South Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers

EMILY LANE, PRESIDENT
320 Fairview Lane
Taylors, SC 29687
Home 864-877-2846
Work: 864-877-6423/24

E-mail: Emily.lane@att.net

Easy Way to contact Senator Demint http://demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Easy Way to contact Senator Graham http://www.unionvoice.org/nalc/leg-lookup/sendmessage.html?target_id=4453

January 2012

The prefunding of $5.5 billion that Congress mandated was the start of the financial crisis that the Postal Service has incurred. Congress has laid the blame on the unions of the Post Office rather than where the blame should go. The closing of processing plants and offices around the country would all be unnecessary if the Postal Service would just redo their managerial assignments and Congress would just recalculate the prefunding requirement.

In some areas, you have 2 to 5 Post Offices within a 5 mile area. In each office, you have a Postmaster and a supervisor in some cases (higher level jobs). The Postal Service could have ONE Postmaster for all of the offices within a 10 mile area and save a lot money. The postmasters and supervisors do most of their work now by e-mail or telecoms, sitting at their desk. I believe that the post office wants to rid themselves of the craft workers who actually do the work. Then, the post office will just have to promote more managers to figure out why they can’t get the mail delivered. Why not start at the top eliminating jobs to get the most bang for the buck? Eliminating a processing plant would be costly because the mail then would have to be trucked from 50 to 100 miles to be delivered. The American Public has depended on the Post Office to get mail delivered in a timely manner for over 100 years. Now is not the time to change the service standards.

The elimination of Saturday delivery would not save the postal service $3.1 billion as they have suggested. Yes, it would save some but the cost to the American Public would be even greater. With the elimination of Saturday delivery and allowing the Post Office to eliminate 100,00 to 120,000 jobs, the taxes that postal workers pay would also be eliminated. Somewhere between $34,398,400 and $51,597,600 from employee taxes would stop being paid into the National Budget every two weeks. These 100,000 to 120,000 employees would then go on unemployment.

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Nov. 11

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8-12-2011

According to the by-laws, each officer is responsible for 5 articles per year for the WEB site.  I know this is new for the newly elected officers last May but not for the rest of us.  Please submit an article to Wayne Harlow so it can be posted on the WEB.  It has been almost 2 years since some of you have submitted an article. Send it to me if you don’t have Wayne’s e-mail address but you can get it off the website. If you have submitted an article since the convention- THANK YOU.

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8-1-2011

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6-8-2011

I would like to thanks those who supported me in the recent election.  Without the support of the carriers in South Carolina, I couldn’t make it. 

Serving as President is a very meaningful honor for me.  I have served this Union whole heartedly for many years and I love what I do.

I never realized all the responsibilities that the President had.  In years past, it seemed that all the President did was reside over the

convention and be present at a training session, and write a few articles.  Many hours go into fulfilling the job that has been bestowed on me.

National has added many duties with the new Field Plan and the role of the State President has increased.  THANKS AGAIN!

Since the convention, I have been running around to get the bank accounts changed over.  The State Treasurer has notified me that the

State Account Signature Cards have been signed now so he can write checks.  The Death Benefit Account is still not settled.

All this takes time and effort on past and present officers to get this done since we all live in different cities.  It is easy to run to the bank

and sign a signature card locally but when you have a hundred miles between you, it becomes a task and waiting game with the bank.

Patience is the key.

 I was told by someone that I have been called a dictator and that I am too hard on the officers.  I am ultimately responsible for the management

of the state and I do take it very seriously.  I have not intended to hurt anyone but just try to get the officers to perform the duties of the job

that they were elected to.  We all have other responsibilities with our families and friends.  Time is needed to build healthy relationships

but our duty as an officer should be in the priority list.  Sometimes, my husband gets aggravated with so many carriers calling but I still take the call,

because each one is important to the carrier calling. Time is also needed to call and talk with a Congressman or Senator to

ask for his support for legislation that will make the Post Office last into the future.  Our JOBS depend on it.

Remember, the National Rap Session that is coming up in October.  Make your plans to attend and be sure to take advantage of all of the training

that National will provide.  None of us get too old to learn something new.

Be sure to watch your volumes.  I have found that mail from the plant has not been rolling in correctly.  You might get 6 pieces for a tray.  JUST A TIP!

In Unity,

Emily

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May 6, 2011

Article- May, 2011

    Well, another year has come and gone. It’s time for the convention again- this year in Charleston.  The Charleston Branch

has been working very diligently to give us a great convention.  The Executive Board will start with a meeting on Wednesday

night to go over some items before the convention.  Thursday will be filled with training during the day.  Nancy Quick and

Kenny Gibbs will be responsible for the training with the cost picked up by National.  Thursday night, Charleston has a fun

night planned for everyone at their union hall beginning at 7:00PM.  They will have a buffet spread that sounds real good.

There will also be an auction for MDA. 

    The convention officially starts Friday.  We will have a full agenda with all the speakers and business that needs to be

done.  I will try to get all of this worked in so we will flow from one thing to another.  Please look over your convention booklet

as the By-Law changes are in the book and the actual revenue and expenses plus the proposed budget.  Be ready to give your

comments on the items or ask any questions when the subject comes up.  I look forward to seeing all of you at the convention. 

If I do not have your e-mail address and you would like to receive updates from time to time, please send me your e-mail address

if you are not currently receiving something from me.  Some of the addresses that I received at the conventions in the past are no

longer valid.  I delete the e-mail address if it keeps coming back as undeliverable. 

    No one likes politics but now is the time to realize that Congress can make or break us.  If you don’t give to COLCPE, please sign

up.  Colcpe is the best insurance money that you may spend.  $5/pay period is something that you’ll never miss, but if you didn’t

have your job, you would miss more than that.  Congress can take away our rights with the swipe of the pen.  Don’t wait until it’s

too late to get involved.  Just writing a letter or making a phone call goes a long way.  Here in SC, we have our work cut out for us

since none of the representatives that we have will take a stand with us.  They all want our vote but not a one of them will

co-sponsor the bill that will help the Postal Service financial problem.  Congress mandated the pre-funding liability for 75 years.

How many of us will even be here in 75 years?  The Post Office as we know it probably won’t be with this rate of payment. Carriers

are paying more and more out of their pockets for health care and the pension contribution increase that’s coming.  The Ryan Bill

passed in the House (the budget plan for 2012).  Trillions of dollars of cuts in Medicare and Medicaid (which we now pay), giant tax

cuts to the wealthiest Americans (that is not us), our pension contributions would double (6 % increase), plus a wage freeze until 2015.

NOW, IS THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED AND TO STAY INFORMED! ASK ME HOW OR FIND OUT HOW AT NALC.ORG.

In Service and Unity,

Emily

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President’s Article – April 7, 2011

      Well,  April Fool’s Day is over but in the Halls of Congress, all union brothers and sisters are still the butt of the

jokes that are being played.  As letter carriers, we should all take very seriously what is going on concerning all unions. 

