In this Flash:

• Money Order Alert
• Station Changes???
• Postal Reform Action

Station & Branch News!

Phony Baloney…Attention window clerks: Recently there have been several reported incidents of people trying to pass phony money orders! The money orders are typically of large denomination and usually these efforts are a collaboration where more than one person and money order are involved!

As money gets tight, we can only expect to see these type schemes increase using new and clever angles devised to bilk money out of unsuspecting individuals. DON’T let them make you the fall guy! Take all precautions that Window Clerks are required to take when accepting and issuing money orders! If you aren’t sure what these are, contact your Steward and/or Station Assistant Director John Painter!

Station Changes on the Horizon?

We intend to response to the inquiries received regarding the Postmaster’s meeting with various retail employees during the beginning of March, and our recent round of station visits that occurred March 29-31, 2005.

After the retail meetings we initially addressed our concerns with Postmaster Williams. During station visits, concerns over uniforms, staffing, bids, training, and other items came up. In order to sort fact from rumor, the Postmaster has agreed to meet with us in order to clearly identify changes he and his staff has in mind for the stations and station staffing. Our meeting is scheduled to take place on April 15, 2005. We hope to have more information for you after that meeting…Stay tuned….

We Need Your Help!
Help Protect Your Postal Service!
Help Deal Possible Bad Postal Reform another blow!

Approximately six weeks ago we received a model resolution that was passed in the Maine State Legislature. We began working with our contacts to restructure the resolution to how it would need to read to be introduced into the Minnesota Legislature. On Wednesday, April 6, 2005, State APWU President, Don Sevre, St.Paul Area Local President, Pat McCann, and Minneapolis Area Local President, Jerry Sirois, testified on behalf of our bill (H.F. 2143 A resolution memorializing the President, Congress and the United States Postal Service to maintain current levels of Postal service.) before the Minnesota Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Committee of the Minnesota House of Representatives! There are over 20 Representatives on this committee and they voted overwhelmingly (only 2 dissenting votes) to move this bill along toward what we hope will ultimately be a bill signed by the Minnesota Senate and House!

Space is limited in a flash so we are unable to copy the bill here. However, if you, or someone you know, has internet access, go to the following Minnesota legislature link: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/ Once there, click on “Bill Search”, then type in “2143”, click go, and then click on “bill text.” This bill is designed to protect the Postal Service, Postal Workers, Postal Customers and preserve the Post Office as a treasured universal service for all Americans!

Representative Kathy Tingelstad (R) 49B Andover, Chair of the Minnesota Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Committee is the initial author of our bill. Please e-mail her and let her know how much you appreciate her support. We are anticipating many more Representatives will sign on as authors; Representative Michael Nelson (DFL) 46A Brooklyn Park has agreed to Co-author on the House side.

The Senate bill number is S.F. 2123 with Minnesota State Senators Ellen Anderson (DFL) 66 St. Paul, James Metzen (DFL) 39 South St. Paul, Dan Sparks (DFL) 27 Austin, and David Tomassoni (DFL) 5 Chisholm co-authoring to date. The senate bill will come up in the Jobs, Energy, and Community Development Committee.

Alright! To date we have managed to do something very few others have accomplished so far! Two States have passed similar bills, several others are in the legislative process in their respective States, but Minnesota is once again leading the charge. Momentum is presently on our side, however this can change in a hurry so we now need your help! We desperately need everyone possible to contact their Minnesota State Senator (Not Federal Senators Dayton and Coleman) and Represntatives (Not Federal Reps such as Sabo or Ramstad) and let them know you would like them to support this bill’s passage intact.

By all means, if you live in the district of one of the Senators and/or Representative(s) who have already signed on to this bill, please let them know how much you appreciate it! IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHICH DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN (it’s not a crime and it’s not too late to find out) go to the internet link for the Minnesota Legislature http://www.leg.state.mn.us/ follow the prompts and it will list them for you along with your district numbers AND e-mail addresses for your Legislators! Write them an e-mail and let them know the bill number and request their support! If you do not have or know someone with internet access, call Sheila at 612-623-0677, give her your address and she can find the information for you in very short order!

Spread the word…Let’s follow this through, do not let this opportunity slip away!!

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