts controlling the process, the "rules" are inconsistent, and
some of the denials have been ridiculous. Nonetheless, Burrus stated, “I
think we’re positioned very well,” and the APWU will be presenting arguments in
court in late October.
President Burrus also stated that the official list of Plant Closings and
Consolidations “may” be released soon. Indications are that the
Postal Service will seek to close as many as 100 Processing and Distribution
Centers nationwide.
Other items discussed at the three-day Conference included the following:
| Senator Collins, Chairperson of the Senate Reform
Committee, informed APWU leaders in her home state that the Committee will
accept public comments on Postal Reform until November 19, 2003. Such
comments should be addressed to Senator Collins attention and directed to the
Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs at:
The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs (Postal Reform)
340 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
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| The USPS is planning a national call-out phone
number, which would replace both Local and Regional call-out numbers
currently in effect. The 800 number, it is anticipated, would be fully
automated and located in Oklahoma City, OK. Attendance Control Supervisors
would be returned to their former positions. Implementation of the new system,
at least on a trial basis, could begin as soon as February 2004. |
| “Outside Organizing” (efforts to unionize
contract truck drivers, pre-sort house mail workers, and others) continues to
be a hot topic of discussion. At the 2002 National Convention, the APWU voted
to continue funding such efforts.
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| There were also discussions about budget cutting
at the National level. A preliminary plan, discussed at a recent National
Executive Board meeting, proposed the cutting of at least three National Level
officers—Organizing Director, Director of Human Relations, and Director of
Research and Education—as well as the extension of the cycle of National
elections and Conventions. Such changes would require amending the APWU
Constitution and Bylaws at the National Convention in 2004. |
Peachtree Street, Atlanta, at night
The next National Presidents Conference is scheduled for Connecticut in
February 2004.
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The Red Bank Local, APWU, AFL-CIO, is a
non-profit organization.
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