Some letter carriers went to the “WE ARE ONE” rally this past Monday in Columbia.  The presidents of all 50 states

made calls to ask for a call to a congressman concerning the hearing concerning the APWU contract.  This can have

grave repercussions for all postal unions. I was in Washington for the State Chairs Meeting to see all of our Congressmen

and Senators (or their legislative aides).  In South Carolina, we have our job cut out for us.  Support for the Postal Service

and our issues are not good.  I received no substantial support or commitment to preserve 6 Day Delivery or for transferring

the overpayment funds to the prefunded liability.  Only 2 aides would say that the congressman was supportive of

6 Day Delivery.  Now is the time to call your Congressman and ask him to co-sponsor House Resolution 137 and support

the Lynch Bill H.R.1351.  Carriers have fought for the benefits that we enjoy today, but now is the time for us to fight for

the benefits for our children and grandchildren.   NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN UP FOR COLCPE OF YOU’RE NOT GIVING

$5/PAYPERIOD.  Some think that we make too much, but I wonder how long they would last if they had to carry mail in the

freezing rain, snow or 100 degree weather.  Congress is all for taking what we have away and they can.  WAKE UP NOW

BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.  The impending shut down of the government has everything in limbo.  A government shut down

could have a drastic effect on all of us.  It is already hard for some unemployed to find good paying jobs, a job that will support

their family.  What will happen to us if Congress raises social security to 70?  Every carrier that is covered under FERS will

be affected.  What will happen if we lose our collective bargaining?  We all will be in trouble.  I have heard time and time

again reasons why a person doesn’t want to get involved in the political aspect of letter carriers or unions.  Your job and the

jobs of your fellow workers may depend on you.  Ask yourself, what is my job worth?  Think long and hard! Don’t depend on

someone else to fight the battle because it’s going to take all of us pulling together, “WE ARE ONE”. 

       The new route adjustment process has been announced.  One good thing about it – the supervisor has to sit down with

the carrier and go over the 3999.  Every carrier should ask for a copy of the 3999 the day that the supervisor rides with you. 

If you don’t know how to read it, give it to your shop steward or your union president.  We will have training on the PS Form 3999

at the State Convention.  The 3999 is a big factor in the adjustment of a route because that information goes into DOIS to move

territory.  The months for the next adjustment will be March or April.  With the decrease in volume, as in my station, it will not be

pretty.  I did, however, request at the COP meeting that the adjustment team take a four month average (2 Jan – May and 2 Sept - Nov),

for their average.  This was a recommendation as a president.  Our National President does take into consideration all of the problems

and recommendations from the floor.  Lew Drass, our National Director of City Delivery, told me that my suggestion was more in line

with what he was thinking and what the Executive Council had suggested.  This would limit us to only one adjustment a year so the

clerks would have time to learn the schemes.

REMEMBER WE ARE ONE – EMILY LANE

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Februay 13, 2011

Valentine Article-2011

    All branches should receive their convention packets sometime this week.  The only item that is pending is the

information on the Golf Tournament.  Charleston golfing is very expensive so Jimmy and Michael are still trying

to get better rates.  The Embassy Suites is set so make your reservations and don’t wait until the last minute. 

I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as can be there at the convention. I am setting the agenda so if you

have anything you’d like to see happen, let me know. 

    I had a hip replacement on January 26^th so I’m a little slow.  I will be out of work for awhile but that just gives me

more time to work on some union things.  The State Chairs meeting has been called for the 3^rd thru the 6^th of April.  

My doctor has cleared me to attend.  He says that in 2 months time, if I keep improving at the rate that I have, everything

should be okay.  I won’t be allowed to drive for 4 more weeks. 

    The fight for our jobs and benefits never ends.  The last route adjustments were okay.  In my office we didn’t really make

any major changes and lost no routes so I consider it a good deal.  Some of the offices were not so lucky.  Remember to take

your breaks, deliver your certified mail, postage dues, scan your confirmations and scan points.  All unnecessary cuts in your

route take away from your time.  Once that time is eliminated, because you didn’t feel like attempting the accountable,

it is hard to get it back.  Never say you don’t have the time to do what you’re required to do because we all can ask for a

3996 for the time if it’s necessary.  Service to our customers is our main job.  Our customers don’t care if the Post Office

meets their budget.  Customers only want their mail in a timely manner.  It is our job as a letter carrier to make sure that we

deliver the service that our customers expect.  Letter Carriers across this nation are the hide that covers the skeleton of the Post Office. 

Let’s do our job so the whole will be healthy and strong.

    Here’s wishing each of you a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!  Give your loved ones a hug and kiss and tell them how much you

appreciate them.  Remember that all of you letter carriers hold a very special place in my heart.

In Unity,

Emily

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Emily Lane – December 2010

    It doesn’t seem like this year should almost be over.  Time for the Regional Rap and the State convention are

just around the corner.  I have already started lining up an agenda for the convention.  If anyone has anything that

they would like to have discussed pertaining to our jobs, please let me know so I might include it.   Judy will be

having a full day of training at the convention and lots of training at the Regional Rap.  Since the Rap is in Myrtle Beach,

please take advantage of it being in our state.  Everyone is asking about the dates for the National Rap Session, but

I don’t have them.  Donna and I both have tried in vain to get the dates before everyone started marking their calendars. 

I am sorry but National has not even selected the date yet. 

    It was good to see all of those who attended the training in November.  I thought that there were some good

topics covered.  You know we all can learn something new just by attending.  None of us have all of the answers, so

learning is a continual process, at least is for me. 

    Make plans now for the convention and remember that this next year will be an election year.  Think hard on whom you

want your officers to be since they will represent you.  I will never tell you who to vote for or against.  Make sure that the

person you help to elect is willing to do the job.  If someone is in the office just to have the state pay for their way to a

convention, then they don’t need the job.  There is a lot more to each elected office than just attending a training session,

e-board meeting or a convention.  The Executive Board has gone over the by-laws and has some changes that will be discussed

at the convention.  We have thought long and hard on some of the changes that were suggested.  Each change presented will

be a consensus of the all members of the board.  

    Let’s do one last push to get as many as we can sign up for COLCPE.  South Carolina can beat Arkansas so let’s get going.

Hope each of you had a good Thanksgiving and I wish each of you a MERRY AND HEALTHY CHRISTMAS!

In UNITY

Emily

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October 11, 2011

    It seems that all of the branches are having the same or similar problems.  I have just returned from the Committee

of President’s meeting and realize that if you deliver in California, Hawaii, New York or South Carolina, we all have the

same issues.  Our National President attends these meetings and talks of the items that National is working on. 

Updates are not always announced because we down want to show our hand until we have to.  Sometimes we as carriers

don’t know the whole story and it is hard to understand why the National officers do things the way we do.  Just remember

that they have an awesome task ahead of them.  It will only be one year that our contract comes up for renewal and National

is not waiting until the last minute to prepare.

