|
|
|
Secretary - O.D. Elliott 101-78TH -Ave, N.E. ST Petersburg FL 33702 727-608-6027 |
|
FSALC SECRETARY’S
REPORT I wish to
thank the membership of the Florida State Association of Letter Carriers for
allowing me the opportunity and honor of serving as your Secretary for the
past 28 years. During these years, I have attended all State Officers’
meetings and Executive Board meetings. I have recorded and published the
minutes of all of those meetings. I have, over the years, assisted in
training, given individual training when requested and carried out all other
assignments given to me. I have
served on various Convention committees, including the bylaws committees for
the 2007 and 2009 Conventions. I have corresponded with Branch Presidents and
Secretaries, providing them with information about our Seminars. After each
Convention I have prepared and mailed to the NALC Committee of Laws an
updated copy of our Bylaws as adopted at the Convention. Upon approval of the
Committee of Laws, I have published and mailed to each Branch two copies of
the Approved Bylaws. I have provided timely State Convention notices to all
Branches and copies of all Branch Delegates’ lists to the Host Branch. I have
provided Convention Delegate Registration Forms and Hotel Reservation
information to all Branches. I have
provided copies of the application for the State’s “Jackman-Corbeau”
Scholarships to all Branches for publication and distribution to their
members. In addition, I have also prepared, published and mailed notices to
Branch, State and National Officers and the membership of the State
Association when requested. I have been
and continue to be committed to strong educational and training programs for
Branch Officers and Stewards. I am also committed to increased legislative
activities and functions in accordance with the direction decided at the 2006
NALC Convention. Due to the continued rapid and tremendous changes and
challenges facing Letter Carriers and all of Organized Labor, we must commit
even greater efforts and resources to Legislative activities. It doesn’t take
a rocket scientist to see that the Republican leadership at the State and
National levels have their sights set on destroying Organized Labor and the
rights of working men and women to have a voice in their wages, hours,
working conditions, benefits and job safety. It seemed to come as a shock to
many in the Labor movement in Wisconsin that almost all of their State
Republican Legislators that they had considered “friends of labor’ were
anything “but’! From recent interviews with John Boehner, Speaker of the
House, it’s clear that he approves and echoes the anti- union sentiments and
efforts of many of the Republican controlled State Legislatures. It’s
becoming increasingly clear that if in 2012 the Republicans/Teapartiers gain
control of both houses of Congress and “heaven forbid” the Presidency as
well, the NALC and all of Organized Labor will be in a struggle for their
very existence. My friends, that’s not mere rhetoric. It’s happening. We (you
and I and all of Organized Labor) must work like hell to see that it doesn’t
happen. First, you should have an automatic deduction for COLCPE taken from
your check (whether active or retired). But that’s not enough. You need to be
ready to volunteer your time for the political efforts of the NALC. Become an
E-Activist and respond when the NALC asks for you to make calls or write letters
to your Congressmen or Senators. I would also urge that you get with your
local Democratic Party and find ways you can assist, now and in the 2012
Election campaigns. During the Election campaigns of 2008 and 2010, I
volunteered many hours and often 8 hour days with the AFL and the Democratic
Party’s “Get out the Vote” campaigns. In 2012, we must do everything possible
to deny the Republicans majorities in both Houses of Congress and the
Presidency. During the past 28 years, I have enjoyed serving as your
Secretary and serving with the many fine Officers of this Association. I take
pride in the accomplishments of the FSALC. I continue to enjoy the challenge
of this office and again thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve. Thank you
for your support and friendship over these 28 years. O.D. Elliot |
||
|
|
||
