Newly Elected and Ready to Serve
I am honored to stand before you as a newly elected Area Representative / OWCP Representative for Branch 6000 LI Merged. I have been a Letter Carrier at the Brentwood, NY Post Office for the past 28 years and served as their Chief Shop Steward and On the Job Instructor from 2003-2018. I served as an instructor at the LI District Carrier Academy as well as an ADHOC LI District Driver Safety Instructor since 2013. I was chosen to become a COR Technician of the LI District during the CDRAAP process in 2014. I was nominated as Branch 6000 Trustee #5 in 2018 and have had the opportunity to attend, as a Union Delegate, State and National Conventions. I was selected to be the NALC member of the Step B Dispute Resolution Team (DRT) in 2018 and have been in that position until being nominated and sworn in as a Full Time Officer for Branch 6000 on December 28, 2023.
I am also an Army veteran and currently serving in the Army Reserves as a Transportation Management Coordinator (88N) Sergeant First Class for the past 19 years. I was deployed in 2008 as an Infantryman to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). I am proud to serve my country and take pride in wearing the uniform. My time serving in the military brings a wealth of experience and discipline to my responsibilities.
During my time as a Shop Steward, I had led two LOCAL negotiations with successful outcomes. My office went through serious turmoil with management and as a result, it led me to conduct Labor Management meetings with every new management team that came to my office afterwards ensuring a safe and respectful workplace. My experience as a Shop Steward has made me more adept in handling and writing grievances. As a member of the Step B team (DRT) has made me more knowledgeable of the contract as well as our handbooks and manuals.
I have always taken my duties as a Shop Steward very seriously. Understanding and knowledge of the contract has been one of my main priorities. The care that I have toward my fellow Letter Carriers shows in the trust and confidence that they have in my abilities as a Shop Steward. I am a level-headed and open-minded individual that likes to see the overall picture of things. I always take the opportunity to listen as an active listener to both sides of the debate and make a rational decision afterwards. I am a fond believer in the saying, "There are three sides to every story, your side, my side and the truth."
In closing, I will do my best to represent the membership with dedication and uphold the contract. I will also do my best in assisting Letter Carriers injured on and off the job as your OWCP Representative. My experience and accomplishments I hope will provide value to the membership. I will ensure the best interests of the membership are prioritized and contractual obligations are steadfastly upheld. As your representative, I pledge to be a tireless advocate to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and solidarity within our union. Your trust is my greatest asset, and I am committed to doing my absolute best for each one of you. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in this vital role. Stay safe and be well. Remember to take pride in your job and provide the best service you can for our customers. I understand that it is not easy at times but together we can overcome the obstacles in solidarity and unity.