    The Spring COP meeting will be held in Cincinnati on March 27 and 28^th, 2011.  All presidents are invited to attend.  If

you are interested, give me a call for information.  There is a registration fee of $75.  March 9 – 12, 2011, there will be a

regional RAP in Myrtle Beach.  With the Convention in May (18 – 21), start now making your plans.  There will be some

great training at the RAP session and your branch might not want to miss out on it.  Training will be held on Thursday before

the convention also.  SC may not have fall training since National will be holding a National RAP late summer or early fall –

just trying to let all branches know so you can make plans.  The training will be more intense at the National session and

would be good for some more of the branches to attend.  National tends to have something for every member whether you are

a branch officer, a steward or just a member.  Normally, the training is geared towards knowledge to do your job as a union

officer.  Don’t miss out on an excellent opportunity. 

     National has asked the carriers to help out with the excessing situation.  They are not sure all of the residual vacancies

are being made available.  If you have a residual vacancy in your office, please notify the NBA.  Also, if you have a carrier

that is to be excessed, it would be a good idea to let the NBA know.  Our regional office is trying to match up some of the

carriers with available positions.  NBAs are getting some PTFs converted using this info.

    Remember that you are the only one that can determine if you need overtime.  Just because management gives you a

projection sheet doesn’t mean that you are held to their projection.  The projection sheet is just a management tool and

that’s all.  Builders use a tool to build a house but the tool can’t build the house by itself.  The projection sheet is taken from

DOIS and we all know that management is not supposed to discipline a carrier using DOIS as a basis.  DOIS can’t determine traffic

or DPS mix or parcels effect on a route.  No two days will ever be exactly the same.  Just do your job in a professional manner,

obey the safety rules and don’t worry about the projection sheet.  I try to jot down the time that I scan my MSPs.  I compiled a sheet

that tells me a time frame from one scan to another (50 minutes to 1hr 10 minutes).  This was done for each scan but some days

I don’t hit even my time frame so you know I don’t always make my DOIS projection.  Ask me if I care!  As long as I do my job like

I’m supposed to, it doesn’t matter.  There is no use making a mountain out of a mole hill.

    H. R. 5746 is still very important to us as letter carriers.  No congressman in SC has signed to co-sponsor.  Call your congressman

today and ask him to support this bill.  All of you have cell phones so please make that one call that might save carrier jobs. 

Important dates for the next leave year are to be mailed out to branch secretaries sometime next week.  Please be on the lookout and

mark the dates for union business so everyone that needs to attend training can do so.  The spring of 2011 will be busy so make your

plans early.  Don’t forget that the state has elections this year.

Emily Lane

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September 12, 2010

    As you know the National Convention has come and gone and most of you have received information from your

branch members that attended.  Ed Martin and I attended for the state. I worked at the legislation booth 2 days and the

rally on Friday.  These were assignments for the state chairs and CDLs.  The rally was very motivating as union workers

from California came together to rally for jobs.  We need to stand together to protect our jobs. Once they are gone, they

will never return.  Look at the textile industry. There are no textile jobs in the south today where once it was a leading

manufacturer with many workers.  Don’t let your fellow carriers who want to do away with Saturday delivery stay on that

mind frame.  Tell them that they may be the one who doesn’t have a full time job with the Postal Service if 6-day delivery

is eliminated. When 5 days is not enough savings, the PO will go to 4; just to see if that will work and think what that will

do to the jobs of letter carriers.   Call your Congressman today and plead with them to become a co-sponsor of H. R. 5746. 

Think about the future of the letter carriers in the Nation and not just the fact that you’d like to be off on Saturday.  The

Post Office has been trying to privatize the Postal Service for years and if we mess around we might just let them. 

    While at the National Convention, I attended classes every morning and afternoon to try to learn all that I could.  I have

never thought that I was the smartest person but I have tried to learn at every opportunity that was available.  On Monday,

I had to work the legislation booth from 8 to 12.  On Monday afternoon, I attended the Branch Trustee Training.  I felt that

the class would be beneficial because it covered audits, receipts and disbursements, Labor and Management reporting and

Disclosure Act requirements and overall union finances.  On Tuesday, I attended the Mutual Benefit Training.  I wish I had

attended this training years ago.  I would be more prepared for retirement at this point in my life than I am now.  All these

years, I thought that I was building a retiree plan that would leave me financially sound but boy has that proven wrong.  Yes,

I have a good retirement, but can I live on it by the time I pay taxes, insurance and annuities without having to get a

supplemental job.  The amount that the NALC says that I’m entitled to is $300 less than the OPM calculation.  On Tuesday

afternoon, I attended reinventing the Postal Service. On Wednesday morning, I sat in on the NALC Health Benefits.  Every

carrier should try to get their fellow workers to join the NALC Health Benefits. This is our union plan and it can be even better

with more participation from all carriers.  Benefits are continuing to be added to the plan and it keeps getting better with time. 

Wednesday afternoon was another work day at the legislation booth.  Thursday morning, I went to a class on fiduciary Officer

Training.  It was intended for new branch officers who have fiduciary and record-keeping responsibilities. It was great even

for someone who has been in office for years.  Thursday afternoon was a class on Zero Tolerance: preventing Supervisor Theft

of work Hours.   Friday Morning, I attended the first part of a class on Civil service retirement.  After working for 33 years, I

can’t afford to retire. After taxes, insurance and annuity for my spouse, there is about half of your present take home salary gone. 

Think about living on one pay check a month.   On Friday, I had to work the rally. I was one of the routers to get everyone in line for

lunch, t-shirts and on a bus.  This was a very busy week.  I left home on Saturday, August 7, so I would be there to put the banners

up on Sunday, August 8 at 9:00AM.  I returned home at 8:30PM the following Saturday. It was a very busy and eventful week.  The

interaction with carriers from other states was exceptional.  There is always a lot to be learned from the experience.  I would advise

every branch to send at least one to the National just for the training that is available. 

   The state training will be more at the regional raps from now own.   The Region 9 Rap will be in March of 2011 and will be

held in SC.  The hotel will be announced later but I do urge all branches to send as many of their stewards to the training that will be

available there as possible.  Steward training will be offered at the Convention but the training at the regional level for all four states

will be the highlight of the training sessions.  Don’t forget the State Convention in Charleston in 2011. 

      Judy Willoughby will be holding a training session at the Columbia Union Hall on the evening of Nov. 5 from 7 – 9 PM for

those that can make it.  Nov. 6 will be a full day from 9AM – 4PM (?) in Columbia. Defenses to Discipline, EAP- how to approach a

fellow carrier, Article 12 and other training will be announced.  The agenda should come out a little later. 

President

Emily Lane

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August 4, 2010

Update August-2010

There is a lot going on inside and outside the Post Office.  Inside, we are adjusting routes with the JARAP and working in this heat.  Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and

keep hydrated.  Take a break and cool off if you feel that you’re getting to hot.  Outside, the Postal Service is in a battle to save the Post Office from financial ruin.  The NALC

has asked everyone to write or call their congressman to ask for co-sponsorship of H. R. 5476.  It has gone to mark-up and we need to do everything that we can to get this bill

passed.  It will eliminate some of the pressure that the Post Office has with their budget problem.  Don’t make the mistake and think that this doesn’t affect you! 

