Unionism
buy generic clomid
no rx cialis
cheapest clomid
order levitra online
where to buy accutane
find discount cialis online
viagra tablets
cheapest accutane prices
buy acomplia cheap
low cost viagra
lasix online stores
discount cialis no rx
viagra india
acomplia sale
viagra approved
viagra pharmacy
cialis pills
soma without prescription
buy viagra in canada
find no rx viagra
buy zithromax
find viagra
clomid online stores
discount acomplia
cheap clomid tablets
buy generic levitra
purchase levitra online
cialis buy
cialis india
cheapest cialis prices
zithromax without prescription
acomplia online stores
buy cheapest viagra on line
propecia online cheap
purchase soma online
synthroid without prescription
cost viagra
levitra pills
viagra overnight shipping
cheap viagra internet
buy viagra us
buy generic accutane
synthroid sale
cheap lasix online
purchase cialis without prescription
buy synthroid cheap
viagra cheap drug
cialis for order
buy cheap zithromax
viagra cheap price
order accutane online
buy viagra low price
zithromax prices
order propecia online
discount clomid
order cialis on internet
online soma
order cialis no prescription
cheap propecia online
acomplia pills
buy accutane without prescription
cialis australia
price of soma
cialis sales
buy soma without prescription
no prescription cialis
lasix generic
cheap cialis on internet
cheap clomid online
synthroid online cheap
purchase clomid online
where to buy synthroid
cheap levitra online
discount cialis overnight delivery
viagra australia
buying viagra online
zithromax for sale
viagra cost
viagra pills
buy cialis lowest price
price of clomid
cialis side effects
lasix for sale
cheapest generic cialis
find viagra on internet
levitra online stores
cialis overnight shipping
viagra online review
free cialis
cialis approved
buy cheapest viagra
cheap viagra online
where to buy levitra
order cialis from canada
cialis pharmacy
order soma
levitra cheap
viagra without rx
clomid cheap
cheap generic synthroid
where to buy propecia
buy generic synthroid
order lasix online
where to order viagra
buy accutane cheap
cheap accutane tablets
cheapest synthroid prices
cheap viagra in uk
synthroid online stores
accutane prescription
where to order cialis
order viagra on internet
sale viagra
buy cheap clomid
buy cialis low price
find cialis no prescription required
viagra internet
buy discount viagra
best price for viagra
cheap propecia
clomid without a prescription
buy viagra without prescription
discount lasix
levitra for sale
buy clomid
certified cialis
where to buy acomplia
buy cheap accutane online
buy cheapest viagra online
buy cheapest cialis on line
lowest price propecia
viagra in uk
buy no rx viagra
cheapest clomid prices
order cialis in us
cheap acomplia tablets
buy lasix without prescription
discount viagra overnight delivery
cheap cialis internet
cialis overnight
no prescription viagra
buy synthroid
viagra price
find cheap cialis online
order clomid online
best price for cialis
viagra purchase
purchase cialis online
online lasix
cheapest acomplia prices
zithromax without a prescription
best price viagra
cialis order
accutane cheap
buy cialis in us
buy viagra on internet
purchase clomid
clomid
cialis pharmacy online
cialis purchase
cheap lasix tablets
cialis generic
cheapest viagra price
zithromax no prescription
zithromax cheap
cialis cheap drug
buy cialis in canada
cheap zithromax tablets
buy clomid without prescription
lowest price lasix
acomplia discount
cialis online
viagra tablet
synthroid generic
propecia no prescription
buy generic zithromax
order viagra in us
purchase viagra no rx
approved viagra pharmacy
purchase viagra online
soma generic
accutane
cialis no rx required
online synthroid
purchase viagra overnight delivery
discount cialis
buy no rx cialis
viagra generic
buy cialis us
clomid prescription
acomplia prices
purchase lasix online
buy cheap synthroid
viagra online pharmacy
buy cheap clomid online
lasix cheap
cheap generic clomid
viagra buy drug
clomid pharmacy
propecia without prescription
synthroid online
accutane sale
levitra no prescription
online accutane
price of cialis
synthroid without a prescription
buy generic viagra
viagra in australia
