To my union brothers and sisters, 


Over the past few months I’ve been telling nearly anyone who’ll listen that the Postal Service
just ain’t what it used to be.  Now, support for what I’ve been saying comes from no less than
the Postmaster General, Jack Potter.  Last month Potter took the extraordinary step to ask Congress
to help the Service survive the effects of a severe depression and the huge drop in mail volume across the nation.

You probably heard that he asked Congress to change the law that requires the Service to pre-fund health
care benefits for retirees.  He also mentioned that it might be necessary to cut delivery temporarily 
from six days to five and that he’s asking the unions to help him created “needed levels of workforce flexibility.”

At this time no one knows specifically what Potter means by flexibility.  But as I’ve said many times before, 
mail handlers need to understand that management must cut costs and it is looking at the easiest targets first.

One easy target is the mail handler who doesn’t come to work on a regular basis.  Another easy target is the 
mail handler who’s always in trouble.  The National Agreement gives management the “exclusive right… to 
suspend, demote and discharge” workers.  And management will go after the workers who cost them money.  
After all, management often has to pay people overtime to cover for a worker who calls out.  And just 
issuing discipline to workers is expensive when you consider the time it takes managers to meet, concur, 
issue the papers and argue with the union.       

During this time of uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to present a united front to management.  
That’s why I’m reminding you that there’s just a few weeks left for our membership drive.  There’s no 
better time to sign up nonmembers because the person who signs up the most could win a trip to Hawaii.       

I hope all of you take a good hard look at the people who are not members.  I’ve worked side-by-side 
with many nonmembers in the past.  I used to just shrug off their conviction that they don’t need to 
be in the union.  Well, I’ve recently learned that if our local signed up all of its nonmembers we 
would have more than $200,000 a year extra in our coffers.  Not only would our bank account be healthier, 
our union would be stronger.  That’s because management is less likely to abuse the contract and workers 
if everyone becomes a member.       

So, to recap, don’t give management any ammunition to use against you.  Be vigilant about our contract.  
And help the union grow ever stronger by signing up new members.       

In unity there is great strength.       


Fraternally,
John Macey 

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