NALC Branch 725


S.E. PA. Merged

Unity! It’s easier said than done. What is very easy is the divide-and-conquer. Every carrier has their own trials and tribulations we are going through in life. But we must remember that what makes these challenges better is fully exercising our rights. Every office has stupervisors who pit us against one another. But who must be an adult? Yes, the union.

Much has been made of our contract negotiations. However, members are under attack more than ever! For me, all my energy must go toward the eradication of management’s overt tactics, which harken back to times past that resulted in all the violence in the workplace memorandums. Management talks a good game, but their bull$%#! is increasing.

Ironically, our branch has stayed the course. As a result, we have won in arbitration to win back jobs with full back pay. But if you are a carrier out of work (or having to work another job), your life may be changed forever. We know of some managers who use this line of thinking as a strategy! The overt use of emergency placement incorrectly is another tactic. Some managers are placing carriers on emergency placement only to bring them back but not pay them for the time. This is incorrect. Please inform the union if this happens to you.

We still have a big problem with carriers not informing the union when they have received discipline. We have 14 days to file a grievance. Do not assume management is right.

So, while we quarrel with each other about family business that should be handled internally, we allow management to attack us unjustly. In fact, we seem to have more empathy for management than our own union members.

Let’s all look in the mirror. Are you a part of the solution?