Published Bi-monthly by Branch No. 30 N.A.L.C., Kansas City, Missouri

Heart of AmericaBRANCH 30 LETTER CARRIERS

Volume 60, No. 6 November/December, 2007

DATES TO REMEMBER

Health Benefits Open Season Nov. 12-Dec. 10

Thanksgiving November 22nd

Christmas Party at the Union Hall December 8th

Christmas December 25th

PRESIDENT’S ARTICLEBy Dave Gwin

I am an advocate of Diplo-macy and Intervention-It’sworked at several stationsthat found Carriers “underattack” by abusive manage-ment. The problem is thesemethods are slow and te-dious and when Carrierswant a union representative

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to come into their stations to pound on someone’sdesk or send the manager to his office, it’s just notgoing to happen. Going by the book and followingcorrect procedures sometimes see Carriers losetheir tempers and in some cases put off the clock.As much as I write about it I assure you someone,somewhere in this Branch will be going off onmanagement and will be sitting at home without apaycheck in any given month. I can’t for the life ofme figure out why anyone in this Branch wouldn’tthink I’d just love to march in any stations and flexmy labor muscles and tell bozo what I really thinkabout his management style. The fact is past Presi-dents have done just that and do you want to guesswhat the results where? On one occasion thePresident was escorted out of the facility andbanned from stations until grievances were filed, (tolet him back into the stations), and MONTHS latersettled. We have 32 stations in Branch #30 and over800 City Carriers that this office is responsible for. Isit worth it to go in any one station and make ascene? The Dispute Resolution Process is theagreed upon method to address any issue. You getmore respect using this process then you do anyother means. For the record, I come from a Laborfamily that settled grievances with baseball bats andbroken bottles. I personally think that method shouldbe utilized on TODAY’S USPS but I also understandwhy it’s not.

I’m happy for those of you who voted to ratify thecontract as most of you saw dollars and cents andvoted “YES”. About one in ten of you read the “fineprint” in the back of the proposed contract and said“NO”. The contract has always been a very complexdocument to read and that’s why the majority of usare impatiently waiting for the Joint Contract Admin-istration Manual (JCAM) before we make permanentjudgements. This manual is the USPS and theNALC joint interpretation of the contract that Stew-ards and Branch Officers use on a daily basis.When you read an article in the proposed contract

and don’t understand what it means the JCAM willguide you through with a thorough explanation. Inthe mean while there are several areas of concernthat I learned from the Committee of Presidents(COP) annual meeting.

#1- One of the memorandums in the back of thecontract is going to allow management to hire over15,000 Transitional Employees, approximately 7500during the life of the contract (Article 7) and anadditional 8000 to address the Flat SequencingSystem ( pg. 116). Union activists know this to be amajor issue that impacts everything from staffingissues to the percentages of Carriers off for annualvacation. The COP meeting prompted too manyquestions for our National President to answer sothis topic was tabled until the November training.That will be a very interesting workshop.

#2- Another memorandum in the back of thecontract that raises several questions for City Carri-ers is found on pages 116 and 117. RE: FSS Imple-mentation. Paragraph 1. “Once FSS is fully imple-mented in a delivery unit, management will deter-mine the methods to estimate impact in a deliveryunit and make route adjustments accordingly.”

The next paragraph does include the NALC recog-nized M-39 and M-41 provisions that can be ad-dressed sixty days AFTER implementingMANAGEMENT’S changes. Am I the only one thatthinks that some of management is going to abusethe HELL out of this provision? I hate to soundpessimistic but after so many years of seeing overlyabusive management I can’t help but think thismemorandum will be interpreted any way the USPSwants to.

Let me remind you, once again, that the JCAM isexpected to clarify interpretations from the USPSand our overly concerned imaginations. Regardlessof the outcome the NALC is in for some challengingtimes in the next few years. A good friend of mine didnot like my comment about “rolling with the flow” atyour stations and let the Stewards fight the contrac-tual violations and do the representation for disci-pline. My mind set when I return to carrying mail fulltime will be just that. Come to work, do my job, gohome. I know my supervisor is going to ask me to dothings I can not possible do, I expect them to comeand visit me on my route and when I return from myroute they are going to tell me I did a lousy job. Gee,I’m sorry Mr./Mrs. Jackass, I did the best I could....