cheapest zithromax prices
buy lasix
discount zithromax
cheapest levitra
cost of cialis
cheap viagra in usa
propecia online stores
buy zithromax cheap
sale cialis
find cheap viagra
viagra us
cheap clomid
cialis online stores
soma no prescription
buy cialis online
where to buy viagra
generic viagra
buy cialis internet
buy levitra cheap
order cialis no prescription required
cheap levitra tablets
buy cialis overnight delivery
buy viagra generic
lasix online
cheap cialis no prescription
acomplia cheap
order viagra no prescription required
cheapest levitra prices
discount viagra online
viagra
where to buy zithromax
buy cheap acomplia
purchase viagra
accutane for sale
generic acomplia
cheap viagra no prescription
compare viagra prices
generic zithromax
buy clomid online
propecia cheap
levitra prescription
buy clomid cheap
viagra in malaysia
acomplia pharmacy
acomplia for sale
order viagra cheap online
online viagra
buy acomplia without prescription
lowest price soma
discount cialis online
lasix prices
cialis cheapest price
cheap accutane online
buy synthroid without prescription
find cialis without prescription
accutane without prescription
buy acomplia
cialis cheap
cheap viagra from usa
online cialis
clomid discount
cheap cialis in usa
soma online cheap
cialis without a prescription
where to buy soma
purchase propecia online
cialis sale
buy cheap soma
find viagra online
cheap soma online
cialis free sample
lowest price viagra
buy cialis on line
viagra from canada
online pharmacy cialis
levitra
drug viagra online purchase
drug cialis
buy zithromax online
buy propecia
lasix pharmacy
accutane generic
clomid online cheap
soma prices
synthroid
levitra generic
order viagra from us
purchase accutane
lasix discount
cheapest cialis
cheap cialis pill
find discount viagra online
lowest price for viagra
accutane prices
acomplia generic
cheap cialis tablet
synthroid pills
viagra pharmacy online
viagra overnight
synthroid pharmacy
viagra online stores
buy discount viagra online
levitra online
certified viagra
cheap viagra in canada
cheapest propecia prices
order viagra without prescription
clomid sale
price of viagra
cialis cost
lowest price synthroid
purchase cialis
buying generic viagra
lasix pills
generic accutane
buy cheap soma online
buy lasix cheap
cialis online review
purchase cialis overnight delivery
soma for sale
cheap viagra on internet
lowest price cialis
cheap viagra from uk
buy generic lasix
buy cheap lasix
order levitra
cialis without prescription
cialis prices
buy viagra no rx
buy cialis no rx
purchase zithromax online
best price cialis
cialis in uk
buy discount cialis online
propecia prescription
cialis discount
purchase lasix
propecia sale
order discount cialis
viagra prices
discount synthroid
buy generic cialis
soma online
buy generic viagra online
buy cialis from india
cheap viagra pharmacy
buy synthroid online
online levitra
order cheap viagra
cost cialis
cheapest cialis price
cialis us
acomplia without a prescription
order cialis
cheap generic zithromax
cheap levitra
cheap cialis without prescription
cheapest viagra prices
cheap cialis from canada
zithromax pills
zithromax generic
buy viagra internet
drug cialis online purchase
compare viagra prices online
buy cialis from us
cialis tablets
generic viagra online
buy cheap viagra internet
lasix prescription
drug viagra
accutane discount
buying cialis online
cheap soma
order clomid
buy generic acomplia
cialis online without prescription
price of levitra
buy levitra online
acomplia without prescription
cialis rx
buy propecia online
buy cheap accutane
price of synthroid
synthroid prescription
viagra online
cheap synthroid online
order propecia
order synthroid online
soma without a prescription
viagra free delivery
buy cialis without prescription
purchase synthroid
discount cialis without prescription
buy viagra overnight delivery
order acomplia online
approved cialis pharmacy
cialis uk
order generic cialis
buy propecia cheap
cialis in bangkok
clomid for sale
zithromax pharmacy
viagra online cheap
order cheap cialis
online pharmacy viagra
buy cheapest cialis online
order generic viagra
cheap cialis overnight delivery
buy cheap viagra
find cheap cialis
