"UNION"

By Carl Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer

One of the definitions of "union" is "the state of being united."  Contract negotiations will begin in November and the strength of our Union will be tested once again.  Our leadership in Washington will propose a contract that serves a common purpose; to benefit the membership with decent wage increases, job protection, health benefits and workers' rights.  It is only through the strength of being "united" that our leadership has the power to negotiate and represent us.  Without this, the "union" of the APWU would be powerless.

Of course, one wonders, would I even be working for the USPS if it weren't for the APWU?  Would I even want to work for the USPS without the APWU?  The scenario might look like this -- ten dollars an hour, never getting sick, no day off (unless without pay) when I need it. It's okay that management doesn't treat me with dignity and respect; I just do my time and go home.

Ask any casual what they would do to trade places with you.  I have had more than one casual ask me, "Why does management treat me this way?"  Unfortunately, the answer is because casuals don't have Union representation.  Most of the casuals I know don't make it on ten dollars an hour, they either have another job or they are working 115 hours a pay period to make ends meet.  If it were suddenly announced that casuals could become part of the "union" and be represented by the APWU there would be a line waiting to join at the Union Hall.  How quickly would non-members join the APWU if management started treating them like they do the casuals?

I have been a Steward for over ten years now.  I know most of the reasons people resign from the Union or refuse to join:  A grievance didn't go the way they wanted; they have a problem with a Steward or an Officer; or, they don't agree with the political recommendations of the local.  They think we lack real power to get management to do anything.

This brings me to another definition in the dictionary of "union."  "The process or result of merging or integration of disjoined, severed, or fractured elements, as the healing of a wound..." It is time for every employee to put aside their differences and become "united" Brothers and Sisters, as one.  We need to merge together and heal the fractures and wounds.

The APWU needs and wants every available employee to be a member.  We need the membership to talk to the non-members.  Currently most of our new members come from Stewards signing them up.  I think the time has come for the membership to try and take a more active role in gaining the trust and confidence of the non-members and ask them to join now.  Tell them to put aside their differences and join, no just our Local; but, with the leadership in Washington as they gain more power at the bargaining table with every new member we sign up.  We gain better wages, health benefits remain strong, and workers' rights are protected.  Encourage them to be part of the "UNION" as our APWU National Officers negotiate a new contract.

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Last modified: July 13, 2007