Volume 64, No. 3 March 2013 MARCH 24, DAY OF ACTION! SAVE …branch343.org/MCC/2013-MCC/2013-03-mcc.pdf · 2013. 3. 18. · 4 March 2013/MCC MOUND CITY CARRIER vi c e President fi

MOUNDcitycarrierOfficial Publication of Branch 343St. Louis, MOChartered 1892

March 2013Volume 64, No. 3

MOUNDCITYCARRIEROfficial Publication of Branch 343

2012 First Place General ExcellenceAward Winning Publication

St. Louis, MissouriChartered 1892

MARCH 24, DAY OF ACTION! SAVE SIX DAY DELIVERY!

President’s Article … By Bill lister

Just two weeks after receiving an Interest Arbitration Award from a national arbitrator, our current PMG Donahoe held a press conference announcing to the public that “he” has made the decision to go to five-day delivery on August 6, 2013. Citing a “loophole” and sounding like Congressman Issa

on Prozac, he later explained that the language mandating the service to retain six-day delivery expires on March 27 and since it appears that Congress will not agree to extend or renew that Resolution, then he would have the right to make that decision without the opposition of Congress. Had he made this announcement in an effort to force Congress to act on the pre-funding issue, it would have at least been understandable. However, his intention all along has been to take us to five-day delivery regardless of the pre-funding issue. The sagging economy and Congress’ inability to get anything done has only given him the opportunity to act out on his delusional dream of a smaller service that someone with his level of intelligence can control.

Going to five-day delivery will begin the slow and steady decline of services we currently offer. Even-tually, the result will be a service so small that the union will become inconsequential and whatever is left of the once greatest delivery network in the world, will be privatized. Door-to-door delivery will be replaced with cluster boxes on the corners of streets, rural delivery will be intermittent, the monopoly of the mailbox will be gone, processing centers and offices will be closed, drop boxes will be far and few between and the actual delivery of mail will eventually decrease from five days to four or maybe even three. This is Donahoe’s vision of our future and this is why we must be united and act now to inform the public about the worst PMG we have ever had in our 237 year history. His vision is not our vision and he must be separated, removed or fired, immediately. Simply put, retaining Donahoe as PMG will destroy the Postal Service.

Donahoe has committed to this policy of doom and aligned himself with other government haters such as Senator Coburn and Congressman Issa whose vision of less government includes spinning off the USPS to private enterprise and getting rid of those pesky government unions that represent some of the largest numbers of organized labor left in this country. The only way to accomplish that is to make the service smaller and the only way to be successful is to go to five-day delivery. Brothers and sisters, we cannot let that happen. Now is the time to stop them or come August the decline will begin.

2 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

MOUND CITY CARRIERPublished monthly by:

Branch 343, NALC1600 South Broadway

St. Louis, MO 63104-3806

For right now, everyone should be demanding that their senators and con-gressmen force PMG Donahoe to “obey the law” and not violate it by ignoring Congress with a unilateral decision to go to five-day delivery. We need them along with President Obama to instruct the USPS Board of Governors to remove Donahoe and replace him with someone who is committed to the success of the Postal Service. In addition to this, we must continue to urge our lawmakers to repeal the 2006 mandate to pre-fund future retirees’ health benefits for 75 years in advance and retain six-day delivery. Two bills have just been introduced that everyone needs to urge both Houses to support. The first was introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio from Oregon and the second one was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Please take the time to call your congressman

and your senators and ask them to support: H. R. 630, postal modernization measure that preserves six-day delivery; H. R. 30, ensures the continuation of six-day delivery service; S. 316, postal modernization measure that preserves six-day deliveryAll three of these bills support the continuation of six-day delivery and will assist the USPS in return-

ing to financial stability. The next thing we need to do, is to show our solidarity in support of saving the service by retaining six-day delivery. Every letter carrier needs to participate in a one day demonstration and bring as many friends, neighbors and family that you can muster for a Sunday afternoon. Your future may depend on it! More! Later!

dAy of ActionMArch 24, 2013, 1 P.M.

Tentatively scheduled (look for a bulletin in March) for Sunday March 24, in front of the Main Post Of-fice at 1720 Market Street at 1 p.m. Do not wear your uniforms. See ya there!

CALE

NDAR

March 14 Regular Branch Meeting

March 24 Day of Action to Preserve Six-Day-Delivery

March 31 Deadline of the Charles J. Coyle Scholarship

April 3 Retirees’ Meeting

April 4 Shop Stewards’ Meeting

April 13-14 MDA Bass Tournament (see ad)

April 20 Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament for MDA (see ad)

May 4 84th Annual Ole Timers’ Day — Letter Carriers Hall (see announcement)

May 12 NALC Food Drive

100% UNION HONOR ROLLCHOUTEAUCLAYTONCOYLE CUBAFERGUSONFREDRICKTOWNGRAVOIS HARRIET WOODSJENNINGSMACKENZIE POINTE MAPLEWOOD NORTH COUNTY PIEDMONT

ROLLAST. ANNST. CLAIRST. JAMES STE. GENEVIEVE STEELE TOWN & COUNTRY UNION WARRENTON WASHINGTONWEATHERSWENTZVILLE WEST COUNTY

March 2013/MCC 3

MOUND CITY CARRIER

executive vice President’s Article… By Barry linan

March greetings to all of the brothers and sisters of NALC Branch 343. PMG Donahoe has chosen to throw down the

gauntlet to Congress that he has the authority to end Saturday delivery himself. Perhaps this is just a calculated move to prompt Congress into passing a postal reform bill, but I think not. PMG Donahoe has proven to be a terrible leader and has shown a complete lack of vision for any viable future plan for the U.S. Postal Service. Instead, his only plan is to “shrink to survive” by cutting employees, clos-ing facilities and cutting service. That is not a pru-dent plan for a delivery “service” and I see it only as a means to an end. That is, the end of the USPS. I believe PMG Donahoe has made a deal with the devil and has traded his USPS leadership in for a job as a well-paid lackey for those who want to privatize the USPS. NALC President Rolando is right to call for Donahoe’s resignation or removal as PMG. Even worse than his lack of leadership, Donahoe’s actions have become a liability and he needs to go. Pres. Rolando has also called the PMG’s decision to end Saturday delivery illegal and has vowed to take legal action to fight it. Pres. Rolando is further calling for a national “Day of Action,” on Sunday March 24 to mobilize public support for Saturday delivery. We may be asked to picket at the Main Post Office and more infor-mation on this will be coming out soon.

TOP 10 R E ASONS TO CON T I N U E SAT U R DAY

DEL I V ERY

I decided to create my own “top 10” list of reasons to continue Saturday delivery of mail. Feel free to reproduce this list and discuss it with your co-workers, friends, and family.

