I read with interest a post from former President Bill Burrus in regard to my accomplishments. With all due respect, I have to disagree with our beloved Bill Burrus.
His attack on my integrity warrants a response, and I find it necessary to share a backdrop on his personal attacks and related disinformation.
Since his retirement from the APWU in 2010, I’m often asked whether I have seen or talked to Burrus, and I would say no, but it’s my understanding that he’s doing well.
When Burrus’s recent article was posted, several asked why he is attacking you, because they have always known us to be friends. I have always considered Bill a friend, and my preference has always been to keep it that way, but that changed at the 2010 National Convention.
For those of you who attended, you may recall that there was debate over a very contentious issue, Resolution C-217. I supported the resolution. It read as follows:
“That as a top priority in the 2010 negotiations, that our negotiators take all necessary steps to assure the retention of our members’ rights to health benefits in the Federal Employees Health Group Plan.”
Burrus, who was president at the time, relinquished the chair, went to the microphone and asked the delegates to defeat the resolution.
The vote was taken, the Chair believed the Resolution was defeated, division was called for, and a teller’s count was taken. I left the platform table, went to the convention floor and joined others to urge the delegates to vote in favor of the resolution. The resolution was adopted, the vote was 1211 Yes, and 435 No.
After the vote, while sitting on platform, Burrus whispered in my ear, “That severs all ties.”
It’s unfortunate that a principled disagreement over such an important issue affecting our members would cause someone to end a friendship and a professional relationship that lasted for over twenty-five years.
However, in supporting the resolution I did what I believed was right for our members, and I stand by my actions. I believed then and I believe now that remaining in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program should be a priority.
Accomplishments
As Industrial Relations Director from 1995 – 2010, I was responsible for national negotiations, contract administration and interpretation (excluding craft articles) of the contract. I also served as chairperson of the national negotiations committee. And, yes, I have played a major in the APWU’s success on behalf our members, contractual improvements, achieving positive changes – contrary to Bill Burrus false remarks and personal attacks.
For example, of my accomplishments at the national level, I am most proud of my role in winning restrictions in Article 30 on management’s ability to challenge locally-negotiated contract provisions, which postal unions had attempted to achieve for more than 25 years. I developed the strategy for the case and was the union’s expert witness at arbitration. And, yes, Burrus was Executive Vice President at the time.
Another example, is my role in APWU’s success getting language in Article 15 of the National Agreement that was similar to language I negotiated locally when I was president of the Philadelphia PA Area Local. And, yes Burrus was Executive Vice President at the time. The language required management to pay employees monies due within a specific time period, and when they fail to do so, provide payroll advances for settlements and back-pay awards. These are just two examples that also reflects my accomplishments as a local leader before to being elected to national office in 1995.
I ask that you visit my website at gregbell2016.com for information on my history and record of experience, leadership and accomplishments on behalf of our members – both as a national and local leader.
Burrus wrote, “I invite the membership to review previous National Agreement and the Step 4 interpretive Book to find the name and/or signature of Greg Bell as a participant in contractual change.” Well I did. For what it’s worth, you will find my name in the following National Agreements:
2000 – 2003 National Agreement on page 291
2000 – 2006 National Agreement on pages 291, 275, 273, 266, and 263
2006 – 2010 National Agreement on pages 279, 277, 270, and 267However, traditionally, the only union’s signature that you would find in the National Agreement would be the president.
In regard to the Step 4 Interpretive Book, it was originally referred to as the “Burrus Book” because Burrus compiled most of his Step 4 settlements, correspondences and related subject matters into the Burrus Book to provide to the field. Obviously, the primary name you will find in the Burrus Book is Burrus.
I’m reminded of the “straw man” argument – giving the impression of refuting an opponent’s argument (in this case my accomplishments), while actually refuting an argument that was never made.
Naturally, there are numerous Step 4 settlements, Memorandum of Understandings, pre-arbitration settlements signed by other officers, including myself. When I was Industrial Relations Director, I made such information available in the Collective Bargaining Reports and Memos that I sent out to the field.
Burrus stated that he has “achieve many contractual improvements without the involvement of Greg Bell” – I agree. I would never do anything to diminish his accomplishments.
Candidates for Executive Vice President
At the end of the day, the facts remain the same – that of the three (3) candidates for Executive Vice President, I am the only candidate who has:
• Played a major role in the APWU’s success in improving working conditions and benefits for our members in national contract and arbitration;
• The experience and a proven record of resolving and winning national-level disputes on behalf of our members; and
• Based on my experience and expertise, served as the APWU’s expert witness in national-level arbitration, and played a major role in the APWU’s success in winning important national grievances.None of the above can be said of my opponents.