If the Post Office goes down, so do all of us.  In the public eye, letter carriers are the Post Office so remember that we deliver 6 days a week to all households in America. 

SC is in the COLCPE competition with Arkansas.  National is waiting to see which state signs up the most deductions for COLCPE.  There are some nice prizes for the state that wins. 

We need to all get busy and sign up someone for the $5 per pay-period or $10 a month.  This is cheap for the value that we as carriers get from it.  Most carriers don’t want to lobby but someone has to.  The COLCPE funds are distributed to men and women that have helped our cause as letter carriers.  Only 2 congressmen have received funds in SC but in other states some congressmen are more likely to help with our request.  SC is a RED state and not very Union friendly.  It is easy to sign up on Postal Ease or call the NALC Legislative Department and someone there will be glad to sign you up.

The National Convention will be in California August 9 – 14.  South Carolina has the lowest number of delegates in Region 9.  We are also the smallest membership state.  Donna said that she had confirmation that 52 delegates were going to the convention.  That is about the same number that we had last time.  Wayne Harlow has been selected to fill a committee spot. 

News about the training in November will follow after the National Convention as Judy said that she had to talk to me about it.  National is requesting all branches that can to do the National Bowl a Thon on November 7, Sunday.  This may present a problem with our training.  It has been suggested that the State do a bowl with the representatives that are at the training.  I’ll know more after the convention. Training from the National level will be Regional from now on.  All state wide meetings have to have a legislative agenda.

I was not able to make the last State Chairs meeting at Judy’s office.  My office already had 3 off on choice leave and 3 on sick leave- couldn’t get off.  I did attend through a telecom briefly to give my reports.  The %s for SC is Carrier Core 3.7 (National Average 2.6), Activist 12.01 (National 10.3) and COLCPE 5.07 (National 5.02) with a goal of 10%.  We need to beef up our %s. 

Emily Lane, President

SCSALC

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July 8, 2010

    July 4th is the day that we celebrate our freedom; Our day of independence.  I hope each of you celebrated and thought about

the men and women who are in the armed services protecting our freedom.  It is time for the letter carriers to stand up and fight

for the six day delivery.  Every letter carrier is allowed to work 5 days, 40 hours a week and get a day off during the week.  The

elimination of 6 Day Delivery will not make a difference for the majority.  Now, but, how man days will be eliminated if the Postal

Service is allowed to go to less than 6 day delivery.  If cutting one day will save all of this money, then cutting 2 days will be

double the savings.  Why not go to 3 days and triple the savings?  It would make all of us part-time.  Think about the future and

where you want to be in 10, 20, 30 years from now.  I urge all of you to write or call your congressman and senators to preserve

6 Day Delivery.  The clerk craft has been stripped to the minimum number of employees, so where has all of the savings from

the elimination of clerk jobs gone.  Have any of you seen any reduction in management?  We have more managers to manage

the managers than ever before.

    I ask all of you to join the "5 Days is the Wrong Way" program.  Stand up for your right to deliver mail to your customers 6

days a week and maintain the service that our brothers and sisters before us have fought for.  The letter carriers are the ones

that the public think of when they think of the Postal Service.  Remember the old saying, "out of sight, out of mind".  A letter

carrier looks out for the patrons on their routes and some even feel like part of the family.  Let's don't lose this with eliminating

a day of delivery.  Let your voice be heard by calling or writing your congressman today.

We still don't have a location for the fall training.  I will notify everyone as soon as I hear from Judy's office.

Emily

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May 18, 2010

Sorry to be so late in getting this in.  Please keep my family in your prayers.  My mother had a stroke followed by a

heart attack. It is scary when they call a code and come running in with a crash cart.  Last week I have been at the

hospital for 30 to 36 hours , going home and sleeping 2 or 3 hours and going back to start over my watch again. 

The Lord does answer prayers because she is home now and doing fairly well.

    I went to the COP meeting in Phoenix.  I was pleasantly surprised at the information that was given out. 

President Fred Rolando does a fantastic job of keeping the presidents informed.  The NALC doesn’t want all of the

information to be public knowledge as it might have a major effect on the workings of the NALC.  Sometimes it just

doesn’t pay to play your hand until the last minute.  Phoenix arranged for us to tour the FSS plant.  It was amazing, huge

and unimaginable.  I talked with some carriers that are actually delivering the mail worked by the machine.  I was told that

the flats are more accurate than the DPS letters.  The only time that they have a major problem is when the machine goes down. 

The flats are worked into 1 foot trays and staged for carrier pickup, then directly into the vehicle. A carrier has to replenish

their tray more often but the flats are easy to work while you are delivering.   There was a lot of talk about the carrier

expectation worksheet.  The M-41 has not changed.  It is still the carrier’s responsibility to tell management if they are to

be over or under (not managements to tell you). The National decision that DOIS can’t be used for discipline is still in effect. 

The difference in volume (not to mention the type of volume), traffic, parcels, accountable and other things that a computer

can’t figure contribute to your workload.  Don’t be intimidated by the DOIS projection and don’t feel like you have to make

the DOIS projection that you supervisor gives you.  As long as you are doing your job in a professional and safe manner,

not killing time and following the rules for delivery, you use what it takes.

    TEs were also discussed and the proper use. There are some good decisions recently.  Use a Step B decision from

another city for arguments since it is not precedent setting in your office.  Most TEs are runners because if they aren’t, the PO

won't renew their contract and they need the job.  It is important to track all new delivery.  Get all new delivery that is not in growth

to the NBA office so they are aware that the PO is still giving the delivery to rural even though it should go to city. 

    The State Convention is over and I think it went well.  The turnout was good and Myrtle Beach did a fantastic job.  I have

received a thank you note for the check that was sent to Juan Vilches. He lost his son while he was at the convention. Our

thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.  I have also received a thank you acknowledgement from MDA for the

contribution at the convention.  As soon as I know the location of the training in November, I will let Ed know to post and I will e-mail

it to all of my contacts.   A lot of you will be going to Anaheim for the National Convention.   I will see you there.  Plan to attend the

trainings as they are very well prepared and presented.  If you just go for the convention, you will miss a lot of great info to take home

to your branch.  The executive board will be meeting in November to go over the by-laws.  Some of the wording is obsolete and some

needs a little more clarity.  If you would like to see a change in an article, please let me know so I can bring it before the board.  All

suggestions will be taken into consideration.  Judy and some of the branches would like for us to go to every other year for the convention. 

She has assured us that the NBAs office will do two trainings a year.  Last year the training was in conjunction with the convention and the

rap session.  If we didn’t have a convention every year, it might allow the branches and the state to send more members to the National and

Regional Raps.  This is something to think about.  SC usually is not well represented at Regional and National meetings.  SC may be small

in comparison to Florida, North Carolina and Georgia but we still need to make a good showing that we are interested in what is happening

to our union.  The last two years at the National Convention, SC only took up less than an eighth of the seats for region 9 and there were a lot

of empty seats in our section.  Since we have the fewest #, we’re always put at the back.  Let’s step up to the plate and move SC to the front

instead of the tail end.