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Vice President’sArticleBy Dave Teegarden

Within the next few monthsand years Letter Carriers willface changes beyond whichmany of us would have everhave believed. Thesechanges will not only affecthow we do our jobs but it

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Let us look at Withholding first. If management complieswith Article 12.5.B.2, they may correctly withhold positionsif normal attrition will not accomplish the same. That is tosay, that management may, “withhold,” or not place forbid, assignments that become vacant for the purpose ofavoiding dislocation of employees in a particular area.Contractually once management determines that withhold-ing is necessary, PTF employees are not converted to fulltime status.

Excessing happens when there are no full-time vacancieswithin the area. There are several requirements placedupon management to properly excess an employee.These are all contained in Article 12.

The problem we have is that no one can predict with anyaccuracy just what the impact will be on the Letter Carriercraft. We know there will be some impact but to whatextent is unknown. In the meantime, what we face isuncertain to say the least. This is just the reason that weneed to preserve as much Letter Carrier work as possibleso that we have a cushion so to speak.

When will the Flat Sorting machines be on line? How will itaffect my job as a Letter Carrier? Where will I be carryingmail? All of these questions deserve answers but none ofus has a crystal ball. Wait a minute what happened to thatmagic 8-Ball we used last month?

What we can do now is to stand together and face thesechallenges head-on. The old saying that there is strengthin numbers has never been more accurate than now. Ifroutes are not posted, or withheld, contact the hall todetermine the correct course of action.

PRESIDENT’S ARTICLE(continued from previous page)see you tomorrow. It gets old when they do the same thingevery single day. And what happens on the day that Ishow up in a bad mood? I’ll remember all the brothers andsisters out there that were put off the clock and wentmonths and months without a paycheck wondering if theywere going to EVER get their jobs back...some did...somedid not. I like my job and no jackass is going to piss me offenough to say anything I’m going to regret. You may notagree with “rolling with the flow” but it beats saying ordoing things that will cost you a job.

I’d like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Givethanks to everything we are all so grateful for. I may hatethe USPS with a passion but I am very grateful for the jobI have and how it provides for my family. In Unionism.

may very well affect where we do our job.

The Postal Service, like most all businesses, began itsjourney into technological and mechanization advancesyears ago. CFS let us transfer mail to customers who hadmoved and DPS, like it or not, put letters into deliverysequence. These changes were supposed to bring aboutefficiency and cost savings. The results, or lack there of,have been debated for years.

Along the same lines, the Postal Service has begun toimplement Flat Sorting machines. These machines arereported to be able to sequence 85% of our flat mail atstart up. Flats generally have a better or more readablelabel than do letters. These Flat Sorting machines are dueto be implemented sometime in early 2009 in Kansas City.This brings about a litany list of questions about how thiswill work.

Article 4 requires management to notify the NationalUnion as far in advance as practicable regarding techno-logical and mechanization changes. Article 4.1 and 4.2 areadministered and enforced by the parties at the Nationallevel. What, if any, agreements have been made in thisarea regarding Flat Sorting have yet to be seen.

Article 6 is of course the “No Lay-Off” clause. More aboutthis later.

The real kicker is Article 12 Section 5 Withholding andSection 6 Excessing. The Postal Service estimates thatthere will be a reduction of approximately 1/3 of Carrierroutes. This is only an estimate. The reality is that stationsthat have few routes will be affected. If a station is re-duced by only one route, where does the displacedCarrier go? Remember Article 6, the no lay-off clause?How will this be accomplished in areas that have lownumbers of City Letter Carriers? These questions, hope-fully, will be addressed in the Memos incorporated into thenew National Agreement.

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RecordingSecretary’sReportBy Melvin R. Moore

Regular Monthly MeetingJuly 12, 2007Meeting called to orderat: 7:00 pmPrayer: Joe HillSalute to flag: Ed LopezRoll call of officers: David A. Gwin , DaveTeegarden, Melvin R. Moore, Linda Baker, ByronTownsend, Joe Hill, Dave Metcalf, Jeff Rainey, JimLonergan and Ed Lopez

