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LOCAL 321’S HOMEPAGE IS ONLINE Local 321 has developed and published a HomePage on the Internet for use by its members. This makes us the first Mail Handler Local Union to publish a HomePage on the Internet. The Domain Name (address) of our HomePage is: http://www.npmhu-local-321.org. Within our HomePage, a host of information is available for your review. The current information which is accessible through our HomePage includes:
In the future, it is intended to added a host of Union related forms and other necessary information to this section for use by the stewards. Currently, all E-Mail for the Local should be sent to: http:L321Ross@ix.netcom.com. The Local is also looking for suggestions from the membership as to things they would like to see added to our HomePage. David E Ross President Local 321 NPMHU OWCP Recently, Local 321 hosted a training class relative to the OWCP program. The class was conducted by an OWCP Senior Claims Examiner. This is the same training class which Postal ICCO Specialists are given. OWCP stands for "Office of Workers Compensation Program." This is the agency which handles claims for most Federal employees who have been injured on the job, including Postal employees. During the training class, the union found out a number of facts that affect whether your claim is approved or not. We have taken a question and answer booklet handed out during this training and included it in the "FYI" center section of this newsletter. It shouldn’t surprise any of you who have been hurt to find out the Post Office has been guilty of mis-managing the system from their side. What else is new? Management’s only concern when one of their employees is injured can be summed up in six words, "Can they still come to work?" This attitude is what convinced the Local’s Executive Board to arrange the training and absorb the costs. Remember, we took the class to better inform our members on the proper procedures when you are hurt on the job. Please take the time to read the article and you should keep the information in a safe place. It may come in handy one day. Financial Review/Preview 1996/1997 Like several of the years before, 1996 was a successful and profitable one for the Local. We did not record a loss for the year, even though we anticipated a budget deficit of approximately $25,000. Our investments in equipment and the monthly convention fund took us to a cash loss of about $10,000, but these were mostly counted as investments, which increased our assets. As of December 31, 1996, the Local maintained $25,000 in various accounts, total assets of approximately $50,000, and a liability to the Internal Revenue Service of $100,000. If we did not have to endure the settlement taxes of $33,600 each year until 1999, this Local would be in great shape. The Local also received $8,000 (after per-capita taxes) more than budgeted for regular membership dues due to new member sign-ups. The Local Council would like to thank all new members who signed up and contributed to better representation and a stronger Union this last year. We also would like our members to urge non-members who do not pay their share for good contracts and representation to sign up. These non-members cost the local over $20,000 a year and influence YOUR wages, benefits, and working conditions. Some of them are nice people, in general, and those whom we speak to daily on the floor, but they get away with not paying dues while you and I carry the weight. We must organize and influence those who weaken our power. At the most recent Union Council meeting, the Council agreed on a budget for 1997. This budget anticipates a loss for the year of $73,633, however, we are already ahead of the budget for the 1st quarter of 1997 by $21,351.17. We have also reduced our liability to the I.R.S. to $67,200 and have $135,990.85 in our accounts which have been changed to higher interest bearing savings by transferring to another bank. We will earn more off our money this year. We have also increased our monthly convention fund deposits to $300. The budget for 1997 included a large increase for training and per-capita/income taxes. During the Council Meeting I exposed the "Seven Deadly Categories" which will make or break our budget. These expenses are extremely unpredictable and involve large amounts. They are Training, Arbitrations, Member Benefits, Picnic/Xmas, Building Maintenance, Health Plan Taxes and Equipment. These seven items will be watched closely as the year progresses to see how they are following the budget. Budgets, after all, are predictions, and can be seriously compromised by unexpected needs. At year’s end, this Local may need a small short term loan to hold us until 1998’s Associate income begins to arrive in January 1998. The budget gives us time to prepare, save, and cut expenses where possible to avoid this. The budget also allows for an equity increase of $17,500 committed towards additional equipment purchases and the convention fund. We are surviving year by year as our Executive Officers endure my gloom and doom budgets on an annual basis. I have never played the part of "Scrooge", but the dire predictions seem to have helped us get through our massive $280,000 past debt to the I.R.S. along with the annual taxes we must now pay to both the Federal and State Governments for all associate income which adds another $30,000 or so a year. We have been very successful in the budgeting and financing of our operations to maintain representation and include Christmas gifts, aprons, hats, and picnics for the members. The 1996 and 1997 budgets and reports are contained for the record in the Union minutes and are on file at the Union hall. As the year progresses, financial information will be available at the General Membership Meetings. It is important that we all take the Union’s finances seriously as they are the lifeblood of our representation. At the end of December 1996, we were in the best shape we had ever been in for this time of year. Considering our tax situation over the last couple of years, this is a great accomplishment. I am happy to say that the Executive Officers have dealt with the annual financial difficulties and have worked to improve our Local’s finances. They deserve the kind words from me because I always have to bring them bad news. Jeffrey K. Morgan Treasurer
