4^th Quarter 2011

          We made it through another year.  What do you think?  Do you have better luck in odd or even years?  Do black eyed peas work?  What about that fortune cookie you were given?  Whether you believe in good years and bad years, black eyed peas or fortune cookies 2011 is behind us.  There were some great things that happened in 2011.  The first thing that comes to mind, is that I made it thorough it and so did you.  Texas Tech didn’t win enough football games to get into a bowl game, but Texas did.  Is Texas getting in a bowl game a good thing?  You will have to decide that.  We had a great State convention, and got a city to host the next convention.  The Rap session was great.  We got lots of information.   

It was a bad year for the letter carriers on the political front.  It seems like we were in a constant fight the entire year with both Congress and the Senate.  We even had some misunderstandings with President Obama.  Through it all we had some victories.  We got Congressman Neugebauger to vote with us.  Now it was only on one occasion, but he did vote with us.  Our work is not over.  We must continue to get our eye on the ball.  We have to continue to write, call and visit with our congressional representatives.  It does not seems that we are going to get very much relief this year, on the political front.  All us e-activist just recently got an e-mail from President Rolando stating we had gathered a million signatures to save the post office.  That is one hell of an accomplishment.  Everyone should make sure that all the carriers we know are aware of this great accomplishment.  We should not stop.   We have to continue at the same pace we have established.  There are two bills that are being monitored:

HR 2309 Which would end Saturday delivery, radically downsizing USPS and force closure of 1,000 post offices.  There has been a lot of uproar about closing post offices.  The public seems to really taking a stand on this issue.

S-1789 – This bill fails to repeal the pre-funding request, phases out door-to-door delivery and eliminates Saturday delivery by 2014.

As you can see, both of these bills are detrimental to our livelihood.  We have to get more brothers and sisters involved in our district.  I know Keith Deason is working with Congressman Thornberry.  He needs help.  Talk with the carrier next to you and try to explain what we are up against.  Ron Eudy and I often team up against Neugebauer.  He will call and then I call the same day or the next.  We usually get very frustrated, but at the same time it is interesting and challenging.  We need more people to call.  The more calls to Thornberry and Neugebauer we get, the more they have to respond, the more they know we exist and matter.   

Keep up the good work.  Call me if I can help you.  I look forward to seeing you in Houston. 

Eddie Odle

3^rd Quarter 2011

           Hot damn, we done did went and done it.  Between Mitch Terral from Lubbock and Ron Eudy from Abilene, they and their band of NALC carriers and APWU clerks, got Mr. Randy Neugebauer to comment on the postal service.  There was even a TV interview at the rally.  To some that does not seem like anything close to a victory.  However, as Micky pointed out, what they did made a difference.  He took notice of the petitions and made a public comment about the post office.  The large majority of it was not what I would call the truth.  However, it could be referred to in the circle I would circumscribe as “management truth”.  I will ask that Congressman Neugebauer’s statement be made a part of this newsletter.  Hopefully, there is a way that it can be done.  As you can see, Randy referred to the post office as not having a sound fiscal plan.  Both Ron Eudy and I called and had discussions with his aid for Postal Affairs – David RoKeach.  What angered us the most was the fact that Congressman Neugebauer’s press release stated that he could not sign off on HR 231 because it would amount to a bail out.  I have seen Ron angry before, but not this angry.  The Congressman’s understanding is that there is somewhere between 55 and 75 billion dollars that the post office is owed as a result of overpay civil service retirement, FERS and workman comp – we have over paid 1.2 billion dollars workman’s comp.  However, if that money was given back to the post office, it would result in a bail out.  According to the way I understood the legislative office at headquarters, that 55 -75 billion we are owed is set aside in a separate fund.  Mr. RoKeach believes it is co-mingled with the FBI, IRS and all other federal agencies.  I know you all know this, but the post office has made a profit of 611 million dollars since 2006.  We are in the red because we have to pre-fund our health care for 75 years and were given only 10 years to do it.  We presently have 22 billion dollars in the fund.  I just don’t think Congressman Neugebauer cares that much about either the post office or the union.  I made arrangements with Mr. RoKeach to meet with the legislative department at headquarters before Friday, 8 October.  I suggested that the Congressman was aware of things that the union did not know and that if he met with someone before Friday, we could have that information explained to our membership at the NBA meeting in Albuquerque that weekend.  It was late in the day when I asked the legislative department to meet with RoKeach.  Ron followed-up with the next day.  It will be interesting to see what developed.  I am not sure whether the legislative department met with Mr. RoKeach.  The representative that was at the NBA school did not know.  You can be assured that both Ron and I will continue to discuss postal issues with Mr. RoKeach.  The Congressman seldom meets with us.  