buy zithromax without prescription
buy viagra on line
tablet cialis
purchase zithromax
cialis in australia
lowest price clomid
overnight cialis
cialis in us
clomid without prescription
cialis overnight delivery
cheap lasix
cheap synthroid
cheapest lasix
cheapest soma prices
viagra cheap
cheapest lasix prices
find cialis on internet
order viagra no prescription
zithromax online
compare cialis prices
find cheap viagra online
generic lasix
discount propecia
acomplia no prescription
generic cialis online
cheap viagra tablets
order viagra
buy soma cheap
propecia for sale
generic viagra cheap
cheap propecia tablets
cheap generic acomplia
viagra bangkok
discount viagra without prescription
levitra prices
cheapest accutane
propecia online
zithromax online cheap
lasix sale
where to buy lasix
buy cheap synthroid online
price of lasix
price of acomplia
find viagra no prescription required
viagra online without prescription
low cost cialis
cheap zithromax
propecia
cheap acomplia online
order cialis cheap online
cheap cialis
cialis bangkok
lowest price for cialis
cialis no online prescription
cheap cialis pharmacy
cialis canada
buy accutane
cheap cialis from uk
viagra sales
cialis from india
order cialis without prescription
order discount viagra
order accutane
find discount viagra
order cialis no rx
cialis prescription
buy propecia without prescription
cheap zithromax online
cheap viagra pill
buy cheap propecia
purchase acomplia
buying generic cialis
cialis online pharmacy
buy viagra online cheap
buy cheap levitra online
viagra for order
cheap cialis in uk
acomplia online
generic clomid
zithromax sale
where to buy clomid
buy viagra
viagra without a prescription
buy lasix online
purchase propecia
cheap cialis no rx
viagra side effects
order cheap cialis online
cialis online cheap
cialis drug
online propecia
generic cialis cheap
cialis
buy viagra no prescription required
accutane pharmacy
viagra discount
buy soma online
order viagra online
propecia pharmacy
accutane without a prescription
levitra without prescription
discount accutane
cheapest viagra
viagra no rx required
buy cialis
buy viagra cheap
order no rx cialis
cheapest cialis online
purchase levitra
cheapest zithromax
lasix without a prescription
zithromax
order no rx viagra
buy viagra lowest price
cialis vendors
cialis in malaysia
cheapest generic cialis online
cheap viagra
buy discount cialis
cialis from canada
buy soma
cialis malaysia
levitra pharmacy
synthroid no prescription
cheap cialis tablets
price of zithromax
order cialis in canada
discount soma
order cialis overnight delivery
soma cheap
zithromax prescription
order discount viagra online
viagra from india
propecia generic
buy cheap cialis internet
viagra buy
viagra uk
acomplia online cheap
order acomplia
cialis buy drug
buy cheap lasix online
levitra without a prescription
cialis free delivery
online acomplia
where to buy cialis
pharmacy viagra
accutane online cheap
cheapest generic viagra online
purchase accutane online
lowest price accutane
buy viagra online
generic soma
lasix no prescription
propecia without a prescription
synthroid discount
cheap generic accutane
viagra sale
viagra pill
discount viagra no rx
viagra free sample
no rx viagra
lasix online cheap
order cheap viagra online
viagra order
lasix
free viagra
clomid pills
buy cheap acomplia online
propecia prices
buy levitra without prescription
price of accutane
buy cheap viagra online
lowest price zithromax
soma
find cialis
find discount cialis
order viagra no rx
tablet viagra
viagra buy online
order synthroid
viagra no online prescription
soma prescription
lowest price acomplia
cheap viagra overnight delivery
cheap acomplia
discount viagra
find viagra without prescription
synthroid for sale
acomplia prescription
purchase synthroid online
cialis information
soma pills
order lasix
viagra no prescription
lasix without prescription
accutane pills
purchase acomplia online
zithromax online stores
cheapest soma
viagra cheapest price
compare cialis prices online
cheap viagra tablet
order cialis online
buy acomplia online
cheap synthroid tablets
viagra canada
cialis no prescription
viagra information
price of propecia
buy cialis generic