Reading of minutes and communications:Executive Board Meeting July 5, 2007

1. President Gwin will be reviewing the cost of abanner and flyers for the Labor Day Parade. Anymember interested in participating in the parade cancontact the union hall.2. Family members of local management are bid-ding contract routes. The union is investigating if thisis a conflict of interest.3. Stewards Training, July 19, 2007 at the unionhall. Dan and Nicole from the NBA’s office will bediscussing National Reassessment Process. Allstewards and limited duty employees are encour-aged to attend.4. The Board discussed the poor attendance at theBranch cook-out. Despite the wonderful efforts ofBro. Winkelbauer, not very many members sup-ported this event. In the future the Board will commitmore energy and effort to contacting stewards andthe general membership to join us at our annualcook-out.5. During the past few weeks Melvin was assignedto the Step B Team to adjudicate grievances. Thepostal service was supposed to pay his salary whileperforming this task. Due to his full-time position asa NALC Officer he was taken out of active status forthe postal service. The Branch continued to payMelvin’s salary until this matter was corrected. TheTreasurer and the Financial Secretary will monitorthe repayment plan of Melvin’s salary. A total of 224hours was advanced before matters were corrected.

Recommendation(s)• Due to the excessive amounts of Article 8

violations, the Board is recommending that theBranch activate VP Dave Teegarden as a full-timeofficer. He will be available to meet with manage-ment and address violations as they are committed.

Mr. Teegarden has been very successful withresolving overtime grievances and the Board be-lieves that his presence as a full-time officer will bebeneficial to the Branch.

Membership concern: Several members believedthat the Branch was assuming cost that the PostalService should be incurring. The work Mr.Teegarden is asked to perform is defined underArticle 15 of the National Agreement as Formal Aduties. The Postal Service is responsible for com-pensation of the NALC Formal A Representatives.

After much debate, a vote was taken; 39 memberssupported the motion and 35 members did notsupport the motion. Mr. Teegarden was asked toreport to the union hall as soon as President Gwininformed management.

• The Board recommends that the Branchapprove spending not more than $250.00 for foodfor Stewards Training. MSC to approve

Deceased Members: William B. Keefhaver, CarrierJames Crews StationNew Members: noneBills: MSC to accept as writtenTreasurer’s report: MSC to accept as writtenFinancial Secretary’s report: MSC to accept aswrittenEntertainment: Bro. Winkelbauer thanked themembership for their support of the Branch Cook-out. Also the entertainment committee is preparingfor the annual holiday celebration in December.Watch the Viewpoint for more information.Legislative: Kevin Horan informed the memberspresent that he will be conducting a letter writingcampaign at the Stewards Training, July 19, 2007.Unfinished Business: noneNew BusinessMSC to give a gift of $25.00 to son of BrotherVaughn to assist with expenses to attend AAUJunior Olympics.

Good of the AssociationProposed Contract for City Carriers:

A. 8.85% pay increase over life of contract (5years)

B. One time COLA lump sum for $686.00C. Six month moratorium on contract delivery

routes so the parties can meet and discuss bestplan of action for both NALC and USPS.

D. 5% increase in insurance premium over life ofcontract.

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Recording Secretary’s Report(continued from the previous page)

The informational picket to protest contract deliveryroutes has been postponed until further notice.

Stewards Training, July 19, 2007 at 6:30 pm. Stew-ards are encouraged to attend.Brookfield Uniform $10.00 Gift Certificate: FrankFerroSteward of the Month: Andrew RangelAttendance Incentive Drawing (must be present towin): Carla RobertsAdjourned: 8:15 pm

Regular Monthly Meeting September 13, 2007Meeting called to order at: 7:00 pmPrayer: Curtis WalkerSalute to flag: Melvin R. MooreRoll call of officers: David A. Gwin , DaveTeegarden, Melvin R. Moore, Byron Townsend, JoeHill, Dave Metcalf, Jeff Rainey, Jim Lonergan andEd Lopez

Reading of minutes and communications:Executive Board Meeting September 6, 2007• The Board discussed preparing for LMOU

Training and negotiations for all installations underour jurisdiction. If the national agreement is ap-proved local negotiations will begin October 1, 2007.The Steward and a Branch officer will review andnegotiate LMOU for associate offices. The Presi-dent, Vice President and Recording Secretary willrepresent installation 641. All associated officeStewards are asked to attend LMOU Training Thurs-day, September 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the hall.

• The Board prepared the budget for the secondsix months of 2007.

• National has created new enrollment form forTE’s to join the union should the contract meetapproval of the membership.

• The Board agreed to appoint Venessa Freedlefrom Hickman Mills, as the Branch FMLA Advisor.

• The Board discussed some concerns andrumors that were circulating about an informationalpicket to address abusive management tacticsaround the city. More investigation is being con-ducted.