          On a much happier note the rally with Congressman Thornberry went much better.  Amarillo held a rally and submitted petitions to the congressman’s office.  They were not fortunate to have media coverage, but no one can blame Branch 1037.  We all know we cannot control the media.  They show up for the events they want to and cover stories they want to cover.  Congressman Thornberry’s Amarillo office was made aware of the letter carrier and clerk’s views.

           Wichita Falls had a better response.  They had both newspaper and TV coverage.  Keith Deason, the 13^th Congressional Legislative Liaison had some great quotes in the local newspaper.  Keith always does great representing the 13^th Congressional District.  He is known at both the local office in Wichita Falls and at the DC office.  He keeps on top of every issue and is contact with Congressman Thornberry’s office every couple of weeks.  District 13 is truly blessed to have him as their congressional liaison.  What we are most thankful for is that he has nothing to do with Neugebauer.  Keith is soft spoken, I have never seen him get angry, but if his friendly and persuasive manner was not able to get through to Randy’s hard head, thoughts of harms might stir in his emotions.  Not that he would ever act on them.  Keep up the good work, Keith.

          The past month or so have been trying on all of us.  Micky did a great job of keeping us informed of what was going on and what we needed to do.  As most of you know, President Obama has stated he would sign into law a bill that would do away with Saturday delivery if one was given to him.  This of course is very disturbing to all of us.  There was a petition being circulated to save the office on line.  If 5,000 signatures were put on the petition President Obama stated he would respond.  Well, we got the 5,000 signature.  It will be interesting to heard President Obama’s response.  From conversations Keith has had with Congressman Thornberry, I know the Congressman is concerned with the closing of post offices in his district.  As you can see from the press release, I do not believe Congressman Neugebauer shares that concern. 

          These are some very trying times.  It is your job on the line.  Those of you that have not signed up for COLCPE are just not in tune with what is going on.  I am retired.  The large majority of you are still working.  Five dollars a pay day is nothing in the fight to keep your job.  There is a lot of talk going on about the post office – doing away with Saturday delivery, restructuring, combining all crafts, doing away with lay off clause in contract, reducing delivery standards and the list goes on.  The time has never been more important to sign up for COLCPE.  If you need help, get in contact with the COLCPE coordinator for your branch.  The legislative department in DC will help.  The president of your branch can point you in the right direction.  If you would like, call me.  It would be my privilege to assistant you however and whenever I can.

          Keep up the good work.

2^nd Quarter 2011          

          I would like to thank everyone from District 3 for allowing me to be your representative for another two years.  I would also like to congratulate everyone who was re-elected and those that were elected.  Being on a board is fun, but there is a lot of work involved.  I know it is hard to believe, but there are even times when we disagree.  I look forward to working with the new board