order soma online
order discount cialis online
cheap generic lasix
purchase viagra without prescription
viagra vendors
cialis medication
order viagra overnight delivery
viagra no rx
overnight viagra
cheap cialis online
clomid prices
cheap accutane
buy viagra from india
cialis tablet
cheap viagra no rx
viagra rx
buy accutane online
find no rx cialis
buy generic cialis online
cheap viagra without prescription
cheapest propecia
buy cheap propecia online
levitra online cheap
order viagra from canada
accutane no prescription
soma discount
cheapest synthroid
generic levitra
cialis price
online clomid
generic cialis
fda approved viagra
purchase cialis no rx
cialis without rx
cheapest acomplia
buy levitra
pharmacy cialis
accutane online stores
soma online stores
buy cialis from canada
clomid generic
propecia pills
synthroid prices
cheapest generic viagra
buy cheap levitra
buy cialis cheap
buy cialis no prescription required
viagra without prescription
cheap generic soma
accutane online
buy viagra from canada
find cialis online
cialis no rx
discount levitra
buy cialis online cheap
order cialis from us
viagra in us
buy cheap cialis online
cialis for sale
cheap price cialis
cialis buy online
order zithromax online
fda approved cialis
generic propecia
viagra malaysia
cheap cialis from usa
buying cialis
generic synthroid
viagra medication
propecia discount
cheap generic cialis
soma pharmacy
levitra discount
cheap generic propecia
viagra for sale
soma sale
online zithromax
acomplia
cheap viagra from canada
buy generic propecia
viagra in bangkok
buy cheap zithromax online
cheap generic levitra
cheap price viagra
buy cheap cialis
cheap cialis in canada
buy generic soma
cheap soma tablets
viagra prescription
lowest price levitra
buy viagra from us
cialis internet
buy cheapest cialis
buy viagra in us
buying viagra
cheapest viagra online
viagra overnight delivery
purchase soma
clomid no prescription
cialis pill
cheap generic viagra
levitra sale
order viagra in canada
viagra drug
synthroid cheap
order zithromax
cialis cheap price
buy cialis on internet
cost of viagra
clomid online
Talk about the significance of belonging to a union in the postal service.
26 Responses to 'Unionism'
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.

on November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Some people feel that “Freeriders” are dragging down the Rural craft and expecting to get the benefits hard one by the union in contract negotiations. There is a movement to require membership in some cities in other unions.
on November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I belong to the union, and know that the only real way to become informed is to belong. Many are afraid to belong, because of the added time it involves attending meetings and supporting fund raisers, but hey, if you want to keep your information up to date and know your options as an employee in any given situation then I recommend you belong to the union.
on November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Belonging to the NRLCA is vitally important these days for a couple of reasons. Information is available to those who are members. Even these days, when we are so tired from running the routes with lower standards than ever before, we have information mailed to us, and the website is at our fingertips. For those with energy left, there are the meetings to attend for info and input. Also, as members, we are supporting our fellow carriers who need the grievance system…and guarantee that the union will be there for our support when the time comes. Then, there is GMAC, the auto and home insurance. I have a much lower rate for my insurance here in New Jersey. Check it out.
on November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
I belong to the union and I support the Union. There are just some places where there should be different people in the jobs of stewards. Some stewards seem to look for the most insignificant bs to complain about while there are people who have pay adjustments from two and three years ago who can’t get help getting them resolved. Sometimes it seems like the battles they pick to fight are the stupid ones.