Saturday delivery is part of an existing statutory 1. requirement to continue six-day delivery and it has been a part of Congress’ “Continuing Ap-propriations Resolution” for over 30 years.Eliminating Saturday delivery will result in 2. the loss of as many as 70,000 jobs at a time

when our country is trying to recover economically from a major recession.It would be counter-productive for the USPS to 3. give up Saturday delivery of mail, which is a competitive advantage over rival services UPS and FedEx.Many customers, especially seniors, disabled, 4. and veterans, depend on timely delivery of medications and their health could be put at risk.With no Saturday delivery before a Monday 5. holiday, customers would not get any mail for three days and this would require a lowering of delivery standards for already shrinking first-class mail.Many small business customers that rely on 6. timely delivery of their mail may divert their business to other forms of delivery. This could result in a net loss of USPS revenue instead of a savings from eliminating Saturday delivery.PMG Donahoe admitted in testimony to a 7. Senate committee that he had not done a study of the potential loss of mail volume and rev-enue that could result from ending Saturday delivery.The Postal Rate Commission reported in 2011 8. that the USPS estimated savings of $2 billion a year by eliminating Saturday delivery was inflated. The PRC estimated savings to be much less than that and cautioned that poten-tial losses in mail volume could result in no savings at all.The USPS reported a net revenue loss of 9. $15.9 billion in 2012, mostly attributed to the retiree health benefits obligation. The estimated sav-ings of $2 billion by ending Saturday delivery is not nearly enough to return the USPS to profitability.Eliminating Saturday delivery does nothing 10. to address the real financial problem for the USPS, which is the onerous 2006 PAEA $5.5 billion a year retiree health benefit prefunding obligation.

4 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

vice President finAnciAl secretAry’s Article

… By roBert rapisardo

frustrating as hell to go backwards on repeated violations. The USPS losing money is no reason to give management a free ride on repeated viola-tions. On another topic, it is my view and many others that when a steward’s rights are violated, that every dues-paying member is hurt and in-curs damages because they pay dues to have that steward represent them and the contract. When management does not respect a steward’s rights by not releasing requested information, then every one of our members has had harm inflicted upon them. I feel many decisions have been made that have given supervisors, managers and postmasters the green light to do and say whatever they want to our stewards. The disrespect shown by manage-ment is inexcusable and should not be tolerated. When managers and postmasters do not show up for Step A meetings, there is no reason to treat them with respect. One last point of frustration is the wording of insufficient documentation on cases involving management misconduct. No one can ever inform us of what documentation would need to be included in that packet. It is mind boggling that five to 14 witness’ statements is not good enough. When the tables are turned, there seems to be a different take on what is gospel. I am optimistic that if we are persistent in certain areas of this process, then things will change.

QUOT ES“Giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Robert Donovan

“Victory belongs to the most persevering.”Napoleon

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Henry Ford

“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.” Oscar Wilde

R A P SESSION

I wanted to thank the membership for allowing us to attend the Rap Session in Las Vegas. The NALC did a great job putting plenty of infor-

mation into one eight-hour session. The informa-tion was plentiful and all five of us went back home with many notes and questions that were answered. The topics discussed included how the NALC plans on going to war on keeping Saturday delivery. I am only going to say that if there are any carriers who are hoping for five-day delivery, then you are only looking out for yourself; plain and simple. We were updated on the political front. We have many battles ahead and the NALC has plans for massive shows of solidarity to con-vince Congress to continue with six-day delivery. We spent several hours discussing the new con-tract and how to organize the new CCAs as mem-bers into this union.

DISPU T E R ESOLU T ION PROCESS

I will approach this topic with extreme caution, but I do have a right to express my opinion as to what I have observed in this position for a little over one year. I hear the frustration of many Step A reps. The frustration is that it appears, at times, that no one can tell us how to improve certain packets in presenting contractual grievances in order for them to be sustained. Getting these contractual grievances sustained is not the only concern. The one big concern of many stewards is how management gets only slaps on the wrists; repeatedly. It is like being a parent, when you re-mind someone so many times to do something and there are NO consequences, then why would you expect behavior to change? Simply put, monetary awards for management’s violations is the only an-swer to hold them accountable. I read many Postal Record articles where monetary awards are given for non-compliance and repeated violations. It is

March 2013/MCC 5

MOUND CITY CARRIER

heAlth Benefits PlAn … By Chet drain

This month I am happy to report that the totals are in for Br. 343 new enrollees to the NALC Health Benefit Plan. During open sea-

son we were able to take in 37 new members start-ing as of January 2013. That by no means matches the whopping 67 enrollees we took in last year that earned us top honors at the National Convention, but, still-in-all 37 is a good number.

The total membership for our local Br. 343 is 2,537. Of the total membership, 717 are now en-rolled in the NALC Health Plan. That’s 31.2 percent of the total Br. 343 membership. Of the total mem-bership, 1,573 are active carriers, of which only 265 are enrolled in the plan. Only 17 percent of the active members are enrolled in the plan.

Annuitants or retirees account for 727 members. Of that number 452 are enrolled in the NALC Health Plan. That is an outstanding 62 percent of retirees enrolled in the plan. As I’ve stated before, it says a lot that such a large percentage of the retired carriers are members of the NALC Health Plan. There are annuitants in our local that have been a part of the plan since its inception in 1960.

With the changes in the health care premiums under the new contract, it would be wise to take a close look at who your health care provider is. Currently, the Postal Service pays 80 percent of our health care premium. In 2014 that drops to 78 percent. In 2015 it drops again to 77 percent. Then in 2016, the final year of the new contract, the USPS share of the premium cost drops again to 76 percent. After that who knows?

Keep in mind that the NALC Health Plan is al-ways looking for ways to provide its members the best coverage possible at the most affordable cost. That was the whole idea of having our own union owned health plan.

TEs make up 237 of the total of active members in Br. 343. As they convert to CCA, beginning in plan year 2014, the Postal Service will begin mak-ing a biweekly contribution to the total premium for any CCA employee who wishes to participate in the USPS Noncareer Health Plan (USPS Plan) equal to the greater of (a) $125, or (b) the minimum required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This will be for self only.

If for any reason the USPS Plan is not available to a CCA or if a CCA elects more than self-only coverage, the Postal Service will make a biweekly contribution for any eligible CCA who selects an NALC Consumer Driven Health Plan equal to the greater of (a) $125, or (b) the minimum required by the Patient Protec-tion and Affordable Care Act.

The NALC HBP is currently in the process of structuring a family health plan to meet the needs of the new CCA employees in accordance with the national bargaining agreement. As updates are received, we’ll pass any new information to you as time progresses.

God bless all and peace!

TexasHold’em

Tournament For

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Suggested donation of only $30 includes: 5,000 poker chips, chili and beverages

Saturday, April 20, 2013, at 7 p.m. start time Doors open at 6 p.m.

Letter Carriers’ Hall (raising money for MDA for over 60 years)

1600 South Broadway in Soulard

20 minute blinds starting at 25/50

Guaranteed prizes for all final table players Prize pool will be 50% of total entries

To pay in advance or for more information call: Bob: (314) 941-1589 or Tom (314) 258-0442

6 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe testified before a congressional committee on Febru-ary 13, 2013, his intentions to unilaterally end

Saturday delivery as a cost-saving measure and be-lieves he has a loophole to take such action without Congress’ approval.

Testifying before the committee, Donahoe ac-knowledged that he hadn’t studied the impact on lost mail volumes and revenue and his estimate of a $2 billion savings per year was just that, an estimate.

Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., reacted by saying, “If we’re doing things that actually reduce the mail volume and reduce profitability, we’re headed in the wrong direction. It’s startling that the postmaster general doesn’t understand that.”

Perhaps Donahoe’s statement was startling to Congress, but not to the NALC who is more than aware of his underhanded tactics and misleading statements. Donahoe stated that the Postal Service was bleeding red ink to a tune of $25 million a day. What he failed to clarify was that the loss is attributable not to operating shortfalls but rather to the pre-funding mandate Congress imposed on the Postal Service to pay for future retiree health

benefits for the next 75 years. That $5.5 billion per year onerous obli-gation is the source and the reason why the USPS is hemorrhaging revenue. Why doesn’t he address the pre-funding issue with Congress instead of his slash and burn approach of supposedly rescuing the Postal Service?

