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Ask President Burrus

Question:

What is the union doing about _______________? [Fill in the blank.] Many of my fellow members are getting out of the union because of this situation.

(Similar questions on various subjects have been received. Names withheld.)

President Burrus:

Several questions have been received from union members who are dissatisfied with the union’s response to a specific management action. All too often, the questions come from postal employees who say they are ready to quit the union and suggesting that their long-time loyalty to the union has gone unrewarded.

Every employee’s complaint about an improper management action is important and is deserving of the union’s vigorous support. But I reject the overstatement that the value of the union is limited to its ability to correct a specific complaint.

The union has provided the foundation of good employment in today’s job market, which is in the throes of technological change and globalization. Postal employees receive a reasonable salary, enjoy no-layoff protection, vacation and sick leave, health benefits and a host of other important benefits.

These benefits are far more important than a complaint about an unresolved grievance. For every unresolved complaint, the grievant should ask: Did I receive the correct pay for my grade and step? Were my health benefits paid? Did I get credit for retirement and was the employer’s share paid? Was I credited sick and vacation leave? Have I been laid off? Did I receive holiday pay? Did I receive overtime pay or penalty pay for the overtime I performed? Did I receive the work-hour guarantee of my position?

Despite the frustration that is evident in comments sent to the union and frequent threats to leave the union, the questioners never threaten to quit their job and relinquish all of the benefits the union has provided.

So let us be honest in our exchange: Grievances over conversion to full-time regular, job postings, the hours and days of work, the use of casuals in lieu of career employees and many other objectionable management decisions deserve vigorous representation. But let us not cloud their importance by suggesting that the value of the union is determined by their resolution.

This union has done an outstanding job of representation in the most important area, providing those benefits that make employment worthwhile. Your continued employment is evidence of the union’s effectiveness. A case cannot be made otherwise.

Sept. 14, 2005

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