FactsLine

On Hiatus

2011-01-12T10:20:00.002-05:00

Just serving notice that this blog is - obviously - on hiatus until such time as the Local can find someone to post entries, or the Editor discovers a day with 26 hours in it.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

National Officer Candidates Endorsed

2010-09-15T14:54:00.002-04:00

At the September General Membership Meeting, the following candidates for National Union Office were endorsed by the Flint Michigan Area Local:

President:
Cliff Guffey

Executive Vice-President:
Mark Case

Organization Director:
Mark Dimondstein

Health Plan Director:
William Kaczor

Clerk Craft Director:
Rob Strunk

NBA "B" Chicago Region:
Michael O'Hearn

Motor Vehicle Director:
Bob Pritchard

Motor Vehicle Assistant Director:
Michael Foster

Retiree National Convention Delegate:
Al LaBrecque

SHOW US YOUR BALLOT!

2010-09-15T14:34:00.005-04:00

At the September General Membership meeting, the members voted to offer six $25 cash prizes in a random drawing of all Flint Michigan Area Local members who prove they have voted in our National Officer elections.

How do I prove that?
Show your *sealed* ballot to any Officer or Steward before you mail it off to be entered into the drawing. All offices without a Steward or Local Officer may notify the Local by calling the Plant Steward's desk at 810.257.1502 ... or the Local Union Hall at 810.239.0931. You must speak to an Officer or Steward. Leave a message if necessary and someone will call you back.

The drawings will be held at the Saturday, October 9 General Membership Meeting.

Strike Solidarity

2010-08-30T18:28:00.005-04:00

Please support the workers at Genesys Hospital, who appear to be on the verge of a strike. Teamster's Local 332 website is here.

Furthermore, Kroger employees represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876 are struggling in negotiations with their employer to win a fair contract.

In other local labor news, Swartz Creek teachers appear to be on the verge of ratifying a new contract, after working for two years without one.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

2010 National Convention: Friday

2010-08-27T22:49:00.004-04:00

NOTE: All the Convention photos uploaded to Facebook are available for viewing at http://bit.ly/beeHQ4.

I forgot to mention that Thursday night is the traditional "Parade of States," where each state's delegation parades through a smaller hall in a show of solidarity and fun. Usually each member of the state wears the same colors and often they will pass out freebies and candy to the children of delegates in attendance on the sidelines. Being the host state, Michigan received the privilege of marching out first, right after President Burrus and the foreign dignitaries.

But on to Convention business for Friday.

The APWU Auxiliary Officers - who were meeting in their own Convention this week - were installed after their elections today. Then the Clerk Craft Committee began its report and got through about 30 minutes of business before a motion to adopt "en toto" hit the floor and was adopted. By now, many of the delegates are extremely tired, and some have begun to leave to catch a flight back to the West Coast, so things begin to move quickly.

The big issue today was a resolution submitted during the Convention, requiring our negotiators to "take all necessary steps to assure the retention of our members' right to health benefits." It was so important that, for the first time all week, President Burrus left the podium and went to a floor microphone to speak on the resolution. He spoke persuasively and passionately against the resolution, saying "with every door I close, I lessen the chance of a negotiated agreement." He wants to be able to put everything on the negotiating table, to widen the areas of give and take, and thereby increase the chances of coming to an agreement with management, rather than sending our contract to arbitration.

The delegates felt, however, that some items are simply not negotiable, and retaining health care for APWU members is one of them. The voice vote appeared close, cries of "Division!" were heard, and the issue went to a teller count. The final tally: 1,211 to make health care non-negotiable, and 435 in support of Burrus' argument. Now we'll see what happens, remembering that Mr. Burrus is a lame duck officer.

And that, with one final committee report, was that. It was all over but the shouting and the mass exit from mammoth Cobo Hall.

I hope these daily reports have been of some use to you.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

2010 National Convention: Thursday

2010-08-26T23:13:00.006-04:00

Today we tied up a few loose ends with committees who had previously reported but then had to deal with a few new resolutions submitted at Convention, as well as hearing reports from half a dozen other, smaller committees (Support Services, Formal Resolutions, Safety & Health, etc.).

The Legislative Committee report produced some heated discussion. There appeared to be three "hot button" issues at this Convention that brought out strong emotions: Retirees, Veterans, and Money.

At the first part of the week, when a delegate moves to accept a committee's recommendations "en toto," (meaning *all* of the committee's recommendations would be adopted), he or she is quickly shouted down. "We're here to do the work of the Convention and deal with these resolutions!" By Thursday, however, pretty much everyone is wore down and more than a little fatigued, and the Maintenance Craft wound up having all of the committee's recommendations adopted "en toto," with little debate. (To be fair, many had met at the pre-Convention Craft Conference and gone over the resolutions already.)

This afternoon, however, was pretty much all for Bill Burrus. His 53 years of service were commended, he received a strong and long standing ovation from the assembly, and the Convention Hall was filled with celebratory balloons in the black-and-gold colored theme of this year's gathering.

For my part, I thought Brother Burrus did a mostly efficient job of running the Convention, and he kept his temper - for the most part - at an even keel and I observed him bite back cutting replies to floor delegates several times. However, he also treated the delegates rather shabbily at times, especially when they threatened to engage in discussions that he had no interest in pursuing. The best way I can describe it is that he was "professionally cavalier" in his chairing of the proceedings. At one point he said, "I'm not running for anything, I don't care what you want." He definitely sounded like a man who was ready for retirement. I wish him the best.

One last story from today. At one point Burrus had a slip of the tongue, and when calling on a delegate at a floor microphone, he said, "Resolution #2" when he, of course, meant to say, "Microphone #2." He caught his slip and corrected himself quickly and with humor. Later, however, when National Vice-President and presumptive leading presidential candidate Cliff Guffey was chairing the Convention, he had the same slip of the tongue. After he was corrected, he remarked offhandedly, "I did the same thing Burrus did."

And that, I think, may sum up his political future in a nutshell.

March Makes News

2010-08-26T21:22:00.000-04:00

Channel 2 news out of Detroit, that is.

2010 National Convention: Wednesday

2010-08-25T23:21:00.008-04:00

Wednesday is traditionally the day that the body in convention tackles Constitutional issues, or how your national union takes care of its internal business. It's the one day of the Convention, more than any other, at least, that your nationally elected officers play the role of management, and the delegates play the role of unionists, and we are both in negotiation with each other over how to do things.

There is usually a lot of heated discussion on this day. One thing leads to another, the votes are close, and someone - or more likely a whole host of someones - cry out, "Division!" and all the delegates have to stand to cast their votes, instead of simply crying "aye" or "nay" and raising their hands.

If that still leaves the Chair in doubt as to the outcome of the vote, a "teller count" is mandated, and each individual delegate has to be counted by those serving as sergeant-at-arms. As you can imagine, with 2,000+ delegates in the hall, this is a lengthy process, and the floor is sealed so no one can leave or enter, so there's no bathroom breaks during a teller count, which is why we're given eight minutes prior to the beginning of the count to either grab a quick biological break or use that time to sway as many of your fellow delegates to your viewpoint as possible.