Donahoe is neither capable nor competent to hold his position as postmaster general. Clearly, his intent is to serve as a stooge to people like former USPS Board of Governors member James Miller who single-handedly worked for 20 years to priva-tize the U.S. Postal Service. If Donahoe can reduce days of delivery, slash the number of employees by shutting processing centers, abandon long-serving rural post offices and reducing their hours of opera-tion, he can effectively shrink the size of the Postal Service and make it appealing to privatize.

It may be a startling revelation to Congress that the postmaster general of the United States could act with such reckless disregard for the operation of the most trusted agency of the federal government, but for those of us who have watched his cavalier bravado and inept decision making, it’s a wonder how he’s held his job this long.

STA RT L I NG TO CONGR ESS BU T NOT T H E NALC

notes froM the MAnAging editor… By tom sChulte

BRANCH LEGAL PLANAdvice and Consultation on

General Practice and Civil Actions.

or Call TOLL FREE Roy Tailors1-800-543-0379

ROY TAILORS

Call one of our Area RepresentativesRETIRED LETTER CARRIERS OF BRANCH 343

SUPPORT YOUR UNION BROTHERSWalter Besch37 Raintree Ct. Fenton, MO 63026636-343-3775

UNIONM A D EIT DOES MATTER

USA

WHEN QUALITY & SERVICE COUNTUnion Made Uniforms for the Postal Service

Endorsed by U.N.I.T.E. AFL-CIO

George Cooper10443 Halls Ferry Rd.St. Louis, MO 63136314-541-1503

March 2013/MCC 7

MOUND CITY CARRIER

nAtionAl Business Agent’s rePort… By dan pittman

workforce will be hired “off-the-street” and in today’s economy 15,000 newly hired CCAs making $15 an hour with the real prospect to be making $60,000 a year in slightly over 12 years — these new hires will be ripe for recruitment organization. As we see unions attacked across the nation, we will have a prime opportu-nity to get every new CCA to fill out an 1187.

Organizing TEs hasn’t been easy. To convince a TE, whose job was temporary with no real chance to become career, was not easy and our percent of TE members has lagged far behind our percentage of career carriers. The changes in the Das Award provides that new CCAs are not simply year-to-year temporary employees, but rather, are the new career carriers who have rights and benefits and a job they can actually retire from — more than a rarity in today’s world. Not to the exclusion of our current TEs who are becoming CCAs, we must do everything in our power to recruit the new “off-the-street” CCAs to be-come NALC members. The NALC is 92 percent organized nationally, and that is in an “open shop.” We need to sign up every single CCA and drive that number higher. What we have been able to achieve through arbitration far surpasses what the other postal unions accomplished in negotiated agreements and far more than the USPS wanted to give. We need to demonstrate to our new CCA brothers and sisters the benefits of a strong and active union and along with that, the value of being a proud union member. This must be our priority!

Congratulations and something we can all be proud of; two of our branches recently picked up national honors and recognition for their COLCPE efforts. Kansas City, Kansas, Branch 499 and Br. President Bob Rivera recently picked up first prize in two categories; first place for highest percentage of contributors at 26 percent and first place for greatest increase in COLCPE contributors with a 6.26 percent increase. Parsons, Kansas Branch 477 and Branch President Caroline Peters was awarded first place for highest percentage of contributors; 18 of the 26 members contribute to COLCPE — Parsons also received second place in the greatest increase group. These two branches are in one of the reddest states in the union, but it didn’t stop their members from recognizing the benefits of our political action to protect our jobs. Omaha, Nebraska, Branch 5 and Branch President Donna Whitmarsh took third place honors in the 500-999 member category for largest percent-age increase with 2.33 percent over last year. Rounding out the Region 5 competitive field, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Branch 373 and Branch President Bryan Rubner came in third place in the 350-499 members category. The February issue of the Postal Record will provide complete results of the COLCPE contest. We can all be proud of their accomplishment and look to it as inspiration for all of us to do likewise. COLCPE is job insurance and these four branches in Region 5 are leading the way for the nation.

As always, thanks for everything you do. It is an honor and pleasure to work for you. Be safe, be vigilant.

We now have, via Arbitrator Das’ decision, a new National Agreement. Consequently, we must get to work interpreting the Das decision which

includes establishing numerous task forces to address a wide range of issues such as; Article 8, route inspections, joint statement and so on. We also are preparing for the start of local negotiations which we have not had for over five years — the local negotiating period is April 1-30 of this year. But the biggest topic of discussion is the move from transitional employee to city carrier assistant. From Washington and across the country, our NALC repre-sentatives and regional offices have been inundated with calls regarding everything from the assessment test to questions about “What will happen to my job as a TE?” While we have, and will continue, to find the answer to these dilemmas, I want to thank those who have spent countless hours attempting to protect the future of our members while remaining confident that we can protect their future. It has not been easy, but as I write this article I believe that we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

While I was in Executive Council Session in Washington, D.C., RAAs Sims and Birkett spent a majority of their days and evenings answering calls from frantic TEs with all sorts of questions and scenarios. The regional office was covered very well during these trying times. We thank Mark and Mike for their dedicated work and patience. I also would like to thank all branch presidents and stewards for the abundance of hours spent on this subject. Hopefully, all of us working together for the membership will make this transition relatively smooth, but it is not over yet. It has just begun from our national office to this office, notices and memos have been coming out hourly in some instances addressing aspects of the Das Award and how it will be administered. Without the help, knowledge, and patience with me, from Gary Mills of Rolla, Missouri, this task would have been extremely difficult. Gary painstakingly posted a huge number of “Breaking Updates” about the Das Award to the members of the Region 5 email list. We have approximately 200 recipients on the Region 5 email list which is a “moderated” list — that means subscribers cannot post to the list. The subscribers can “forward” the NBA’s report to anyone they choose. It is strictly a vehicle this office uses to get breaking information out to our members on a moment’s notice. If any member would like to subscribe to this list, they need to contact this office. Remember, this is for members only. I want to thank Gary, who is a Branch 343 member, for all of his work, dedication and friendship.

While we are working through this migration from TEs to CCAs we need to all be mindful of our opportunity to organize. Hopefully, all our current TEs will successfully make the transition and will be the leading edge of the cadre of new CCAs. However, based on the Das Award the national cap on CCAs is 15 percent. We currently have approximately 16,000 TEs nationwide and a 15 percent cap equates to approximately 30,000. This means over the next year or so we will almost see a doubling in our supplemental workforce. Frankly, the second half of this

8 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

retiree rePort … By ray Breakfield

Meeting called to order by Chairman Jim McNeil at 12:46 p.m. Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance led by brother Gus Frank. Jim put the meeting on hold while Stepha-nie Rolfs, a representative of the Alzheimer’s Association gave a very enlighten-

ing and interesting talk about the disease.Treasurer’s Report: Jim Kluempers reported a balance of $375.17. Jim also spoke about his most recent

letter to Senator McCaskill.Branch 343 Report: President Bill Lister spoke at length about some of the provisions of the new con-

tract. The postmaster general announced the end of six-day delivery on August 6, 2013. Parcel volume is up 16 percent. Bill noted that going to five-day delivery may not be legal. The end of six-day delivery will cost 80,000 jobs.

Chairman’s Report: Jim spoke about OPM which would like to do direct deposit for everyone, but for those who choose, they can still get their check in the mail. There was a motion to give $100 to the NBA fund. The motion was seconded and carried. There was a moment of silence for former NALC President Vince Sombrotto.

