(This article first appeared in the November/December 2015 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

With a great sense of pride, I take this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of our local and state leaders and National Business Agents in the Northeast Region. Their continuing effort to enforce our contract, organize new members, and mobilize our members to achieve a good contract is never ending.

Finding the time to perform these important duties is challenging; nevertheless, as Regional Coordinator, I have seen the results of their dedication and hard work.

Mostly importantly, our members have directly benefited from the collective efforts to ensure compliance with our contract, as well as with the many negotiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

As the old adage goes, “the proof is in the pudding,” and our proof is found in the outstanding agreements reached, settlements achieved, and arbitration awards issued.

As Regional Coordinator, my top priority is to provide the necessary tools for our local and state leaders to best represent our members. This includes guidance on how to address tough issues as well as providing updated reports on staffing issues, residual vacancies, PSE compliance and work hours, Article 12 withholding lists, and the most current, accurate information on an array of other issues. These tools allow our leaders to provide our members first-class representation and help bring justice to the workroom floor.

Our leaders in the Northeast Region work hard to achieve solid settlements on important and current contractual matters. We recognize their creativity as they take the extra step in drafting settlements that reflect full compliance with the contract.

Seeing It First-Hand

I see first-hand our settlements involving Maintenance Craft Line H issues and the excellent settlements on supervisors performing craft work in violation of Article 1.6.B of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. I see a great number of new jobs being created under Article 37, which governs the Clerk Craft. I witness settlements on improperly reverted jobs being reposted. And I applaud our collective effort over the last 18 months to convert Part-Time Flexibles (PTFs) to full-time status and Postal Support Employees (PSEs) to career.

Over the last year-and-a-half, the Northeast Region has demanded compliance with the MOU Re Filling Residual Vacancies. After the settlement was signed in March 2014, it quickly became clear that management had little interest in filling residual vacancies or converting anyone.

However, we left no stone unturned. Without our collective struggle, we would never have achieved success and our members would not have been promoted and converted.

Our collective efforts paid off in real terms. In the Northeast Region alone, we have seen more than 3,300 conversions in all three crafts, as well as PTF promotions to full time. And yes, these numbers will increase as we continue our effort to have non-withheld residual vacancies filled in accordance with the MOU.

Without question, the union has sufficiently improved the standard of living for our former PTF and PSE members. Becoming a full-time employee or a career postal employee has an immediate, career-long positive impact on these employees. Additionally, our membership continues to grow, due in large part to our efforts to demand full compliance with our contract.

Together We Make a Difference

For those who sit back and criticize, or merely think that because we have an agreement with management everything will just fall in place, let me assure you nothing could be further from the truth.

Boycotting Staples, fighting privatization, expanding postal banking, stopping AMP consolidations, restoring service standards, fighting to save America’s Postal Service, enacting postal reform, enforcing our contract, building A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service, and achieving a good contract for our members all require one very important element: The active involvement, support, and mobilization of our officers, stewards, and rank-and-file members.

While I take great pride in the accomplishments of the Northeast Region, I know that if you ask my fellow Regional Coordinators, Sharyn Stone, Omar Gonzalez, Mike Gallagher, and Kennith Beasley, their response would be the same. The APWU is a union to be proud of, and our members see that pride day in and day out. 

A Personal Note: A True Show of Union Solidarity

A few months ago I had the honor of attending a fundraiser for my friend and union brother Bob Dempsey. Bob is the Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer of the Boston Metro Local. 

As many of you know, Bob suffered a debilitating stoke earlier this year and is in a rehabilitation facility, where he will be for the foreseeable future.

Officers, stewards, and members of the Boston Local organized the event, leaving no stone unturned to raise some much-needed money to help out a fellow union brother and friend. The hall filled to capacity within a short time, and when Bob entered he was the center of attention and a bit overwhelmed.

As everyone went to greet him, I took a moment to reflect just how good my life is! But what really struck me was that I was part of something bigger and more important: Here we were, sisters and brothers coming together in union solidarity and true friendship to help out one of our very own in his time of real need. Let me tell you, it doesn’t get better than that!

On behalf of the Northeast Region, please join me in wishing Bob the very best as he continues with his rehabilitation. To those who organized the event and those who took part, thank you. It is my honor to represent each of you in our struggle for workplace justice.