2020 National APWU Convention – Retiree Article 6 Resolution

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Retiree Resolution for the 2020 National Convention

As discussed at the California State convention many think retirees should concentrate on one single resolution. Below is one we can consider. Feel free to provide comments and suggestions.

ARTICLE 6
REPRESENTATION

WHEREAS, as the mothers and fathers of the American Postal Workers Union, retired members are a storehouse of knowledge, battle-tested experience, and wisdom to be utilized as a valuable American Postal Workers Union asset, and

WHEREAS, American Postal Workers Union Retiree Department members paid full dues for decades, and

WHEREAS, most American Postal Workers Union Retiree are like all retirees and live on a fixed reduced income, and

WHEREAS, many American Postal Workers Union Retiree step forward when the union needs assistance or support,

WHEREAS, a united American Postal Workers Union benefits all APWU Members, therefore be it

Resolved, to amend the American Postal Workers Union Constitution and Bylaws Article 6. Add Retiree Chapter to section 1(a) and a new section 7. They would read as follows.

“SEC. 1. (a) Each local union, area local, and local retiree chapter shall be entitled to representation in National Conventions of one (1) delegate and one (1) vote for each twenty-five (25) members or fraction thereof.”

(b) Each affiliate local or retiree chapter shall be entitled to at least one (1) delegate vote.

(c) Each state organization or state retiree chapter shall be entitled to one (1) delegate and one (1) vote for each twenty-five (25) members or fraction thereof of the unrepresented members.

“SEC. 7. Retiree delegates will be seated with a voice and a vote at the National APWU Convention.”

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First Name: Bobby
Last Name: Donelson
Email: bd62748@aol.com
Union/Local: APWU – Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter
Office held if any: Retiree Chapter President

8 thoughts on “2020 National APWU Convention – Retiree Article 6 Resolution”

  1. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter and California State APWU
    Office held, if any
    Retiree Chapter President and California State SCF Rep.
    Email Address
    bd62748@aol.com

    Yes I have been involved in a California squabble (Southwest Coastal Area Local) since April of 2017. I sincerely hope this squabble does not have a negative impact on the proposed Article 6 resolution.

    I have been a full dues paying member and a convention delegate at every convention since I retired on July 1, 2003.

    The Article 6 resolution was not developed or authored by me. The Retiree Conference has been fully involved and that the voice and vote right is something retirees have sought.

  2. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Houston Area Local
    Office held, if any
    Trustee Houston Retirees Chapter
    Email Address
    Teddylite@yahoo.com

    I am a candidate in this year’s election process, and I strongly believe any retirees who feel strongly about the union and wishes to remain active should do so. Just because one is not on the workroom floor does not make us unaware of the struggles and hardships the current workers are dealing with. We have been there, and we remain involved in our locals, state and national APWU because we care. We want to see that you, the active worker and member, can complete your work years with a safe and productive retirement the same as we have. We are not the enemy! Let’s embrace each other and move forward into the 21st century together!

  3. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Flint MI A.L. #271 Retiree Chapter, Michigan State Retiree Chapter
    Office held, if any
    Past MPWU State Chaptr Pres., currently Michigan State Retiree Chapter Adviser
    Email Address
    allab1937@gmail.com

    Incredible! Pretty disheartening after over 20 years involvement with the APWU Retirees Dept. to witness a sister Chapter’s president demean progressive proposals to afford their own retiree members a voice and vote. Furthermore; I highly resent the Brother’s reference to those of us (Paul Browning, Byron Denton, Bobby Donelson, myself, and others) who have been, and are intimately involved in the idea, the composition of the original Resolution submitted by Michigan State, and variations thereof submitted since as; “stupid”. I’ve been called a lot of things in my 60-year involvement in the postal labor movement; most of them earned, but to be called “stupid” because I prefer to “represent” retiree member’s best interests; goes beyond the pale of brotherhood, and I damned well won’t take it sitting down! Enough! As Bro. Donelson states; “We are not the Enemy”. It’s disturbing to realize there’s opposition to Retiree Involvement within.

    I’ve no issue with debate on the finer points in the Resolve: Ratio of 1-25, 1-100, 1 per Chapter or variation thereof to be hashed out for the final united version. Very frankly, I firmly believe staying firm with a ratio 1-25 will again be DOA on the Constitution Committee and a Convention weary of the battle being so divisive. It’s my humble opinion that the original Resolution as submitted with a ratio of 1-100 will be far more palatable to the delegates, demonstrating retirees’ willingness to compromise.

    Actually, trying hard to be an optimist; I firmly believe this Resolution can be adopted with resolve to come out of the 2019 Convention united as never before. Good for APWU! Good for APWU retirees! We ALL have bigger fish to fry to not end this ongoing debate and go forward TOGETHER! Isn’t that the definition of Union?!

  4. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Philadelphia Area Local Retiree Chapter
    Office held, if any
    Retiree Activist
    Email Address
    RZelznick@aol.com

    Retirees definitely need a stronger voice at National Convention, especially now given the fact current proposed postal reform legislation will fundamentally change Retiree FEHBP to help “solve” the USPS’ fiscal problems. APWU HQ has taken the position they will support legislation that allows this to happen.

    Yeah, we (retirees) definitely need a stronger voice and vote – or perhaps we (retirees) should manage and distribute the enormous amount of COPA we raise to protect ourselves. Please support this reasonable resolution!

  5. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU Oakland Ca.
    Office held, if any
    Legislative Director - Retirees
    Email Address
    bolesjuanita48@yahoo,com

    Why do we as retirees need more delegates at the convention? We are no longer part of the bargaining unit. The overwhelming defeat of all the retiree resolutions last year does not bode well for passage in 2020. The ongoing feud within the Southwest Coastal Area Local seems to have hardened the delegates resolve. I feel that we as retirees should pass the baton and do what we can to resolve this divide.

  6. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter
    Office held, if any
    Chapter President
    Email Address
    bd62748@aol.com

    Ernest, the word representation is used because that is the title of the APWU Constitution Section 6 which addresses who can vote and speak at the National APWU Convention.

  7. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Pittsburgh Area Retiree Chapter
    Office held, if any
    President
    Email Address
    Jprichards1@verizon.net

    California squabble?

  8. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Oakland Local Retiree Chapter
    Office held, if any
    President, Oakland Area Retiree Chapter
    Email Address
    ejons127@gmail.com

    Why are we so out of touch or plain stupid asking and looking for further Representation. Its high time we abandon the representation as stated and those in place to speak on our behalf should be renamed Retired Labor Advisors. When we use the words of Representation, we are giving all our rights away and the person with the Representation, (Representative) can do whatever they choose to do. Please learn what that word dictates and how it will be, and is, applied. Brothers and Sisters please scrutinize the language, and words we use and the true meaning of what we say and do.

    “A hint to the Wise is sufficient”, no longer will be able to say we didn’t know, This is a Warning.

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