50/50 of $19 won by Vic Keitel. Closing prayer by Gus Frank. Meeting adjourned at 1:52 p.m.

M I N U T ES Of T H E f EBRU A RY 6 , 2013 , M EET I NG. ed

ito

r’s

notes … By ray Breakfield

Managing Editor Tom Schulte wrote a letter to the editor which was in the February 14, 2013, issue of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. It accurately explained the issues facing the Postal Service and the attempt by Postmaster Donahoe to put the USPS out of

business. We can all be proud of the letter Tom wrote for the benefit of all letter carriers.Donahoe’s actions beg the questions, “Why is this guy trying to put the USPS out of busi-

ness?” and “Won’t he be losing his own job?” Common sense makes me leap to the conclu-sion that there are other things going on that we can only guess at. Like my brother-in-law Charlie says, it’s simple. “Follow the money.” There are big forces at work to get a hold of the USPS and its huge network. There is a lot of money to be made. Why not have wealthy businessmen get in on the action. Why waste money making business on the government?

In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln spoke of “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” In today’s United States of America, I personally feel excluded. Do you feel a disconnect with our government and our representatives? Today’s news (2/17/13) spoke about “Facebook.” They paid 0 (ZERO) taxes in 2012. They are getting a $400 million refund. How can this be true? I love this country. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I’m not real happy with the folks who are running it. Is this what citizen soldiers since the beginning of this country, including 58,000 in Vietnam and thousands in the Middle East died for?

March 2013/MCC 9

MOUND CITY CARRIER

1930

DAN J. GOULD BRANCH 343NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS

HONORING

RETIRED MEMBERS AND PAST PRESIDENTS

SERVING TIME NOON REFRESHMENTS TILL 3 P.M.

BRANCH 343 UNION HALL1600 S. BROADWAY

BILL LISTERPresident

Branch 343, NALC

84th Annual Ole Timers’ Day

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013

JIM McNEILRetirees

Chairman

2013

Overland Station - 1939

10 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

froM My PersPective As A te… By John Chudy, affton

A s you all know by now, the recently approved contract has designated a

new postal position, namely the city carrier assistant, for which most transitional employees are applying and being accepted. This conversion involves a sig-nificant drop in hourly pay, and many TEs are crying foul and accusing the union of unfaithful representation. I, for one, don’t see things that way, and would like to address my fellow TEs on this issue. The first thing to keep in mind, of course, is that this is not a union decision — nor is it a managerial decision. It is a deci-sion brought about through the process of binding arbitration and was made by a separate, third party. It is unfair to accuse the union of misrepresenta-tion when they have presented their best case before postal management and the arbitrator for securing more benefits and a career path for TEs. The im-mediate, and most tangible, of these benefits is that, after a year of service, TEs are now eligible for health insurance. Prior service does apply, so most TEs will be immediately qualified. I find this inclusion remarkable because I am probably the oldest TE on the planet (and age does bring its own unique health concerns), but TEs of all ages should appreciate this. You can’t be too cavalier about the lack of health insurance, yet most of us

have been playing roulette with it for years. A simple visit to the emergency room for something as simple as, say, a broken leg (of which we are at high risk), can easily run from $8,500 to $10,000. Not many of us have that much cash immediately available. A few have found affordable indi-vidual policies, but those come with an extremely high deduct-ible, usually around the same amount of $10,000. That could help you out … once.

So what does an individual insurance policy comparable to the one we are gaining run? As usual, it varies with everyone, depending on factors such as age, weight, height, smoking status, medical history, etc. Cur-rently your weekly rate is rough-ly $138. Dividing that by 40 gives you an hourly rate of $3.45. This coverage of our insurance cost is a tangible hourly gain in pay. So, we’ve only taken a cut in pay of $2.55 an hour. Think about it.

So, let’s see, has our union attained any other benefits for us which might make up for that $2.50? Yes, they have, and I find two especially noteworthy.

The first benefit that the union has gained for CCA posi-tions is that, although CCAs will be furloughed for five days each year, it is mandatory that they be rehired. Think about this; it has a very major consequence: no more can management hold the we-don’t-have-to-rehire-you

gun to your head. This stipula-tion in a TE’s job definition has been abused by management since its inception, and has led to practices so harsh that any other occupation would find them unacceptable. How much is your human dignity worth per hour to you?

I remember developing flu-like symptoms a couple years ago and deciding to call in. My manager took the call, and told me that if I insisted on taking off sick, it would severely dam-age my career. Thus threatened with my job, I came in to work, worsening my condition and no doubt spreading the flu to oth-ers. I was later told by the same manager that “my TEs aren’t allowed to get sick.”

How many times has that happened to you … that you were bullied by management into coming into work while ill to avoid damaging your career? Aren’t you getting a little tired of it? Aren’t you getting tired of coming into work, being given eight hours on the street, told to complete it in six, then rushing to do so with total disregard for your own safety, to avoid damaging your career? Aren’t you getting tired skipping your lunch breaks and restroom breaks? Don’t you get tired of not being able to speak up for yourself when a 204B is goose-stepping around the workroom floor, declaring “TEs ain’t got no

A SI x-BUCk CU T ? T H I N k A BOU T I T

March 2013/MCC 11

MOUND CITY CARRIER

rights,” to avoid damaging your career? Aren’t you getting tired of enduring some of the most humiliating, condescending, frustrating behavior on the part of management to avoid damag-ing your career?

Well, you may very well not be tired of it. But, I most cer-tainly am. And no doubt so has every other TE who has been employed here for over a month. I’m tired of management having this unfair trump card over my employment, and it’s well worth a drop in pay to have it removed from their hand. What’s it worth per hour to you? Fifty cents? One dollar? This security has been obtained for me through the hard work and efforts of the NALC, and most certainly NOT from any concern on the part of management for my welfare. Think about it.

And while you’re thinking, it might be good for you to realize the most important point of all: all this effort you have put forth to avoid damaging your career has been in vain, because you didn’t have a career with the post office!

You were simply a contract employee, hired on an annual basis, with minimal rights, and with no guarantee of becoming a full-time regular employee. That is NOT the definition of a career. According to The Ameri-can Century Dictionary, a career is “one’s occupational progress through life.” At any point in your employment as a TE have you felt that you were making progress? I haven’t. I’ve simply been waiting. And waiting.

Now we have a contract that gives us a path towards career employment with the post office. And again, we have acquired this benefit NOT through the benevolence of management, but through the bargaining efforts of the NALC, all on our behalf! Now, as a postal employee, you can look forward to hav-ing, within time, the status of a full-time career employee. This includes all the scheduled vacations, bidding capabilities, health insurance, retirement benefits, voluntary overtime, and a host of other advantages that a regular has over a TE.

Now surely this has some value to you. How much? A dollar an hour? Two dollars? $2.55 perhaps?

So, to the nay-saying, dissatis-fied TEs among us who are bit-ter with the union and claiming that they have thrown us under the proverbial bus, I would have to strongly disagree. Where you see a six-dollar-an-hour pay cut, I see a vast advancement in the financial security of my health, a huge improvement in the manner in which I am treated by management, and a major progression towards career employment. And, given time, so should you. You should see these benefits that our union has secured for us as simply that — beneficial. Beneficial for you, your life, and your family. And really, what is all that worth per hour to you? Think about it.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIMEBEGINS MARCH 10

Change your clock.Change your battery.

12 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

CCA Questions & Answers After receiving a new National Agreement on January 10, 2013, the NALC and the USPS met to

resolve some of the outstanding issues concerning the new city carrier assistant position. The follow-ing are excerpts from that agreement signed on February 20, 2013. The document can be viewed in its entirety on the NALC website at nalc.org.

