I would like to start this letter by simply saying, “THANK YOU”.
Thank You for allowing me the privilege to serve the membership of the Eastern Region on the National Executive Board for the previous 3 years as the Regional Coordinator. And, Thank You, once again, for allowing me the opportunity to serve another term as your Eastern Region Coordinator.
After having labored as a Clerk Craft National Business Agent for 18 years, I looked forward to serving the membership in another capacity, rather than solely the grievance arbitration process. Little did I know the country would experience the largest economic downturn in history with a corresponding negative impact on mail volume and revenue, leading to the most significant impact on employee jobs in the history of the Postal Service.
Because of those developments the challenges have been many in the Coordinator’s job and they have been extensive. Yet we have fought through them together and have met the challenges and we will continue to battle the issues that confront the American labor movement in the future.
I took an oath to perform the duties as your Regional Coordinator to the best of my ability and I can assure you I have worked diligently and in the best interests of Postal Workers that I represent in the great States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Western New York and the District of Columbia, as well as, workers in general, to fulfill that oath.
I promise that I will continue to give you all the help and support that I can. If you or your Local needs anything, don’t hesitate to contact my office. I look forward to working with your Local for the next three years.
I ask and encourage you to support as I am the following LEADERSHIP TEAM 2010 members:
CLIFF GUFFEY has been a progressive and insightful leader in the APWU for decades. I have known and worked with Cliff since he was elected to national office in 1986.
CLIFF has taken on and championed the issues affecting the Clerk Craft when he was originally elected as an Assistant Director of the Clerk Craft and he continued the fight for workers in the Clerk Craft as the Director of the Craft. Over the last 9 years he has taken on the issues and battled the employer for all Crafts in his role as our Executive Vice President.
In these tenuous, difficult times for Postal Workers we need Cliff as the leader of our Union. His experience and performance in top leadership roles and his dedication to the APWU are unmatched.
As I mentioned previously, the economic downturn has had a serious impact on volume and revenue in our industry which has had a corresponding negative impact on Postal Workers. It is no secret that this year’s contract negotiations therefore will be the most difficult negotiations we have ever faced. Clearly, this is no time for inexperience or unproven leadership, we need and I personally endorse without hesitation or equivocation, CLIFF GUFFEY as PRESIDENT of the AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION.
GREG BELL and I were local presidents together and he did a great job as President of the Philadelphia Area Local, so much so, that we elected him without opposition to the top contract enforcement job in the Union, the national Director of Industrial Relations in 1995. He has been criticized by high ranking managers for being stubborn, unyielding, and non-concessionary on contract issues affecting our membership. Brothers and Sisters, that is exactly the quality that we need in the position of DIR and that is what we need in our next Executive Vice President as well.
GREG has taken on the grave responsibility of administrator of contract negotiation and contract enforcement after negotiations. If you know Greg as I do, there is not another person in this Union who is more dedicated to preserving and advancing workers’ rights. There is no doubt that Greg is truly a Union Man.
That is why I ask you to join me in voting for GREG BELL as VICE PRESIDENT of the AMERICAN POSTAL WORKER UNION.
WILLIAM “BILL” KACZOR for Health Plan Director. Bill has been at the helm of the Health Plan for 25 years and has seen our Health Plan through some troubled times and he has guided our Plan to the state it is in today. The Plan has never been in better shape and offers more to employees than ever before. Good job Bill.
MARTHA SHUNN-KING for Director of Organization. Martha will do an excellent job as the Director of Organization. She demonstrated her organizational skills as the President of the Florida State Postal Workers Union by dramatically increasing the membership of that organization. She will bring those qualities and that “can do” character to the Director’s job.
ROB STRUNK for Clerk Craft Director. Rob brings a wealth of experience to the Clerk Craft. He was the President of the Phoenix Metro Area Local; he has been the Chairperson of the President’s Conference and a long term Assistant Director for the Clerk Craft. I’m confident that Rob will continue to move the Clerk Craft in the right direction
.
BOB PRITCHARD & MIKE FOSTER for MVS Director and Assistant Director. Bob and Mike have been a hard working team at the headquarter level for years. They have been responsible for many successes and advances for the Motor Vehicle Craft. Their experience and determination is what the MVS craft needs in these challenging times.
PRINCELLA VOGEL for Southern Region Coordinator. Princella is currently the President of the Houston Area Local. As President of a large local, she is fully aware of the issues affecting the Union in general as well as all the issues affecting each craft. She will serve the Southern Region well, with that knowledge and ability, as the next Southern Region Coordinator.
Each of these individuals is deserving of your support and your vote.
Thank you,
Mike Gallagher
P.S.
Congratulations to the following members of the LEADERSHIP TEAM 2010 for being re-elected without opposition. We will need their very best efforts in the years ahead to address the challenges that face us and to advance the interests of working people. I am confident we will meet those expectations. Mike
| Unopposed Members of Leadership Team 2010 |
| Liz Powell - Secretary-Treasurer Mike Morris - Industrial Relations Director Sharyn Stone - Regional Coordinator - Central Region Omar Gonzalez - Regional Coordinator - Western Region Mike Gallagher - Regional Coordinator - Eastern Region John Dirzius - Regional Coordinator - Northeast Region Myke Reid - Legislative & Political Director Steve Albanese - Legislative & Political Assistant Director Sue Carney - Human Relations Director Joyce Robinson - Research & Education Director Judy Beard - Retiree’s Department Director Pat Williams - Clerk Craft Assistant Director Lyle Krueth - Clerk Craft Assistant Director Lamont Brooks - Clerk Craft Assistant Director Steve Raymer - Maintenance Craft Director Gary Kloepfer - Maintenance Craft Assistant Director Greg See - - Maintenance Craft Assistant Director Idowu Balogun - Maintenance Craft Representative at Large Bill Manley - Support Services Director |