Complaints?????

Yes, I have complaints... and also I believe that others have complaints either against our Union or Management. I admit I do not know everything about what is going on either at MLS, Midway or at any of the stations. But, if I hear of something that I believe is not correct or about something that is not being done I will try to bring it to your attention.

What I would like to do is hear from anyone out at the stations on how things are going out there in the "real world". Plus, I also like to hear from others at MLS or Midway from all the Tours since there are many changes either taking place or on the horizon. Since I have seen all the Tours at MLS losing all their casuals and MDO's and supervisors talking about changing that will be coming shortly.

So, for the next week or so I am going to turn this blog over to you. I am going to leave this completely unmoderated. I only ask your discretion on posting of personal information of other individuals.

Thanks,

MOM197

What has Tom Wood done?

It’s been almost two months since Tom Wood has been elected to the position of president.

What has he done?

1. Saved the ten-four program for maintenance.
2. Mmmmm what else??? Has Jim Roland doing some type of work for the Union.

What has Tom Wood not done?

1. NOT posted a new stewards roster- the one posted still shows Clark Moody as a Tour One steward and Francisco B. as a Tour Two steward (both of these individuals are in maintenance). Do you think this will cause problems with grievances????

2. NOT posted a station steward list. (while Tom has posted a notice on the Carmel Mountain Union office door naming some chief stewards he has failed to post anything on ANY other bulletin boards) THE MEMBERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHO IS THEIR STEWARD!


3. NOT had Ricky’s name removed from the joint statement on safety posted on the bulletin board near the men’s locker room.

4. NOT had any new shop stewards classes to train all stewards.


5. NOT got the Tour Steward program returned.

6. NOT got the Union web site up and running. (Is the web master being paid?)

Attend your Union meetings and demand answers!

Tour One Meeting with Plant Manager

I heard that last night Tour One at MLS P&DC had it's "Town Hall Meeting" with the plant manager John P. Bertolina. Also, I heard that our own Vice President Tagart was in early walking around prior to the meeting. Unfortunately, I was not able to go there last night. So, I am asking anyone of you out there to give myself and anyone else unable to attend this meeting some feedback on what took place and your own thoughts on this matter. Plus over the course of the next few days Tour Two and Three will have their own "Town Hall Meetings". Then next week will be Midway's turn for having "Town Hall Meetings".

I look forward to hearing from all of you. Please let everyone know what you think and feel about these meetings with the Plant Manager John P. Bertolina.

Union Member asking for help?

I have a Union member from another local asking for help. I freely admit to not knowing everything there is about our own local and also what goes on at the national level of the APWU.

Here is the basics of what I have been told. I am withholding the names of individuals and also of the local involved. Please feel free to give constructive and meaningful answers.

I would sincerely appreciate any guidance or suggestions you can send my way. We have a shop steward in place that is constantly running to management turning in union employees for every small transgression. We need protection from our SHOP STEWARD!!

Several years ago, a number of clerks signed a letter to try and have this steward removed from office. The "then" president said he could not do it. We have recently approached the latest president to try again and he said he would look into it. This steward has made the comment "You will never remove me from office unless I resign" Once again, I appreciate any help.Any suggestions?

Now is there anyone out there who has a idea what this individual or individuasl can do or might be able to do?

the Potpourri

I just received my Potpourri on Wednesday. It was very nice to actually to have some relevant information being given out. I am in full agreement with our local officers and trustees that we now must work together to leave behind the legacy/disaster that Rick Cornelius left for our local to recover from.

So to all Union members talk to our officers and trustee's to let them know what you think our local needs.

Also remember, that management is trying to downsize right now. Look around you, take a look at the casuals that are working currently. Very soon, neither the clerks or mailhandlers are going to have anymore casuals working. Why is this? Look around you to the mail volume that our plants are processing. To many times our supervisors are asking who wants to take annual leave right away. Protect your jobs.... Do NOT let a supervisor or 204B do your work. Let them supervise you while you are doing your job. But, most of all do not let them do you work.

Contact your shop steward so something can be done about it. Remember, that if they are doing your job... how soon will it be before they try to eliminate your job or abolish it?

June 2008... One month has passed....

Like I have put for a title "June 2008... One month has passed...." it has just barely been one month since Tom Wood took over. I do not know about most of you but I have noticed a change in the way things are being done. Some of them I do not like and others are much better than when we had Cornelius.

One thing, I feel is that right now we need to get our steward program back up and running so that those individuals can help our members who are in need of our help. I mean the full Tour Steward program. Before Cornelius took over this program gave us stewards that were very well trained and also had earned the respect for management. Then over the course of the last 3 years the program was subverted and abused by many wannabe stewards. I look forward to hopefully having trained stewards back again on each of the tours to help out our members at all times and our scabs also

Yes, and I did use the word "scabs" differentiate between an Union member and a non-union member. Because I believe it is not fair that the Union members should have to pay extra dues just to support the non union members. But, as mandated by federal law we cannot discriminate towards non union members... But, it does not mean I have to like it.