What is the last date that transitional employees may be on the rolls?

April 10, 2013

Do separated TEs receive payment for accrued annual leave?

Yes, all TEs will receive terminal leave payment at the end of their appointment, including TEs who directly receive CCA appointments. Payment will be at the TE rate effective under the 2006 National Agreement.

What are the occupational codes and designation activity codes for CCAs?

CCA occupational codes are as follows: CCAs employed under Art. 7.1.C.1 of the N/A are either 2310-0045 (CCA 1, CC-01) or 2310-0047 (CCA Tech 1, CC-02). CCAs employed under Art. 7.1.C.2 of the N/A are either 2310-0046 (CCA 2, CC-01) or 2310-0048 (CCA Tech 2, CC-02). The designation activity code for all CCAs is 84-4.

How is time credited for TE employment when determining relative standing for CCAs?

All time spent on the rolls as a city letter carrier TE after Sept. 29, 2007, will be added to CCA time in an instal-lation to determine relative standing. Breaks in TE service are not included in the relative standing period.

For time spent as a city letter carrier TE, does it matter where an individual was employed when determining relative standing?

No. All time on the rolls as a TE after Sept. 29, 2007, counts toward relative standing regardless of the installation(s) in which the TE was employed.

Does relative standing earned by a former TE after Sept. 29, 2007, transfer from one installation to another once hired as a CCA?

Yes

March 2013/MCC 13

MOUND CITY CARRIER

Does relative standing earned as a CCA in one installation move with a CCA who is separated and is later employed in another installation?

No

Is there a limit on the number of hours CCAs may be scheduled on a workday?

Yes, CCAs are covered by Sec. 432.32 of the ELM, employees may not be required to work more than 12 hours in one service day. With the total hours including work hours, overtime and mealtime, may not be extended over a period longer than 12 consecutive hours.

Do CCAs have a work hour guarantee?

Yes, CCAs employed in offices with 200 or more work years of employment have a four hour work guarantee and CCAs employed in all other offices have a two hour work guarantee.

May CCAs carry over leave form one appointment to another?

No. Currently any accrued annual leave is paid out at the end of a 360 day term. However, the national parties will explore appropriate options regarding current policies for paying terminal leave to CCAs.

Will CCAs have access to the grievance procedure if disciplined or removed?

A CCA who has completed 90 work or 120 calendar days of employment within the immediate preceding six months has access to the grievance procedure if disciplined. A CCA who has previously satisfied the 90/120 day requirement either as a CCA or TE (after Sept. 29, 2007) will have access to the grievance procedure without regard to length of service as a CCA.

Will CCAs be allowed to opt on (hold-down) vacant duty assignments?

Yes, 4/10/13

Will the five day break in service between 360 day terms end an opt?

No

Will TEs hired as CCAs attend the carrier academy?

If the TE did not previously attend the carrier academy and the district uses the carrier academy program, the employee will attend the training.

14 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

18th MdA triviA nite … By John mClaughlin

We had another very successful Trivia Nite. We improved on last years total for MDA. For those of you unable to attend, the following is a short list of what we raffled or auctioned off that night: two tickets from Branch 343 to a baseball Cardinal game, two tickets to a Blues hockey game,

two ticket voucher for another baseball Cardinal game, a free round of 18 holes of golf for two (carts included), a huge basket of liquor, and a one-night stay in a downtown hotel. It came down to a double tie-breaker before the table from Maryville Gardens prevailed. Of course, none of this would have been possible without a lot of help. The following is a list of those who contributed to the event:

Barb Mickeletto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Categories, Power Point

Tina Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Categories, Silent Auction Items, donations

Mike Chenot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Raffle, silent auction compiling, donate pretzels

Bill Hunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scoreboard, ice

Kelsey (Tina Hunt’s daughter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . helper night of

Michael “Thumper” Tharp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bartender

Latecse Bostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Answer sheet grader

Tierra Bostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Answer sheet grader

Joe Regan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tallying score

Jessica Ortega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gray ticket raffle

Judy ‘the beauty’ Bitzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Selling 50/50

Gabby Bitzer (Judy’s daughter #1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Selling 50/50

Catie Bitzer (Judy’s daughter #2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Selling 50/50

Corie Nicks (Tom’s Son-in-Law) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sound

Jerry Cantrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Categories

Tom Schulte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Night of preparations

Alissa Nicks (Tom’s daughter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Compiled answer sheets and distributed

Bob Rapisardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tables set up

Mike David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tables set up

Charles Sexton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use of house for meeting

Bill Lister Branch 343 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use of the hall, projector, screen, copier

MDA representative Kelly Long explained to everyone before the night started how much events like this means to the kids. For many of them, this will mean they will now be able to attend the MDA camp which is a very big highlight in their year. Lessons learned: too hard and too long (insert joke here). Again, thanks to all and start studying for next years 19th annual Trivia Nite, Saturday, January 18, 2014.

March 2013/MCC 15

MOUND CITY CARRIER

scenes froM the 18th AnnuAl triviA nite for MdA

16 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

custoMer connect … By pam stepney

Greetings sisters and brothers of Branch 343. How’s everybody do-

ing? Fine, I hope. Hello, fear. I can believe you are here to steal Saturday delivery. No way are we going to take this lying down. Saturday deliveries are one of the days customers are most interested in hearing about from the sales team. The ladies of the View posed the question,” Why not bring all the mail when you come in to deliver a package on Saturday?” I second that mo-tion. If you are not looking for revenue on your route and turn-ing in a Customer Connect lead, you are helping to shut the door on Saturday mail delivery. It’s easy to do. Just go in and talk to your customers about shipping with the Postal Service, fill out

the Customer Connect lead card, bring it back, give it to your su-pervisor, and request a copy after it’s been entered. Then sit back and wait for the revenue to come in. Remember to look for EDDM leads daily. It’s the time of year for lawn workers, roofers, handymen, fence repair/installers, deck build-ers, pool installers/maintainers, tax preparers, day care owners, church congregations, even you! You may want to advertise your own home church just to name a few. We want people to start getting their business fliers inside of mailboxes with advertisement. Remember, that’s our job. No one should put anything in the mail-box but the letter carrier. Monday thru Saturday we deliver checks, credit cards, and medicine to our customers and they are the ones

to open that box and take out what the letter carrier put inside. Fight back every time you see this on your appointed routes.

Moving on. Get involved and sign up to become an e-Activist. Give $5 per pay pe-riod to COLCPE to help further the causes and support positive growth and activity. Take a look at the NALC Health Plan. It’s a good plan and it belongs to you.

There are a lot of CCAs coming in and they need our help in mak-ing it a long lasting career, so each one teach one about our fight.

Just a little update on the John Haake Scholarship. There will be $1,000 for five winners April 2013. Good luck.

Remember to do your best, leave the rest, don’t stress, God bless, and thank you for coming.