To my surprise, there were only two teller counts today, and we had gotten through 99% of the proposed resolutions by the end of the convention day.

Some of the issues: A move to add two hours to the length of the convention day (go to 9-5 instead of 10-4) but cut it down from five days to four days was defeated ... the Pre-Convention Craft Conferences can now be shortened from two days to one if the National Craft Directors feel there are not enough issues to warrant two days ... the salary of the Retiree Department Director was not increased, even though that department is the fastest growing one in our union (and, surprisingly, Florida - the land of postal retirees - voted against it!) ... in fact, retiree issues in general took it on the chin once again in this convention; I'm sure Al LaBrecque is penning a fevered rebuttal to today's events even as I write this ... a teller count ensued on a resolution to give the national president the power to fill - or not fill - national offices should they become vacant mid-term. That notion was defeated.

Others: a motion to increase your dues by $3.00, and then by $1.00 was defeated ... an increase of 1.5 cents in per capita tax allotted to the APWU Auxiliary was defeated, and an increase of 3-cents per capita sent to the Postal Press Association was approved, but only after some passionate arguments from the floor and a large grassroots awareness campaign weeks ahead of the Convention. And finally, a resolution to create the position of Veteran's Director - a position to be filled by a volunteer - was defeated after much debate and another teller count.

Seven additional committees are scheduled to report out on Thursday.

2010 National Convention: Tuesday

2010-08-24T23:31:00.007-04:00

The day began, as every day does, with an invocation. It was delivered today by Dr. Charles Adams, the Senior Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church here in Detroit. It started out okay, built into something that felt a little over the top, but he kept going over the top and reached the sublime. It was the only invocation I've ever heard or seen that received a standing ovation. I hope the APWU captured it on video ... which, by the way, you can catch YouTube video reports of Convention issues and keynote addresses at the APWU website.

We returned to the business of the convention for a brief time, and then suspended proceedings to receive a word from Reverend Jesse Jackson (pictured), who was passing through town on his statewide Jobs, Justice, and Peace bus tour. Reverend Jackson feels close to us postal workers, as his father worked as a postal custodian. After his address, which ended with a chant of "Keep. Hope. Alive!", he and President Bill Burrus led the entire delegation - over 2,000 of us - on a half-mile march through the streets of Detroit to protest the USPS plan to cut Saturday delivery. I've posted several pictures to the Local's Facebook account.

Once reconvened in mid-afternoon, we received another message of solidarity and exhortation from National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando.

By the time this was finished, we had not much time left before our adjournment at 4:00, but still we managed to wade through two more committee reports on submitted resolutions.

2010 National Convention: Monday

2010-08-23T23:53:00.005-04:00

Convention thoughts from Monday:

As usual, a host of foreign dignitaries - all leaders of the postal unions in their respective countries - were introduced. There were approximately a dozen, from nearly every corner of the globe, including Russia and New Zealand.

The New Zealand representative, and I'm sorry I didn't get his name or photo, relayed the foreign solidarity keynote address Monday morning. Don't feel isolated, folks ... he says there are two-and-a-half million postal workers, worldwide. They have a saying in New Zealand, where they are surrounded by salt water, "rust never sleeps." It's a colloquial way of saying we must be ever vigilant. It was a good word.

President Bill Burrus gave the "State of the Union" address. The American Postal Workers Union is currently approximately 182,000 members strong. When Burrus took over the reins as President, our union had a budget deficit, but will finish the 2010 fiscal year with a $10 million surplus, even with a loss of more than 32,000 members.

There are 2,016 delegates seated in Cobo Hall, with 84 of them being National Officers. 294 Locals are represented. Every state in America is represented, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

A little to my surprise, we began tackling the actual work of the convention - resolutions to be turned into negotiating strategies - before noon today, and made it through more than 90 of them before we adjourned. The convention runs from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., with no breaks.

Here is the bag they gave me at registration:

And here is what was stuffed inside of it (click photo for larger view):

I have posted more pictures on the Local's Facebook account.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

Rubbing Shoulders ... Sort Of

2010-08-23T07:12:00.005-04:00

At the National Convention, you'll see political bigwigs - especially if they're running for office - and lots of other people whom you would normally see only on TV. Sometimes we get a pretty major celebrity.

And sometimes they stay right in your own hotel. Clerk Craft Director Spring Meloy snapped these shots of Miley Cyrus at our hotel here in Detroit on Sunday. Rumors are that Hollywood B-List celeb David Arquette is also registered here.

2010-08-22T22:46:00.005-04:00

The deadline for ordering one of our new Flint Michigan Area Local tees (pictured) is Friday, September 3.

The cost is $12.00.

Contact the Local to place your order:

Hall - 810.239.0931

eMail - fmal11@comcast.net

Mail - PO Box 601, Flint Michigan, 48501

RenFest Tix Available NOW

2010-08-20T13:38:00.004-04:00

We just today received our discounted tickets for the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Angel Gebstadt is graciously handling ticket sales while the Local's leadership is at National Convention.

Click the RenFest logo to send her an e-mail if interested.

Adults: $13.50
Children: $6.50
(ages 5-12)

Kids 4 and under get in for free.

Negotiations Begin September 1

2010-06-18T01:29:00.000-04:00

Our national contract expires on November 20, 2010. Negotiations for a new contract begin on September 1. President William "Bill" Burrus has expressed his intent that "this will not be a giveback contract."

Read the full story of Rank and File Bargaining Committee meeting.

National APWU Candidates

2010-06-17T01:38:00.002-04:00

Here are the candidates running for national election this fall:

President:
Richard Cornell, Florida
Cliff Guffey, Oklahoma
Jim "Moose" Musumeci, New York

Executive Vice-President:
Greg Bell, Philadelphia
Mark Case, North Carolina

Organization Director:
Kathryn Shelley dePoo, Florida
Mark Dimondstein, North Carolina
Roy "Moe" LePore, Massachusetts
Martha Shunn-King, Florida

Health Plan Director:
William "Bill" Kaczor, New York
Terry Finnerty, New York

Clerk Division Director:
Rob Strunk, Arizona
Debby Szeredy, New York

NBA, Central Region (Chicago):
Dave Baskin, Illinois
Mike O'Hearn, Illinois

Motor Vehicle Services Director:
Robert "Bob" Pritchard, New Jersey
Thomas Matuszewski, New York

Motor Vehicle Assistant Craft Director:
Michael Foster, Michigan
Phil Elefonte, New York

