Vol. XXV, No. 22 / Jerry Sirois, President / September 02, 2004.

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APWU NATIONAL CONVENTION NEWS!

We have just returned from our National Convention which was held in Los Angeles, California, August 23 – 27, 2004. The Minneapolis Area Local was well represented by the delegates who were elected by our membership to attend this convention and played a significant role in ensuring resolutions we supported were adopted and resolutions we did not support were rejected!

The Minneapolis Area Local was proud to have received recognition as one of the top ten best-organized locals among the largest locals in the country. At 84% membership, only Boston, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia and Miami were ahead of us! Look for us to place a renewed emphasis on organizing the non-member. The simple explanation of why someone should pay dues is that it is the right thing to do!

While you will find more detail regarding the 17th Biennial APWU Convention in the October issue of the Northern Light we want to report what was one of the highlights of our convention – the National endorsement of John Kerry and Edwards for President and Vice President! With the election just two months away look for major focus in the political arena. This election will be the most critical contest for Postal Workers as any we have seen in our life time!

APWU NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES ENDORSE
KERRY-EDWARDS

APWU Headquarters – August 27, 2004.

Responding to a videotaped message from Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, the APWU 17th Biennial Convention closed its proceedings Thursday with a rousing endorsement of the Kerry-Edwards ticket. “We know that the President’s Commission on the Postal Service has tried to reduce your pay, your health-care benefits, and your retirement,” Edwards said. “John Kerry and I will reject these measures, and stand up for your collective bargaining rights and your hard-won no-layoff status.”

Following Edwards’ remarks, delegates approved a formal endorsement presented by Assistant Legislative Director Myke Reid. The resolution outlined the dramatic policy differences between Bush-Cheney and Kerry-Edwards. In addition to spotlighting the current administration’s record on postal issues, the APWU endorsement noted the candidates’ positions on other issues important to working families, including taxes, health care and prescription-drug costs, and workplace safety.

In his taped remarks, Edwards focused on issues near and dear to delegates.

“We’ll make sure that before the Postal Service closes or consolidates facilities, citizens will have their voices heard,” he said. “Universal service at uniform rates is the hallmark of the Postal Service, and we should do everything possible to protect it.

“Finally, we’re going to stand with all of you against work-sharing discounts to major mailers that result in the outsourcing of your jobs. Because we know that America can do better than that,” Edwards said. “We will never privatize the United States Postal Service.”

“We believe in an America where if you work hard and do right by your family, then you should do more than just get by. You should get ahead. We will never let the American Dream of building something better be replaced with the dream of just getting by. “

“John and I want to build one America, with an economy that works for everyone.”

The APWU endorsement urges members to vote for Kerry-Edwards and candidates for Congress who will help protect workers’ “wages, health benefits, retirement benefits, and collective bargaining rights.” It also urges APWU members to give generously to COPA to support the union’s political goals.

The convention endorsement follows a National Executive Board action in May, in which it endorsed Kerry, who had not yet chosen a running mate. The action means that the union’s highest governing body supports the Democratic ticket.

“Of course, APWU members are free to follow their conscience on this matter,” said President William Burrus after the board’s decision. “But I believe this election will be a referendum on the Bush Administration, which has been a disaster for the middle class and for working people.”

IT’S A NO BRAINER!

The choice is clear when it comes to Postal Workers and other working people! The present administration that has presided over the most regressive labor record in our lifetime or a new administration that promises changes and provides hope to the American People! The choice is yours!

One Person’s Junk is Another Person’s Treasure!

We occasionally have office equipment that is replaced due to it being inoperable. Some items, like broken furniture, are inventoried and discarded. Other equipment like computers, printers, or obsolete office machines is no longer of use to us and we will discard it.

Occasionally, some of the equipment may be of use to someone else. In order to give as many of our members as possible an opportunity to take this equipment before we dispose of it, we will run this in the flash bulletin on occasion when there is equipment that will be discarded. If you are a member in good standing and would like to have the equipment that will be discarded, call Sheila or Marie at 612-623-0677 and we will take your name and number. If there is more than one who call we will take a drawing and call the winner to come and claim their equipment.

We presently have a 3 HP 1000 CC Toro snow blower that was used last winter and a lawn-boy mower of uncertain vintage. This is a package deal, they have grown close to each other after being garage mates for so long and we refuse to split them up! If you would like to give lawn-boy and Toro a new home call the number provided. The couple will be awarded or sent out to lawn and driveway heaven one week from the date of this flash bulletin. Failure to claim this dynamic duo within one week of notification will result in the equipment being awarded to another interested party or discarded.