          Another state convention is in the record books.  Tyler was both an interesting place and a fun place.  I visited a winery the second day I arrived in Tyler.  My wife and some of the people I walk with enjoy wine.  I ended up at a winery about 5 blocks from the hotel.  This is interesting because Tyler is a dry county.  Somehow the winery was allowed to have both a resale store and a tasting room inside the city limits.  Lubbock was a dry city, until last year.  We used to have to drive out to what was referred to as “the strip” to purchase alcohol of any kind.  This is probably why I find it so interesting that while Tyler is a dry county, I was able to buy wine within the city limits.  People from the Holiday Inn believed it was a quirk in the law.  They thought it might be a grandfather clause of some kind.  Some of the wine I purchased was wine made in Lubbock.  The wine was enjoyed by all.  Branch 493 did a good job at the convention.  Putting on a convention is no easy task.  It takes a lot of work by the local branch and a lot of participation from branch membership.  Everyone in Branch 493 did a great job.  They should be proud of what they have accomplished. 

          The only branch that asked to host the convention in 2013 was Waco.  The last time Waco hosted a convention was in 1997.  I do remember getting a speeding ticket on the way to Waco.  Is there a way you will allow me to blame the ticket on my wife?  The good news is I have not had a ticket since. The knocking you just heard was me hitting my wooden desk.  If my knock worked, and I continue to watch my speed, I will not get another ticket.  Them there Texas County Mounties were sneaky. 

          The convention didn’t seem to have a lot of business.  We had a few amendments to the by-laws - most of which passed.  We only had a few guest speakers.  Tyler’s mayor, local postmaster.  Gary Mullins received a 40 year certificate for service.  Linda Welch, Area Manager made the presentation.  I got my 22 year certificate just a couple of months ago.  I completed 22 years in 2006.  A five year wait to get my certificate isn’t toooooo long - is it?  It could still be in the closet at post office in Lubbock.  I don’t think the Lubbock Postmaster liked me.  Gary deserved the presentation.  He has represented the great State of Texas well over the last 40 years.  He has always been there when we needed help and he could always be counted on to pitch in where needed.  He continues to represent Burkburnett and Wichita Falls branch.  As most of you know, Gary is back carrying mail in Burkburnett.  Carrying mail is a little easier than it was 30 years ago, however, there is a lot more street time, stress and problems, than there was back in the good old days.  Most of you are too young to remember the good old days.  If you finished your route you would come in and sit around and talk or play dominoes until your 8 hours were up.  No more.  Congratulations Gary.  I hope you have another 40 years that are better than the last 40 years.   

          Conventions are always fun.  You get to see old friends and make new ones.  I am glad I got the opportunity to do both.  Everyone that was at the convention was made aware of what is going on with the Post Office and with Congress.  The post office is in dire straits.  It is of course because the government owes the post office billions of dollars and because we are the only government or civilian corporation that is required to pre-fund health care.  I am not saying all of our problems would be solved if we were not required to pre-fund health care, but we would be a lot stronger financially if the requirement was not there.  The bills in both the House and Senate are changing.  We need to stay on top of these issues.  We need to continue to call and write our elected officials.  Get the word out at your union meetings.  I know it is hard to get people involved, but these are our jobs we are protecting.  Keep up the good work. 

          Until next time – be semi-good and call me if I can help.  You look good.

1^St Quarter 2011

          We have made it through another quarter in yet another year.  Just in case you believe this makes you old, well, it only makes you older, wiser and a lot more experienced.

          The District 3 School in upon us.  We are going to have the school in Childress again.  This year we are changing the location.  The parking lot at the South Plains Electric is being resurfaced.  Lilly Harwell, President Branch 2977, Childress, has secured the Hampton Inn for us to meet.  The Hampton Inn is located at 400 Madison Avenue.  The hotel is located south of 287.  You will find the hotel on East side of Walmart.  The light at the entrance to Walmart is Madison-Chase.  We are going to start the meeting at 9:30.  Ken Claxton will again join us as a representative of the NBA’s Office.  As you know, we are required by the bylaws to have a training session.  As there has been a lot of hostility exhibited by management in the work place, we thought it would be appropriate to conduct a training class on Hostile Work Environment.  I hope to see all of you at the school.  If you are going to spend the night, please stay at the Hampton Inn.  They are furnishing the meeting room at no expense.