on November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
As a steward, I stay very busy after normal route hours, either answering questions or by being actively involved in grievance activities. I am also a state union officer. I recently related my active union life to a friend who is a school teacher in another state. She is a member of the teacher’s union, and pays about three times what I do in union dues (regular rural carrier). After comparing the activity of our very busy union to her “not get much done teachers’ ” union, her comment was, “i DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERY RURAL CARRIER IS NOT A MEMBER OF YOUR UNION!”
on November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
We have been told that our state union officers receive information from the national office on a weekly basis. They acknowledge that a lot of it would be of interest to rural carriers. They state the need to get this information to members and their current failure to do so. Current meaning the last three years. They state that all executive board meetings are open to all members who want to attend, yet they never publish the meeting dates or inform members who have expressed an interest in attending when and where they are. With an attitude like this of “I’ve got mine, you grovel and try to get some for yourself”, we as union members are not getting the service we are paying for.
on September 2nd, 2005 at 3:33 pm
The main reason I am a part of the “association” (are we a union?) is because I want access to information. The information would be more useful if our National Officers did not give away all our benefits in mou’s, and allow management to walk all over us. As a paying member in this association I believe I should have a right to vote on those mou’s. I think it’s ludicrous to pay someone 2 minutes per mile to make a 2nd trip, and 3 minutes a day to deal with the mail in the back of the vehicle, all I can say is whoever agreed to that must not know what an L route is.
If every rural carrier went to the conventions there would be no one to deliver the mail, so we send delegates. I believe the convention goers (Officers and delegates) don’t spend enough time on business. I did not see very much productivity from the 2005 convention, just alot of pretty pictures, my didn’t they all look nice..
There are alot of unhappy rural carriers who are paying to be a part of an association that is tearing down the rural craft bit by bit, we get a raise we get a pay cut when we get counted, we have to work 6 days a week every week or every other, we get sick we get written up. Why should an RCA want to join? They see what’s going on around them, or they are too busy working to notice or care, or they don’t make enough money to pay the dues.
If it weren’t so difficult to stop paying dues our association might be in trouble.
When our Association becomes a real UNION then I believe we will see a difference. It doesn’t start at the bottom it starts at the top where our leaders are.
on September 3rd, 2005 at 8:25 am
What we tend to be as a union/association is a buffer/manager for our own craft. We defend people to get their jobs back, we try to reduce LOW periods, we try to get pay issues settled and try to calm down issues between members of our own craft. As far as negotiating for better pay and working conditions that’s questionable and not seen at the local levels, but would be more apparent to state and national representatives. We can’t in any way be seen as a true union because we have no leverage like the ability to walk out, work stoppage, sick out or any other means of increasing the likelihood of a fair contract. I think through the years the gains we have made have been mostly on the back of the other unions or embarrassing the USPS with what they were pulling. Postal management has recognized that and now has dealt with that through hardball means.
on September 7th, 2005 at 12:56 pm
This site is one of the best things for the NRLCA. We can actually communicate with one another to find out that our problems are everyones problems. We can all get on the same page and push some common issues with our leadership to possibly get things changed. How about a few days sickout during and after the third of the month when customers are waiting for there checks? Do you think they will address the fuel problem quick enough?
on September 11th, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Was a union member but quit when you all closed shop. The day I get to vote for my leadership I might return. Also had such sorry representation from ass. state steward in NC that all the rca’s have chosen not to join, and the one member left will quit on her anniversary date.
By the way the information found on-line far outdoes anything from the ass ociation’s propoganda magazine.
on September 11th, 2005 at 8:07 pm
LandBaron,
As in war, the price of peace is constant vigilance. Participation is the only way to have an input. You need to dig in and get involved and not let others make your livelihood decisions for you. If you are not an NRLCA member you are not benefiting from the Rural Carrier Information Gateway in any significant way. You have to be a certified NRLCA member to take advantage of it’s full complement of offerings, or for that matter the wealth of information on the NRLCA site.