• The Annual Retiree Dinner is scheduled forSunday, October 28, 2007 at the union hall. Moreinformation coming in the mail.

• All Article 8 grievances will be addressed byVP Teegarden.

Recommendation(s)1. The Board recommends that the Branch

provide a meal for Stewards attending LMOU Train-ing. Cost not to exceed $100.00. MSC to approve

2. The Board recommends that the Branch sendLegislative Representative Ernest Graham to theNorthwestern District Meeting, September, 15, 2007and pay for meal. Not to exceed $25.00. MSC toapprove

3. The Board recommends that the Branchapproves the budget for the second six months.MSC to approve

Deceased Members: Virgil Potts-retireeNew Members: Johnny KiddBills: MSC to accept as writtenTreasurer’s Report: MSC to accept as writtenFinancial Secretary’s Report: MSC to accept aswritten

Labor/Management Meeting• President Gwin, VP Teegarden, NBA Weir and

RAA Pittman met with the District Manager and hisstaff to discuss OT violations. The parties agreedthat ODL Carriers will be required to work 12 hoursbefore mandating non-ODL employees to work.

• The parties discussed the safety record in thedistrict. Postal employees are to be more con-science of their surroundings to avoid accidents.

Entertainment: Branch Holiday Party, December 8,2007 at the Union Hall. Catered by: HyVee. Moreinformation coming soon.Legislative: President Young is asking that allCarriers volunteer 10 hours to the 2008 PresidentialElection.HBR/Director of Retirees: CIGNA will be theNetwork Provider for NALC Health Insurance effec-tive January 2008.Unfinished Business: noneNew Business:

• Nominations for the office of President, VicePresident, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, FinancialSecretary, Sergeant at Arms, Health Benefit Rep./Dir. of Retirees and three Trustees for 2008-2010are open.

• Also the position of Postal Scribe and EEORepresentative are open for nominations.

• Nominations for delegates to attend the 2008state and national conventions are open.

• Request to send election notice to member-ship/postage and envelopes for 1200 members.MSC to approve expenses.

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Recording Secretary’s Report(continued from the previous page)

All nominations will close at the beginning ofnew business at the October 11, 2007 meeting.

Safety:• Randy Williams-Letter Carriers accidents have

decreased over the past year.• Management will be coming out in teams to

conduct street observations. Request form 4585 atthe end of the day for your file.

Good of the Association:• VP Teegarden reported that Article 8 griev-

ances have been extended for an additional week.• Jeff Rainey reported that the Branch had

collected $5,222.00 for MDA. Thanks to all.• LMOU Training, September 27, 2007 at 6:30

pm. All Stewards from the associate offices areasked to attend.

• Gia Mallory requested that Branch #30 spon-sor a program to provide care packets for LetterCarriers on FT military leave. MSC to approve$250.00.

• President Gwin reported that managementintends to flood the city with TEs as soon as thecontract is approved.

• A one time COLA payment will be issued inOctober. The guideline for amount due each Carrieris posted on the NALC website www.NALC.org andon the information table at the back of the room.

Brookfield Uniform $10.00 Gift Certificate:Steward of the Month: August-Roger Smith, Sep-tember-Donny Criswell50/50 for COLCPE: Tom CollinsAttendance Incentive Drawing (must be present towin): $400.00-not present, James PiccinniAdjourned: 8:15 pm.

LEGISLATIVE REPORTBy Kevin Horan

When do we draw the line at when it comes downbetween reason and stubbornness? I feel when itcame down to the health and welfare of our children.Our future lies with our children but in this currentWhite House Administration, Mr. Bush would ratherput excessive war spending over health care formillions of poor children. Mr. Bush’s veto of thebipartisan legislation for backing $35 billion expan-sion of the program State Children’s Health Insur-ance Program will prove costly in next year’s elec-tion. Millions of American’s children across thecountry are at risk of losing health insurance. Thismay be Mr. Bush’s most heartless act yet. In know-ing he could provide health care for the poor chil-dren and then striking it away from them with astroke of his veto pen. We have in America the bestdoctors, nurses and hospitals in the worked, but it isappalling to me that we still cannot work together ingetting these services to all Americans, especiallywhen it involves our children. We may not be able tochange Mr. Bush’s mind but we all collectively candecide on a President we want to have in office innext year’s election. First it was the handling ofHurricane Katrina victims and now this act. Tell Mr.Bush we want him to do what is right with thenation’s poor and stop continuing his stubbornnessof ignoring their everyday basic needs.

