Editor's Message | APWU - South Jersey Area Local 0526

Written by: Tony Rodriguez

On April 15^th, APWU Local #89 of Philadelphia held a rally at City Hall. There were several purposes for this rally:

To inform the public that USPS receives 0 (zero) – no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Financial hardships for the USPS were manufactured by the 2006 “Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act.” This Congressional action forced the Postal Service to “pre-fund” future retiree health care costs 75 years into the future. The unfair burden is directly responsible for the reduction in the hours of operation, staffing, mail speed, and the quality of postal services. (Click the link above and scroll to: SEC. 803. HEALTH INSURANCE to see the details)
To give the public an understanding and gain support of H.R. 933 and H.R. 33.

Now for those who have worked for USPS for a while, may be aware of these things. Those who have just joined the ranks, are definitely not in the loop of this. The public – DEFINITELY – has no clue about these things. Cutting to the chase… There are people in Washington, D.C. that want to privatize USPS. In February, Trump suggested that USPS cut retirement and health benefits. On March 12^th, it was reported that Trump’s postal reform proposal wants to get rid of the Unions. Six days later, on the 18^th, Trump proposes a pay and benefits cut.

Privatization of USPS will, in turn, affect personal mail, packaging and shipping; not only for each and every person who presently relies on USPS services, but it will affect every small-business owner and the military soldiers and veterans. Put it like this, USPS (on a grand scale) is the most affordable, secure and reliable mailing/shipping entity world-wide. Let’s not get into the “Constitutional-side” about this.

Look at it this way, WE (the public) have lived receiving personal mail, sale advertisements, packages, post cards and the like through USPS as long as we can remember. We’ve paid postage, bought packaging goods and money orders and have even sent secured mail right at our local post offices all across America. It has ALWAYS been affordable. UPS, FedEx and the like, only ship packages, at a more costly price. TRUTH: You have occasionally received busted packages, or packages have been delayed, from ALL services at one time or another. That proves that nobody’s system is perfect. But who has always been the most affordable and has over a hundred years of service to the public?? – USPS.

Let me get more personal… As a veteran who served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Dec1990-June1991), to a military man/woman, deployed in somebody else’s country, there’s no better feeling than getting a letter or care package from that loved one back in the States. Yeah… it gets delayed in the internal military process of redirecting it to the unit of the service member. But getting it means the world once it is time for mail call. USPS made that happen since World War I and every conflict the U.S. has participated in ever since, putting a smile on the face and giving a reason to fight for our freedoms… affordably. FedEx, UPS and the others don’t deliver to APO (Army Post Office and is associated with Army or Air Force installations) and FPO addresses (Fleet Post Office and is associated with Navy installations and ships).

As someone who has had, (and currently running) a small business, USPS is perfect for entrepreneurs and small businesses (online and physical). Whether they are on the startup or up and running full swing. There’s a lot of mailing and shipping involved. With the affordable pricing and the dependable tracking USPS has, we tend to opt away from the higher priced competitors.Does USPS have to restructure their operations? YES.

Do they have to be sold to the highest bidder, that will:

raise mailing and shipping prices?
opt into cutting the workforce, wages and benefits?
lop-side the income in the company to where the present working man will have no future to look forward to?
change the way you presently receive your mail and packages?
take no responsibility nor pride in giving you (the public) the best service possible?
take away one of the last businesses that still have person-to-person interaction that is a part of your neighborhood?

The answer to ALL OF THAT, is – NO. Will it happen? If the public is not informed and the powers that be can continue to pass laws and make things happen in the plain sight of America and there is no action taken against it – YES.

So PUBLIC… rally alongside of the postal Unions and go to usmailnotforsale.org or call 202-224-3121 to contact your members of Congress. Tell them you support your public Postal Service! And remember… U.S. MAIL IS NOT FOR SALE!!!

(This article was first reported in the September 2017, Local Newsletter)
Written by: Tony Rodriguez Editor of AWPU, SJAL #0526

It is unfortunate that we (APWU-SJAL#0526), along with the rest of the nation, are facing this attack on our jobs. Many of you (the members) tend to forget that you are the Union and we (the stewards and Executive Board) are the ones you put in charge to defend your employee contractual rights. As Union members, you should know your contract and LMOU to know that this tactic of management attacking our jobs is totally wrong. This is to help you understand. By not knowing or keeping up with the information that has been sent out and/or posted, you have subjected yourselves to telling rumor(s). By not attending General Meetings, you have not heard what actions that have been taken thus far or knowing how to stay informed in between meetings. This is not encouraging and it only creates stress, confusion and uncertainty.

Union member participation has drastically suffered. How is it that the Executive Board has created ways of having discounted ticketed events for members and there’s barely enough tickets sold at the special price?? Members have forgotten what a Union is. Members have become complacent. The overall attitude of dues paying members, are as if the stewards and Executive Board members are the Union. With the current participation and the “will to know” from you the members, it seems as though the stand is totally being left up to us the stewards and Executive Board members. This should not be like this.

No, I am not speaking as a person who has been an employee for USPS for 10 or more years. I’ve only been a USPS employee for 4 1/2 years. I am speaking as a Union member who knows and understands the purpose of the Union.

PSEs… YES you too are the Union!! You have rights but you too have a responsibility to stay informed and be in the know. It seems that there’s confusion and discouragement amongst you. Just as there was the National fight during contract negotiations for a better lifestyle for the PSE, we, (the stewards and Executive Board members) have not forgotten what was arbitrated in your favor: conversions!

Understand, the attack on jobs is nothing more than a mere action to delay the inevitable. Giving you an understanding from the PSE level, this is about patience.

“But how much patience am I to endure?”, you may ask…

You may be feeling uncertain about the position you have being a PSE. If you have not been through an APWU orientation within the last six (6) months, here’s a brief recap.

Get familiar & READ the contract. Download it from our local website at: https://apwusjal0526.org

It’s located under the menu link: APWU-SJAL: CBA, JCIM, JCAM and LMOUs
Read Articles: 1, 3, 14, 15, 16, 17 and the PSE MOU located in the Appendix

Check out the National website at: http://www.apwu.org

To join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sj.arealocal.0526

If you have any questions and you’re within your 90-days probationary period, email: Tony – trodriguez.apwu@gmail.com

These are the “rules of the game”. This is what you need to know to have a strong foundation and understanding of your rights and managements rights.

As a Union member, whether you’re a full-time regular or PSE, being informed and knowing your contract is paramount. Don’t give management the edge by staying uninformed and separated. That – is – what – they – want! Again, on all fronts we (the stewards and the Executive Board members) have and are continuously fighting all local issues. Have patience because we will prevail. It just takes some time to get the desired results.

It’s never too late! Now is the time to turn this around, get informed and get involved. We WILL win this! As a Union, just like the fight against the Staples situation, it’s time that we all make a stand against management attacking our jobs.

Our new website and Facebook account has been up and running since May 5, 2017. You were notified, via the last newsletter, that they were fully launched specifically to inform you of all the news surrounding all events both locally and nationally. It is hard to believe that all the information about management’s current attack on our jobs is not important to you. Now is the time for solidarity! Get informed! Stay involved!

Category: Editor’s Message

What the Rally Was All About?

APWU SJ AREA LOCAL #0526 WISHES ALL