          The first six months of this year seems to be very active.  Next month we will be going to Washington to meet with our congressmen.  In West Texas our visits often fall on deaf ears.  Our Republican Congressmen do not take us too seriously.  We are partly at fault for that.  I know the ones that read this article all belong to COLCPE and are e-activists, but that is not enough.  We need to get our fellow letters carriers to become members of both.  We have got to call our representatives when an issue comes up that concerns letter carriers.  Is not enough that we call, write letters and send e-mails, we have got to get our friends, family members, fellow letters carriers and yes, even our supervisors to do the same.  They will not take us seriously until they know, without any doubt, that they have to take us seriously.  We are scheduled to be in Washington the 24th, 25th and 26th of May.  We have a meeting with national on Wednesday, 25th, and a breakfast on Thursday, 26th.  We almost always get to see Congressmen Thornberry and Conaway.  Congressman Neugebauer may greet us, but he usually has his legislative aid take our meeting. 

          In June we get to have a lot of fun.  We are going to have our state convention.  The convention actually starts on Wednesday, 15th and runs through Friday, 17^th.  A gold tournament will start about 8 AM on Wednesday and will be finished before the 1 PM kickoff.  Wednesday night there will be a bowl-a-thon.  Proceeds from both events will go to MDA.  Family night will be Thursday night at the hotel.  This year Ernie Kirkland, Director of Retirees will represent national.  There should be lots of fun for all. 

          I look forward to seeing all of you at the District 3 meeting in Childress.  President Morris will be there to provide us with information about the state and information he has received from national. 

          Y’all look good.  If I can help in any way, please let me know.

Eddie Odle

4^th Quarter 2010

          Last year was fun, but it was busy.  We had a convention, got to see Micky and Minnie Mouse, said goodbye to some old friends and renewed old acquaintances.  2011 is starting off with a bang.  We had the Committee of Presidents Meeting in Tyler, TX recently.  We again had a computer draw numbers for us to determine who was going to serve on what committees.  I am not sure how it worked out, but Amarillo had more numbers drawn than anyone else.  They will have more people serving on committees than the rest of us.  If my memory serves me correctly, and I am not going to tell you that it is, I believe Amarillo had fewer people serving on committees than anyone else last convention.  I hope that is correct, because that would make the system a little fairer.  This year Wichita Falls got only one person selected.  Now that sure was not fair.  I tired to make the computer draw numbers within their number frame, but it did not listen to me.  Hopefully, the next convention will have a computer that treats them a little better.  I numbered delegates in the order that I received them – Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Amarillo and Borger.  Fernando Small will be running the recorder while the convention is in session.    

          This year’s convention will be held in Tyler from 15 – 17 June (Wednesday to Friday).  You will all get information concerning the convention from Ms Rucker soon, along with letters asking those selected to serve on committees.  I will touch on highlights.  There will be a golf tournament, and a bowling tournament.  All proceeds go to MDA.  There will be a welcome night and a family night.  The early registration fee will be $60.00.  The convention center is located about 5 miles from the hotels, so you will need transportation to and from.  One point that was clear was that Tyler citizens do not like jay-walkers.  Be careful.  The convention will start at 1 PM on Wednesday.  

          The next scheduled event is the Region 10 School in Houston.  The school will be held Feb 19-21.  You need to send as many people as your branch can afford.  Times they are getting tough.  I miss fighting with management.  My wife often tells me to go pick a fight with management, because I am going to lose if I continue to fight with her.  I could win.  She is getting older.  I look forward to seeing you in Houston.

          We are going to have our District 3 School on April 10^th.  Again, we are scheduled to meet in Childress.  This is a central location to the three large branches and seems to be easy for everyone to get to.  I have spoken with Ken Claxton about the training session.  He is currently asking for requests.  If you can please let me know in Houston what you would like to have training on, we will get Ken to provide us with such training. 

