Bid Posting March 29- April 8, 2024Branch News April 14, 2024
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKIN’ AT? The better question is “are you looking at what you should be ?”. As President Gibson has famously said, “The Union board is the best place to keep secrets” because so few people take the time to stop and read. The best way to stay informed on Mail Handler news (and occasionally my personal rants) is to read the postings that get updated in this very space every month and sometimes more frequently. The past two weeks alone, several people asked questions to which the answers were posted in this space recently. Also, several people missed the postings about bids, shirts, and the future of jobs. I get that not everyone is on Facebook and that not everyone can go to Union meetings. I also understand that I can be unapproachable and bristly to speak to (typed with my tongue in my cheek). Maybe not all of you have access to the Local 308 website where this stuff is posted either, BUT every single one of you walks past the bulletin boards at least once a day (when you are here). Clerks and supervisors read these posts, so why aren’t the actual target audiences of the posts reading them? Stay up to date, stay tuned in. Next job bids (18 of them) should be posted April 26th. Union Meeting is June 18th at 10AM at the Palace Restaurant. Picnic is September 7th. Shirts were ordered for those who placed orders. They should be here this week. James DeVore’s wife, Melanie, emailed me asking that I thank everyone who has supported James and the entire family throughout the past few months. She was grateful to those who texted, visited, and wrote to James, to those who made donations, and to those who attended his services. Your tremendous support of James has also been strengthening for the family. Thank you from them and from me. Ryan Barna has accepted the position of Chief Shop Steward for Tour 3 and he will be buttressed with the support of Thema Dwyer-Barnett and Carlton Baker as his regular stewards and Peter Valcourt as an alternate steward. Ask to see one of these very capable stewards with statements when management or clerks are performing our work or when you feel that your rights as guaranteed by the CBA are violated. We are stronger together! With higher-ups trying to eliminate positions here, we need to make ourselves more than just numbers, show up, and do our jobs (our own jobs). We also need to be vigilant against violations of our National Agreement and our Local Memorandum of Understanding. Junior people shouldn’t be driving before senior people. People who are not asked to drive officially should not be taking it upon themselves to drive. Clerks and bosses should not be doing our work ever. Group leaders should not be driving powered equipment. Everyone should be getting breaks (or lunches) in a timely manner. Supervisors shouldn’t talk to members disrespectfully. PIT equipment policies should be followed for our safety and accountability. We are stronger when we stand together! A big issue this year seems to be local taxes withholding. If you are not having your local taxes withheld, please see a Union rep and we can give you the form to fill out and we can fax it in for you. If taxes aren’t being taken out, you will owe money next year or they will catch up with you down the road sometime. Finally, treat your fellow employees the way that you expect to be treated. Treating your fellow humans is just common decency and the golden rule is to do unto others as you would want done unto you. Let’s stop the high school nonsense, be a Union, and try to create a harmonious, non-toxic (except for the dust and grime) work environment. I’m not asking you to have coworkers over for cookouts or Thanksgiving dinner, just be civil. Be kind. We are stronger together! Stay United, Stay Strong. Sean Lehigh Valley-Scranton 2022 Picnic |
Branch President Sean Craig Your Union RepresentativesLocal Memorandum of UnderstandingUpdated 2023
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