AMERICA'S WORKER'S UNITE In a never ending assault, we (organized labor) are once again under attack by the Republican party, a.k.a the GOP. Republicans are trying to introduce legislation on the subject of campaign reform. They start by pointing out all of the illegitimate campaign contributions received by the Democratic party. Of course, all of their contributions are legitimate, and if you believe that I have some ocean front property I'd like to sell you. Their real intent is to find a way to preclude organized labor from participating in campaign politics. This was proven recently when the GOP complained that union leaders are contributing to the Democratic party without the approval of their members. At the same time, the GOP is getting contributions from CEO's of corporations and other businesses without the consent of the stockholders. These tactics are just another form of union busting on the part of the Republicans. But workers (white collar and blue) across America are finally becoming aware of the threats facing them everyday, and are beginning to organize. Nationwide there are 30,000 police officers represented by the Teamsters union. A 4000 member unit of white collar scientific, engineering and administrative professionals of the State of Maryland have become unionized. Also, approximately 10,000 teachers at the University of California are now affiliated with the United Auto Workers. In conclusion, we must realize that all unions are important to us. It should be the goal of all workers, men and women, white collar and blue, to unite. In so doing, we'll provide new vitality to the labor movement and if we succeed, we'll have earned our just reward, our jobs. Yours in unity, Carl Pacileo Steward GMF
POSTAGE DILEMMA??? How often do your relatives, neighbors, or friends ask you if the letter they have has enough postage on it? Too much right? What do they think you are, a human scale? You are and you know it. Well, maybe a good mail handler at best! You can either use this method on your own and don't tell them about it, or you can pass it along and help yourself from the dilemma next time. I don't remember where I heard this one, but it has always worked for me and i have never had a letter come back with "return for postage' when I used this trick. First you will need, a pencil, a 12" ruler and 5 quarters. Lay the pencil down and center the ruler across it. Now stack the quarters on the 3" mark and center the letter on the 9" mark. If the letter is heavier, than you need more postage. If the letter is lighter, then it is okay. Simple, wasn't it? Now like I said earlier, you can use this to your own advantage or pass it on and then you'll never have to worry about another 1 or 2 ounce letter again. If you need something larger? Maybe you could use a pipe, and a 2" x 6" 12' long board and the baby or a niece or nephew? Good Luck and let me know what works okay? I accept no Responsibility For the actions of the above idea .... Cindy Hoehl-Rinker Steward, EE Warehouse
LET US UNITE
Hello Brothers and Sisters. I have spent many days thinking about what I was going to write for the newsletter. The one thing that has been heavy on my mind is UNITY. Recently there have been some unhappy Mail handlers at the GMF on the dock regarding the Overtime Desired List. The Union has been attacked with the allegations of not inviting Mail handlers to voice their opinions and concerns. The reality is that Ron Lucero, AVP Local 321, sent out a Proposed Change Form inviting Mail handlers input six months before negotiations began. The Negotiations process for the 1994 Contract took over 2 years. The negotiating process can be difficult because it is not always possible to get everything you want. Management is working very hard, trying to break us down, we can not allow Management to divide and conquer. We must link ourselves together. As the old cliché states, A CHAIN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS IT'S WEAKEST LINK. With out UNIONISM we can lose everything we and our predecessors have fought so hard to accomplish. With 2 children, it would be difficult to survive on any thing less then what I am making now. Public assistance would be my only option, because I would not be able to afford the cost of daycare. The point I am trying to make is that, the benefits package we are accustomed to, far exceeds the benefits offered by the private sector. If the Union becomes extinct, these concerns I mentioned will affect all of us. It is time to start thinking about the next Contract Negotiations, LET US UNITE TOGETHER TO SECURE OUR FUTURE. So please, come and voice your opinions and concerns. We look forward to seeing everyone at the General Membership Meeting on June 13,1997 at 1600 hours at the Union Hall, 1833 West Elk Pl. ( 1-70 & Pecos). Teri Szuch GMF STEWARD Dear New Stewards Welcome to all of the recently appointed stewards! Yours is a thankless job that will challenge, disappoint, excite, and reward you many times over. