Build a Strong Union

By W. L. "Bill" Pick

Some things members can do to help build a strong Union and help keep our jobs secure:

* Become involved with the Union. Volunteer to help at Union functions.

* Attend Union meetings (3rd Sunday of the month, except July and December).

* Read the Contract!  Know if management is violating the contract.

*Request to see a shop steward if you believe management is violating the contract.

* Report contract violations to the Union.

* File a grievance if there is a violation of the contract.

* Give statements about contract violations when asked.

* Get over the "us against them" craft divisions, we all need to give up "our" special agendas and get on with the business of the Union.

Remember as a member of the APWU, you do not have to curry favor with management to get promoted or some illusionary employment advantage, the contract provides for working conditions.  The APWU has negotiated what we have in wages and benefits.  Management has not given us a thing.

Employees make a lot of noise about management not treating the craft employees with dignity and respect, yet we don't treat our Union brethren any better than management treats us.  We all need to work on this if we are going to survive and prosper.  We all need to unify, because there is safety in numbers.

Some employees all too willingly give statements to management regarding a fellow member, but are unwilling to give the Union a statement about supervisors doing craft work or other contractual violations.  We all need to help police the contract to save jobs.

In the 2000 National Agreement Interest Arbitration Award, Arbitrator Goldberg stated: "A central argument of the Postal Service in these proceedings was that postal employees in general, and the APWU represented employees in particular, receive compensation and benefits greater than those paid in the private sector for comparable work, a difference characterized by the Postal Service as a "wage premium."  This should be all the proof you need to see that USPS management believes that all APWU employees are overpaid and will do everything they can to lower the wages and benefits of the employees. 

As a Staffing Advocate for the Southern Region, I get the opportunity to travel around to other USPS facilities to meet the Local Union people.  I find them to be knowledgeable, dependable, and dedicated, just as our National Officers are in advancing the interests of the APWU and its members.  But I am extremely proud to be a member of the Broward County Area Local #1201.  We have great officers, stewards, and members who work tirelessly for the advancement of the Union causes as Arbitration Advocates, Southern Region Safety and Health Representatives, Staffing Advocates, Member Assistance Program Coordinators and EEO, RI-399, OWCP, and FMLA experts.

If you have something to offer the Union, make it to the meetings and help in any way you can.  In these uncertain times, it is needed and will be greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, you can contact me by leaving me a message at the Union Hall 954-792-2161 or e-mail me at pick @apwu1201.org.

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Last modified: July 13, 2007