          It is my understanding that we are going to try and go to DC in May.  This trip should be very interesting.  The Republicans are in control of the House.  We have the same three Congressmen we have had for years, so not much will change for us.  However, other CDL’s will be seeing new congressmen and congresswomen.  The next two years are going to be interesting to say the least.

          There will be a Rap Session and a Health Benefits School later in the year.  Kathy’s NBA School will be held in Albuquerque October 8-11. 

          I look forward to seeing ya’ll soon.  Please call me if there is something I can do to assist you.  We may be in a new year, but there is one thing that remains the same – you continue to look good.  

Eddie Odle

3^rd Quarter 2010

                        Conventions are always great.  You get to meet new people, see old friends and sometimes you say goodbye to old friends.  Texas lost two key friends at this convention – Gary Mullins, Executive Vice President and Gene Goodwin. Both were among those being honored at the retiree’s banquet.  Gene left us last year.  He is now one of the top advocates for Region 10.  Taking on the cases no one else wants.  Of course he is winning these cases.  Gary is an asset we will all miss.  He is known and well liked throughout the nation.  He and his cowboy hat will be missed up on the stage at the next convention.  He once told me that he wears that cowboy hat to block the light.  Whether that is the case or not, it will be strange not seeing him up on the stage with the cowboy hat on.

                        The training that is offered before and after the convention business begins or has ended, provides excellent information that gives branch officers and stewards tools needed to combat management’s conduct.  Now I do not want you get the wrong impression.  I would never, ever, suggest that anyone in management would do anything that was in violation of the national contract.  After re-reading those few sentences, I might have not been completely honest with you when I said management would not violate the national contract.  Let me try again.  Management would only violate the provisions of the contact when we allow them.  The training that national provides helps us keeps those violations to a minimum.

                        It is always interesting to listen to speakers.  Some are funny, interesting and informative.  I must admit that the President of the Coal Miners Union was my favor speaker – Cecil Roberts.  He quoted the bible, told funny jokes and stories and blasted management’s actions.  His southern charm, accent and mannerism made him one the best speakers at the convention.  He made you want to take on management.  I will admit to you, I miss fighting with management.  I remember them not being that smart.  Every union officer and steward learns quickly from their dealings with management that they have the advantage.  That advantage is the fact that we can beat management in nearly very aspect because of the amount of time and energy they put forward in defending the contact.  I do not want to speak badly about management, but the best training that management gets is from the grievances we file. 

                        No manner what convention or training session I go to, I always learn something.  We had a very lively debate concerning DOIS one day.  This is one of the great things about our convention.  The floor has the right to change the views and positions of national.  This is done by the majority of the delegates voting to change the constitution. The next day after this lively debate President Rolando made it absolutely clear to every delegate in the room that DOIS is nothing more than a tool.  If management comes around and tells you daily or every once in a while when you are to be out of the office, a grievance should be filed each and every time.  The union never agreed to DOIS being used in this form or fashion.  Each and every carrier that is told when he/she is to leave the office should immediately request in writing to see their union steward.  That steward will file a grievance stating that is not the purpose of DOIS.  There are many items that are not figured into DOIS.  Now I am going to repeat this.  If you are told when you are to leave the office, you are to immediately put in writing a request to see your steward who will file a grievance.  If you want to stop management from telling you when you have to be out of the office, ask to see your steward.  Can you imagine how much time it will take away from management if each of you requests to see your steward?  Steward should not make a class action grievance out of this, but should file a separate grievance for each and every case.  If you can get everyone in your office to ask to see their steward when they are told what time they are supposed to get out of the office, this practice will stop.  If there is anything I can do to help you in this area, please call me. 

                        I hope to see everyone at the NBA school in Dallas.  Keep up the good work.  If you think about it, tell the next person that you see that I said they look good.  You should of course qualify that by saying they do not look as good as you do, but they look good.