LOVE YA!

Emily

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

April 6, 2010

    I am sorry for being late with my article but I’ve been busy working on the convention.  I went to Washington, D.C.

March 22 – 25, 2010 to a State Chairs meeting.  The major topic of the meeting and lobbying was the preservation

of 6-day delivery.  As carriers, we would all love to be off every Saturday.  If we allow Congress to eliminate the

requirement for 6-day delivery, we will allow the Postal Service to cut days to meet the needs of service.  We all know

how they use the term “needs of service” to their advantage.  There is no assurance that only one day of delivery will

be eliminated.  The state chairs lobbied on Wednesday.  The Postmasters and Supervisor’s Association had lobbied

on Tuesday.  I was much surprised to learn that they also wanted to maintain 6-Day delivery. 

    Potter even admitted that if the over-funding of the CSRS retirement could be used for the unfunded liability of the

retiree’s health benefits, there would be no need to go to 5-days.  Congress doesn’t quite see that this is money that the

Postal Service has already paid in.  Some of the members think of this transfer as a bail out; which it isn’t.  Everyone

that lobbied has asked for support of H. R. 173 (preserving 6-day delivery).  The Postal Service has projected that it will

save 3.9 billion by eliminating Saturday delivery but the NALC projects that it will only save about 1.9 billion.  So where

will they go after the elimination of one day doesn’t give them the projected savings that they’ve calculated.

    There is still a lot of talk about going to 5-day and the district only hears what comes from their higher managers.  I

have talked to a lot of carriers and everyone has their own ideas of how to save the Postal Service but management

doesn’t listen to the workers who actually deliver the mail.  The Postal Service has too many chiefs and does too much

micro-managing.  If the Postal Service would let the supervisors manage and do their job without all of the interference,

some of the higher level managers could go and save money.  Postmasters could be over 2 or 3 offices instead of one. 

In some offices, a station manager is over 3, 4 or 5 zones (one zone is larger than some of the smaller offices).  It is time for the

carriers to do their part in preserving 6-day delivery.  I ask each of you to contact your congressman and senators, let them

know how you feel.  We have a job that a lot of people would love to have and they would not mind working on Saturday. 

Let’s keep the Postal Service as the most trusted business in America.  5-Day delivery is the beginning of the road to

privatization.  That is one road that we don’t want to travel.

    I hope to see all of you at the convention.  The dates are April 23 and 24.  We will have a full day of training on Thursday

the 22^nd and for those who play golf- April 21.  Nicole Rhine, the assistant Secretary/Treasurer will be our National Officer. 

Myrtle Beach has put a lot of effort in making this a memorable convention.  If you want to come for just the day of training,

you don’t have to be a registered delegate.  We have over 100 delegates registered.

    I will be going to the Committee of President’s meeting this coming weekend.  I hope to bring back some useful

information.                 

In Solidarity,

Emily

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April Fool

    Every carrier would love to be off every Saturday.  Sounds good but the final outcome might not be what

you’ve heard.  If Congress does allow the Postal Service to eliminate a day of delivery, the law will have to

be changed that preserves 6-day delivery.  Nothing will keep the PO from eliminating again and again.  It will

not change the law about postage increases.  Eliminating Saturday delivery is projected to save billions of

dollars for the PO but at whose expense.  Management will not be affected but the rank and file of the carriers

in this nation will be drastically reduced.  THAT IS HOW THEY PLAN TO SAVE! 

    Potter testified before Congress and admitted that the elimination of 6-day delivery would not be necessary

if the over-funding of the CSRS retirement fund was transferred to the unfunded liability of the retiree’s health

benefits. The PO still continues to tell everyone that going to 5-day delivery is the only solution.  5-day delivery

might be the downfall of the post office.  Will it stop with 5-days or will it drop to 4?  If letter carriers don’t deliver

on Saturday, someone else will and charges a premium to do so.  If anyone ever gets their foot in the door, it will

be hard to reverse the outcome. Letter Carriers across the nation can’t afford the elimination of Saturday delivery. 

Mail volume has already dropped and is projected to drop even more (especially if we lose one day of delivery). 

    If asked whether you want to drop Saturday delivery or have stamps increase, which would, you choose.  There

is no contest.  The elimination of Saturday delivery won hands-down.  If mail volume continues to decline, an

increase in postage rates are sure to come.  The cost of everything else has increased. 

    At the State Chairs meeting, we were told that the carrier force was already down 140,000.  It is projected that

45,000 to 50,000 will be added to this with the elimination of one day of delivery.  All of the state presidents met with

their house and senate members to ask for the preservation of 6-day delivery.  All of our house members are for

keeping 6-day.  Graham is undecided but DeMint is for a 5-day delivery.  H. R. 173 preserves 6-day delivery. 

Call and ask your representative to support this.  It has always been a tradition to play an April fool joke on someone

but let’s be alert and not let the PO play one on us.

Emily, President

SCSALC

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

President’s Article February 3, 2010

    It’s hard to believe that January is gone already.  Time sure does fly as we get older.  As union members we have some

times ahead that we don’t want to miss.  The time for the convention will be here before we know it.  All packets will be

arriving shortly or have already been received by the branch secretaries.  All branches should have already selected their

delegates to the State and National Conventions.   Please get the state packages back in ASAP.  The state will be paying

for the banquet for all registered delegates that attend.  Guest tickets will be available for those wanting to bring a guest. 

Please let Myrtle Beach know in advance as a limited number of tickets will be available at registration.  Banquet tickets will

be printed for each registered delegate and may be picked up by the delegate at the registration table.  All guest tickets

ordered in advance will also be printed and can be picked up by the delegate that ordered them.  Banquet tickets will be required

for entry. 

    I have been busy with getting the convention program lined up.  I have already requested a National Officer and our Regional

 Field Coordinator for the convention.  I am always looking for something different, so if you have any suggestions please let me

know. 

    I will be going to Phoenix to a Committee of President’s Meeting in April before our convention.  Representing the state in

this is something that I have mixed feelings about.  However, I have been told that the meetings are well worth having a

representative there. There is a lot of information that is picked up at these meetings that SC has been missing out on.  The co-chairs

for the COP have asked that I get SC involved.  The executive board voted not to send me to the last one since they felt that we had

spent too much reimbursing the branches for their convention registration fee.  The state is in good financial shape.  I have to give

GREAT CREDIT to the officers of this state for the work that they do.  Most everyone has the best interest of the state at heart. 

   I will also be going to Washington to lobby in March.  That is probably the most important function of my job as president.  According

to National, the job of the state association is to promote the political agenda for the state.  South Carolina has a long way to go to get

recognition in the national level.  SC is a red state and most of our legislators don’t support things that pertain to our jobs.  If the vote

came up to eliminate 6 day delivery, it would probably pass if the entire nation had a vote.  People (carriers included) don’t realize the

number of carriers, both city and rural that would be out of jobs.  Retirements and attrition would not be enough.  According to the

Morning Report, 45,000 carriers would be added to the unemployment line.  Ask yourself what effect that would have on the economy? 

