The Local Line

“A PPA Award Winning Publication”

The Official Voice Of The Northwest Illinois Area Local

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

194 W. Lake Street Elmhurst IL 60126

Phone: 630-833-0088 Fax: 630-833-0248

Jackie Engelhart – President Alan Czerwinski - News Director

Floor Edition

October 30, 2006

Local Update by Jackie Engelhart

In Remembrance of Gerry Giddens

Former 601 Clerk Craft Director Gerry Giddens passed away on October 22, 2006 after a long and valiant battler with breast cancer. Cards and condolences can be sent to the Giddens Family at 809 Sudbury Drive in Joliet, IL.60435. I had the unique pleasure of working with Gerry as I was elected 600 CCD and she was elected 601 CCD in May of 2002. After a few months in office she was hospitalized, and over the next two years she was off for long periods of time due to her battle with her health conditions. Gerry could walk into a room and make us smile, with her infectious laugh and wonderful sense off humor. Anytime I spent with Gerry during that hectic time in our Local’s history were uplifting as she always made you laugh and she always tried to do the right thing. There was never any question as to whose side Gerry was on, as she always on your side trying to do the right thing. Gerry tried to come back to work after each bout with her illness, but we all knew it was a matter of time before her health would force her to retire. She fought one heroic battle after another to regain her health, but her body would not support what her mind pushed her to do. Hopefully, her decision to retire extended her life and allowed her to spend time with the daughters and grandchildren who she loved dearly. All of us who knew Gerry Giddens, even for a short time, will miss her presence in our lives. She cared about the members and she served to the best of her ability until the end.

Paying Our Respects.

A Memorial Service was held for Gerry on October 25, 2006 in Joliet. Among those in attenance were the following officers, stewards and former stewards, Calvin Taylor, Al Modi , Ray Wience, Mimi Jackson, Ann Schwarzwalder, Dicy Brown, Walter Elerby, Melanie Bellmon, .Danny Recinto, Ramon Deperalta, William Murphy, Laveda Abernathy, and George Cochran.

Resolution at Memorial

Nancy Horan presented her Resolution on behalf of the Local:

"We the Northwest Illinois Area Local have suffered a loss in the home going of Sister Geraldine Giddens who was ever faithful and a dependable member of our organization. She was always alert to help her fellowmen, and her influence will long live to be felt by those who were encouraged, helped and cheered by her advice, friendship and counsel. Whereas, we the members of the NWIAL desire to express our love and respect to our departed retired member, we make these resolutions, a copy to be kept in our records and a copy to be given to the family with our deepest sympathy. Whereas, There is no adequate way in which we may express our deep appreciation to our late member her unfailing loyalty and her countless contributions to our local union and her love of her family.”

Jack is Back!

On Friday, October 27, 2006, 600 Clerk Craft Director Jack Pyssler returned to work, exactly ten days after being escorted out of the Palatine P&DC per Angela Sanders and Rose Kane. A meeting was held on October 27 with Plant Manager Greg Johnson and Palatine Labor Specialist Joe Kalisz. (We welcome the return of Mr. Kalisz , as he has earned our respect, and his presence is certainly needed at Palatine P&DC.) Present for the Union were myself, Dave Baskin and Jack. Jack related his account of what happened prior to his being walked out for 'Speaking to Managers of Distribution Operations in a Threatening Manner. Plant Manager Johnson agreed that Jack should return to work after the meeting and that he be made whole. No blame was assessed at this meeting, and management wanted to know how we go about getting past this and repairing the relationship. There was general agreement that Jack should not have to interact with MDO's Sanders and Kane as a cooling off period was in order. For our part we stated that we are not "at war" with management, but the actions of these two managers will not be forgotten and must be addressed. We understand that we do not have authority to pick manager's but we did point out that Angela ''Sanders is on a detail from Carol Stream and with all the problem's she creates, we would like to see her leave Palatine. I believe that sentiment shared by many Supervisors and employees alike. This includes all crafts and tour Plant Manager Johnson made no commitment in that regard, and we did not really expect him to.

Abusive MDO Must Go!

That is the Union's position. We would like to see it happen sooner rather than later, but we know that a leopard does not change it's spots, and it is only a matter of time before another "incident" occurs. Even before Jack was back to work, an incident involving MDO Sanders was officially reported to management. A tour 1 clerk reported that she came at him screaming and pointing her finger in his face(allegedly touching his nose) because she thought he opened the cover on his machine. He states the machine would not close properly and he was trying to fix it. Was this cause for yelling and waving her finger in his face to the point of physical contact with his nose? Again, the leopard does not change it's stripes. We understand that Mr. Johnson needs to get his mail out, but at what cost. At what point does the risk outweigh the benefit of having an unprofessional MDO running one of your tours? For our part we will take seriously and investigate any and all complaints regarding improper management conduct, and we will be looking very closely at MDO's Sanders and Kane in particular. After our meeting with Mr. Johnson, Jack and I walked the workroom floor for about an hour. We did not see MDO's Sanders and Kane, but we did speak to several employees and some supervisors. What we heard was not good as employees and supervisors, alike are concerned about the fear of vindictive and retaliatory actions on tour 3. There is an unease that I attribute to the "leadership" in place on tour 3. I have brought our concerns to District Manager Lynn Smith in a letter and we will be meeting soon.

Consolidation Picket & Rally.

The national day of picketing to call attention to the USPS consolidation plans was held on October 26. It was a cold and rainy day, and we already knew this event was not generating much interest, but a few hardy souls did participate. A bus was chartered to transport the participants to Federal Plaza in Chicago to combine forces with the Chicago Local. I was unable to attend as I was off most of the week with out of town relatives. Vice President Baskin led our group, which included 601 CCD Calvin Taylor, Secretary Linda Retel, Treasurer Al Modi, Chief Trustee Ray Wience, Associate Office Director Kathy Stokes, Organizing Director Laura LeGal, Chief Steward Walter Elerby and stewards Ramon Deperalta and Delores Riley & Denis Dewolf. Also joining in the downtown picket were Regional Coordinator Sharyn Stone, National Business Agents John Clark, Lynn Pallas Barber, and Merlie Bell, as well as State President Linda Turney and State Clerk Craft Director Clare Brook. Also present were Chicago Local President Sam Anderson, Secretary-Treasurer Danita Colvin., South Suburban President James Malone and Fox Valley President Wayne Lach. All of these union leaders deserve our thanks and gratitude for making the effort to represent APWU concerns regarding USPS consolidation plans that could impact us in the future.

Election Day is November 7th!

Many of our members did not vote in the last election, and we urge everyone to exercise, your right to vote in this important election. In this off-year election, control of Congress is at stake. Take a few minutes to vote on November 7th and let your voice be heard.