Come Together Against the Season of Anti-Labor

There were many reasons that the latest round of elections went the way they did. Understandable reasons,

concerning reasons but ones that I can certainly see from both sides. However, regardless of the hopes and

hype I cannot shake the feeling that labor in this country is headed towards dark times. Although recent

progress by a few originations in spots, companies have mounted a counterattack against the union progress,

at Starbucks, Amazon and other companies, and in response, federal officials are working overtime to crack

down on those corporations’ illegal anti-union tactics – maneuvers that labor leaders fear could significantly

drain the momentum behind today’s surge of unionization.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency that polices labor-management relations, has

accused big companies like Starbucks and Amazon of a slew of illegal anti-union practices, among them firing

many workers in retaliation for backing a union. Nonetheless, many Unions question whether the NLRB’s

efforts can ensure that workers in future industry have a fair shot at unionizing. In the United States growing

debt and shrinking economy it’s important to take a more sophisticated approach to politics as well as our jobs.

I constantly get the feeling that most of the new programs that the Postal Service is running mirrors the tactics

of the aforementioned big corporate companies. Union busting tactics are used by employers to discourage

employees from forming a union. These tactics can include: Captive audience meetings: Management holds

meetings where they present anti-union talking points and discourage employees from speaking out One-on-

one meetings: Supervisors meet with employees to convince them that a union would be bad for the company.

Shadowing: Supervisors constantly oversee employees they know are likely to be swayed against the Union.

Some of what I have read reminds me of the USPS new “Huddle” meetings.

Delaying the election: Employers use legal maneuvers to delay the election process; the USPS was all too

glad to drag out the National Agreement negotiations.

Threats: Employers threaten to lay off employees, close the business, or move operations out of the area

Anti-union materials: Employers distribute anti-union training materials to employees and managers. This

Union has seen the fear and intimidation, about every flavor it comes in.

Unfounded accusations: Employers make unfounded charges about the Union; that we are the reason the

USPS is in such financial woes, or that our members are lazy and steal time. These are just a couple of Union

busting tactics that have been around for decades. Most important and most dangerous these days divide and

conquer.

For the last two or three years there has been more and more a descension amongst our own ranks that

seems to be getting bigger and louder, and I find it concerning. Is it getting more constructive or clearer in

purpose? It is very important to encourage new voices with new ideas in any organization and in many ways, I

am very proud and impressed that so many of the newer and younger members are harnessing the power of

technology and social media to strengthen and accelerate communication with all of our members. The

ingenuity of the younger Carriers and Union Advocates is a great strength, from web sites and phone apps to

podcasting and zoom meeting and classes our organization does not wait around or ask permission to evolve

and grow and develop new resources to help our members.

However, the wisdom and perspective of the senior Carrier is important to heed. Many of our Carriers have

had the years to properly form an educated opinion on what his developing around us as well as the

experience to know when it’s time to call the Union and when it’s the same tired old message of hurry up and

wait.

I beg all of you not to lose site that we are all in this together. That if we are going to weather the storm we will

only do so together. One of the biggest strengths of the NALC is our diversity. How many different combined

points of view we have together gives us a bigger and better understanding to best overcome the challenges

that face us ahead. But only as a cohesive unit will we prevail. We cannot lose our unity. We have an

obligation and a responsibility to each other that we cannot neglect. We need to come together as a wok force

and a Union on the workroom floor as well as the voting booth to protect our jobs and our wellbeing.