Retiree National Convention Delegates:
Beverly Shealy
Al LaBrecque

UNCONTESTED OFFICES
Elected by Acclamation

Secretary-Treasurer:
Elizabeth "Liz" Powell

Industrial Relations Director:
Mike Morris

Legislative Director:
Myke Reid

Assistant Legislative Director:
Stephen Albanese

Research and Education Director:
Joyce Robinson

Human Relations Director:
Susan "Sue" Carney

Central Region Coordinator:
Sharyn Stone

Clerk Division Assistant Director (A):
Patricia "Pat" Williams

Clerk Division Assistant Director (B):
Lyle Krueth

Clerk Division Assistant Director (C):
Lamont Avery Brooks

NBA Central Region (Chicago):
Linda Turney
Lynn Pallas-Barber

Maintenance Division Director:
Steven "Steve" Raymer

Maintenance Division Assistant Director (A):
Gary Kloepfer

Maintenance Division Assistant Director (B):
Gregory "Greg" See

National Representative-At-Large
Idowu Balogun

National Business Agents, Maintenance Division

Central Region
Vance Zimmerman
Joe "Dean" Hathaway
Troy Rorman

Motor Vehicle Service Division
National Business Agents

Central Region
Merlie H. Bell

Retirees Department

Director
Judy Beard

The candidates, both in races and unopposed, are just the ones applicable to the Flint Michigan Area Local. For a complete list of candidates, see the APWU website.

BUICK CITY MEETING

2010-06-16T01:44:00.001-04:00

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow is holding a public meeting on the cleanup of the Buick City property in an effort to bring new technology, industry, and jobs to Flint.

The meeting is this evening - Wednesday, June 16 - from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the Regional Technology Center auditorium at Mott Community College.

From the Senator's press release:

I've been working hard to redevelop this property since 2007, joining with the City of Flint, the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the White House Council on Auto Communities to find a new use for the Buick City property that will bring back good-paying jobs. One of the biggest obstacles to redevelopment, however, is the major environmental clean-up needed on the property. Coordination of efforts between the Environmental Protection Agency and local leaders to move this plan forward as quickly as possible has been a top priority for me. Last month, the EPA announced a $5-7 million cleanup plan for the plant, putting us one step closer to the redevelopment of Buick City. The cleanup of this land will promote business investments and spur job creation, which are critical to the revitalization of Flint.

The possibilities for the former home of Buick are endless. The great location and easy access to many forms of transportation make it a perfect site for an intermodal transportation hub, new manufacturing, or commercial development. These projects would bring thousands of new jobs, and millions of dollars in new investments, to Flint.

A Realigned Retail Network?

2010-06-15T09:33:00.004-04:00

The Office of the Inspector General, working with Dr. Anthony Yezer, a noted real estate economist, is taking a close look at the Postal Service's retail infrastructure.

With 36,000 retail outlets, the USPS has more locations than McDonalds, Starbucks, and Walmart combined. But are they in the right areas and distribution patterns to serve today's population needs?

A 50-page white paper with an 18-page introduction and summary can be found here.

The model shows that, overall, the Postal Service’s network has too many retail facilities located too closely together. In the larger cities, the number and size of retail facilities seems to be just about right. But, interestingly, in some high-density downtown areas, there may be too few facilities. In smaller towns and rural areas, the misalignment is more acute. The model suggests there are too many facilities and they are too close together. The findings suggest that fewer larger facilities that are better staffed and are open longer hours could better serve the public while reducing cost.

-- Lance Coles News Service

SPECIAL MEETING CALLED

2010-05-30T02:59:00.003-04:00

Per Article V of the Flint Area Local's Constitution, a Special Meeting has been called for Saturday, June 5, at 8:00 a.m. by Local Membership.

Please plan to attend if you are able.

Leadership Change

2010-05-28T14:15:00.004-04:00

For reasons of their own, President Debbie Lutz and Executive Vice-President Scott Mitchell tendered their resignations on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

On Wednesday, May 26, the remaining members of the Flint Michigan Area Local Executive Board met in emergency session and appointed the following individuals to serve out the remainder of the term for these offices, per the Local's Constitution:

President: John Diem
Spring Meloy was appointed to fill the position of Clerk Craft Director, which John vacated.
Executive Vice-President: Curtis Walker

The office of Station/Associate Office Director, vacated by Spring Meloy, will remain vacant at this time. The duties of this office will be covered by Spring and by FMAL Secretary and MPWU Area 4 Director Laura Bullock.

The leadership of the Flint Michigan Area Local would like to assure the membership that their representation is still the focus and mission of this union, and ask that all questions and concerns be held for the General Membership Meeting on Saturday, June 12, at 1:00 p.m.

Let's move forward in solidarity!

VPP ... Again!

2010-05-19T22:00:00.003-04:00

The Flint Processing and Distribution Center, after a vigorous and thorough recertification process from OSHA, has once again been certified in the Voluntary Protection Program. Pictured below, left-to-right, are FMAL Secretary Laura Bullock, former Plant VPP Coordinator Suzanne Lanctot, FMAL Treasurer and Safety & Health Committee Rep Darren Joyce, and Local President Debbie Lutz.

To Save Saturday Service

2010-05-12T20:27:00.006-04:00

APWU Urges Postal Commission To Save Saturday Service

APWU Western Region Coordinator Omar Gonzalez urged the Postal Regulatory Commission to reject the USPS proposal to end Saturday delivery.

Addressing the commission on May 10, Gonzalez said that eliminating Saturday delivery would lead to an erosion in the public’s confidence in the Postal Service, and an even greater reduction in mail volume and declining revenue.

More can be read here.

May 13 in Labor History

2010-05-12T20:18:00.004-04:00

1893 - Western Federation of Miners formed in Butte, Mont.

1909 - The Canadian government establishes the Department of Labour. It took the U.S. another four years.

1913 - 10,000 IWW dock workers strike in Philadelphia.

1998 - Thousands of yellow cab drivers in New York City go on a one day strike in protest of proposed new regulations.

May 12 in Labor History

2010-05-12T20:15:00.002-04:00

1958 - Laundry & Dry Cleaning International Union granted a charter by the AFL-CIO.

1971 - International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots merges with Longshoremens’ Association.

May 11 in Labor History

2010-05-12T20:08:00.002-04:00

1894 - Nationwide railway strike begins at Pullman, Ill. 260,000 railroad workers ultimately joined the strike to protest wage cuts by the Pullman Palace Car Co.

May 10 in Labor History

2010-05-12T20:02:00.003-04:00

1869 - The nation’s first transcontinental railway line was finished by the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines at Promontory Point, Utah.

1898 - U.S. & Canadian workers form Western Labor Union. It favors industrial organization and independant labor party politics.

2005 - A federal bankruptcy judge frees United Airlines from responsibility for pensions covering 120,000 employees.

May 9 in Labor History

2010-05-09T07:52:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

On this day in 1937, Hollywood mogul Louis B. Mayer (pictured at left) recognized the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) as an official union. Union reps had told Mayer that 99% of his actors would walk off their film sets and studio lots the next morning if he didn't agree to work with the unions. It was, reportedly, a bluff, but it worked.