Letter Carriers have plenty of important legislationgoing on at Capitol Hill. H.R. 281 is The UniversalRight to Vote by Mail Act. A nation wide Bill to guar-antee registered voters to vote by absentee ballot inall federal elections in giving voters greater chancesto vote. This will increase greater turnout by notworrying about long lines, poor weather, or findingwhere their local voting polls. More voters arelooking for better choices to vote and knowing thattheir votes will count without any computer malfunc-tions. This Bill is a true paper ballot and I feel thevoters will begin embracing this idea in greaternumbers in knowing that they can trust their every-day Letter Carrier.

Also a similar Bill in the Senate S.979, The Vote byMi Act would provide federal grants to states andmunicipalities to help them establish a vote by mailinitiatives. Contact your Representatives and Sena-tors to support Vote by Mail.

Another issue that continues to be a negative voice

against Letter Carriers is the Do Not Mail issue. Sofar only a limited amount of individual states (15states last counted), have either considered legisla-tion on Do Not Mail and we must continue to watchout and take action when called. This issue is aserious threat to the Postal Service in possiblylosing billions of dollars in customer’s ability to limitthe amount of bulk mail being delivered.

Remember to always deliver like a CHAMPION.

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I guess you are wondering what all the Bill’s are about.“Bill in the morning, Bill in the evening, Bill at Supper time.If you’ll be my “Billy”, I’ll be happy all the time”. Whileyou are just dying to find out what is “Billing” Me, I’mgoing to let you chill. Instead I’m going to talk about BranchBusiness first as we have reached a point when History willrecord there will be another Election for Officers to runBranch 30 for another Three (3) Years. We won’t knowwho will get the nod at this time, but regardless, I will beAssociate Editor as well as Postal Correspondent. I havealready been appointed for another three year term. It hasbeen more than 43 years since I had this honor. My Hat isoff to Ed Gorman, who did a commendable Job, and I willtry to do as well. If my memory serves me correctly, I amthe only African American who has ever held this Office.During my tenure, and 60 years in Branch 30, I have beenVice President, Acting President, Trustee, Viewpoint Edi-tor, Associate Editor and West Central District Represen-tative.

In 1964 I ran unopposed for the position of PostalCorrespondent. I held this position for a 3 year term. I haveNOW earned a SIXTY YEAR PEN.

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NEWS FROM THE STATIONSChristmas Gifts

Submitted by Randy Williams

As a public service to Branch 30 members, I havecompiled a list of gifts for the upcoming holidayseason. These unique gifts will sell out fast so shopearly. The hottest gifts for your shopping pleasure.Be the first on your block to have these must havepostal related gifts.

First on our list, a full size replica of Americanhistory, the USPS collection box. Great to havearound the house. Formerly a neighborhood staple,now an almost extinct item, this collection box is agreat item to have around the house. Open the slotand put in trash like the VOE surveys and thealmost weekly USPS credit card applications.

Next is the PMG Potter doll. No one really knowswhat this doll does. Pull the drawstring to hear“contract it out” and “Mr. Miller says so”. Maybe bestto wait till several days before Christmas to buy thisitem. Will surely be in the discount bin.

Another doll this year is Bundles, the mail deliverdoll. Comes with 8 arms, 2 satchels, 3 very slowscanners and an “R” rating due to the language thisdoll uses. Still trying to find a place for FSS flats.

No Christmas list is complete without an old schoolitem. Remember the train set? The USPS GlacierExpress will be a great gift under the Christmas tree,(assembly required). Takes one week for the train tomake one trip around the track. Has spur lines to parkrail cars full of bulk mail during route inspections.Stops several times to pick up DPS errors. HearConductor Chuck sing, “I’ll be home for Christmas”.

How about a Supervisor bobble head. Just visualize,No further explanation needed. Place on your TVwhile watching movies, “Dumb and Dumber”,“Beavis and Butthead’ and “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Teach your kids basic math with the DOIS calculator.These are the same calculators used by USPS beancounters. Always drops the last number. Great forbudgets. Having more bills than money at the end ofthe month? Bills total, say $2,000 a month. Putthose numbers into the DOIS calculator and 2,000

becomes 200. Just like your mail count. 12 feetbecomes 1.2 feet. Reverse button on the back willadd one number. Came in handy when adding upUSPS losses during NALC contract year when thereis no money for raises. Also used for managementbonus calculations.

