District One Report
Report from District 1 Chair
First of all, I would like to thank the members of District One for electing me to serve as your Chairperson for the next two years. I am humbled in the fact that you gave me your vote of confidence and will work hard to continue to retain your support.
I would like to thank Sister Laurie Miale for her service to the FSALC the past two years. Sister Miale has been an activist in this Union for many years in many positions, mainly in Br. 1071, and has done so in a way that has blazed a trail for many of us to follow. While I certainly don‘t have the years of experience as she does, I will do my best to represent you on the State Executive Board in a fair and responsible manner as she did.
I would like to also thank all of you that have been so supportive of me over the past five months in my completion of the NALC’s Leadership Academy. This is one of the best programs that the NALC has and I would encourage anyone that is a leader, would like to become a leader, or would just like to become a better activist in this union, to seriously consider applying.
I know that many of you do not like politics or the process, don’t like to talk about it and will do whatever you can to avoid it. Well, let me tell you that this must change if we are going to survive the current attacks on the Postal Service, and organized labor. We must to become more active and double our efforts to be successful in the legislative arena today. With a presidential election and many in Congress standing for reelection this year, we must not fail in getting more allies elected to help us in our endeavor to “Save America’s Postal Service”
We have much work to do to improve our legislative efforts. We had a very good showing during the “Save America’s Postal Service” informational rally and got some very good press. We also have collected over one million signatures nationwide in the recent petition drive. All this is a good start but in the coming months we need to do even more. We can start by organizing more support for the Congressional District Liaisons (CDL) in their districts and increasing our numbers in COLCPE donations, e-Activist participation, and Carrier Corps.
In an effort to jumpstart these efforts, the first District 1 meeting for 2012 has been scheduled:
Date:
Sunday, April 29th 2012
Place: Fort Lauderdale Br. 2550 Union Hall
3062
NW 60th Avenue
Time: 10:00am--4:00pm
Every member has a vested interest in preserving the Postal Service as a viable institution and I am hopeful that the District 1 meeting will be well attended. The agenda has not been finalized as of yet and if there are any particular training needs or issues facing the branches, please contact me with your ideas. We have much work to do and I am looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Fraternally
Marilyn Ray