The next day SAG membership increased by 400%.

May 8 in Labor History

2010-05-08T03:48:00.000-04:00

This day in 1863 marked the birth of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union. Though back then they called themselves "The Brotherhood of the Footboard."

May 7 in Labor History

2010-05-07T03:45:00.000-04:00

This day in 1907 was declared "Bloody Tuesday" due to two deaths and twenty injuries during the streetcar strike in San Francisco. More deaths followed in subsequent months, particularly among scab operators. The following year the strike was declared lost and workers returned to their jobs without a union.

One Baby Step Toward Financial Solvency?

2010-05-06T08:54:00.003-04:00

The Postal Regulatory Commission has hired an accounting firm - The Segal Company - to ascertain the truths put forth in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) report claiming the USPS overpaid $75 billion toward Civil Service Retiree future benefits.

May 6 in Labor History

2010-05-06T06:31:00.000-04:00

It's the 75^th anniversary of the Works Project Administration (WPA), signed into law via Executive Order by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The program was the largest of his "New Deal" initiatives, and provided work for millions of Americans during The Great Depression.

May 5 in Labor History

2010-05-05T07:21:00.000-04:00

It's the birthday of John Joseph Sweeney, born in 1934. John started out as a clerk working for IBM (International Business Machines), but was so interested in the labor movement that he gave up his job and took a two-thirds pay cut to work for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Mr. Sweeney eventually became the President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), where he served for 15 years before being elected President of the AFL-CIO. John Sweeney is still living.

May 4 in Labor History

2010-05-04T01:49:00.002-04:00

It's the anniversary of the Haymarket Massacre. In 1886, a rally had begun to support the workers striking the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company. As police began to break up the gathering, someone threw a bomb at them and they opened fire on the strikers, leaving 11 dead and many more injured.

May 3 in Labor History

2010-05-03T03:00:00.003-04:00

It's the birthday of Pete Seeger, a singer/songwriter born in 1919 who wrote such classic folk tunes as, "Turn, Turn, Turn," "If I Had A Hammer," and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone." He was known for supporting organized labor and often sang for their events. He popularized "Talking Union," "Solidarity Forever," and "We Shall Overcome."

Pete is still alive.

May 2 in Labor History

2010-05-02T07:46:00.004-04:00

On this day in 1933, Adolph Hitler issued an edict abolishing all trade labor unions in an effort to eradicate all political opposition.

And in 1830, a man named Richard Trevellick was born today. Richard worked as a ship's carpenter in Detroit and Chicago, founded the American National Labor Union, and later became the head of America's first national labor organization called the National Labor Congress. He was instrumental in securing the 8-hour workday and in establishing Labor Day as a holiday.

The more we learn about the people and events that shaped the labor movement, the more we'll understand why it's important to get involved, stay involved, and keep your union strong!

May 1 in Labor History

2010-05-01T16:16:00.003-04:00

In 1974 on this day, Congress enacted amendments to the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act, extending protections to employees of state and local governments – protections which didn’t take effect until 1985 because of court challenges and regulation-writing problems.

And it's the birthday of Mary Harris "Mother" Jones (pictured), born on May 1, 1830, in County Cork, Ireland.

Here's more about this important and legendary union figure.

State Convention Loose Ends

2010-04-29T09:52:00.013-04:00

Posting a couple of photos I didn't have room for in the April Facts. Click the photo for a larger view.This is Lucy Morton from the 480-481 Area Local. She served as the Parliamentarian for the Convention and did an outstanding job. There were several "challenges" to the order of business and motions presented, and she handled them all with patience and aplomb.
I mentioned in my article some things that Rob Strunk had said. This is not a very flattering picture of him, but it's the best one I took. Rob is the Assistant to National Clerk Craft Director Cliff Guffey.The State Retirees Delegation held their convention at the same time as ours. Here they are at work.Friday was "Wear Red Day" in support of our troops overseas. Can you tell? The guy who looks like his finger is in his ear is National Business Agent for the Maintenance Craft, Troy Rorman. FMAL's John Diem is to the left, chatting with Lisa Shmidt's elbow.

The swearing-in ceremony on Saturday of newly-elected and re-elected state officers, area directors, and retiree members. That's Al LaBrecque with his back turned toward the camera, doing the honors.

-- Mark Raymond
Editor

Letter Carriers 2010 Food Drive

2010-04-18T17:30:00.020-04:00

NALC Food Drive Saturday, May 8th, 2010

In 2009, 1 in 8 American’s sought emergency food assistance!

We all know how serious things are in Genesee County...

But did you know...

***Over 50% of people using the services of the food bank are families who have always worked but lost their job, or families who are under-employed?

***Did you know that nearly 40,000 kids in Genesee County eat breakfast and lunch at their schools?

***Or that 2500 area children, after school on Friday are given back packs full of food to get them through the weekend?

***Over 200 area senior citizens rely on food boxes through the monthly food box program.

--- Cindy Cromwell

United Way Labor Liaison

LETS MAKE 2010 A RECORD BREAKING YEAR!

73.4 Million Pounds Collected in 2009

Again, APWU Says: Don't Go!

2010-04-11T19:15:00.008-04:00

Rumors about Voluntary Early Retirement offers circulate.

APWU President William Burrus updates employees.

Full story can be found here

Local Contact Info

2010-03-20T02:22:00.000-04:00

How to reach your Local Officers.

President
Debbie Lutz
fmalprez@comcast.net

Executive Vice-President
Scott Mitchell
fmalveep@comcast.net

Station/Associate Office Director
Spring Meloy
fmalsaod@comcast.net

Maintenance Craft Director
Mike Graham
fmalmaint@comcast.net

Clerk Craft Director
John Diem
fmalccd@comcast.net

Editor, Blogger
Mark Raymond and Becky Ross
fmaleditor@comcast.net

All Others
Laura Bullock, Secretary
Darren Joyce, Secretary-Treasurer
Mike Mize, Motor Vehicle Service Craft Director
fmal11@comcast.net

"The Lion's Den"
Flint Michigan Area Local Union Hall
2345 Lapeer Road
Flint, Michigan
Phone: 810.239.0931

Mailing Address:
PO Box 601
Flint, MI 48501-0601

Auto City Flint Facts Mailing Address:
PO Box 1321
Flint, MI 48501-1321

Maintenance Excessing?

2010-03-19T01:13:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of rumors going around about excessing in the Maintenance Craft at the Main Office. I know of no plans to excess any maintenance employees out of the Flint facilities. The first thing that would have to happen is an “impact meeting,” where management tells the Union the number of employees and level of the employees that are to be excessed out of the Maintenance Department. This has not happened yet and until it does, there is no need to worry about excessing.

-- Mike Graham
FMAL Maintenance Craft Director

Hoo to the Ray!

2010-03-18T01:16:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to all of our members! We are now owners of our Union Hall. The mortgage was paid off at the end of January. Many Locals in the APWU do not even have a Union Hall, and we now own our very own. Many years of sacrifice and good stewardship have paid off to benefit all of us.