Some of our legislators are up for election and we need to elect worker friendly candidates.

In Unity,

Emily

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

January 4, 2010

    As I look back on the events of the year 2009, I wonder where the time went.  We are less than 4 months away from the

South Carolina State Association of Letter Carrier's Convention.  I hope each branch has made their selection of their delegates.

Please try to get the registration back as soon as possible.  Cards should be going out around the first of February.  Myrtle

Beach has put a lot of work into the State Convention.  Some branches are sending more to the National Convention because

they believe that training is better there than at the state level.  You get from something what you put into it.  Any training that

we get, whether it is a repeat is beneficial because we should learn something new every day.

    Donna and I have gone over the By-Laws because it has been brought to our attention that one clause was left out. Researching

back to 2007, we have found the error and it will be corrected.  For services rendered the Vice-President shall receive the sum of

one--hundred dollars ($100.00) monthly.  This was omitted in the typing of the combining of the V.P. and the Editor duties.  It used

to be an option for the VP to get someone to be the editor but we voted in 2007 to combine the duties and that the VP would be

the editor/webmaster.  The Resolutions and By-Laws committee was also not stated as a committee that is to be appointed for

the convention.  Some other issues have come up about the wording of our By-Laws.  The National Constitution is considered

the general guide for our state association.  The rules in the National Constitution may be applicable for the operation of the

State Association as we are not to have anything in our state constitution that is in conflict with the National Constitution.  The

wording has been the way it is for years and we have had no problems, but since issues have come up with it, we must address

them.

    Now, I hope each of you had a good New Year.  Our work ahead for 2010 is cut out for us.  We have several key positions

that we need to fill with working family friendly individuals.  We will probably be asked to do a lobbying trip this year.  The dates

have not been set as of yet.  The Executive Board has voted to send only two representatives per district.  Any branches that wish

to send a representative may contact me.  More information will be coming later.

    I am available any evening if anyone needs me.  I don't give my cellphone out because I don't have time to talk while on my route.  I

don't want to compromise my duties as a letter carrier or give you less than my full attention while delivering mail.  Therefore, I

choose the evenings to give you my undivided attention.  I hope you understand. Sometimes at night I will be on the phone for hours

talking with carriers throughout the state of South Carolina.  If for some reason I don't have time at the moment when someone calls,

I will always call you right back because each carrier in our state association is important to me.

    Wishing each of you a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Emily

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

November 22, 2009

    The month is almost over and I wonder where the time has gone?  I'm a little late getting this article written because of an

emergency with my dad.  He's well now and at home.  It seems like only yesterday that we were at the planning session in Columbia.

I thought it went well and hope that everyone got some answers for their questions.

    Every office will be doing minor route adjustments in the coming months.  If you missed the planning session that the MIARAP and

DEAT Teams did, you have missed some valuable lessons that could have helped you with the MIARAP process.  It's like Ed says,

you have to know your rights and never forget that the more knowledge that you have on something, the better you can deal with it.

Remember that planning is everything and never give up and just let management have their way because it's easier.  Management

will only have their way if we allow them to.  I have heard some say that "they're going to do what they want to do so I don't want any

part of it".  If we all take that attitude, management will do exactly what they want and what do you think our routes will look like then?

Be professional and do your job according to the guidelines in the M-41.

    If you can count your mail as you case it, you can chelck to see if all NLM mail is recorded accurately.  Ask the supervisor what

your mail volume is occasionally.  Just check to see if their volume is what you have.  In another district, the union has found that the

new bar coded mail is not being counted into the final NLM volume.  Apparently, there is a glitch in the system.  You may be casing

and carrying out more than you've been given credit for.  If management is using the linear measurement method, remember, their is

115 flats in a foot and 227 letters in a foot.  Learn what you must to protect yourself.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Emily Lane, President

SCSALC 

***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

November 11, 2009

Happy Veteran's Day!

Emily Lane, President

SCSALC

************************************************************************************************************************************************************

OCTOBER  12, 2009

   I have just recently been to Washington, D.C. at the State Chair’s meeting.  All of the Chairs were in training and

lobbying for the letter carriers of this great nation.  We were successful in getting a one- time relief on the prefunding

of retiree’s health benefits (something no other company has to do).  When someone thinks of the post office, they

normally always think of their letter carrier.  We are the post office to them.  In a sense, this is our company so we

have to do all that we can to make it a success.  Our jobs may depend on bringing in revenue, making the most of our

time, doing our job the most efficient way possible, being safe, and making sure that the Postal Service is around a

long time.  It may seem that management is trying to run the Post Office into the ground but that doesn’t mean that we

as carriers have to.  I love my job as a carrier and I want the opportunity to serve my customers for years to come.  As

carriers our job is just beginning.  We must let our voices be heard in the state and on Capitol Hill.  Jim Demint keeps

calling the relief a bailout, but it isn’t and doesn’t cost the tax payers money.   Congress didn’t have a problem with the

bill to enable them to pay their staffs for the next year and this will cost the tax payer since we all pay taxes. 

    I have had several calls about the planning session.  The registration sheet was in the packet that Donna sent to all

branches, either to the secretary or the president.  If you don’t get a sheet, at least call me at 864-877-2846 in the evenings

to let me know you’re coming if you can’t get it in by the 16^th.  We need a number for lunch and refreshments.

    Myrtle Beach has almost completed the arrangements for next year’s convention and Charleston is on the way for 2011. 

There will be no elections in 2010 but any by-law changes (3 copies) must be submitted to the state secretary, see By-Laws

for deadline. 

    I have been told that we have already begun the next MIARAP Process.  If mail volume is up in your office like it is in mine,

we might come out a little better off.  We’ll see if management will take off routes as easy as they have been adding to routes. 

Remember, eight hours work for eight hours pay.  You are not required to run to make your eight hours. Be professional and

abide by the rules and regulations that management has set.  Take your breaks and lunch period instead of skipping them.

You get actual time so don’t short change yourself.

    Hope you’re enjoying your holiday! 

In Solidarity,

Emily

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

September 28, 2009

Emily's Regional 9 Rap Session Report

    I have just returned from the Region 9 Rap Session.  In talking with some of the other representatives from South Carolina, this

session has offered some of the best training that we have had in a while.  Some of the branch presidents wished that they had

sent more representatives from their branches.  All of the sessions that I attended were outstanding.

    Since withholding is a huge issue for all of us, I attended the withholding class.  Most of the problems that the region is having

are coming from Greater South Carolina.  If you have not had to deal with withholding you are lucky.  The employee to be excessed

will be a junior employee by grade according to the order that they receive their 60-Day Notice Letter.  Seniority plays no part in

the moving from one installation to another.  Our National Office is working on this according to NALC President Fred Rolando.

If you have city carriers that are to be excessed to the needs of the office, be sure that their rights are upheld.  We as union

officers hold the responsibility to enforce the National Agreement and Memorandums.  If you have questions, don't hesitate

to call the National Business Agent's office.  No carrier should be cheated of their rights.