March 2013/MCC 17

MOUND CITY CARRIER

West county rAnch … By C.d. Jameson

Here we go again. We try to cooperate with the USPS. We do our jobs in the most ef-ficient manner possible according to the

rules of engagement set up by the USPS. These are their rules and what does it get all of us? Screwed. Why do we as carriers even attempt to rationalize with management. Each stand up is nothing more than carrier badgering. We can’t continue to help management, we do enough favors right now and we all know who they are. Look at where it got us. On February 6, 2013, Crusty announced to the world that the USPS is going to eliminate Saturday delivery. Then announced that parcels will still be delivered on Saturday. By whom? Are you going to be doing favors and come in to help? Get an atta boy. Thanks for helping. Not me, I won’t lower my standards to appease management, they are not my bed buddies Are they yours? Someone actu-ally came out and I discussed the Monday travesty (DPS). He seemed concerned. It’s not only our sta-tion, it’s everywhere. In management, some things will never change. If a craft employee would cause this much chaos they would be gone (DPS), but in management you either get promoted, look the other way, or you’re instructed to find somebody to blame. Someone must be held accountable downtown. Now management is complaining about penalty time. You made the rules, we get paid by them. Unless, like some, you decide to

absorb, like a good little trooper, a favor seeker. Don’t call yourself a carrier when you bow down to management. It doesn’t snow, rain or get above 104 by a desk but DOIS says etc. Screw DOIS and those who swear it’s bible. Put a satchel on your back, drive in snow or park-n-loop a few blocks in the rain, then have the testicles to tell us how easy our jobs are. You don’t have a clue and most of you have never carried mail. If you don’t touch the mail, you should be gone. Remem-ber, we are not to deliver in total darkness, safety. Can’t see? Call your supervisor. Get instructions or bring it back. My manager said, “That topic has been arbitrated.” What the hell does that mean? I won’t deliver in darkness if I feel safety is an issue. Management complains about being out after 6 p.m. Solution: “Start us earlier.” A craft employee thought of that. Have an accident and your friends will come after you. Are you prepared for it? With all that’s going on in Washington, D.C., these are the most important topics of the day. 1) Standard post replaces parcel post. 2) USPS tracking replaces delivery confirmation. Did you think it was the contract? Prefunding retirees? Five-day delivery? This is what we as craft employees are dealing with. Crusty and South Park. Stop doing extra for management. Do your job as a professional carrier and get paid for it. When you absorb, what are you absorbing? $. Why?

Hand Surgery AssociatesTreating hand & wrist problems since 1986

Bruce Schlafly, M.D.Board Certified Hand Surgeon

(314) 842-220010004 Kennerly Rd., Suite 259B

St. Louis, MO 63128(St. Anthony’s Medical Offices)

Charles J. Coyle

Scholarship

Deadline

March 31

18 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANKA. BOAT OWNERS NAME: __________________ADDRESS: _________________________________CITY: ______________________________________STATE: ____________________________________ZIP: _______________________________________PHONE: ___________________________________B. BUDDY’S NAME: ________________________ADDRESS: _________________________________CITY: ______________________________________STATE: ____________________________________ZIP: _______________________________________PHONE: ___________________________________

❒ YES, I will be attending the dinner.

Total attending __________________

❒ No, I will not be attending the dinner.

ENTRY BY MAIL ONLY Entry fee of $140 must be postmarked by April 5, 2013. Checks, money orders and cashiers checks will be accepted. All en-tries received after deadline will be subject to a $25.00 LATE FEE, accepted in cash only during check-in.

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO:MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION

Help Reel in a Cure Bass Tournament 530 Maryville Centre, Suite 410

Town & Country, MO 63141

TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION - ST. LOUIS

AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS

TOURNAMENTAPRIL 13-14

6:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

REGISTRATION DINNER AND MEETINGSATURDAY, APRIL 13, 6-8 P.M.

AND … MEET MDA AMBASSADORS

AND GUEST SPEAKER AT THE DINNER!

FUN - BARBEQUE - SILENT AUCTION - 50/50 RAFFLE

17th AnnuAl

Need Lodging or Have a Question?Call Ken Young at Southwest Station

314-645-6312or Check Out

7/24outdoors.comor

mobassin.com

First Place

$1,500 Guaranteed!

Top teams receive percentage of entry fee.

Entry fee is $140 per boat.

Includes Big Bass

March 2013/MCC 19

MOUND CITY CARRIER

51 GAMES AVAILABLEAPRIL THRU SEPTEMBER

8 CUBS GAMES

GREAT SEATSSec. 249, Row 6, Seats 5 and 62nd Level Behind Home Plate

$100 for two seats, must be present and paid for on April 11These same seats resold by the Cardinals would be up to $140 for premium games.

Branch 343 split season tickets for over 20 years. When our previous partner decided to give up their half of the season and we thought it would be a good opportunity to offer these great seats to you, the membership. The branch’s 40 games are raffled off as at-tendance prizes at the regular branch meetings. The remaining 50 games will be sold to the members. Just show up by 9 p.m. on April 11 after the regular branch meeting and enter the drawing. Order of choice will be by lottery and limited to two games. Any games left after the first round will be available in the same order for an additional two games. Payment by check, money order or cash must be tendered on April 11.

Only one set of Cubs tickets per pick of two games. REDBIRD CLUB SEATS, SECTION 249, ROW 6, SEATS 5 and 6

No sales before April 11, 2013, at 9 p.m.********************************************

AVAILABLE GAMES AND DATES VS. OPPONENT

BRANCH 343 CARDINALS TICKETSON SALE 9 p.m. APRIL 11, 2013

Immediately following Regular Branch Meeting

********************************************

JUNE1, 2 SF3, 5, 6 AZ17,19,20 CHI21,23 TEX

APRIL12,14 MIL27,29 PIT

MAY1 CIN11,12 COL13,15,16 NYM17,19 MIL29,30 KC

JULY6, 7 MIA9 HOU19,21 SD24 PHI

AUGUST5, 7, 8 LAD9,10,11 CHI14 PIT22,24,25 ATL26, 28 CIN

SEPTEMBER7, 8 PIT10,12 MIL14 SEA23,25 WSH28,29 CHI

20 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

dAy of Action on MArch 24Feb. 15, 2013 — NALC has announced that it will hold a day of action on Sunday, March 24,

to mobilize public support for Saturday delivery service. The timing will allow us the perfect opportunity to remind our representatives in Washington, D.C. to maintain the six-day mail delivery language in the continuing budget resolution, expected to be renewed by Congress on March 27.

“We want to make this fight about the cost of losing Saturday mail delivery and how it would affect people in each and every state,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. Letter carriers are encour-aged to gather friends, family, co-workers and community coalition partners at specified post offices in major media centers with signage and T-shirts that reflect the feelings of the citi-zenry. Carriers should not wear their uniforms.

Ask questions of the union leadership about anything pertaining to the union, your job or the USPS. The committee will then respond to your questions/concerns in the Mound City Carrier.

All questions submitted to the “Ask the Union” column shall be:• Respectful to all union members.• A question in which someone is seeking clarity.• Relevant to the nature of the NALC.• Appropriate to publish (no slander, profanities, accusations, etc.).• Any anonymous questions should include a home duty station to help the committee best answer your questions.What kinds of questions can I submit? — You can ask any question pertaining to your union, your position, or the USPS and

the union leadership will answer it to the best of their abilities. (Ex: Where are my union fees being spent? or What is a TE?)What kinds of things should I NOT submit? — Profanities, accusations, and questions not relevant to the NALC. (Ex:

Person X is a *&%@#, what can I do to get them fired? or Why is the sky blue?)How do I get my question answered in the Mound City Carrier? — Submit a question by cutting off the bottom part of this

form and mailing it to: “Ask the Union” 1600 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63104

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Name: ____________________________________________ Home Duty Office: ___________________________________

Questions for the union:

Questions sent to the “Ask the Union” column in the Mound City Carrier will be answered by a committee comprised of union leadership (officers and members of the Executive Board).

