President's Page

President’s Report

President’s Report – PRESIDENTIAL VISIT! National President Fred Rolando came to Minneapolis May 1st to conduct a Rap Session as a part of a week long Region 7 Training. Many Branch 9 Stewards and activists were there to hear his update on several topics, like a new route adjustment process, NRP and upcoming contract negotiations next year. The most anticipated report was the NALC’s assessment and plan to respond to the USPS disastrous idea to reduce the days of mail delivery. Unlike Postmaster General Potter, President Rolando took the time to explain the complex circumstances we face, both in the USPS and as a union representing the workers. President Rolando gave factual information about the financial circumstances of the USPS with specific details about “the numbers” being thrown around by Potter. (Every letter carrier knows the USPS folks love to throw numbers around, as if the numbers are sufficient to justify whatever it is they want to do…never mind the details of reality and truth!). President Rolando’s straightforward approach and attention to the details provided a clear base of knowledge and a plan of action for all of us. Branch 9 will continue to educate our members, our partners in the Labor Community, Congress and yes, even the public on the importance of the USPS and our work delivering for the American people. President Rolando then visited Lake Street station in Minneapolis May 2. It had been over 20 years since our National President made a station visit here! Lake Street station was a perfect station for such a high profile visit. The carriers are as vibrant and diverse as the community they serve, they are very active in every single event and aspect of the Branch and the NALC, and they are 100% union and a COLCPE role model for every station. Best of all, carriers at Lake Street station, while they respectfully share their own views, also offer creative solutions. Stewards Tim Bergstrom and Cathy Burton are tremendous leaders and innovators. They would be the first to tell you that station stewards serving before them like Aaron Kriz, Amanda Greer and Bruce Okeson should be given the credit for laying a strong union foundation at Lake Street. AGREED! As with all union work, it is a collective effort of many! President Rolando spent 1 ½ hours going case to case and talking individually with every carrier. Carriers were polite and thanked him for all that he has done and is doing to represent them. They also asked tough questions about the USPS plan to reduce the days of mail delivery, negotiating our contract and the future of the USPS. Fred took the time to answer all questions, and then asked some of his own! It was a privilege to have President Rolando in Minneapolis and Lake Street represented our entire Branch very well! President Rolando finished his stay in Minneapolis by presenting this year’s 50 and 60 year member honorees at our Red and Gold Retiree Banquet. As keynote speaker, he went into detail explaining the NALC’s position on the current challenges facing the USPS and our strategy to protect that institution for the American people and grow it into the new world economy. This banquet is always a special event of the Branch. Having President Rolando there made it first class too! MANY HANDS OF HELP This time of year, many great Branch 9 events collide together on the calendar. The MDA fundraisers, political conventions, Food Drive, May Day parade, Twins game, Regional Training and Retiree Banquet all keep us on the move. And though it seems impossible on a calendar, with the army of volunteers in Branch 9, it’s not only possible, it’s fun too! I was soundly reminded during our “show and tell” two days with President Rolando just how lucky we are to have so many people involved in keeping our union family strong here in Branch 9! We have challenges, we have frustrations and we sometimes have differing opinions. But, we serve our communities, our employer and our own interests in ways that should make you all proud! I am! BY LAW MEETING During last month’s annual By Law Meeting (held in conjunction with our General Membership Meeting), most of the By Law proposals passed (as printed on page 4). I did however President’s Rep. cont. on page withdraw one of my proposals that concerned the scheduling and location of our meetings. After input from several respected members, I moved a new proposal through the Stewards Board meeting May 11 by a required 2/3 majority. That new proposal is printed in this BNN issue on page 12. This new proposal will be considered at the June 22 General Membership Meeting. IN THE END… With the many complicated issues in front of all of us, from the daily drip, drip, drip of forced pivots, to the core question of the purpose and responsibility of the USPS, to the upcoming contract negotiations in 2011, it comes down to communication. The communication with our public, our Congressional representatives, our stewards and our union officers are all key to our success. While good communication will not eliminate all of our frustration or anger about the challenges we face, it will ensure that each of us understands the issues, has accurate information and knows our position. It is through communication that we will educate our members on their rights, their responsibilities and their role in securing their career and benefits. In Solidarity, Pam