William Burrus  APWU President

Ask the President

Question:

I can’t help but notice that, much like the workplace, there is more pessimism than optimism in the questions asked.

My question is, what do you do to shake off all the negativity you encounter by the members? Of course, I understand the passion, but it sometimes baffles me how people can seem so unhappy about the good pay and benefits that the union has gotten us over the years.

My guess is that most members have never been casuals, or they would understand what a great union we have. I wonder. Do these people watch the news? Many good-paying jobs are being eliminated across the country, yet we have “no-layoff” language in our contract year after year.

I have 13 years of employment and am active in my union. I encounter more negative than positive from the members, and I was hoping for some insight from you about how you keep going strong.

Robert, Central Arkansas Area Local 189

President Burrus:

Thank you for your positive message about the efforts of APWU officers to improve conditions for postal employees.

I agree with your analysis that many of the union’s accomplishments often go unnoticed, while attention is paid to the unpleasant aspects of employment.

I can attest to the fact that all of the APWU activists I know perform their tasks because they want to make a contribution to improving our members’ lives.

Although the challenges we face may be emphasized over our accomplishments, this pessimism does not detract from our determination. More often than not, those who complain the loudest have made little or no contribution to these many accomplishments and have no plans to lend their efforts to solving future problems.

APWU bargaining unit employees have much to be thankful for as the direct result of union efforts. Each positive change bears the imprint of the officers and members who made it happen. The protection against layoffs you refer to is just one of many benefits that has been won by the union. Wages, cost-of-living adjustments, work-or-pay guarantees, health insurance, upgrades, bidding rights, seniority, and many other negotiated benefits far outweigh the continuing challenges, but human nature is such that benefits — once received — are considered natural entitlements and the focus turns to future objectives.

One would think that there would be a recognition that while hundreds of thousands of workers have been adversely affected by the economic downturn, not a single APWU-represented employee has suffered a layoff or a reduction in wages.

Your note is an exception, and it is appreciated.

June 18, 2008