-- Darren Joyce
FMAL Secretary-Treasurer

Convention Delegates

2010-03-17T01:52:00.000-04:00

Look to these folks for reports on your Michigan State Convention and your National APWU Convention.

STATE CONVENTION
Lansing, Michigan
April 15-17, 2010

Debbie Lutz
Darren Joyce
Laura Bullock
John Diem
Mike Mize
Spring Meloy
Barb Ellis
Lisa Shmidt

Alternates:
Mike Graham
Mark Raymond

NATIONAL CONVENTION
Detroit, Michigan
August 23-27, 2010

Debbie Lutz
John Diem
Mike Graham
Mike Mize
Spring Meloy
Barb Ellis

Alternates:
Darren Joyce
Mark Raymond

Rooney's Right

2010-03-16T08:50:00.005-04:00

Andy Rooney, that lovable curmudgeon from the CBS show, 60 minutes, sounded off about the Postal Service proposed cuts recently.

We concur entirely with his sentiments.

Electric Delivery Fleet?

2010-03-01T14:02:00.003-05:00

Representative Gerald Connolly (D-VA) has introduced H.R. 4711 into the House of Representatives. This piece of legislation would require the U.S. Postal Service to replace 75% of its gasoline-powered fleet of delivery vehicles with electric ones within five years of being enacted.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The legislation was referred to committee on February 26, 2010.

--from GovTrack

Revised 5-Day Delivery Plan

2010-02-23T10:31:00.007-05:00

According to DMNews, the Postal Service has revised its plan to cut delivery from six days to five. After nearly 40 meetings with affected parties, the USPS has decided to implement the following, should Congress approve:

Cut mail delivery on Saturday.
Saturday mail processing would remain.
(Except for local originating mail. Locally-postmarked mail would not be processed until Monday.)
BMEUs would remain open on Saturday.
Express Mail would still be delivered seven days a week.
Priority Mail would not.
(USPS may explore the possibility of delivering Priority Mail on Saturday for an extra fee.)
Saturday post office hours would remain the same.

-- courtesy of Lance Coles News Service

Election Results

2010-02-20T13:42:00.000-05:00

Tour One Steward

(three positions)

James Hobbs - 8 votes

Mary Heit - 40 votes **

Barb Ellis - 37 votes **

Leslye Bowman - 34 votes **

Downtown Station Steward

Jim Hall - 1 vote

Sue DuBois - 1 vote ##

__________________

*** declared winner

## winner by coin toss

Quotables

2010-01-19T10:50:00.001-05:00

"Clearly there are not enough Clerks in these offices to perform our work and/or management does not want to pay them the overtime needed to accomplish it. While Clerks are being told that they will be involuntarily reassigned up to 200 miles away because CSV (Customer Service Variance) data shows they are “excess” to the needs of the office, supervisors are performing their work. While Clerks are told that there is no work for them because of their medical restrictions, Carriers are assigned work they are fully capable of doing.

"I contend that management’s actions constitute theft. They are stealing work hours from the bargaining unit and the Clerk craft. Even if you are not a PTF, on limited duty, or on the Overtime Desired List, management’s conduct threatens your duty assignment and possibly future employment at your Post Office. If we allow the employer to get away with taking our work from us collectively, we may each be harmed individually.

"Every time you see a supervisor perform bargaining unit work (i.e., work that a bargaining unit employee should perform), you should write a statement for the Union. Each time you witness an employee of another craft being assigned work in the Clerk craft, you should similarly record your observations. Such statements should include the name of the supervisor or Carrier, the date and time during which the work is performed, and the specific duties he or she does. With your help, the Union will combat these egregious violations of our Contract and seek compensation for the affected Clerks."

-- Stephen Lysaght, President, East Bay Area Local

What USPS Can Be

2009-12-28T20:06:00.006-05:00

Okay, it's a little carrier-centric, and I could do without the heavy Michael Jackson soundtrack, but this 4:46 video gets it mostly right.

Wal-Mart Earns Demerits

2009-12-17T11:16:00.004-05:00

Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States. Yet, they have some of the most punitive and anti-labor worker rules in the country. Employees are issued "demerits" for calling in sick that lead to termination. This policy has their employees coming to work while ill and contagious, spreading sickness and flu among the general population.

It's a bad policy.

The Postal Press Association, in support of the National Labor Committee (NLC), has requested union employees click here and sign the petition. The NLC is trying to get 100,000 signatures to force Wal-Mart to change their policies toward their workers.

As of this writing, just over 40,000 signatures had been obtained.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

Blog Administrator Wanted!

2009-12-16T10:24:00.005-05:00

When I started this blog, I had the idea to rotate material in this manner:

Reprint Flint Facts articles (or parts of them).
Run Photos and Graphics, as they come up.
Tidbits of news from around the APWU.
Tidbits of news from other postal blogs (credited, of course).
Stuff from national APWU and state MPWU websites.
Occasional material from other PPA papers.
Something humorous periodically.

I had hoped to update it about every three days, but you can see I've failed pretty terrifically at that. The Administrator could update it as often as he or she likes. I would periodically look in on it and edit any grammar or punctuation miscues I see.

I will forward e-mails and other pertinent stuff I receive as Editor, if this is something someone out there is willing to do. Preferably someone attached to the Flint Michigan Area Local, of course. And, for what little it may be worth, I would add you to the Local roster in the pages of the Flint Facts.

Contact the Editor, if interested.

Flint Stations Safe!

2009-12-15T11:40:00.004-05:00

U.S. Congressmen and longtime Flint Area Local supporter Dale Kildee has come to the rescue once again, intervening on behalf of Flint residents to save three stations - Northside, Downtown, and Mott Park - from closing during the Postal Service budget crunch.

The article, originally printed in The Flint Journal, can be found here.

And the winner is...

2009-12-12T12:32:00.001-05:00

Your new Flint Michigan Area Local logo....

2010 Health Plan Premiums - Retiree Version

2009-10-11T13:01:00.002-04:00

Here are the "non-postal" rates for your 2010 health insurance plans. The first figure is the "self only" option and the second is coverage for your family. Thanks to Al LaBrecque.

APWU Health Plan
High Option = $111.46 and $252.04
Consumer Option = $84.17 and $189.37

Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Standard = $175.08 and $400.97
Basic = $100.76 and $235.98

GEHA
High Option = $172.33 and $403.13
Standard = $80.22 and $182.29
High Deductible Option = $95.20 and $217.45

Mailhandlers Plan
Standard = $166.01 and $396.29
Consumer Option = $77.71 and $176.08

NALC Health Plan
High Option Only = $147.00 and $299.74

SAMBA
High Option = $235.64 and $595.43
Standard = $108.60 and $248.04

Premium Sneak Peek

2009-10-07T17:24:00.003-04:00

Here are the 2010 Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan premiums for postal employees (not retirees). The first price is the "Self Only" option, and the second is coverage for both you and your family. Thanks to Sam Wood, SW Florida Area Local President for the info.