Eddie Odle

2^nd Quarter 2010

           There certainly are a lot of changes forthcoming.  Five day delivery, changes in our national officers, the national convention and ongoing legislative.  We must all do our part to stop the five day delivery.  If the postmaster general gets his way and we go to 5-day delivery, it is not out of the question for him to ask Congress to change from not delivering mail on Saturdays to Tuesday.  Once the law is changed from 6-day delivery to 5-day delivery, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, to stop the postmaster general from asking for four day delivery.  If you do not believe that UPS, FedEx and other delivery companies are already making plans to take up the slack for 5-day delivery I have some great ocean front property in Lubbock I would like to sell you.  I will even throw in a house where you can sit and watch the waves hit the sandy beach.  The house has a couple of big windows you can look out of.  Once 5-day delivery has been approved, you can be assured that the next step will be the loss of who can put mail in your mail box.  To some of you this seems so far fetched; it is just out of the question that it will ever happen.  Magazine publishers are already making arrangement for alternate delivery on Saturdays.  Things are getting down to the crunch.  You need to become involved and involved now. 

          This national convention is right around the corner.  It will be a time for celebration.  A time to visit with old friends and a time to make new friends.  The nomination for national officers will take place at this convention.  We will be losing some old friends to retirement.  Times they are a changing.  We have to keep up with these changing times.  This convention, I believe, will result in plans being made for us fighting back against the postmaster general’s request for 5-day delivery.   Some of these plans are going to require resources.  Some of those resources will be money.  It will also require us to give of our time.  During our recent legislative trip to DC, I had the honor of visiting with Congressman Neugebauer and Congressman Conaway’s legislative aids with Ron Eudy and Tom Jones.  Keith Deason let me tag along with him when he met with Congressman Thornberry.  All three are Republicans.  As such we usually have a difficult time in getting their support on matters that affect unions.  The 5-day delivery affects everyone.  Keeping 6-day delivery is definitely something we can convince all three congressmen to support.   The more people we get to call, write and visit their offices the better off we are.  Before we are finished with this issue, they will all know the importance of 6-day delivery and how important the exclusive use of the mail box is.  This cannot be done without you, your family and friends support.  It is time for each and every one of us to get involved.   This is the most important issue that we will face in the foreseeable future.  Do not sit back and let someone else do this job. 

          I know you are told this a lot, but let me tell you again - you look good.  I hope to see all of you in Anaheim.

Eddie

 1st. Quarter 2010

             It has been an interesting year so far.  The weather has been somewhat of a problem.  Hopefully, with the beginning of spring, we are going to start seeing more acceptable weather – and shorts.  Making short pants part of the postal uniform was one of the good ideas the post office had.  Do any of you remember the long socks we had to wear?  We had such a distinctive tan line.  I always felt we were the envy of all “short” wearing people.  That thought made me feel better walking around with that funny tan line.  I used to tell people I would let them touch my legs only with the written permission of their wives or girlfriend.  I might make an exception in your case.  If I don’t, do not take it personally, I allow whistling.

            The busy part of the year is about to begin.  Next month we are having our District 3 Meeting.  We are again going to have the meeting in Childress, TX.  The meeting will be held at 10:00 AM on 18 April 2010.   I thought we should make the meeting at a later time, so people would have more time to get there.  We have the meeting in Childress because of its central location.  The meeting will be held at the South Plains Electric Building, 1900 Avenue C NW.  Ken Claxton will represent the NBA’s office.  He will update us on what is going on at the National level.  Our training class will be on the National Reassessment Process (NRP).  I am sure all of us have on-the-job injuries in our offices.  I hope this class will be of assistance.  President Morris will be there to represent the TSALC.  He will update us on the political affairs and will address what is going on in the TSALC.   