Must save the best for last. This item will thrillchildren for hours. Will sell out. The Work in theDark Elmo doll. Comes complete with flashlight,glow in the dark scanner and one bad attitude forworking all of those late hours. Push Elmo’s mailbagto hear classic lines like “Where is your mailbox?”,“Hey buddy this is early compared to last night.”,“What did I miss on the 10 o’clock news?”, “There isno guaranteed delivery time.”, “My supervisor toldme to be safe in the dark”, Hey Kid, isn’t it past yourbedtime?” and “Excuse me sir, is that outgoing mailor are you glad to see me?”.

Hope everyone has a wonderful toy filled Christmas.

DISCLAIMER- Many of above toys are dolls. I donot have a doll fetish. Selection was limited this yeardue to toys from China having lead paint.

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11315 Chandler RoadLiberty, MO 64068

NEWS FROM THE STATIONS(continued from the previous page)

If it walks like a Duck...Submitted by Troy Smith

Just a short time ago, I remember how excited a fewpeople were that we had a new District Manager andPostmaster. The message they were spreading wasone of dignity and respect. They were going to treatus like adults, and we were going to have a betterwork environment. Oh how fast things change.When will we learn not to believe everything wehear? People always say it can’t get worse and yet italways does. We need to be more proactive as aunion to do what we can to stop the mistreatment ofmembers. If management wants to employ, encour-age, and promote assault style supervisions andmanagers, we need to know what to do.

Losing your cool is never a good idea. Alwaysremain calm when you feel like you are being ha-rassed. Never let them see you sweat. If you feelthreatened, harassed or intimidated, document itand ask for time to see your steward. If you don’thave a steward or would rather contact the Presi-dent, do that. The phone number is on the back ofthis magazine. You know your assignment betterthan management does. Don’t feel intimidatedbecause you need overtime to complete your as-signment.

We are not supervisors, so don’t make any decisionon your own. If you fill out a form 3996 and call forfurther instructions, you are protecting yourself fromdiscipline. Always notate on the form 3996 that youcalled, who you talked to and what time. That wayyou have evidence that can be relied on in the futureif management tries to discipline you for unautho-rized overtime.

The EEO procedure is also a very helpful resource.Having a mediator listen to both sides may helpsettle the issue at hand. Management has signed ajoint statement on violence in the workplace. Theyhave agreed that making the numbers is not anexcuse for the abuse of anyone. Those who do nottreat others with dignity and respect will not beregarded or promoted.

In saying that, we need to use all of the avenues wehave at our disposal. A grievance needs to be filed ifmanagement violates any handbook or manual. Ifthey are going to hold us accountable for every

MOOSE’S MINUTEBy David “MOOSE” Metcalf

Bob Shaw Memorial Golf TournamentI want to thank everybody that came out and partici-pated and/or helped and volunteered their time toCOLCPE. I want to thank the NBA’s office for theirparticipation. Dan Pittman and Nicole Rhine, it’salways a success with their presence at Branch 30’sBob Shaw Memorial COLCPE Golf Tournament.Thank you. I also want to thank the Missouri StateChairs for their participation, (Kevin Boyer, and PatFlora), they also helped make this tournament agreat success. Thank you. I can not forget to men-tion Melvin Moore for his help with the PuttingTournament and taking pictures throughout the day.Without his help this tournament wouldn’t have beenas successful as it was. Thanks again everyone!

The winning team for the A Division this year wasthe team of David Teegarden, Jeff Rainey, TroySmith and Travis Gilpin with a score of 60, (-12under par). The winning team for the B Division wasJeff Laughlin, Rex Moon, David Vaughn and PhilOrf. The putting tournament was won by BrianLavelle that closed within 6 inches of the cup from30 feet. The Longest Drives holes were won by PatFlora and Jamie Parks. Closest to the pin holeswere won by Stan Parks and DW.

I want the THANK ALL the golfers again for partici-pating in this annual event, (Bob Shaw MemorialGolf Tournament). If I must say myself, a good timewas had by all. You all had a hand in raising$1,086.00 for COLCPE this year. Give yourselves abig pat on the back for another successful golfTournament. Thanks again, everybody.

I also want to wish everybody a Great HolidaySeason. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year isupon us once again so keep yourselves protectedfrom the weather and have a prosperous New Year.