APWU Consumer-Driven Health Plan, Preferred: $7.77, $17.48
APWU Consumer-Driven Health Plan, Non-Members: $22.53, $50.69
APWU High Option Plan: $29.84, $67.47
Blue Cross Blue Shield Basic: $26.97, $63.17
Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard: $57.53, $132.83
GEHA Consumer Option: $25.49, $58.21
GEHA High Option: $56.26, $133.83
GEHA Standard: $21.47, $48.80
Mailhandlers Consumer Option: $20.80, $47.14
Mailhandlers Standard Plan: $53.34, $130.67
Mailhandlers Value Plan: $15.98, $38.11
NALC High Option: $44.57, $86.11
SAMBA High Option: $85.48, $222.58
SAMBA Standard: $29.07, $66.40

Incentive Out Numbers

2009-10-04T20:49:00.002-04:00

According to The Washington Post's Federal Eye, 23,000 postal employees have opted for the $15,000 incentive buyout offer. 5,000 quit this past week, and another 18,000 will have left the service by the end of October.

-- Lance Coles News Service

More Bad News

2009-10-01T12:58:00.004-04:00

As if we needed to hear any more gloomy forecasts, the rates for those in the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) are expected to rise by nearly 9% in 2010, according to the Federal Diary.

Employees in individual health plans can expect to pay an average of $5.98 more each paycheck, and those enrolled in coverage for families will average a $12.87 per pay increase. Those enrolled in Blue Cross plans will experience an average rate hike of more than 10%.

The increase is being blamed on "wider benefits packages" and an increasingly aged workforce.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

Which Logo Do You Want the Local to Use?

2009-09-28T03:20:00.006-04:00

If everything works correctly, there should be a poll in the right margin. Please vote for one of the logos below. The Flint Michigan Area Local thanks graphic designer Rob Miller for his efforts on our behalf.

The Old Logo:

The Red Logo:

The Blue Logo:

The Circle Logo:

Second Apologies

2009-09-22T14:16:00.003-04:00

The discounted ticket promotion for the Michigan Renaissance Festival ended on September 15. We were not aware of this until after our publication date.

Once again, apologies to all.

Free Dinner and Dance?

2009-09-16T09:41:00.009-04:00

At the September 12 General Membership Meeting, an Executive Board recommendation was adopted unanimously: to purchase an eight-seat table at the upcoming 50th Anniversary Dinner and Dance put on by the Greater Flint AFL-CIO. We'll also be sponsoring their commemorative booklet.

This local union organization has supported the Flint Michigan Area Local in whatever we have asked of them for years, and it's time we gave a little back.

So who will be attending? The Executive Board recommended we have a drawing from the names of all interested individuals at the General Membership Meeting on October 10. So if you'd like to attend, please jot something down in writing via an e-mail to the Local, or a postcard:

Flint Michigan Area Local

PO Box 601 or PO Box 1321

Flint, MI 48501

If you'd like your spouse to attend, tickets are $35.00 per person, but include a sit down dinner, an open bar, and the commemorative book, plus the chance to meet and greet local politicians and union leaders.

The Dinner is on Saturday, October 24. Cocktails begin at 6:00pm. It's at the Knights of Columbus facility in Davison.

Apologies

2009-09-16T09:35:00.004-04:00

The Editor and Blogmaster would like to apologize for the dearth of posts here recently. Too many irons, too many fires.

My hope was to update this blog about every third DAY, not every third week. I will try and do better.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

APWU on the RADIO

2009-08-31T20:46:00.003-04:00

The Flint Michigan Area Local Editor - Mark Raymond - will appear on the Brenda Brissette-Mata Morning Show this Thursday at approximately 8:15 a.m.

That's on WFNT - AM 1470 - Flint Talk Radio.

Brissette-Mata was once a full-time feature writer and columnist for The Flint Journal and still freelances for that newspaper.

The topic will be the impact of recent mail processing decisions on the Flint community.

Good Thoughts and Kind Prayers

2009-08-24T20:18:00.003-04:00

At the request of President Debbie Lutz, Flint Area Local Members are asked to spare a few good thoughts and kind prayers for Brandon Schneck - son of Tour One Clerk Molly Schneck - who was admitted to the Pediatric Unit of the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor today.

No further details are available at this time.

Health Care Reform

2009-08-20T13:21:00.004-04:00

The Alliance for Retired Americans - a group broadly supported by many of America's largest unions - has created several web pages and fact sheets to dispel urban legends about Congressional proposals and promulgate the truth regarding this important legislative agenda.

See an index of articles here.

-- Thanks to Patty Miller and National Retiree Director Judy Beard.

Using "Function Four" to Your Advantage

2009-08-11T11:33:00.003-04:00

for offices that use the Point-of-Sale (POS) retail computer system

Function Four has been portrayed as the villain in most every union publication I’ve read, as being the hatchet man used to cut retail window clerk hours. But here’s what I learned: we can actually use a Function Four audit to our advantage. Why? Because it’s ALL ABOUT THE DATA. In fact, some Function Four teams don’t even visit your office ... they simply sift the data from a comfortable remote location.

So use the system to accurately capture every last bit of data you can. Don’t make stuff up, of course, but here are three examples:

1. A customer wants five books of Forever Stamps. On your POS, you set the quantity to five and scan one barcode. The data will record one postage sale transaction: about 35 seconds. If you scan each book individually, you’ll receive about two-and-a-half minutes of time in POS. The “official” POS policy is to scan up to three items individually and use the quantity button for more than that, but you can work within the system to add time to your data.

2. Upsell. I know there are times when this seems “dishonest” and you feel a bit like a huckster or a used car salesman, but here’s why it’s important: a) The Data. You get about 50 seconds credit for mailing a first class large envelope. You receive about two minutes and fifteen seconds for entering a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope. b) The Revenue. More revenue equals management not looking as hard at cutting hours and jobs, it’s that simple. Use the system to give your office every advantage you can get.

3. When there’s a lull in business, hit the “Standby” button on your POS. Again, it’s all about the data. If the data shows you on an open terminal that’s registering no business or activity, then that’s a terminal (and a job) that Function Four says we don’t need. If it’s slow, put your POS on Standby. I know it’s a pain entering that password again to wait on a customer, but the alternative is to never have to wait on a customer again because you lost your job.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor
from the June/July 2009 Flint Facts

TABLED!

2009-08-08T20:44:00.002-04:00

The Flint Area Local has learned that though Senate Bill 1507 was going to be reported out of committee as "approved as amended," it was tabled before reaching the full Senate floor. An update regarding further testimony by union leaders is here.

This piece of legislation was supported by the American Postal Workers Union until an amendment was added that could have potentially devastating consequences on the collective bargaining procedure. Deliberations on the bill are now suspended until the Senate resumes its fall session after Labor Day.