            In May we will be going to DC to lobby Congress.  Then comes the National Convention in August – Disneyland.  I haven’t been to Disneyland since I was 20.  I mean to tell you that was a long time ago.  This will be Fred Rolando’s first convention as our National President.  Everyone I have spoken to has given President Rolando very high praise for both his skills and his distinctive mannerism.  There are very hard times before us.  The NBA School in Houston had one resounding theme.  We all must become e-activists and we all must contribute to COLCPE.  This is somewhat like preaching to the choir.  However, you are the leaders of your branch.  I passed out both e-activist sheets and COLCPE forms at our February meeting.  In March we discussed the list of names shown on our monthly newsletters and that there were people in attendance whose names were not on the list.  We attempt to get new activists every month.  Maybe there is someone out there that has found a good way to get people to become activists.  If you have a good idea that works, share it with us.  I am retired, but I still contribute.  Many retirees do.  Your next contract is going to be a very important one.  Health benefits, cost of livings and pay raises are all at stake.  President Rolando will put on the same point-by-point defense and it will be backed up with research from expert witnesses.  We must all do our part.  Why everybody is not 100 percent behind this action is surprising to me – to a lot of us.  Please, do what you can to get as many as you can on board.

            I hope to see you in Childress.  If there is anything I can do to assist you, do not hesitate to call me.

Eddie

4^th Quarter 2009

          The end of each year brings with it a close in a chapter in our lives.  However, it also brings with the beginning of a new chapter.  2009 was a good year.  It brought the end of several national officers’ careers – President Young retired, together with several business agents, including our own – Gene Goodwin.  President Young took us to new heights and left us with many accomplishments.  We all owe President Young our deep appreciation for everything he has done.  He, as did his predecessors, left us in good hands.  President Rolando possesses the skills, abilities and endurance necessary to lead this great union to even higher heights.  His presidency has already set a new tone.   I believe he is destined for great things.

          It seems as if I have been a friend of Gene’s forever, although it has only been about 15 years.  He was never the best looking business agent, but he was still is a friend.  He never failed to support Branch 2589.  He spent many hours yelling at me over the phone and even more hours in Lubbock defending both my actions and the members of our branch.  I assure you, defending some of my actions was not the easiest thing to do.  There are many of you that I would not have had the privilege and honor to have met and work with if it was not for Gene.  If there was one thing I learned in my many years in the Navy and with the union, it is that everyone can be replaced.  We sometimes hate the change, but change is good.  I worked with Kathy many years and she not only is doing a great job as the new business agent, she has and will continue to take Region 10 to new levels of excellence.  Besides, she is a lot better looking than Gene, and she is not near as grumpy.

          I do hope everyone had a great Christmas.  I want to steal this idea from my friend Ron Eudy.  Many of us have spent time in the military.  I was recently in an airport in Dallas waiting for a plane.  Someone connected with the USO at DFW came through the terminal and stated to all in our terminal that a group of military personnel returning from Iraq would be going through the level above us and asked us to welcome them home by applauding.  There was not one person in the terminal that did not walk to the middle of the floor and stand and applaud.  This applause continued until every single person left the terminal.  I could not help but think, this was a far cry from returning veterans from Vietnam, but I was very proud to be a part of it.  We need to thank every veteran for what they have done for this country.  We also need to thank their families for the sacrifices they are making.  It’s hard as hell to get along on the pay that military people get, and it‘s hard to get along without the spouse. If there is someway you can help a veteran or their family, I strongly encourage you to do so.

          We have a lot to accomplish this year.  The political arena is going to be a real hot bed.  We need to all be involved.  It is difficult for us in District 3, because we are heavily Republican.  That does not mean we have to give up.  We still have to contact our elected officials and let them know how we feel.  Things have improved.  In 2009 every congressman in District 11, 13 and 19 saw us when we went to DC.  There have been years when none of them took the time to meet with us.  Together we can make a difference.  

I  hope all of you had a very merry Christmas and that 2010 is your year.  I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

Eddie

3^rd Quarter 2009

          I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of District 3 for allowing me to represent our district for another 2 years.   I appreciate everyone’s support.  I would also like to welcome the new members to the TSALC board and congratulate those that were re-elected.  It is always a challenge to serve as a representative for the great state of Texas.  This will be another challenging two years.  However, we are all up to the task. 

