Standing Together
While I was the OWCP representative for the branch, I usually would write my articles about carrier’s rights, when they get injured on the job. This month’s article I write about letter carriers standing together as union letter carriers.
When visiting an office and speaking to the letter carriers I try to get you the average member, involved more by either asking you to attend a union meeting, getting out the vote for a candidate that the union supports for our issues, going to informational picket rallies if needed, or to call or write your congressional representative when we need to oppose a bill. It is a struggle to get you the average member involved. Some offices don’t even have a shop steward. Get involved and stand together. In the past, the members would stand together and make sure management abided by the National Agreement.
Imagine if the members felt this way in 1970 when they went out on strike? What do you think life would be now as a letter carrier? The members in 1970 knew what standing together meant. They stood together and they didn’t complain, they didn’t object, they were one union! They didn’t depend on the next guy to protect them like the members of today. These are very difficult times for all union members. This country is on a campaign to do away with unions! We must remember that in unity there is strength. We can control our own destiny if we all get involved. Just paying dues and saying that you’re a union member is not good enough! Get involved! If we all stand together we can make a change!
Abide by the contract. Let’s have each other’s back like they did in 1970. If you observe a fellow letter carrier getting his rights violated or not being treated with dignity and respect by management, you must get involved and write a statement to help that carrier if he needs to file a grievance. In the future, on another day, the roles might be reversed. If your office is going to be involved with route inspections in the winter and spring get educated and know your rights before the inspection begins. The union sets up classes to help you learn how to protect your rights during inspection week. Get involved and come to the classes with your fellow carriers in your office. After you finish the route inspections, know what you need to do when you go through consultations with management. You have a voice in there. Don’t just walk in there and refuse to voice your opinion. Some carriers go in there and say “I have nothing to say” or “you’re going to do what you want anyway.” Speak up in there no matter how long it takes to support your route. Finally, when the changes are implemented and your route is not adjusted properly you explain to management that it wasn’t adjusted properly. You give them a chance to fix it. If they do nothing, you speak to your shop steward or full time officer to find out what your options are. An office must stand together during route inspections. If your route is not adjusted properly it could affect the whole office.
In closing, you must start now standing together like they did years ago. Don’t be selfish and just think of yourself. We are all in this together. Get along with each other and protect your rights. Everyone stands together when you have a party, or when a fellow carrier is very sick, so why not when your rights are violated. Get involved and stand together.
Be safe and keep smiling!