Please continue to contact your Senators and urge them to vote this bill down if and when it comes to the full Senate floor. Instructions for doing so are in the FactsLine post here.

A Few Conference Snapshots

2009-08-07T22:24:00.011-04:00

So I'm here in Las Vegas at the National Postal Press Conference, and I thought I'd post the photos that I probably won't have room to put in next month's paper.

This is Terry Grant, President of the Ohio Postal Workers Union, and a co-instructor (along with PPA President Tony Carobine) for the pre-Conference class called "Building the Local Union." Lots of GREAT information there and I'll be recommending they teach it at the next MPWU Educational Convention.

Here's Omar Gonzalez, the Western Region NBA Coordinator and a recently-joined member of the Postal Press Association (PPA). He's talking to the General Opening Session of the Conference on the importance of communication during these issue-centric times.

The photo there to the right shows our "sample" table. Many of the 150+ editors at the Conference - including yours truly - brought along a taste of our wares for other editors to peruse and help in our networking. That's our paper there in the foreground.

This is Justin McBride with an organization called "Building Justice," working to organize the mostly itinerant building construction workers in the Southwest who are being taken advantage of by local contractors who are, in turn, being forced to bid lower and lower for construction jobs to build Pulte Homes. Justin, along with Hispanic-speaking Lazaro Griego and his translator, Joel Hernandez, spoke to those of us who gathered to enjoy a labor-themed movie on Thursday after the workshops. Read more about the Building Justice Campaign here.

After the movie - a moving one-hour documentary on the Sanitation Workers strike in Memphis, Tennessee during 1968 that ended with the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., we had a discussion led by Peter Rachleff, a labor historian at Macalester College in Minnesota. One of the most interesting things about that strike was the fact it happened without the workers even having a union or being recognized as a union by the city. I'd recommend watching if only to learn how closely labor and the Civil Rights Movement are tied together. It's called "At the River I Stand" and I highly recommend you read more about it and take the time to find it and watch it.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

Grim Picture

2009-08-06T14:48:00.003-04:00

A page from the latest report issued by USPS Chief Financial Officer Joe Corbett.

Brothers and Sisters, the struggle continues....

Contact Your Senator NOW!

2009-08-03T20:21:00.003-04:00

The Flint Michigan Area Local is asking ALL of its members to immediately contact your Senator. Senate Bill S.1507 is essentially a provision that eliminates the "pre-funding" of retiree benefits and will save the Postal Service more than $2 billion per year.

This is a good thing.

However, Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma, attached an amendment to the bill that has the potential to devastate the collective bargaining process. Here is a brief from the American Postal Workers Union website, written by National Union President William Burrus:

The amendment would require arbitrators ruling on postal contracts to take into account the “financial health of the Postal Service.”

Given the severity of Postal Service’s financial crisis, if this bill passes, we can anticipate that in the next round of negotiations, many of the things our members take for granted — such as cost-of-living increases, raises, and protection against layoffs — will be at risk. Under current law, arbitrators must consider the "comparability" of postal wages to employees in the private sector who perform similar work.

There is an option to e-mail your Senator or print and mail a hard-copy letter here.

The Senate intends to vote on this amendment by Wednesday, August 5, before they take their August recess, so an immediate response on your part is called for. Don't put your wages and job security at risk by allowing this amendment to pass. Take action today!!

Station Situation

2009-08-03T09:16:00.003-04:00

Scott Mitchell, Spring Meloy and I [FMAL Vice-President, Station/AO Director, and President] have been to four of the five Flint stations that have been selected to have at least one window clerk excessed into the Main Office.

It has not been easy on us to tell these folks that they have to go to Tour 1 or Tour 3. But last Friday, I had a meeting with OIC Jim Price and he told me that he wasn't sure of the numbers and he was going to check them and meet with his Station Managers before anyone would be excessed. For now, that is a plus.

Pam Franklin, Flint Postmaster, told this Local that she wanted this in place by September 12. Looks like that isn't going to happen. So, those 4-5 clerks are safe at the stations for a little bit longer. I will keep you updated on that.

Sorry about all the bad news, but as Management told me, "No one will lose their job." It's small consolation, but in fact, they are right. Keep a stiff upper lip. The fight is not over!

-- Debbie Lutz

Summer Issue Out

2009-08-02T21:29:00.003-04:00

Look for the June/July paper in your mailbox soonest. Then read it!

Flint Losing Its Postmark?

2009-08-02T08:37:00.003-04:00

Laura, Darren and myself [Flint Local Secretary, Secretary-Treasurer, and President] attended a Labor-Management meeting on Tuesday, July 28. The meeting was going as normally as it usually does until the new District Manager, Karen Schenck, was called from the meeting for a phone call about 9:30, an hour and a half into the meeting. We continued on until she returned. She then said that we would carry on with what we were in the middle of discussing and then talk about her phone call.

At 9:55, she told everyone in the room that the Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study had been approved and that the Flint cancellations were going to be moved to Pontiac. Smiles on Management's side of the table. Shock and anger on the Union's side! If it had not been for Darren, I would have given them a piece of what little mind I had left and walked out. It would have made me feel a little better, but wouldn't have been very professional.

Shortly after returning to the Main Office, I received a phone call from Ron Fonger, a reporter from the Flint Journal. He wanted to know our thoughts and comments on the merger. I asked him how he knew about this so soon. I was then informed that it had crossed his newswire at 8:47 that morning. New shock! How did the media know about all of this and the Union had just been told!! Talk about a morning!

We were scheduled to have a meeting shortly after that with Plant Manager Rich Purdy and Senior Plant Manager for the Metroplex, Pete Edwards. I asked Pete how the media knew about this before the Union. Of course, he had no idea. Imagine that! Well, that answer is not acceptable, but it was the only one that we were going to get. He said he would check into it and let me know. That was Tuesday and it's Friday as I write this. Still no answer.

We again requested a copy of the AMP study and were told we had to get it from our National Headquarters. We asked him about the number of employees that would be affected. He said he can't give us that number. BIG secret. They want everything in place by the first of October. Basically no more information. We will keep you as updated as we can on that. When the news comes in, call the Flint Journal, that's apparently what we have to do.

We have been in contact with Dale Kildee's office and we can only hope they can pull out another miracle!!!

Summer Hours

2009-07-29T13:36:00.004-04:00

So what's up with this fiasco?

Some of the smaller offices in our area are having their retail hours cut so drastically that you have to wonder why they even stay open on some days. The PTFs in those offices cannot make a living wage during the summer months.

And in our larger cities many of our stations have also reduced their hours and they have NO part-time employees, so the clerks are still getting full 8-hour days regardless of when the window is open. So the only thing the Service has done there is choke off their revenue flow. It's like saying, "There's not enough air to breathe! Maybe if I strangle myself I'll live a little longer...."