          The changing of the guard is a trying time.  For the last 12 years Gene Goodwin has been the NBA for Region 10.  I appreciate everything that he has done for me during those 11 years.  Without his endorsement I would have never become a local business agent/advocate and would have missed out on some very challenging and rewarding times.  I made some good friends and enjoyed what he allowed me to be a part of.   Now, I will admit that we did not always see eye to eye, however, he and his staff were always there when I needed help.  I wish him smooth sailing and following seas.  It would probably be beneficial to him if he would stay off horses, but, as we all know, he is going to do what he wants.

          I extend to Kathy Baldwin, our new Business Agent, and all my best wishes.  She has been an integral part of Region 10 for many years.  Not once during my 9 years as President of Lubbock, as an activist, or a as steward, did she fail to respond to any of my requests for help.  Her responses were always done with the utmost professionalism.  She spent a lot of time in Lubbock helping our branch with problems.  She will take Region 10 to the next level.  I am sorry I will not be part of her administration.  Congratulations Kathy!

          These next few years are going to be some of the most challenging years we have had in some time.  I know I could be preaching to the choir, but its time for all of us to step up.  In the West Texas political area, it seems like there is little we can do.  We have Republican congressmen who do not support most of the legislation that is important to us.  As they keep getting elected, we seem to grow complacent – what can we do?   Well, there are things we can do.  Form legislative committees, send your congressmen e-mail, call them on the phone, go visit them, let them know that we and all we know are going to hold them accountable for their actions.  Taking the first step is the hardest, - take that step. 

          We have got to get more of our fellow carriers to contribute to COLCPE.  We are in an uphill battle.  Our jobs are at stake.  Our future and the future of the postal service are at stake.  I am retired, but I am still involved.  If you are not a member of the activist and do not contribute to COLPCE, it is time that you become a member and start contributing.  The stakes have never been higher.  We have new leadership at the national and regional levels.  They need all the help they can get.

          Believe it or not, the one thing I miss about the postal service is management.  In 43 years of marriage, I will openly admit, I have not won a single fight.  The same is not true with my disagreements with management.  Standing up to management is the first step in winning an argument.  One of the very first things I learned as a union steward was that their are two sides to every story.  Management can get you in a room and give you their side of a situation and paint you a picture that makes you believe every single word that comes out of their mouths.  However, once you get the union’s side or the grievant side, the picture they painted is a little cloudier.  It always gets me, when management tells you that the post office is broke and has no money and then you turn on the TV and find that the post office is sponsoring a televised football game – like the super bowl.  Or they send postmasters and supervisors to Fort Worth every week.  I know you have to get the word out in order for people to know about your product, and you have to get managers trained.  Since being retired I have come across many people who are a little critical of postal employees.  Some of them I agree with – like the ones that do not like to stand in long lines at a post office to mail letters or packages.  These people I agree with.  The post office knows when rush times are, so why don’t they staff accordingly?  I can’t answer that question.  Others have pointed out that UPS and Fed-Ex employees seem to move faster than letter carriers.  That one I can handle.  All of you have to carry the route the same way every day.  You want to impress your manager and run your route, then go at it.  I can assure you that the manager that pushes you to skip breaks and lunch and run your route is going to be nowhere in sight when you fall in a hole, trip over a bike or a sidewalk, run into a tree limb or fall off a porch.  They are going to be the one that tells you that the safety rules are there for a reason.  Give management a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, but protect yourselves.  Having a fake knee, as my granddaughter calls it, is no fun.  It may make my real knee look pretty, but it sure was no fun getting it.  I am not going to tell you that carrying mail is not going to wear out various parts of your body, but I will tell you that I believe walking at the same pace each and every day is easier on your body.  Become involved.   Did I tell you that you look good – well you do?  

          If I can help you, please do not hesitate to call me.  See you at Kathy’s school in Austin. 

  Eddie