If you drop out you let me make votes that will have an impact on your future career. You are letting me have more power over you that way.
I know, I know, it takes time, energy, and a sense of dedication to attend meetings and become informed and maybe become a steward or officer in your local unit or even beyond that. You’ll need some leadership skills and knowledge of the rules, like Roberts Rules of Order etc. .
I wish you all well who are leaving your futures to me and my decisions. I try hard but, well, I’ll do my best…
on September 12th, 2005 at 2:46 am
>>>If you drop out you let me make votes that will have an impact on your future career. You are letting me have more power over you that way.
I’m sorry, what is it that you vote on? Is there something I am missing here? We voted to ratify the 2002 rape contract, but that is it. Have never voted on anything of importance before or after that. The information given to make the decision was incomplete. Voting for delegates, that I don’t even know, who are making crappy decisions about my future career is not what I consider participation! It is the same delegates on the list over and over again.
What everyone doesn’t seem to understand is the Carriers who are up and coming are the unhappy RCA’s of yesterday. We are the ones who have been shafted. We have to work longer to retire. We are the ones who are not happy with the way this association has been run, and we realize we are stuck in a bueracratic mess that we cannot break into, no matter how much you tell us to participate. Why would the Association expect any one that they have left behind to want to be a part of the association?
When RCA’s are really included in our association, and not just given lip service, then you will see the membership rise.
on September 12th, 2005 at 9:47 am
I’m sorry, but I see RCA’s as high members when that is what they want. Many are very busy mothers, who would rather spend time with their children than attending meetings with people they don’t know. When they are new to the job it seems the last thing many of them want is extra work attending meetings and getting to know strangers to try to work the system. The ones you do get are usually highly motivated for whatever reason and have no children at home to keep them tied there. The matrix gives RCA’s the greatest flexibility and when used properly RCA’s have more decision making power than ever. Why you have focused on RCA’s is beyond me. As for the same delegates being at the national conventions time and time again, that is because they get to know the system, probably like to travel and participate in those kinds of events and want to contribute to the craft.
on September 12th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
Mark Stanley Wrote:
To: Mark Stanley
I don’t normally reply to chats but this one has got me going. I’ve been working rural for over 28 years. I am not the happiest person in the world for either. I hung in there for 25+ years as a member and have had enough. The union? has let us down to many times in the recent past and I could not send them money when they are not doing THEIR job. Pay stays the same or reduces while union reps pay increases. When they have a system where their pay reflects our pay, I’ll reup. Let’s drop this association and get a real one!!!
Posted for Mark by Administrator.
on September 12th, 2005 at 6:17 pm
Why do I focus on RCA’s?
Those are the new members the association needs, but does very little for. RCA’s are the potential members of tomorrow that we need to keep things going, yet we are having trouble hiring and retaining good RCA’s because they are still being left behind in contract negotiations.
I have seen RCA’s with 4 and 5 years in quit to go find other work. They worked every day, with no benefits. Both very intelligent women who wanted a life. They were tired of working 6 days a week with no benefits no insurance, no options. Nothing has changed.
Because when I was an RCA I got the shaft. I have not forgotten. I wish other carriers would remember. Especially those wonderful delegates you were referring to. That keep voting no.
I have to disagree with your comment>>>The matrix gives RCA’s the greatest flexibility and when used properly RCA’s have more decision making power than ever
on September 13th, 2005 at 7:12 am
Look,
We’re talking here about a job that pays well but is very demanding on the body and soul. Not all people are cut out to do this kind of work. You can pick on the lack of benefits, and frankly I agree with you, but the price to regulars is a heavy one to grant benefits to RCA’s. There is always a trade-off as you know when dealing with the USPS. If you get benefits for RCA’s they will take benefits from Regulars. Since the powers that oversee the USPS consider letter carriers as glorified paperboys, then I think you see who we have to influence to get the changes you want. It’s not the National Officers, every one of them would like to look good and get those benefits, it’s the Direct Mailers Associations, advertisers, R.R. Donnelly, and Congress we need to convince.
on September 13th, 2005 at 11:08 am
Has the Association ever taken a step ahead without taking two backward?
