Changing of the Guard

On Sunday, April 27^th, 2008, delegates assembled at the 41^st Biennial State Convention held elections.  At the conclusion of those elections, they had elected a new state president.

I want you all to know that it has been a pleasure being able to serve you for the last 26 years as an officer of the APWU of MAINE, and 20 of those last years as your state president.

Your newly elected officers for the APWU of MAINE include:

Paul Brawn          State President              from        Augusta

Scott Adams        Exec. Vice-Pres.            from        Portland

Scott Perry          Secretary-Treas.            from        Bangor

Maggy Bogart     OWCP Rep.                    from         Portland

Don Parks            Legislative Dir.              from        Portland

Gary Hart             040 Area Vice-Pres.      from         Portland

Tom Manley      042 Area Vice-Pres.       from         Auburn

VACANT              043 Area Vice-Pres.

VACANT              044 Area Vice-Pres.

Dwight Geel        046 Area Vice-Pres.      from          Ellsworth

Henry Gorneault  047 Area Vice-Pres.     from         Presque Isle

VACANT                049 Area Vice-Pres.

Dan Clarke           MAL- VP Rep. at Lrge.   from       Bangor

Retiring after 18 years of service to the APWU of MAINE was Executive Vice-President Warren Frost.  Also retiring after 12 years of service was Secretary/Treasurer William Gilchrest.

With the changing of the guard come some other cosmetic changes as well.  They include what will be a new mailing address, phone number, and email address for the organization and the new state president.  Once that information is obtained it will be published for the membership.

All records, grievances, files etc. from each state officer including the outgoing Area Vice-Presidents will be or have been forwarded to the newly elected officers. 

Please note that the February-2008 state newsletter contained an erroneous phone number for the Holiday Inn in Augusta, site of the state convention.  The correct number to call for reservations is: (207) 622-4751, the rate is $77.04 total including tax per night, and the cut-off date is: April 16th.  Please make sure you tell the hotel clerk you are with the APWU block of rooms.   Thank you, sorry for any inconvenience....    Dave Greenlaw, State President

The officers of the APWU of MAINE sincerely wish that all of you enjoy this fine holiday season and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.    May Peace and Joy be yours...

The Postal Service has announced that employees in the field may take annual leave or LWOP to get out of work early on Monday, December 24th due to the District closing retail operations.

I have a hunch the same may happen on New Year's Eve.  The District has said that employees may take leave, or LWOP, but that administrative leave and "contractual guarateed time paid" will not be approved.  The union has objected to this stating employees have the right to work or receive pay in lieu of and that they cannot be forced to take time off using leave or LWOP.  The decision to work or leave is solely that of the employee.  Do not be coerced into leaving by your Postmaster, unless they agree to pay you your guaranteed time per the contract.

The union recently filed charges against the United States Postal Service District of Maine for refusing to supply officially requested information in order to conduct grievance investigations. 

Specifically- the union had requested information about casuals and PMRs in the field as well as a breakdown of staffing office by office.  Labor Realtions informed HR not to provide the information.

Charges were filed with the National Labor Relations Board and the charges that the union filed were upheld by the NLRB and as a result the USPS District of Maine will have to post a notice admitting error, promising not to do it again, and to abide by the contractual obligations of the CBA. 

These charges were backed up by charges which the Portland Maine Area Local 458 filed involving both clerks and motor vehicle craft employees.  The District of Maine seems to have adapted a policy of don't care/ grieve it attitude.

Yesterday - another set of charges were filed against the Postal Service and Postmaster Judith Mann of Fort Fairfield for interfereing and hindering in the recruitment of union members from that office. 

As former President Biller stated so many times, "The Struggle Continues".