Thank you for your continuing support and re-electing your headquarters Maintenance Craft team. Assistant Directors Greg See and Gary Kloepfer, National Representative @ Large Idowu Balogun & I share a commitment to continuing the protection and advancement of our Craft and the APWU.
As leader of the team effort, I’m very proud that we’ve developed an outstanding track record of responding to and advocating the interests of the membership. Whether the issue is staffing or subcontracting, occupational group assignments or training opportunities, promotions or travel, BMC issues or excessing, your safety and health or organizing non-members, you know you can count on us.
Along with all your excellent NBAs (William LaSalle, Terry Martinez, Charlie Robbins, Jimmie Waldon, Chuck Sundgaard, Troy Rorman, Don Foley, Vance Zimmerman and Rick Logan) the Maintenance Craft has advanced through some turbulent times. But, none of this is a job done alone. It always requires input, help, assistance, and in particular enforcement, by stewards and officers at the Local level. In turn, those Local representatives must have the support of their Local membership to be effective.
Similarly, at the headquarters level, we in the Maintenance Division need to ensure that all APWU representatives carry and apply the same dedication and esprit de corps shared by your Maintenance Officers. Whether it’s a general officer, craft officer or department head, a large and complex organization like the APWU deserves no less than the best. To continue moving the APWU forward, the Maintenance Division urges you to vote in the upcoming election and to be sure to cast you ballots for the 2010 Leadership Team:
Cliff Guffey for President: Your current Executive Vice President for the APWU was formerly the National Clerk Division Director, Assistant Director and local President of the Oklahoma local. Cliff brings 25 years of experience of working at the headquarter level, the last 9 as Vice-President. He has a history with the Postal Service HQ that will be invaluable during the upcoming negotiations. Cliff has a positive approach and thinks out-of-the-box while ensuring he involves all parties in his decision process. He is primed and ready to lead us in our struggles as the President of American Postal Workers Union.
Greg Bell for Executive Vice President: Greg Bell is the best candidate for the office of Executive Vice President and is fully deserving of your vote. Greg has served at APWU headquarter for 15 years as your Industrial Relations Director. Previously, he was President of the Philadelphia Area Local and Chairman of the National President’s Conference for four years. Greg has a no-nonsense style, quiet demeanor and studious approach. Greg has an exemplary work ethic and communicates well with the different crafts within the APWU. In particular, he has repeatedly demonstrated his respect toward the Maintenance Craft.
Bob Pritchard & Mike Foster for MVS Director and Assistant Director: If you are a Motor Vehicle Craft member, you must support the current Motor Vehicle Craft Team in D.C. Robert “Bob” Pritchard as Director and Mike Foster as Assistant Director are the only responsible choice. They make tough and necessary decisions every step of the way. Their dedication and experience is necessary to Motor Vehicle. Bob and Mike have traveled near and far to town hall meetings, seminars, conventions and listened to the concerns of the membership, Locals and Business Agents. Maintenance and Motor Vehicle Crafts do share common struggles and fully support each other. Let us keep the team of Robert Pritchard and Mike Foster together.
Rob Strunk for Clerk Division Director: Rob is currently the senior Assistant Director for the Clerk Craft. Prior to coming to DC, he held national office in the Denver Region and was the President of Phoenix Metro Area local for many years. Rob believes that knowledge is power to be shared. Rob works on the national Uniform committee and is the lead resource for customer service and window issues for the Clerk Craft. Rob shares the responsibility for improving the training in the Clerks Craft at all levels. He is a dedicated Clerk Craft officer, accomplished speaker and fully capable of taking the reigns of the APWU’s largest Division without any delay due to ‘on the job’ training. He will make an excellent Clerk Craft Director. Like the MVS officers, Rob has demonstrated a willingness to work with the Maintenance Craft and together advance the APWU.
Martha Shunn-King for Director of Organization: Martha brings a wealth of real world knowledge and success as former State President of Florida and a Local President for many years. Martha has been instrumental in organization and increasing membership in the APWU in Florida. She brings fresh ideas and plans to an area of great importance to the APWU. Intelligent and soft-spoken, Martha stands solid for her beliefs and her dogged determination will serve the APWU well on a National level as your next Director of Organization.
William “Bill” Kaczor for Health Plan Director: Your current Health Plan Director for 25 years, Bill has taken the Health Plan membership to new heights. He has brought a new and a creative approach to Health Management. These approaches have lead to improvements in the Health Plan, such as the choice between our two top ranked programs, the APWU High Option and the APWU Consumer Driven plans. The membership of the APWU plans continues to increase. As part of the Federal Employee Group Health Plans, our plans fall under the OPM and Bill brings the experience required to navigate those sometimes troubled governmental waters. I am proud to be a part of APWU Health plan under his leadership and urge your vote for Bill Kaczor.
Princella Vogel for Southern Region Coordinator: Currently the President of one of the Houston Area local, largest in the Southern Region. Her multiple terms as the leader over the expanse and scope of the operation of the Houston Local has prepared Princella well to assume new responsibilities as Coordinator of the Southern Region. No other candidate shares that wealth of experience. She has earned her reputation as a no-nonsense member advocate who is dedicated to the good of the Union. Princella always puts the Union first. Her approach seeks to educate all Southern Region members of all Crafts. With nothing to hide, Princella will ensure fair and honest representation to all of the Southern Region. Princella, whom I know to be knowledgeable and respectful of Maintenance Craft issues, will serve us well as the next Southern Region Coordinator.
Leadership Team 2010 members are proven Leaders of American Postal Workers Union and have earned and deserve your support. Thank you!