The Agreement is rigged in favor of the USPS. They can do whatever they want by interpreting one of the many ifs.
I favor decertifying.
on September 13th, 2005 at 2:59 pm
>>>but the price to regulars is a heavy one to grant benefits to RCA’s.
What price are you speaking of? What price do the city carriers and clerks pay for giving their relief benefits? I have heard of RCA’s moving over to the city and clerk crafts, but never from their craft to ours…why is that? Because they value their PTF’s? Because the PTF is doing the same job as they are and they value themselves. By saying RCA’s aren’t worth it we are saying that we are not worth it, and then we are constantly surprised to see how little the Postal Service values the rural letter craft.
on September 13th, 2005 at 5:26 pm
I’m not saying they aren’t worth it, because they are worth it. We are in a precarious place between a rock and a hard place. The USPS can threaten us with transferring territory over to the City or Highway Contractors. If we become as expensive or more expensive to run than the City craft then we will certainly lose, not a little but a lot. The divisions in the USPS types of delivery serves the financial needs of the USPS and is a great form of leverage to keep the various crafts in line. We demand too much and they will transfer territory, they demand too much and we benefit from that. You need to attack this problem outside of the USPS. Congress still makes the rules.
on September 13th, 2005 at 9:49 pm
If they threaten to transfer what do we do? Duh! We contact all our members and do an organized sickout. We perform a work to rules and slow the mail delivery. We also change the bylaws and make everyone not in the union required to pay an agency fee in the office equal to our union dues. They do enjoy the benefits don’t they. This is what a union does.
on September 14th, 2005 at 2:50 am
So your saying that the NRLCA is a useless organization, and we are paying our National officers way to much to do absolutely nothing, because everything is really controlled by congress? We are paying dues for this?
It also sounds as if your saying that if we push for equality with the city carriers they will then fire all rural carriers and transfer the territory to city carriers? Sounds a little far fetched to me. Sounds like a scare tactic to keep us in line, and the sad thing is…it’s working, look at all that has happened over the past 4 years. I could not wait to become a regular carrier so that I could have 2 days off a week. What a joke, I’ve been feeling like an RCA since 2002. Yeah when I was an RCA I worked 6 days a week. The 3 route matrix in our office was a big laugh because I was trained on and ran frequently 12 routes. I was working like a PTF with NO benefits. There are RCA’s in my office now who are doing the same thing.
I don’t think congress has anything to do with it.
on September 20th, 2005 at 6:57 pm
I have worked for the postal since 1989 and I was a union member until just a couple years ago. I quit because the union sold me out, let me explain: The PM cut 2 miles off my route (his right to make route more efficent) but then he proceeded to add boxes (on paper) and take away more miles (on paper) to make my route appear to be an “L” route which results in a 3 hour pay cut. This was not done at a count but inbetween counts. Everything he done was wrong according to the contract. I filed my grienvance and waited for almost two years (I was owed backpay for 9 months for 3 hours per week) After 2 years or so I was told by supervisor that he was at meeting when they were discussing different grienvances and they were going to settle mine and pay me the $1800 or so I was owed. I waited for a few months and asked the union steward about it and he checked and came back and told me the union made a deal with the PS to settle a handful of grienvances in exchange to allow a 20+ year carrier to get their job back and thought I should be happy with the outcome. That is bullshit and I started the process to drop out of the union which I did on my “date”
So if any one says I need the union I ask them “what has the union done for me?” why should I support their backstabbing tactics.
on September 23rd, 2005 at 5:09 pm
Ray,
What I say to you is you are experiencing personality issues. That happens everywhere and disenchants the best of intentioned people. By backing out of the union, you have become that person’s doormat. It’s really up to the individual carrier to know their rights and fight for them. An association can only provide language and law. It’s up to the individual to follow through either taking the course to fight head to head with the USPS or decide to take another less confrontive pathway. If your area union dropped the ball, then you need to go after them for doing that. If they violated NLRB rules you have a case against them.