...Take it easy...Be Careful... and above all BE SAFE

minute, step, scan, and minor violation then we needto hold them to the same standard. Remember,there is strength in numbers. Your steward can’t doanything without your help. Write statements, payattention to what’s going on around you and keepother Carriers informed of what’s going on aroundthem. Let’s hold them to the agreements they havesigned. We have to do this together.

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National Business Agent’s ReportBy Mike Weir

October, 20072007 has already been an eventful year, and we’renot done yet! With the members’ overwhelmingstamp of approval for the new five-year NationalAgreement in hand, we are preparing to moveforward on the associated MOUs, which are in-tended to improve working conditions and addressadditional contracting out concerns. In early Sep-tember, the Executive Council gathered in Washing-ton, DC to discuss how best to move forward onseveral key issues associated with the contract andthe memos. Additionally, a National Contract Train-ing conference has been scheduled for November16-18 in Las Vegas to explain the various provisionsof the contract to Branch leaders and offer guidanceon how to apply them in their particular offices.

We further intend to waste little time building uponour legislative success with Postal Reform and onthe issue of contracting out delivery services. Al-though no Bill was actually passed on the latter, it isclear that congressional pressure in response to ourlobbying efforts brought management back to thetable to hammer out an agreement. In the latter partof September, the NBAs, State Chairs and StateLegislative Liaisons were in the nation’s capitol for alegislative and political workshop as well as a day oflobbying on other important issues like Vote by Mailand Do Not Mail initiatives. The State Chairs aremoving into Phase III of the NALC Field Plan as wegear up for the national elections in the Fall of 2008.We will be looking to increase our worker-friendlymajority in Congress. Furthermore, we have alreadytaken a significant step toward providing that major-ity an opportunity to work with a worker-friendlyadministration in the White House by formallyendorsing Senator Hillary Clinton as the next Presi-dent of the United States. She was the clear choiceof the membership in the recent preference pollconducted in August and early September. Like theother six candidates who had actually responded toour questionnaire and were included in the postcardpoll, Senator Clinton demonstrated a deep under-standing of our issues and a strong commitment toaddressing our concerns. NALC will be redoublingits efforts in the coming months to ensure thatworking families have the leadership they deserveand deserve in Washington, DC when the reins ofpower change hands in January of 2009.

Danny Pittman, Nicole Rhine, Rod Holub and I spent ahectic two weeks in September, providing training

throughout the Region in advance of the start oflocal negotiations on October 1st. We used ten hubsites to reach as many Branches as possible duringthis small window of opportunity. Given the signifi-cant changes in the National Agreement, the “im-pending” implementation of automated flats and thefact that any provisions in the LMOUs will be ineffect through 2012, we felt it was important to makethis training available to the Branch officers andnegotiators. Fortunately, the time-frame for LocalNegotiations was expanded by fifteen days, therebyproviding ample time to prepare for and give theproper attention to the negotiation process. Pleasetake note of the deadlines associated with thisprocess, and contact my office if you have ques-tions or need any additional information.

There is good news on the healthcare front! Em-ployee contribution rates for next year for active andretired Letter Carriers in the NALC Health BenefitPlan have decreased while benefits have improvedsignificantly. Additionally, with the change fromCoventry to the CIGNA Healthcare Network in 2008,our preferred provider network will nearly double.This should make it easier for Letter Carriers to finda physician and/or a hospital in their area, therebyincreasing membership and building momentum foran even stronger health benefit plan in the future. Ifyou are not already a member, please considerswitching to one of the most highly-rated plans inthe FEHBP, and one that is union-run and not-for-profit, during the upcoming Open Season, (Novem-ber12-December 10). With the aforementionedchanges, the NALC Health Benefit Plan is morecompetitive than ever with any other plan in whichyou may currently be enrolled.

We continue to encounter disciplinary proceedingsinvolving OIG agents or Postal Inspectors, duringwhich the grievant was interviewed without unionrepresentation. Just to reiterate the point we havemade numerous times in the past, when the OIG orPIs show up to interview you, it is unlikely that theyjust want to have a friendly chat. Instead, they havean agenda; and it rarely involves ensuring that yourdue process rights are protected. Certainly, youshould not engage in any activity that may attracttheir attention in the first place. However, in manyinstances, we find that Letter Carriers are beingsubjected to investigatory interviews for behavior thatdoes not rise to the level of such scrutiny. Alwaysrequest and consult with a Steward, prior to andduring any such meetings. Exercise the contractualright that the NALC has worked so hard to negotiatefor Letter Carriers in the National Agreement.