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions. If it helps you any, I would like to give some advice which has helped me grow to be a better representative and person over the years of my stewarding. I am sitting here the night before the newsletter deadline concerned about you all and wanting to make things easier and more successful. How could it be getting so late with me risking being a "know-it-all"? Like I said, I’m concerned. The most important suggestion I can give to a new Steward is to Relax! Too many times in my years have I come to the Post Office stressed out about all of the things I needed to do or was responsible for. Don’t take on too much for your own good. Relax because you need to be the one to offer sanity, trust, and calm to employees and Managers alike. You can determine others moods and actions by how you handle yourself. If you remain relaxed, calm, and intent on reasoning things out amongst people, you can influence without so much as saying a word. Remain calm in upset situations to change them. Being stressed in a stressful situation will only fan the flames. Understand that the greatest enemy to fear is fear itself. Every one feels fear at times, especially those who deal with uncertain situations and volatile people. Someone once said, "show me a man without fear and I’ll show you a liar." When I was parachuting I read Mark Twain’s quote that, "courage is not without fear, it is the control of fear." You must make fear help you prepare and argue your cause. Never let fear make you try to overwhelm others for fear that you will be found out. If you give in to fear, you will lose your argument in more ways than one (just trying to remember what to say will make you forget your argument). Fear is something to use to make you prepare better. Many athletes say a little adrenaline and fear before the big game makes them perform better. If they had no fear, they would not work as hard to win. One of my favorite sayings from the bible is to shower your enemies with gifts of love and compassion. This surely brings them much more aggravation and annoyance trying to come to terms with actually liking you. They think more about what you have said and are more apt to change their minds than if you cried and ran away as they expected. It also builds bridges to negotiating settlements rather than causing more problems. Wars arise out of smaller disputes. Social progress arises from smaller acts of kindness. It is much easier to destroy than to build and it is much more difficult to love than to hate. If you want to look powerful you can yell, scream, and threaten a Supervisor. You might look like a big-wig but you will most likely accomplish little. Usually the tiniest dogs have the most bark. They have to make up for what they lack in size (and confidence). Just because you don’t appear BIG doesn’t mean you are weak. Remember the old saying, "Walk softly and carry a big stick?" There have been many times when I have lost my cool and only said things which made things worse and made me feel foolish and upset about myself. Like a new police officer (and you are policing the contract), you may feel the urge to try to change the system and feel like you may have the power to change the world and impress all of your fellow workers. Believe me, I’ve been made a fool on that one too often. People will respect you for being strong on the inside rather than on the outside. Your strength is up to you and no one else. All of those Managers on a power trip can melt if speak to them as a fellow human being without a hint of inequality or attitude. Call them on their arguments rather than insult them. The fact is that all human beings have feelings. It’s up to you to touch the human being in even the most obnoxious Managers you come into contact with. They can never deny your and their humanity. When they are presented with facts in a respectful way, they will have a harder time denying your Truth. No one can make you feel inferior (including Supervisors) unless you let them. Of course, they will upset us in the future, but that’s only because they have the problem and we don’t like to see people have problems. Sometimes you can’t change their mind or relate to them. When you are up against a brick wall go to someone who may relate and be real. There are those in Management who may have the courage to go against their orders and do the right thing. Remember the final person to hear you will be the Arbitrator, and they (for the most part) love and respect a well presented human argument. I have learned that Arbitrators care less and less about technical arguments and more about those arguments that go to the heart of the issue. Do not lose a case because you are caught in false information or a bad argument. Be true. I recently purchased a cassette tape by Gerry Spence, the world famous Wyoming lawyer, called "How to Argue and Win Every Time". He has never lost a criminal trial or a civil trial since 1969. What was not surprising in the book was that preparation and presentation were emphasized in how to win your argument. What was most surprising was that Spence says the most powerful weapon of all in any argument is LOVE. Now maybe it sounds like the ‘60s all over again and he’s been doing too many drugs but the fact is that reaching somebody’s heart (without anger, of