You have weakened the union by your lack of force of will. You needed to hang in there and study the contract, and see that deals aren’t made in the back room. The union is only as good as it’s membership at the very bottom level. If there is weak resolve there, then there is little reason for strength of resolve at higher levels.
Yes it would be nice if we had top lawyer class stewards with exceptional abilities and leverage to negotiate with management for the benefit of fellow carriers, relieving our burdens and making life lala land for us all, but that’s not the case. We have members who don’t come from families practicing the law, we have hard working individuals, who would like to be great lawyers and negotiators, but they are carriers and as such they have entered into a career that exploits that part of their abilities.
Sometimes we get lucky and enjoy the talents of some good negotiators, but you know what, when the PO discovers them, they usually hire them in management. I don’t want you to think it’s hopeless, I’m not saying that, I just pointing out the reality of the situation. By dropping the union, you have severed the “ONLY” representation you have, and it doesn’t stop at your local level. You have people really trying to make a difference.
You experienced a failure, a disservice to you, but you could go that extra mile, and start participating in the union on a level that holds their feet to the fire. There are trade-offs for you when you do that, you have to give up 6 days or so a year to attend meetings, become more knowledgeable of the contract and labor law, but by doing that you are adding to the fiber instead of unraveling the fiber of the union.
Your words about the union are empty, cowardly, lackadaisical, retreats from the world you live in. Someone said they would like to see the union get a backbone, where do you think that backbone is going to come from? The union doesn’t get it from members retreating to a dark corner, it gets it from focused, knowledgeable, forward looking individuals who add their strengths together towards a greater goal. What would happen to a burning building if all the firemen felt the way you do? The building would burn down to the ground!
on September 28th, 2005 at 10:30 pm
Your comment says it all. The union is totally out of their league when going against the postal service, so why should I or anyone else support that same union when they do nothing for us. They aren’t able to go against the PO and they won’t hire someone more capable to do the fighting, instead they take our money to line their pockets and come back and tell us they did their best while selling us out. They are no better then PO management so what is the difference?
If the union was decertified and there was a problem then at least we could take legal action on our own. When I had pay problems I had to rely on the union to fight for me, they waited over 2 years before just selling me out, and because they had exclusive rights to protect me I couldn’t hire my own lawyer to fight for me. What a deal!!!
Screw the union.
I ask everyone this simple question, what has the union done for you?
We get less pay then others doing the same job
We get less benefits at a higher cost then others doing the same job.
We pay more out of pocket just to do our job. It costs me more to run my route (in gas alone) then I get with my EMA, plus I have to provide my car, pay for insurance, maintenance, tires, brakes, etc They told us 5 years ago they were going to get LLV’s for several of our routes, none yet? What does the union do?
NOTHING
So I ask, what has the union done for me?
on October 2nd, 2005 at 2:09 am
I too WAS a member of the “Union” and when I needed answers to questions I was lied to by the “Union”. The Post Master gave me more truthful answers than the”Union”. At least I didn’t have pay for the truthful answers, but I paid my dues for the untruthful ones. So, where do you think my money is going now? Into my pocket instead of the lying SoB’s in the “Union”.
on October 25th, 2005 at 5:29 pm
I have to say that the bottom line that you get from the union, is simply the language in the contract and representation when there is discipline. The language came from years of negotiations and what the USPS wanted out of us. Our biggest problems tend to be internal ones like someone receiving favor over another by management or the steward. From my experience there are more than enough members who want something they are not entitled to, (i.e. only working the choice routes in the office, getting called before someone more senior, or not having to work the tough route, not working Saturdays etc. etc. etc..) It’s all caving in, because of the USPS’s need for efficiency and accountability for the first time in history.