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Barry WoodsStu-Alt-

Executive ParkStu-Roger SmithAlt-Jim Edwards

GladstoneStu-Roger RamseyAlt-Gordon Harris

GPO StationStu-Phil VaughnAlt-Beth Horned

Hickman MillsStu-Dave KeetonAlt-Venessa Freedle

Blue SpringsStu-Jeff RaineyAlt-Randy Williams

ButlerStu-Curry Massey

BeltonStu-Mike LarkeyAlt-Tom Didier

CarroltonStu-Phill Henderson

Hodge ParkStu-Mike NeverveAlt-Drew Kingery

James CrewsStu-Dave TeegardenStu-Terry MyersAlt-Curtis WalkerAlt-Frank Ferro

LongviewStu-Chuck AtheyAlt-Jack Julo

Martin CityStu-Chuck HardwayAlt-Harry Hinkle

HoldenStu-Larry Adkins

Green Summit AnnexStu-Jimmy Williams

Lee’s SummitStu-Bruce BelterAlt-Darrell Coffman

MaryvilleStu-

North Kansas CityStu-Jack FosterAlt-Mary Ewing

ParkvilleStu-Ed Gibson

ParkwayStu-Don TurnerAlt-Reggie Collins

PlazaStu-David MetcalfAlt-Chris Cole

RaytownStu-Rick RawlingsAlt-Troy Smith

LexingtonStu-Mike Batcher

OdessaStu-Judy Loges

Pleasant HillStu-

RichmondStu-Mike Farnan

Sunny SlopeStu-Lupa EberraAlt-Deidra Solis

South TroostStu-Joie BosticAlt-Byron Townsend

SoutheastStu-Donnie CriswellAlt-

WaldoStu-Kenny MercierAlt-

WestportStu-Andrew RangelAlt-Fred Rodriquez

WarrensburgStu-

WestonStu-Jeff Avey

Blue Springs AnnexStu-Allen Sharp

HigginsvilleStu-

(Associate Offices)

2007Grievances

Formal A’sTotal Filed 398Resolve 250Working 100Pending 29Arbitration 19

CONGRATULATIONSSteward of the Month

Jan-Terry Myers-James Crews

Feb-Roger Ramsey-Gladstone

Mar-Phil Vaughn-GPO

Apr-Mike Larkey-Belton

May-Mike Farman-Richman

June-Dave “Moose” Metcalf

Jul-Andrew Rangeo-Westport

Aug-Roger Smith-Executive Park

Sep-Donnie Criswell-Southeast

Oct-Chuck Hardway-Martin City

Nov-Mike Batcher-Lexington

Dec-

BRANCH #30 STEWARDS

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Heart of AmericaLETTER CARRIER VIEWPOINT

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816-358-3100/816-358-3104

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VIEWPOINT STAFFDave Teegarden-Editor • Sellie Truitt-Associate Editor • Dave Gwin-Advisor

Chris Cole • Mike Neverve • Frank Ferro • Troy Smith • Jeff Rainey • Kenny Best • Randy Williams

NOTE: The VIEWPOINT is published bi-monthly for Branch 30 members and friends. Opinions expressed by writers are notnecessarily shared by the Editors, Members, or Staff. The Editor, at his/her discretion, may delete or change any articledeemed, unnecessary, improper or unfit. The last day to receive articles is: 15th day of the following (Even) months; FEBRU-ARY, APRIL, JUNE, AUGUST, OCTOBER and DECEMBER.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF BRANCH 30PRESIDENT...............................................DAVE GWIN

VICE PRESIDENT............................DAVE TEEGARDEN

RECORDING SECRETARY................MELVIN MOORE

FINANCIAL SECRETARY.............BYRON TOWNSEND

TREASURER............................................LINDA BAKER

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS.........................DAVE METCALF

HEALTH & RETIREE REP..(816) 942-6595..JOE D. HILL

TRUSTEE (Chairman)..............................JEFF RAINEY

TRUSTEE .............................................JIM LONERGAN

TRUSTEE......................................................ED LOPEZ

DAN PITTMAN, RAA • ERNEST GRAHAM, WCD REP.

CURTIS WALKER.........................................CHAPLAIN

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