course) and being real to people (even those you despise) will make you a successful Steward. Be Real! If you are able to investigate, organize, and understand your argument, you must ultimately make a decision whether you believe in the argument and then can present it with conviction and heart. You must also be able to LISTEN. If you are truly listening, you will be able to determine if a Manager’s attitude is about you and your grievant or the last chewing out he/she received from their Supervisor. You should also listen to everyone involved in an issue to determine where the heart of the matter lies. If you can relate, you can communicate. If you can communicate, you will be able to settle disputes and solve problems. You may also make work more enjoyable for your members by cheering up their Supervisor. And have the CONFIDENCE. You were chosen to be a steward because you have special talents and abilities. Many of my lessons in the past were due to my lack of confidence. It’s no wonder. At times I was trying to be super human. But I am just a person, thank God. And so are you unless you want to deal with more problems, and more stress, and less calm. Be honest, trustworthy, respectful, and loving to yourself and others. You will grow and be a better steward and a happier human being. Your members will respect you and appreciate your indirect/direct influence. After all, life is too short to be upset. If you can get that across to others, they may appreciate that most of all. Yikes! It’s almost midnight! See ya, I gotta go to bed and get some nice rest. Jeffrey K. Morgan Treasurer Colorado Mail Handler News is a publication of Local 321 of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Any member may submit articles for publication, with the understanding that the Executive Board of Local 321 has final approval on all articles contained in the newsletter. Some of the articles may contain editorial viewpoint which is the opinion of the author and not necessarily Local 321. Questions, comments or submissions should be addressed to: Editor, Colorado Mail Handler News 1833 W Elk PL Denver CO 80211 THE MEANING OF POWER Definition of power—the ability to influence someone, usually because you have control of resources they need/value, and to resist being influenced by others. In a work situation, who really holds the power? Obviously, the one with power is the worker who controls the productivity. The supervisor/management is dependent on the resources controlled by the work. Coercion/threats are only useful if the party making the threat has the ability and the willingness to carry out the threat. Witness the powerlessness of management to apply discipline and the strength of the union to negotiate and mediate their efforts. The only power that USPS supervisors have is to cajole and harass their employees. This demonstrates their futility and impotence. A manager, in the best sense of the word, is one who provides the workers with what they need to accomplish their task, and allows them the to do their job with a minimum amount of interference. In solidarity, Ron Lucero Vice President HELLO!
My name is Jeffrey Garcia. I am currently working at the Terminal Annex on tour 3 in operations numbers 115/180. Although quite a few mail handlers may know me, some may not. Except for approximately nine months on tour 2 and about the same amount of time on tour 1, I have always been on tour 3. Previous to my Postal and mail handler seniority date of February 1990, I had served in the US Marine Corps. Four years as a military policeman both writing and collecting reports has prepared me for beginning to train how to correctly and convincingly write up and present grievances. I have been very upset with management in the past (as we all have) for the ruthless enforcement of their prerogatives while oftentimes intentionally violating our own. I previously did not want to take up the burden of becoming a steward, figuring I had enough stress in my life without adding to it. When I came to realize the majority of my stress was coming from the unfair or non-contractual management practices, I am finally taking up the pen (which in this case is mightier than the sword). I am just beginning as a union steward having recently taken the beginner’s steward course, though I had taken the advanced steward course on my own time in the past. Suffice it to say that on the long road to being well-read and competent as your new alternate steward, I will research and present the most professional arguments on behalf of the mail handler craft of which I am capable. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Garcia Terminal Annex ANNUAL PICNIC The annual Local 321 picnic will be held on Saturday, August 9, 1997 from 11 AM until 7 PM at Berkely Park. Union members and their immediate families are cordially invited to attend. Berkely park is located just south of the intersection of Interstate 70 and Sheridan Blvd. The picnic will be held at the shelter in the northeast corner of the park, which is actually just west of the Tennyson St. entrance. See your steward or the bulletin board if you need directions. The park has a playground along with basketball, swimming, volleyball and horseshoe pits. We hope to have the annual BMC -vs- GMF softball game. We have contracted with Children’s World Learning Centers to provide us with entertainment for the youngsters. The Local will provide beer, pop, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, bratwurst and Italian sausages. Condiments and side dishes will be available. CNA Insurance companies will be providing a TV set which will be raffled off to the membership. Along with this fantastic prize, the Local will raffle off some condolence prizes. Come out and enjoy yourself. We hope to see all of our members having a good time. Remember, the grills will turn off at 6:30 PM to allow them time to cool off before we move them. Ron Lucero and Don Gonzales Picnic Co-Chairs TIMES ARE CHANGING