    Active Listening- developing listening skills:  I thought it might be interesting to see what this class had to offer.  It had a lot to

do with leadership skills.  You must be a good listener in the job as a union steward.  Sometimes you even have to listen between

the lines.  The most important thing is to listen to what others are telling you and keep your mind focused on what they are saying.

If you don't, you might miss an important fact that could make a huge difference in an outcome.  Listen as if you know nothing about

what the person is telling you and don't make assumptions.  We had an exercise and everyone had slips with information on them.

Each person in the group told what was on their slips.  One person left out two words the first time the slip was read but said them

correctly the next time when we were going over the information a final time.  Those two words made the difference between

answering questions correctly or incorrectly.  Listen to each member of a group one at a time.  Listen to an individual completely.

We all get in a hurry trying to meet deadlines but we all need to slow down and listen to others in our daily lives.  All of us will be

richer for it.

    My next class was on legislation.  The emphasis was on grassroots organizing and political activism.  As you should know by

now, HR22 passed the House.  It has been folded into an appropriations bill to go to the Senate.  If the bill is not passed by

September 30, the Postal Service will have to pay the full prefunding amount for future retired health benefits.  The loss of mail

volume has caused a deficit in revenue and the Postal Service can no longer afford to pay at the accelerated rate that was in

the original Bill for prefunding.  The Bill as it stands today will only be a one year fix and our work will just be beginning for the

future of the Postal Service.  We as carriers all want to be off on Saturday with our families, but think about what it would do to

some of your fellow carriers.  There would be no Carrier Technicians, no jobs for one out of sic carriers.  Going to a Five-Day work

week would open the Postal Service to the possibilities of privatization.  The National Level officers are talking with the PMG to

build revenue and other duties for a letter carrier to maintain the six day delivery.  The Employee Free Choice Act is something

else that we don't have to worry about because we already have the right to be members of the union.  Other industries should

have the same rights that we have without hassle.

    Fred Rolando ended the Rap Session on Sunday.  He talked about the Regulatory Commission, the Board of Governors,

and the AFL-CIO (our part at the local level).  One big issue was the combining of local offices and other potential

consolidations.  Article 12 and the task force that was created to monitor the withholdings nationwide were discussed.  Each

office is asked to provide the NBA with any residual vacancies in their office.  The JCAM is on the website finally and hopefully

will be sent in print to offices and branch presidents soon.  Fred Rolando went over some of the changes to the JCAM.  One

important fact is that anyone can now be hired as the Postal Service no longer uses rosters-taken from E-Careers.  The NRP

was gone over and we were told today that assessments are now being done.  DRP is working pretty well but our National

Office is working on some consistency issues from the different teams around the country.  Staffing issues and the window

of operation, along with the Article 8 grievances were all discussed.  The City vs. Rural Territory was discussed.  Remember

to report ANY new developments to your branch president.  All new territory is supposed to go to the city carriers now as it

has gone to rural in the past.  There are a few exceptions, but make sure that the new growth meets the criteria before you

just concede it to rural.  Fred Rolando told everyone that the Postal Service was the most trusted agency in the Federal

Government and that Letter Carriers are the Postal Service!  In the business sector, the Postal Service was ranked third.

Whenever, someone does a survey, the letter carriers of this nation are the ones that the public think of when the words

"Post Office" are mentioned.  Remember, this is our company and we don't want to see it fail. 

    A bit of bad news, the NALC Health Benefit rates will go up.  Good news, not as much as the other programs.  Some

new benefits have been added.  I will be leaving to go to Washington, D.C. for the State Chairs meeting.  All State Presidents

will be lobbying for the carriers of this nation on Wednesday.  Keep us in your thoughts as we will be up there to benefit each

of the carriers that we represent.  Our Union is strong because of each of us.  The saying is that "no man is an island", but

in the union, "no man or woman stands alone."

Emily Lane, President

SCSALC

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* 

August 09

   There is not much going on this past month.  I have been doing the initial and final consultations for the District Teams on

the route adjustments.  In some of the offices, it is sad since they only have one or two routes. I just finished my office today

and it’s bad but what can we do.  If we had to have a full 6-day count, it would probably be worse.  Hopefully the mail

volume will increase in the future so routes won’t continue to lose time.  There have been many changes over the years,

but I think this is probably the worst that mail volume has ever dropped.  I can remember when we would fuss because we

had so much. Now we’re just glad to see anything- even circulars. 

    I hope all of you are aware that an amendment was added to S 1507 that would adversely affect our collective bargaining.

It would direct an arbitrator to take into account the financial condition of the Postal Service before rendering a decision.

This is used as a vehicle to pass anti-union legislation.  We have to be ever mindful of amendments that are attached to Bills

since they can have an adverse affect on carriers across the nation. It is bad to support something one day and the next you’re

asked not to.  That is the reason that we need to support COLCPE and the legislative team at the national level.  I don’t know

what we would do without these guys and gals looking out for our interest as letter carriers. If you are not an e-activist, sign-up

today.  Carriers of this nation need all the help we can get. Some complain about giving to COLCPE, but those COLCPE dollars

are put to good use for our interest.  $5 a pay-period or $10 per month bank drafts is nothing and you’ll never miss it.  If we save

our jobs and benefits, the money will be well worth it.

Summer is almost over but August seems to be the hottest month. Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated.  Don’t let the

heat make you stupid.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

July 6, 2009

    Well, I don’t know how your mail has been but in my office it has almost dried up.  Saturday mail is nothing and

everyone is doing pivots or taking leave.  The next phase of the route adjustments doesn’t look pretty.  But it is what it

is and we must carry on.  Be sure to watch for new growth (developments) in your offices and make sure that it is put

on city delivery where applicable.  If you are not sure, investigate, ask questions (call NBA Judy Willoughby or me), and

let’s make sure that city carriers gets all new deliveries that the October memorandum has specified.  Remember that it

may be in rural areas, but virgin growth should go to city delivery. 

    Have a happy and restful time on the 4^th.  Spend time with family and friends because how many Saturdays do you

get off without using leave.   It will be nice.  Time has flown by and the year is half over.  Before you know it, cold

weather will set in again.  The older we get, the faster time seems to go by.  As you read this, you’ll see that I started it

 in June.

    Call Senator DeMint about the FERS bill concerning letter carriers by adding unused sick leave to their retirement. 

Read the latest Activist or the NALC bulletin for info.  The FERS bill was attached to the Tobacco Bill but Senator

DeMint had a problem with it.  Let him know your feelings on the bill. Most letter carriers working today are under

FERS, so it does affect YOU. Politics may at one time have not been important to you, but in today’s world you better

get involved.  Your livelihood may depend on it.  Unused sick leave could make a big difference in what you will draw 

every month in your retirement. 

Our sympathy goes out to Donna in the loss of her grandmother.  It is also Don’s mother-in-law. 

