ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS OF DISTRICT 5
April 25, 2010
A District 5 Meeting was held in Tallahassee, Florida on April 25, 2010 hosted by Branch 1172. The Florida AFL-CIO provided the meeting place and a special “Thank You” goes out to the AFL-CIO State President Mike Williams and to Alva Marks Branch 1172 Secretary and her crew (John, James and Steve) for the refreshments and coordinating the arrangement for the meeting’
At the meeting we had in our mist State President Matty Rose, Step-B Representative for the North Florida/South Georgia Region Lynn Pendleton and Phillip Skipper, District 1 CDL for the Florida State Association of Letter Carriers.
Our State President updated the members present on the latest issues in Washington, D.C. and the important of being involved and ready to act when called upon concerning important Postal issues. There was a Letter writing session where the members wrote letters to their Congressman/woman of their district asking for their support of H-Res 173 (maintaining 6 day delivery). President Rose sent a fiery and inspirational message to all that was in attendance that Now is the time to be aware what is going on concerning the Postal service and how it may affect our jobs and what we need to do to make sure that the Postal Service for many decades to come. The importance of contributing to COLCPE should be on each and every one of our minds. He used the example of for each 10 minute Office Break in the Morning would be equal to your donation of $5.00 per pay week. That is a small gesture for an important cause. We should be doing whatever is needed to protect your jobs and benefits. Please donate to COLCPE.
Sister Pendleton informed the members of the importance of providing all relevant information to the files that are being sent to the Step-B team. It would be better to provide more information than less. Staying on point and painting a picture as to what happen is most important in enabling them to properly resolve the cases that may come before them.
Congressional District Liaison Skipper informed us of his involvement with the congressional leaders in the District 1 area and making sure they are supporting the NALC and Letter Carriers issues. He informed us that once he returned to the District 1 area he would heavily involved in ensuring that Congressman Miller would be co-signing the House-Resolution 173.
I presented 4 recent Regional Arbitrations decisions that will have a major impact on how we preformed our daily duties in the workplace and information concerning the upcoming signing of a National Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Route Adjustments.
Again I would to say “Thank You” to all that attended and helped to may our meeting a success. The next District 5 meeting will be held in Ft. Walton Beach in the fall. The date and location will be forthcoming.
Fraternally yours
Percy Smith, Jr., Chairman
District 5, FSALC
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS OF DISTRICT 5
March 28, 2010
I would like to first say “Thank You” for allowing me to continue to be your District 5 State Representative for the Florida State Association of Letter Carriers. I promise that I shall continue to serve you faithfully throughout this district.
There will be a District 5 Meeting hosted by Tallahassee Branch 1172 on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 10:00 AM-2 PM at the Hospitality Square 200 W. College Ave Second floor conference room NW corner of College and Duval streets downtown. Courtesy of the State AFL-CIO Union.
At that meeting we will have the presents of our State President Matty Rose, Congressional District Liaison Representatives for District 1 and 2 as our Guest Speakers.
There will a Legislative presentation by President Rose on his most recent visit to Washington, D.C. and the Lobbying that was conducted with our Representatives of Florida as well as a Contractual Update. With all the current attempts by the Postal Service in making changes that could affect all carriers across the nation in the way that we work as well as the way we live this meeting will give you a opportunity to hear what our National President position is are and what efforts are being made to protect your jobs and assist the Postal Service in being a productive and viable organization for years to come.
The Business Agent Office shall provide us with Contractual Updates that will be shares with all members in attendance.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the District 5 meeting in Tallahassee. In order to make sure that there enough material and refreshments for all members in attendance, I am asking that you please contact me by April 13, 2010 informing me of the number of members from your branch that will be attending. I can be reached at (850) 803-1154 (cell phone) by mail to 1818 Heartland Drive, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547or by e-mail percyjr@cox.net.
These are important time and we all need to be aware of the changes that are being recommended to Congress and other overseeing agencies that could the Postal Service forever. We need to be involved and this will be an excellent time for you to meet and talk with your State President to share some of your concerns about the future of the Postal Service and how it will affect your jobs in Florida.