When I started working for the Post office 17 years ago in 1980, I used to believe that the only way you could get fired was for stealing and fighting. Even fighting seemed to be a gray area, as I can remember a couple instances where employees exchanged a few blows and still kept their jobs. What sort of discipline they received, if any, is a mystery to me. Times sure have changed. Nowadays, it seems that management will take disciplinary action, up to and including removal, against employees for any reason they can conjure up in their punitive minds. Over the last six or seven years, I have watched management change immensely. Their willingness and eagerness to discipline employees for any infraction, no matter how minor is ridiculous. Some examples of stupid discipline I have seen recently include, but are certainly not limited to; discipline for accidents in which the employee ended up injured through no fault of their own, discipline for accidents involving forklifts or tow-motors where the operator’s were not at fault, discipline for being a minute or two late punching in, discipline for poor work performance for mail handlers while the supervisor initiating the discipline plays games or surfs the net on the computers all night; and of course that old standby, discipline for attendance. Now, I know why management disciplines employees for attendance, that’s because it is the easiest form of discipline to prove. But more and more, the union is experiencing problems settling grievances on discipline because management wants the retention time of the discipline to be long. The reason for this is that if an employee continues to be irregular in attendance, management will then be able to issue a higher level of discipline because the old discipline can still be cited. Employees should be aware that management uses this approach. If you are one of the employees who has historically been issued attendance related discipline, but avoided removal, because of minimal retention times negotiated in the grievance procedure, management is gunning for you. Try to schedule your leave, or if you qualify, get FMLA. If your FMLA paperwork is in order, you will be able to take off the time you need and management cannot use the time against you. So why all this discipline? One reason might be to scare the employees. Scare them into making sure they don’t report accidents or injuries. Scare them into coming to work early, instead of on time or a click late. Generally to scare employees into doing everything management wants, under the threat of discipline. The union also believes that management wants to reduce the workforce. While there are procedures to do this, (RIF’s), it seems to be management's intention to reduce their staffing through attrition. Attrition includes, retirements, deaths, resignations and removals. Except for removals ,these forms of reducing the workforce can go at a snail’s pace. Removals however, can be pushed along at a feverish pace when management chooses to do so. The amount of removals issued in the Postal Service has gone up drastically, not only in our area, but across the United States. So please watch yourselves at work. If you have a confrontation with another employee, walk away before you get discipline. If you need to take time off of work, schedule the time, don’t call in. And if you or a family member have a serious condition which requires time off, either consecutive or intermittently, apply for FMLA leave so that any time you take off cannot be held against you. The reason we are harping on this subject is the title of President Ross’ article in the last edition of this newsletter, MANAGEMENT WILL ATTEMPT TO FIRE YOU FOR ANYTHING! Don Gonzales Recording Secretary Labor Contractors Plead Guilty To Enslaving Migrant Workers Three labor contractors in South Carolina have pleaded guilty to federal charges of recruiting and enslaving migrant farm workers. The U.S. Department of Justice said Miguel Angel Flores, a Mexican farm labor contractor under investigation for more than a decade, and two employees admitted threatening and abusing workers from Mexico and Guatemala to force them to perform labor, the department said. The Justice Department said the defendants recruited illegal immigrants in Arizona, crammed them into vans and rental trucks, and refused to let them out or feed them until they reached South Carolina. The workers were then charged "smuggling fees" that they had to repay through labor, a form of indentured servitude, Attorney General Janet Reno said. What's in a Name? California software companies, frequently on the cutting edge of technology and business practices, are claiming another frontier: job titles. According to the San Jose Mercury News, the following job titles can be found in the ranks of Silicon Graphics Inc., Netscape Communications Corp. and Taligent Inc.:
The light-hearted titles aren't limited to Silicon Valley, either, says Matt Weinstein, author of "Managing to Have Fun." He says he knows a "Head Honcho" management consultant in North Hampton, Mass., and a "Grand Pooh-Bah of Joy" at Ben and Jerry's ice cream's corporate headquarters in Vermont. |