Keep up the faith and letter carriers will prevail.  Remember, if I can be of help call me and leave a message at my

home 864-877-2846 or at work in the morning 864-877-6423(24).  I will get back to you. 

Make your plans to go to the Rap Session if you are going.  And don’t forget the Nov 7 planning session.  We tried

something different for Judy last year that the majority complained about so we will try something different again this

year.  We’ll see how this goes.

Sincerely Yours,

Emily Lane, President

SCSALC

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

June 1, 2009

    May has been a very busy month.  After the convention, I had to help my daughter move and get her house

set up and unpacked.  The garden had to be plowed and planted.  My flowerbeds had to have a good weeding. 

The pool area had to be opened up. The outdoor furniture had to be pressure washed.  All this work plus attending

award ceremonies, dance recitals and having a family gathering for Memorial Day has kept me busy.

    I have gotten all of the e-mail addresses from the convention finally entered in my database.  If you don’t receive an

e-mail from me about important items that come up, send me your e-mail address at emily.lane@att.net so I can add

yours to my list. Some of the email addresses that I received at the convention are not valid, maybe because I couldn’t

 read what was put down. Over the years  I have collected quite a few and everyone has said that they like being kept

informed of things that go on.

    With the new route adjustment process, pay attention to your office and street times.  Know what your average is. 

If you have less mail, you will likely spend less time in the office, but more mail requires longer.  In some offices we

have been instructed to curtail whatever we feel is necessary to have an eight hour day.  The supervisor is coming

around (district instruction) in the morning and telling all carriers what time they should be out of the office.  If this is

happening in your office and you don’t agree, you should let the supervisor know.  It probably won’t do any good but at

least they will know that you question their input into DOIS.  Count each piece as you case it if necessary for a few

days.  I have done so several times and my actual piece count doesn’t agree with the DOIS converted count. I think it

has a lot to do with when the volumes actually roll into DOIS. Or maybe what was curtailed the day before wasn’t counted

in the volume the day it was delivered.   Remember to protect yourself.  Know what your average volume of letters and

flats are.  You are entitled to this information. Ask what DOIS volume is if you feel like you need to.  Don’t just take the

supervisors word – BIG MISTAKE! A professional letter carrier should know how long it would take to case and deliver

their route within 15 minutes variance. Remember there are always variables making no two days exactly the same- this

is why taking the average of the regular carrier a better solution than a six-day count.  The figures that the district team

pulls are your figures and not a substitute on the route.  If you have any unusual circumstances, make a note so it can

be mentioned at your consultation.  No one knows your route better than you do.

    District 3, 5 and 6 carriers still need to contact their congressmen concerning H. R. 22.  We need co-sponsors from

these districts.  Henry Brown (1), Joe Wilson (2) and Bob Inglis (4) have already signed on as co-sponsors.  Remember

to let them know that this bill is not a bailout, but simply asking to rearrange the refunding to equalize the payments over

the full fifty years. It does not eliminate any prior requirement of the amount, just like refinancing your house.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GIVE THE SERVICE THAT WE STAND FOR

When people talk about the USPS, the U.S. Letter Carrier is the first person that comes to mind.

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RAP SESSION REPORT – April 2009- Emily

Buddy Ferguson and I attended the rap session.  There were 4 training sessions which we split.  Buddy picked his 2 and I took the other 2.  That way we could cover all 4.

ECONOMIC AND FINIANCIAL CRISIS

Gloom and Doom – According to Jim Sauber , we are in a HELL OF MESS!  There is just no sugar coating.  There were a lot of things in the private sector that brought us to this recession.  But all of the chickens are coming home to roost NOW.  The Obama stimulus package is intended to keep matters from getting worse than they are now. 

 The Postal Service is experiencing the fall out with the decline in mail volume.  We see it each day when we deliver our routes.  The Interim Route Adjustment Program was agreed upon to allow us to maintain what we have. The IRAP is a quicker way and more economical way of adjusting routes.  Carriers certainly don’t want to loose any of the benefits that have been navigated.  Revenues are down but expenses are going up.  Our National leaders are working to make this situation as hassle free as possible.  The revenue is expected to drop between 12 – 15 billion pieces in 2009. The veteran carrier has seen a lot of changes and things continue to change daily.  Management is in worse shape than we are because with all of the reports on the computer, the district can manage our routes, cutting out the supervisor all together.  A robot to actually deliver the mail – well you and I probably will never see this in our lifetime.

The administration must rebuild America.  We didn’t get where we are overnight and it’s going to take awhile to recover.  Letter Carriers must maintain the high quality of service that we have always given our customers.  When the public thinks about the Postal Service, they automatically think about that carrier that delivers their mail.  Letter Carriers are the symbol of the Postal Service.  From the talk, I don’t think that we will go to 5-day delivery.  If we don’t deliver on Saturday, someone else will.  UPS has already stopped Saturday delivery and is contracting out some of their parcels.  Notice and think about this when you see a UPS truck back up to our docks.  Think about all of the delivery companies that have gone under.

I took 15 pages of notes and at the end of the session, we were told not to let all of the info out.  No handouts, no videos.  National doesn’t want to lay all of our cards on the table.  It is just like playing cards, you don’t want the opponent to know what’s in your hand.  We as carriers just have to trust our National officers.  The way things are going now; I know it’s hard. 

In 2003, we had 219,113 carriers.  In 2009, we have 211,022, but we also have 10,375 TEs in the workforce.  The TEs won’t be here forever – they are here for the initiation of the FSS machines.  TEs were hired prior to the DPS and then they were fazed out in most offices- that is the projection when FSS becomes functional.  The loss of volume is having a large effect on the goals of implementation.

One thing that was brought out was that the % of supervisors to carriers was not decreasing.  YET

Now is the time for the unions to determine what happens to the employees rather than management.  Remember to enforce the contract.  The latest memorandum gives all new growth to city that is not in growth on a rural route so watch your new developments and extension of street delivery. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Food Drive – Blood Drives –Toys for Tots – Heroes Award - Carrier Alert – MDA

These are some of the projects that letter carriers work on.  Each one was gone into in detail.  If any branch is interested in any one in particular, please give me a call.  Some branches even have special projects of their own like doing Santa for a family.  Some ideas were shared to raise funds for these projects.  

SUNDAY RAP SESSION- Chart the Course

National has asked that the information not be put on the web.  After listening to the presentation, I understand why.  We just have to TRUST our National Leaders to look out for our best interest.  Letter Carriers have come a long way since Postal Reform. Focus on what you’re doing and not on what your fellow carrier is doing.  Carriers remember to give 8 hours work for 8 hours pay. As our volume declines, our office time should decline also.  As carriers, we don’t see the full picture and know all of the circumstances that affect our jobs. Sombrotto used to say,  “We are where we are”.  Corporate greed brought this country where it is today.  Yes, IRAP did eliminate routes but it is an on-going process so they may be reestablished when mail volume picks back up.  Bill Young has asked that we all stand together and stop bashing our leaders.  (We will never all agree on everything but ask yourself what decision you would make if you were in their shoes and had all of the information that they had.)  

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