Again I want to say thanks you and I look forward to seeing you in Tallahassee.
Fraternally yours,
Percy Smith, Jr., Chairman
District 5
FSALC
I want to take this time to reflect a little on the past, present and future of what has been going on in my branch and I am sure in the other branched within my district
The Past:
Thing for the most part have gone well within the branch, there were little grievance activity with the exception of maybe the Fort Walton Beach area, due to the climate and the attitudes of the other party. That change when most of them were remove and reassigned to other offices. All we ever wanted the was opportunity to do our jobs and be left alone. Most of us were mindful of our responsibilities and we preformed at the highest level without a problem.
We are all adults and expected to be treated as such, a little dignity and respect went a long way.
Present: Now we are facing some difficult times, Mail volume is down, The MIRAP process is reducing our routes to capture the times on our routes, discipline is up for every little thing you can imagine, vehicle accident are hitting the roof. No one is safe anymore. We all have to agree that the volume of mail is not there as it was in the past. We see spurts of it, but not like it was years ago. With that we have to continue to do our jobs correctly each and every day. When we take short cuts, we are only hurting ourselves. MIRAP is based on numbers and how well we perform your jobs, we complain that the times are not right, that it was a light day when they rode with me, I don't agree with the times, they are screwing with me. I even heard that they were out to get a person. The only thing I can said is that you only hurt yourself when we don't do our jobs correctly. I will not harp on filling out the 3996, and the 1571, but they are important tools for the carriers. Last week I participated in a arbitration and one of the things that management was trying show the arbitrator was that carrier did not use their tools properly, (3996), especially along with some other things.
We have to be honest when we are working, I have heard and notice how some carriers are taking their good time about leaving the office, If you are working then you are suppose to be in the office, I get complaints from management about office time of the carriers and the street time. You have to be careful about what you do on the street also. Management has the right to follow you and also to ride with you. They will send Postal Inspectors out to film you if they think you are beating them for time. As long as you are doing the things that you are suppose to be doing on the street then you will be alright, it is only when you try to be slick, that you get in trouble. We have agreements that protect in the office and on the street, use them to work for you. Be honest with your estimations on your 3996's, if management does not agree, they have 3 things to do. 1 Approve the overtime or give assistance, 2 disapprove the request or 3. ride with the carrier. Either way, be as close to your time requested as possible.
Vehicle accidents are really on a rise. In the FWB area alone there have been 3 accidents within 3 months, all at faults accidents. If you are involved in an at-fault accident you can expect to receive some type of discipline from management and see them more on the street. It will be the Union that will try to get you out of the trouble by trying to get the discipline reduced or removed. Management will go for the highest form of discipline. In the cases of TE'S it will probably be a removal with the union trying to get your job back. The rules are different for than they are for careers carriers (PTF's and Regulars) The first thing that you must do in any accident is to report it to management when it happens. Do not wait and think you are going to report wTE's hen get back to the office, you may forget and that will kill you every time, as a TE found out when the Highway Patrol showed up at the PO. We have to use our heads. MIRAP numbers will point you out and the team (DEAT) will catch it if you are not properly submitting your clock rings correctly. This is why it is important to do it correct everyday. If you do OT on another route, then enter the clock rings, do not try to build your route up by using someone else's time. The DEAT team will catch that too. I will say this for the last time. JUST DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
Future
In November, the National Council will start neigotingating our contract. It will be a very difficult one, due to all the things happening with the economy, mail volume being down, health care cost, etc. But as always we will find a way to survive and continue to serve the public. We have to work together and support our National Leaders through these very difficult times. We are going to make it, but we are going to have to use our head and do the right things while we are at work. If you have questions, contact your steward or your branch officers to get the answers, if they do not know the answer, they will get it for you.
Thanks for your time and just remember "Help us to Help you"
We will be having a District 5 Meeting on April 25, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. hosted by Tallahassee Branch 1172. I am hoping to have am a representative from the National Business Agent office as well as the FSALC State President Matty Rose. An announcement of the location and type of Legislative and Contract training will be coming out and soon as they are finalized. I am looking forward to seeing all the branches at the Spring Meeting.