✂

March 2013/MCC 21

MOUND CITY CARRIER

BRANCH MEETINGBranch 343, St. LouiS, MiSSouri

FeBruary 14, 2013Summary of

Branch Action

Highligh

ts

MSC To pay the branch bills MSC Branch 343 sends another

branch officer along with the president to the Spring Committee of Presidents Meeting in April and pays their expenses.

MSC Branch 343 once again spon-sors a Coro fellow from the Coro Fellowship Program and pay the placement fee for the period of January 7 thru January 18, 2013.

New Members

Recently Retired Members

Jessica M. Akers ................................ Clayton ...................................... 02/14/13Dion S. Beckham ............................... Mackenzie Pointe ..................... 02/14/13Craig B. Calloway ............................. MacKenzie Pointe ..................... 02/14/13Jodi N. Crocker .................................. Maplewood ............................... 02/14/13Jeremy L. Coleman ............................ Kirkwood .................................. 02/14/13Dwayne G. Duckins.......................... Affton ........................................ 02/14/13Tamika M. Duncan ........................... North County ........................... 02/14/13Montez D. Gear ................................. Olivette ...................................... 02/14/13Kaylia M. Hamilton .......................... Harriet Woods .......................... 02/14/13Rhonda M. Harris ............................. Coyle .......................................... 02/14/13Marrakeesh A. Henton ..................... Gaffney ...................................... 02/14/13Earl D. Jefferson ................................ Oldham ...................................... 02/14/13Kia T. Johnson ................................... Clayton ...................................... 02/14/13Shani R. McKnight ............................ Weathers .................................... 02/14/13Rosalind R. Mitchell ......................... Southwest .................................. 02/14/13Jerome Moore .................................... Maryville Gardens ................... 02/14/13Stephanie N. Newton ....................... Maryville Gardens ................... 02/14/13Aaron G. Oliver ................................. Maryville Gardens ................... 02/14/13Sherron L. Pierce ............................... Gaffney ...................................... 02/14/13Morgan Senetra ................................. Chouteau ................................... 02/14/13Kiara R. Sims ..................................... Southwest .................................. 02/14/13Samantha M. Slater ........................... Chouteau ................................... 02/14/13Brittany L. Smith ............................... Chouteau ................................... 02/14/13Thonwa N. Stallings ......................... Maryville Gardens ................... 02/14/13Wayne Whitfield ............................... Clayton ...................................... 02/14/13Monica M. Wilson ............................. Affton ........................................ 02/14/13Desiree S. Wright .............................. Southwest .................................. 02/14/13

Jon C. Schmieg .................................. St. Clair ...................................... 11/30/12Jordan J. Perry ................................... Des Peres ................................... 12/31/12John C. Egan ...................................... Gaffney ...................................... 01/19/13Gregory Evans ................................... West County ............................. 01/31/13Cecil L. Harris Jr. .............................. Creve Coeur .............................. 01/31/13Richard J. Turner ............................... Clayton ...................................... 01/31/13Richard A. Walton ............................ Creve Coeur .............................. 01/31/13

RAA Mike Birkett gave a summary of what took place

at the National RAP Session in Las

Vegas. President Rolando said we will be going to war

against ending six-day delivery. We will be holding national rallies, taking legal action and calling on Congress to support our position.

Executive VP Barry Linan report-ed the branch had its semi-annual audit and things were found to be in good order. He explained the branch finances are in good order but these have been some very tough times.

VP Robert Rapisardo reported we are starting to have problems once again with bids and postings. The descriptions of routes are not being changed when route adjustments have been completed and the route make-up itself changes. Members need to be vigilant in reporting any discrepancies they find along with any other issues to the officers.

President William Lister discussed some of the terms of the new contract explaining he felt that because of the nega-tive environment, the state our economy is in and the contracts our sister unions received before us, our contract was one of the fairest we could have expected. President Lister went through some of the terms of the new contract explaining in more detail how the new CCAs will now have a firm path to career status. CCAs will be given a relative standing for their time as TEs to be placed into those career positions, they now have more protection under the new contract and will also be able to opt on routes. Bill also informed the members that the head of H. R. in the Gateway District called to notify him that the postmaster general would be announcing the Postal Service was going to five-day delivery in August of this year. If they are successful, they will destroy our Postal Service and we have to stop them!

Respectfully Submitted, Charles L. Sexton, Recording Secretary

22 March 2013/MCC

MOUND CITY CARRIER

Preserve the PostAl service And Protect the Middle clAss … By mike Weir

Branch Meeting Attendance Prize WinnersFebruary 14, 2013

Blues vs. San Jose Sharks1. — Thursday 2/19 @ 7 p.m. — Jim Bruggeman — South CountyBlues vs. Chicago Blackhawks2. — Thursday 2/28 @ 7 p.m. — Vince Hellmann — SouthwestAMC Theatres3. — $25 Gift Card — Bob Purk — Des PeresAMC Theatres4. — $25 Gift Card — Mike David — RetiredBottle Wine5. — Roy Tailors Uniform/Walter Besch — Lance S. DavisBottle Wine6. — Roy Tailors Uniform/Walter Besch — Lucille Snow — WeathersCase Bottle Beer of the Month7. — Region 5 NBA — Doug Wessels (Donated to the MDA Washer Tournament)

A s I noted in my January article, despite taking a beating at the polls last November, ex-tremists at the national, state and local

levels continue to pursue their ideologically-driven agendas. For us, this means fighting battles on sev-eral different fronts to stop them from dismantling the Postal Service and to blunt their attacks on middle-class America. Every letter carrier needs to get involved to ensure the success of our efforts, and there are several ways you can help. Contrib-uting to the Branch 343 P.A.C. and to COLCPE is very important, but so is your active participation in addressing pending legislation through phone calls, letter writing, emails and attendance at informational rallies.

Currently, there are two bills and a House resolu-tion pending in Washington, D.C., which address the Postal Service’s financial issues. H. R. 630 (sponsored by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.) and S. 316 (sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.) repeal the onerous $5.5 billion a year prefunding mandate, which is the cen-terpiece in the “manufactured crisis” we now face, as well as maintain six-day delivery and give USPS the freedom to explore new sources of revenue. H. R. 30 (sponsored by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo.) puts the House of Representatives on record as supporting the continuation of six-day delivery. Please contact your senators and representative and ask them to sign on as co-sponsors of the legislation in their respective chamber of Congress. Their phone num-bers are listed on page 20 of the February issue of the Mound City Carrier. Or you can call the U.S. Capital switchboard operator at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to their offices.

Additionally, NALC National President Fred Rolando has announced that Sunday, March 24, will be a national day of action. Letter carriers in partnership with other unions, business customers, civic organizations, families, friends and neighbors will be gathering outside specific post offices in major cities of each state. Our intent is to mobilize public support for Saturday delivery by educating people on how its loss will affect them. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend a rally near you. PMG Donahoe’s plan to unilaterally eliminate a day of service has angered many members of Congress, but it has also played right into the hands of the extremists who would like nothing more

than to begin the process of dismantling the Postal Service. Our voices need to be heard loud and clear in the Halls of Congress and in public forums on this issue. We must preserve the Postal Service for ourselves, for our families, for our customers, for future generations of letter carriers and for the 8 million postal industry jobs that depend on a strong USPS!

