Dear APWU Active and Retired Members,
THANK YOU for the support you have given me as Director for the APWU Retirees Department. I am humbly grateful for your vote of confidence in re-electing me to serve in this position for a second term. My goals for this department are to expand the new educational programs, started for retirees, so that more members can benefit from the information being disseminated; and to continue to work with our legislative department to further increase our lobbying efforts relating to issues that impact our seniors.
LEADERSHIP TEAM 2010: We all recognize that APWU is facing serious challenges due to changes occurring in the Postal Service; and because of the continued threats being made to Social Security and Medicare. For us to have a fighting chance, it takes a team of leaders banding together. That is why I have become a member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM 2010.
President Harry S. Truman stated: “Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders cease the opportunity to change things for the better.” This concept becomes workable when we combine our efforts.
By now, you have had the opportunity to read the bios and statements that the candidates from the LEADERSHIP TEAM 2010 have submitted. We have a proven record of success, and ask your support by voting our team members whose names will appear on your ballot.
Cliff Guffey for President is the candidate that I am asking you to vote for president. His background includes being former president of the Oklahoma City OK Area Local and Assistant Director, Clerk Division. He currently is the APWU Executive Vice President which is the second highest ranking position in the APWU.
Cliff is the officer who has worked closest with the national president, discussing union and postal issues on a frequent basis. With the knowledge that he has accumulated in each position he has held, he has the tools necessary to meet the duties of president.
I am inspired by his enthusiasm, dedication, “know-how” strengths – and believe Cliff is ready to help us meet the challenges that we face ahead.
Greg Bell for Executive Vice President has dedicated his adult life to serving APWU members. I first met Greg when he was president of the Philadelphia PA Area Local. He took the time to share information with me concerning grievances that he won, and the strategies and documentation used to argue the cases. This enabled me to better serve my members at the local level.
Greg’s unselfishness to share information expanded as he served as chairperson for the Presidents’ Conference. Now, as National Industrial Relations Director, he is responsible for:
- providing educational information on grievance/arbitration to assist each local;
- administering the work for grievances and arbitration at the highest level;
- coordinating the vast preparations for APWU contract negotiations; and
- presenting APWU’s positions on many issues at the bargaining table and during labor-management meetings.
A vote for Greg Bell will continue to give members the experienced voice needed to address labor-management issues. Greg is a true trade unionist. I am confident that he will remain totally committed to addressing all problems and issues facing active and retired APWU members in the Postal Service and Private Sector companies.
Princella Vogel for Regional Coordinator, Southern Region, has been a strong leader and has always advocated for improvements. As president of the Houston, Texas Area Local, she has fought to retain jobs for her membership. She has demonstrated that she cares about more than just the grievance procedure by being actively involved with issues facing workers in the community, city and federal government.
I first met Princella we became involved with POWER (Post Office Women for Equal Rights). Besides fighting for women rights and issues, she works with our Deaf and Hard of Hearing members on insuring they are receiving proper assistance. Princella also dedicates time to working with AFL-CIO contingency groups.
Princella is willing, able and capable to become the next Regional Coordinator for the Southern Region.
Bob Pritchard for Director, Motor Vehicle Service Division, is a leader who has served his membership with dedication and sincerity.
Bob and I served on a sub-committee for one of the APWU negotiating teams, Dependent Care. He was the spokesperson. It was through his ability to articulate APWU’s position on the Postal Service’s responsibility to be concerned about its employees, both on and off the job, that we were successful in obtaining language in one of our contracts on Dependent Care. [Many of you may recall the Life Care program.]
Bob’s primary focus is to the MVS membership. His skills, dedication and experience make him the best candidate.
Michael “Mike” Foster for Assistant Director, Motor Vehicle Service Division, is a member from my home local, Detroit District Area Local. I have known Mike since we served as shop stewards.
Mike has always taken pride in problem-solving issues on behalf of MVS members. He has a reputation for fighting hard to correct contract violations and has a strong record of success for winning issues. He is knowledgeable and a good listener.
MVS Assistant Director Michael Foster has been working with MVS Director Bob Pritchard to keep work in the MVS Division. I encourage you to re-elect Mike Foster to continue to serve in the position he is now holding.
Rob Strunk for Director, Clerk Division, is a dedicated trade unionist. I was hired as a clerk in the Postal Service and have always kept up with decisions made by the Clerk Division in protecting workers, and have paid close attention to Rob’s comments during conferences and union meetings.
Rob is very knowledgeable on Article 37 and on other contractual provisions that affect our workers. He is currently the Assistant Director, Clerk Division. Rob is ready to face the challenges in the Clerk Division by moving up to serve as its director.
I ask you to vote for Rob Strunk.
Martha Shunn-King for Organization Director is a leader who has worked with me in various capacities while she was president of the APWU of Florida by helping locals to complete required forms and by signing new members.
Martha has supported the members she served by providing educational information; staying abreast on union issues through her involvement with the AFL-CIO and her community; and has provided leadership to locals in her state. She also listens to members’ concerns, and advocates to buy union-made products and to support unions.
I am confident that her skills and determination will result in building successful organizing drives to maintain APWU as a viable union.
William “Bill” Kaczor for Director, APWU Health Plan, has extensive knowledge about the APWU Health Plan and has a relationship with many health agencies and companies.
I personally have been a long-standing member of the APWU Health Plan. I have complimented Bill for the successful completion to update the operations that have led to assisting both active and retired members with quicker processing of claims and timely responses.
In addition, Bill has diligently pursued seeking improved benefits when negotiating with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to keep the APWU Health Plan one of the best viable plans in the country.
We owe Bill, more than our thanks, but also our vote.