The election for Executive Vice President is not about idle slogans, campaign rhetoric or disinformation. It’s about which candidate is best able to represent our union and our members. It’s about electing a leader with a record of aggressive representation and accomplishments. It’s about electing someone who has also demonstrated the ability to perform the duties of the President in case of his or her absence or inability to perform the duties of the office. I believe I am that individual.
I never believed that the sun rises and sets on any one individual, even if you happen to be president. I appreciate Bill Burrus’s years of service and his accomplishments on behalf of the APWU and our members. As always, I wish him well.
Greg Bell
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Bell
Email: gregbell2016@gmail.com
Union/Local: Philadelphia Local 89
Office held if any: Former National Director of Industrial Relations and Former National Vice President
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Terre Haute Area Local
Office held, if any
2016 candidate for APWU National President
This is definitely a positive for Greg. I sincerely appreciate the fact he stood up for the membership on the issue of the FEHBP. It shows great character and conviction. The APWU needs more of that. I have a huge amount of respect for Greg Bell and think he would make an excellent Vice President. Last week I had the opportunity to talk to him a couple of times. Greg is a person of great vision and shows wisdom in what he has to say. His thoughts on how to operate the Industrial Relations Department would lead to a stronger National Agreement in 2018.
I also had the opportunity to talk to Jeff Kehlert and a few random greetings with current Vice President Debby Szeredy. In the past few weeks, I’ve made two or three statements about the great qualities Jeff Kehlert has. I stand by those statements and I honestly believe Jeff would make an excellent APWU National President at some point in the future. He is rock solid and refuses to go negative on his fellow candidates. I deeply appreciate that attitude. The APWU needs more of that.
Nothing speaks louder to me than a candidate whose local people will stand up, support, and fight for their candidate from their local. The APWU needs more of that. Such is the case with Debby Szeredy. She is a very outgoing person who is charismatic. People with those types of personality traits generally overperform because they put the people they talk to at ease. I respect that. These are traits I try to employ in all I do. What people probably don’t think about is the fact she has a very diversified union background developed from an early age. The deeper I understand her situation the more I realize she has played the cards dealt her very well. I have to admit her first term as Vice President has been successful.
We call each other brother and sister! We even fight like brothers and sisters! My goal for the rest of this APWU Election season is to be positive about every candidate. I will search for the good in every candidate. The APWU needs more of that! Because ultimately win or lose the sun will rise in the East the morning following the ballots are counted no matter who wins! We are all very passionate about our favorite candidates. I know I am. I’m satisfied with Greg’s answer on this issue I hope everyone else is also.
Jerry Stidman For APWU President
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Florida State Retirees Chapter
Office held, if any
Former Secretary-Treasurer, Pgh Metro Area Local Candidate, Director, Retirees Department
That is why it is so important that we have an elected Director, Retirees Department, and not one appointed by the administration. We can not go back to the days when the administration chose our Director. Elect Desi Neurohr, Director, Retirees Department.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
"Cradle of Labor" Flint MI Area Local Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
Past President Michigan State Retiree Chapter & Former Central Region National Retiree Representative (a.k.a. Delegate)
This isn’t to either endorse or promote any candidate for the office of APWU Executive Vice-President, an office for which APWU Retired members will be eligible to vote for. However, I can verify the vehemence of former president Bill Burrus when a member is successful in adopting a Resolution he opposed. To wit: When we were successful in adopting the Res. to elect our own Retirees’ Dept. Director, thus effectively taking the appointment to the position out of Bill’s hands, he never forgave or forgot my authoring that Res. or for Byron Denton’s effective debate on the floor. After the vote and recess for the day, Bro. Denton approached our esteemed Union President to ask why he had cut him off at the mic. Burrus’ response was (and I paraphrase to bleep in part, and as Byron related it to me); “Because Denton; every time you get on the mic you ______me!”, as the esteemed former APWU President walked away from him. No, you don’t cross Burrus without incurring his eternal wrath! For me that is the sum of the man, president or not! There’s no disagreeing without being disagreeable with Bill! But, you know what? Bill’s nasty rebuke made the adoption of that Res. all the more sweeter then and ever since! I’ve got to believe the Res. giving retirees the right to vote for national officers caused Bill to drop to the floor in the privacy of his palacial digs to chew his rug in frustration over those damned retirees. It was always about Bill Burrus’ legacy, not about what was best for the APWU or the membership, either active or retired. Voting members in the 2016 APWU national officer elections should be made aware that either an endorsement or rejection by any national officer, active or retired, should consider the source. In Bro. Bell’s case it could be regarded as a positive in his campaign.