District 5 Report
District 5 held their Semi-Annual meeting in Panama City on July 26, 2009. I would first like to thank Branch 3367 for hosting the meeting and a special thank you to Art Ness, Jr. and his father Art Ness, Sr. for helping to provide refreshments. I would also like to announce that on this day Vice ident Art Ness, Jr. and his wife were blessed with a new arrive, a Baby Girl. Both mother and daughter are doing fine.
We had an excellent turn out. The branches that were unable to attend really missed a treat. At the meeting we had the pleasure of having our National Business Agent Judy Willoughby, Florida State Association President Matty Rose and AFO-CIO representative Aaron Wazlavek and Phillip Skipper District 1 Congressional Liaison representative present to assist with the meeting.
Business Agent Willoughby gave training on the proper procedures of how to file a grievance at the Informal Step-A level. The training was very extensive in showing the stewards or individuals on what to request, how to determine whether a grievance exist and how to properly file a grievance. In talking with the members during break I was informed that this training was very helpful in preparing their cases.
President Rose gave a very informative presentation on the state of the union and the present state of the Postal Service and how the status of the Postal Service could affect Letter Carriers. He also discussed congressional bills such as HR-22,and EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act S-560) that is being discussed in congress that could have a major affect on carriers all across the United States and the state of Florida and the Postal Service. He stressed the importance of contributing to COLCEP and signing up to become E-Activists. He also informed the attendees that Kendrick Meeks, congressman in South Florida has decided to run for U.S. Senator to replace Mel Martinez and asked for our support in the up coming 2010 elections.
Mr. Wazlavek introduced himself to the members present at this meeting and informed them about his works within the Region that he was covering for the AFL-CIO and that he would be actively involved with the local branches in the future. CDL Skipper also brought news of pending legislation in both the house and senate and he too asked that we contribute to COLCEP and sign up to become E-Activists and be ready when called upon by the NALC to contact our representatives in both houses to support our cause.
Again I want to thank all the people that took the time to attend the meeting and hope to you and the ones who did not attend this meeting at the fall meeting. The date has not been determine, but will be posted on the District 5 Website when the date is set.
Percy Smith, Jr., Chairman
District 5 |
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Report from District 5 Chair
June 21, 2009
I would like to first say “Thank You” for allowing me to continue to be District 5 State Representative for the Florida State Association of Letter Carriers. I promise that I shall continue to serve you faithfully throughout this district.
The State Convention/Training Session was held in Naples, Florida, June 11-13, 2009 during that time Former Region 9 National Business Agent Matthew (Matty) Rose was elected as President and Al Friedman, Vice President of Branch 2008, Clearwater, Fl. was elected as Vice President of the State Association.
There will be a District 5 Meeting hosted by Panama City Branch 3367 at the Comfort In Conference room located at 1013 E. 23rd St on July 216, 2009 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Should you desire motel accommodations the telephone number for the Comfort Inn is (850) 769-6969.
At that meeting we will have the presents of our State President Matty Rose, Region 9 National Business Agent Judy Willoughby or a representative from her office and Phillip Skipper, Congressional District Liaison for District 1 as our Guest Speakers.
There will a Legislative presentation by Mr. Skipper as well as Steward Training presented by the Business Agent or her representative. President Rose shall share his platform for the future for all Florida Letter Carriers.
I am looking forward to seeing you at the District 5 meeting in Panama City. In order to make sure that there enough material for all members to have, I am asking that you please contact me by July 9, 2009 informing me of the number of members from your branch that will be attending. I can be reached at (850) 803-1154 (cell phone) by mail to 1818 Heartland Drive, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547or by e-mail percyjr@cox.net.
This will be an excellent time for you to meet and talk with your State President and National Business Agent to share some of your concerns about the future of the Postal Service and how it will affect your jobs.
I have included copies of President Rose platform for which he ran on, and other information that may affect you and the thousands of other letter carriers in the State of Florida.
Again I want to say thanks you and I look forward to seeing you in Panama City.
Fraternally yours,
Percy Smith, Jr., Chairman
District 5
FSALC
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