I have to believe that this strategy is nothing but a publicity ploy to convince more Americans that the Postal Service is going under so they won't put up much of a fight when Congress is asked to approve five-day delivery and their local stations and branches close up and processing plants are consolidated nationwide.

Things are looking grim, and my fear is once we give up these hours, these stations, and these plants ... we will never get them back.

Stay informed. Stay strong. Stay loyal to your Local. And be ready to contact your Congresspeople when called upon.

-- Mark Raymond

Three Legal Documents You Should Have

2009-07-26T16:31:00.004-04:00

This information was presented to Michigan Postal Workers Union retirees at the State Educational Convention held in Bay City during May, 2009. It is the information I promised to those who read my article in the June/July issue of the Flint Facts.

Three legal documents everyone - regardless of their age - should have in their possession:

1. A Will. Should you pass away without one, your estate must follow the procedures outlined in Michigan's "intestate succession" law. The law gets rather complicated at this point and how your estate is divided depends entirely on how many living relatives you have and their relationship to you. You can find a PDF explaining this line of succession here.

2. A Durable Power-of-Attorney. A power-of-attorney is a written document in which you appoint a person or business to handle some or all of your legal and financial affairs when you are unable to do so for yourself. Note that a power-of-attorney order becomes null and void when you are deemed to be mentally incompetent, unless it includes the word "durable."

3. A Living Will with a Medical Power-of-Attorney designating what is called a "Patient Advocate." This person would act on your behalf should you become hospitalized and are unable to make rational decisions regarding your own medical care.

Note that the first two documents must be notarized and witnessed to be accepted by the state of Michigan. The last must be witnessed but does not require notarization.

More information can be found at the Elder Law of Michigan website.

-- Mark Raymond, Editor

The Way It Was

2009-06-24T14:44:00.003-04:00

written by Al LaBrecque
first appeared in May, 2009 issue

{Editor's note: this was perhaps one of the more popular articles written in recent months. Fitting to start off our Local's blog. It has been slightly abridged to hold it down to one subject. Those of you who know Al will understand.}

Over the years I’ve heard people who never set foot in an auto plant refer to UAW auto workers as “blue jean millionaires.” Well, I DID work in the plants; Buick and AC Spark Plug. My Dad worked 42 years at Fisher Body #1 South Unit as a torch solderer on Buick bodies. I visited him several times where he worked on the line in the “body shop.” Want to talk about heat, smoke, fire, and so loud you can’t hear yourself think, all the time walking back and forth on steel plates? Dad missed three days work in those 42 years and took pride in his skills. (His eldest son can’t say his work ethic was as good.)

When I hired in at Buick in ’55, Dad admonished me to start on the whistle and work until the whistle blew again, nothing more, nothing less. Don’t start before, and don’t run on the job or the boss will put more on you. My first job was in heat treat on a furnace a block long with pilot lights the size of my head. When they went out and re-lit, it was like a grenade going off. It was regularly 120 degrees, and we ate salt tablets like candy.

After a layoff, I was brought back to Plant 6, final assembly on the frame turnover. 60 frames per hour where two of us hooked air hoists on each end, flipped the frame over, and set it on the beginning of the assembly line. We got a half hour (on the dot) lunch and a 10-minute relief break before and after lunch, and you had better be back to take over from the relief man on time ... or else! I used to walk to work and hurt so bad for the first two weeks that I could barely crawl home. I never saw a lazy worker in the place. My wages were a whopping $1.65 per hour! $65 weekly take home, and the first $15 went to Mom for room & board.

After my military hitch, I was rehired in the morning and layed off in the afternoon. Meanwhile I took the exam for the PO as a Vet with less than 120 days out of the service, and was hired out of the pool at AC where I was a stock chaser for a department of much older WWII Rosie Riveters, and you didn’t let their machines run out of stock ... or else! This was three years after Buick, and I now made $2.25 per hour.

I went through a strike at Buick, which helped me grow up. It was serious stuff. The men and women in the GM plants earned what they got through hard, dirty, hot work, not to mention deplorable working conditions. Industrial accidents were commonplace. A cousin who was a pipe fitter had a die break loose and crush nearly every bone in his body, and that wasn’t too long before Buick shut its doors. Dad was diagnosed with lead poisoning and had to get a monthly blood test to check lead levels. Yeah, it was a real picnic in the plants.

When I hired into the PO it was like going from the pits of Hell to Valhalla by comparison, although I took a 24-cent per hour pay cut. Today’s postal clerk doesn’t have to unload “slugs” in #3 pouches that weighed a ton in the back of a truck trailer in the heat of summer, or frigid winter, and there were no conveyors! My brother also worked at Fisher #1 as a painter, and when the plant closed he transferred to Buick City doing the same job which by then was computerized. Automation took out some of the grunt work and made some areas a lot cleaner. Still, “the line” was relentless. Whatever the UAW workers were able to negotiate they earned! Whatever postal workers struck and negotiated for, we earned!

Yes, there are scammers wherever you go, but the American worker certainly didn’t, and doesn’t, deserve to be broad-brushed as “lazy”! Whatever the industry or corporation we labored for, the workers made the executives filthy rich. Take a drive off Miller Road by the Swartz Creek golf course, or Grand Blanc’s Warwick Hills and take a gander at what the sweat of the auto worker got their bosses! I will give you this - because organized labor, over many years - negotiated better wages, benefits and working conditions for their members, some of the workers became complacent and could have cared less what it took to get from point A to B. Case in point: I’d like to have a nickel for every time a new hire at the Flint PO told me, “I don’t wanna hear what you guys did in the past, what are ya gonna do for ME today?!” In short, we became spoiled with our success.

I think every generation since the beginning of the nation looked down at the next generation as spoiled brats and lazy louts in comparison to their own generation. Progress in the workplace, the industrial revolution, and the advent of organized labor have made things better for each successive generation of workers, regardless of their workplace.

FMAL is on the Web!

2009-06-24T14:09:00.004-04:00

posted by Mark Raymond, Editor.

Welcome to the Flint Michigan Area Local's Web Log, or "Blog," as it is more commonly known. Back in the day, when I edited the Flint Facts between 1987 and 1995, I would publish a one page update newsletter called "FactsLine" and post it on union bulletin boards and mail it off to Stations and Associate Offices.

This blog is the 2009 version of that page.

Here I'll be periodically posting articles from previous Flint Facts, for you to comment on and engage officers and other members in discussion about their content. I also hope to periodically update you with various and sundry postal news from around the country. My hope is to update the blog every few days, but we'll see what time, tide, and personal schedule allow.

With this step, the Flint Michigan Area Local truly steps into the 21st Century. Can our own website be far behind? While the Postal Service continues to evolve and adapt to what is rapidly becoming a paper-less society, our local union must do the same.

Lest you misinterpret my remarks, let me be quick to add that this blog in no way lessens or mitigates our absolutely full support of the Flint Facts newsletter, hard copy mail, or the U.S. Postal Service as a viable, trusted, and necessary part of the American fabric of society.