Closer to home, the extremists in the Missouri legislature are, once again, pursuing “right-to-work” and paycheck deception bills which are nothing more than thinly-disguised attempts to undercut the ability of unions to protect their members, and to cut the wages and benefits of working men and women. The effort to silence our voices is well-funded and a real threat to unionism at every level of our society. I urge you to speak up against it. Contact your legislator and tell them to vote no on this legislation and to focus on creating jobs instead of taking jobs from the middle class. Check out the Internet site We Are Missouri at [email protected] for more information on these issues and how to contact your state legisla-tors. Another good site for union members is the AFL-CIO Now Blog at [email protected]. They keep track of pending legislation and other activity involving issues of importance to work-ing families, such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. And, of course, be sure to check the NALC’s website at nalc.org daily for the latest developments. Keep informed and stay involved!

The above honor roll gives special recognition to those members who give $50 or more. Each star represents $100

DENNIS TYNERHH

TOM HARMANH

KEN MEYERH

TOM SCHULTEH

DAN PITTMANH

GUS FRANKH

JOHN CHUDYH

JOE POLITTEH

EUGENE HILKEH

FRANCIS RYANHH

JIM McNEILH

GENO IBERGH

BILL LISTERH

ART BUCKH

EVERETT LUDWIGH

JOE FITZJARELLH

HENRY DEIBELH

BOB FLAHERTYHH

TONY JASPERH

MIKE WEIRH

BARRY LINANH

RICHARD BOIENH

THOMAS HOWERYH

TOM DEGEAREH

MARK SIMSH

GERALD G. GALLEANOHH

CHARLES SCANLONH

JIM BRUGGEMANH

CHARLIE SEXTONH

LAWRENCE McHAYNESH

PATRICK KOWALCZYKH

BEVERLYANN CREELEYH

THOMAS FITZSIMONSH

DAN BRAUCHLEH

John HaakeBill HoffmanKen JohnsonVictor Ketterer

Victor KeitelWalter BeschDonald BassBill Jimas

John KarayRay BreakfieldMichael JenningsMike Birkett

John MulderigJefferson LaytonAngelo OttoliniRocky Rakowieski

Mike Chenot Chet Drain

IS YOUR NAME LISTED? WHY NOT?SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE TO BRANCH 343, P.A.C.

MIKE WEIR612 CHARLESTON OAKS DR.

BALLWIN, MO 63021-7387(Donations are not tax deductible)

Article 35eMPlOYee ASSiStANce

PrOGr AMThe employer and the union express

strong support for programs of self-help. The employer shall provide and maintain a program which shall encompass the education, identification, referral, guid-ance and follow-up of those employees afflicted by the disease of alcoholism and/or drug abuse. When an employee is referred to the EAP by the employer, the EAP staff will have a reasonable period of time to evaluate the employee’s progress in the program. This program of labor-management cooperation shall support the continuation of the EAP for alcohol and/or drug abuse, and other

family and/or personal problems at the current level.An employee’s voluntary participation in the EAP for as-

sistance with alcohol and/or drug abuse will be considered favorably in disciplinary action proceedings.

2011-2016 National Agreement

PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYMuchnick & Haber, LC8151 Clayton Rd., Suite 201St. Louis, Missouri 63117

JOSHUA D. MARGOLISAttorney at Law

Main: 314.725.5050 Direct: 314.282.8726Fax: 314.726.2042 [email protected]

www.muchnickhaber.com

Specializing in Auto Accidents, Truck Accidents,Workers’ Compensation, Construction Accidents,

Premises Liability, Dog Bites, Product Liability, and FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act).

Call for a Free ConsultationLicensed in Missouri and Illinois

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision andshould not be based solely upon advertisements.

March 2013/MCC 23

POLITICAL ACTION HONOR ROLL

Deadline for articles for the APRIL issue isMARCH 18, 2013

H H H

REGULAR BRANCH MEETINGTHURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

7:30 pm

H H H

SHOP STEWARDS MEETINGTHURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013The Letter Carriers Building

1600 S Broadway

Loca

l del

iver

y da

tere

ques

ted

no la

ter

than

Mar

ch 1

1

➡

Non

-Profit

Org

aniz

atio

n

U.S

. PO

STA

GE

P A

I D

St.

Lou

is, M

OP

erm

it N

o. 1

452

Dan

J. G

oul

d B

ranc

h 34

3

MO

UN

D C

ITY

CA

RR

IER

1600

S B

road

way

St.

Lou

is, M

O 6

3104

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

VIC

E R

EQ

UE

STE

D

Dan J. GouldBRANCH 343—OFFICERS—

Bill Lister ................................. PresidentBarry Linan .....Executive Vice President/

TreasurerRobert Rapisardo ............ Vice President/

Financial SecretaryCharles Sexton ......... Recording SecretaryDerrick Williams .......... Sergeant-at-ArmsSaronda Sutherland ..........Collector, MBAChet Drain ... Health Benefit Representative

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJohn McLaughlin Tony JasperMike “Thumper” Tharp Tina Hunt

Stuart East

CORRESPONDENT POSTAL RECORD

Tom Schulte

MEMBER-AT-LARGENEGOTIATING COMMITTEE

Mike Chenot Pam StepneyMel McNair Brad Layton

DELEGATES TO THE ST. LOUIS LABOR COUNCIL

Bill Lister Keith GentryGus Frank Barry LinanMike Chenot Tony Jasper

Pam Stepney

MOUND CITY CARRIERPublished monthly by Branch 343

National Association of Letter CarriersContents may be reproduced by NALC

publications — Just mention Branch 343.

STAFFTom Schulte .................. Managing EditorHarry Blecha ............... Business ManagerRay Breakfield .............................. EditorClif Nelson ............................ Asst. EditorJohn McLaughlin ................... Asst. Editor

ADVISORY BOARD

Bill ListerBarry Linan

All correspondence and all articles intended for publication in this paper

should be addressed to:Ray Breakfield, Editor

1600 S BroadwaySt. Louis, MO 63104-3806

Phone: (314) 241-4297

All copy should be TYPED in upper and lower case, double spaced and written on one side only. Articles are to be limited

to 250 words and must be signed.

for ad rates call:HARRY BLECHA

Phone: (314) 645-1192

Opinions expressed intend no malice toward anyone — neither do they necessarily express the views of the editor nor that of Branch 343 N.A.L.C.

Articles may be edited for brevity and potential libelous statements.

LETTER CARRIERS BUILDINGBRANCH OFFICE1600 S Broadway

St. Louis, MO 63104-3806

(314) 241-4297

Hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm (M-F) 8 am - Noon (Sat)

Fax: (314) 241-2738

Branch 343 Websitewww.branch343.org

RETIRED MEMBERS MEETINGLETTER CARRIERS BUILDING

1600 S Broadway1st Wednesday of the month.

Lunch at noon, meeting at 12:45 pm

Jim McNeil, Chairman ..................(314) 845-2371 Ray Breakfield, Secretary .............(573) 358-5266

Jim Kluempers, Treasurer ............(636) 274-0996

FEMALE LETTER CARRIERS REPRESENTATIVE

Robinette Hensley, Creve Coeur(314) 432--8211

EEO REPRESENTATIVESHarold Robinson — (314) 569-2653

Robinette Hensley — (314) 432--8211

HEALTH BENEFITS HOT LINEChet Drain — Hall: (314) 241-4223

Tuesday 8 am to 4:30 pm

COMPENSATION HOT LINEMike David — Hall: (314) 241-4223

Thursday 8 am to 4:30 pm

SAFETY & HEALTHRichard Thurman, Jennings

(314) 867-0418

VETERANS CONSULTANTMike David — (314) 241-4297

FOR LOW COST NALC INSURANCESaronda Sutherland, MBA

(314) 535-2850

NBA OFFICEDan Pittman — (314) 872-0227