Secretary Kirsti Bradford, Treasurer Joe Barr, President Cynthia Nesmith and special guests from Philadelphia AFL-CIO Retiree Chapter Jim Farally and Earl Helfand.
At our monthly APWU Philadelphia Retiree Chapter meeting on March 16, 2017, the Chapter President reported she was called almost immediately after 21cpw.com posted information related to our February Chapter meeting.
APWU HQ Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard called Philadelphia Retiree Chapter President Cynthia Nesmith, imploring her to not write anything official to HQ (resolutions, letters, etc) or send anything official to the Retiree Membership (newsletter expressing opposition to HR 756, etc).
President Nesmith explained our concerns and said we had already voted unanimously to oppose HR 756 as was currently written. Director Beard said she would look into our concerns and call back. She called President Nesmith the next day and said if we don’t go along with the forced Medicare Integration we would lose our FEHB entirely and asked President Nesmith again to refrain from disseminating anything negative or in opposition to HR 756. Director Beard indicated a Q&A would be made available to the APWU Membership soon, though she wasn’t sure when and estimated March or April.
How’s that for union democracy? As an APWU Retiree Chapter, we are an autonomous entity, especially to the point where we may express our views and advocate how we, as a body, feel with respect to protection of our rights and benefits. Yet Director Beard apparently sees it differently despite a unanimous vote by Chapter members to oppose HR 756.
Director Beard is also well aware our Chapter President is new and still learning the position and how procedures work, etc. Unfortunately, our Chapter President was under the assumption that she must abide by whatever HQ’s tells her and she never wrote the letter to National affirming our stance on HR 756 due to the pressure exerted on her by HQ. We cleared all of this up at our chapter meeting yesterday and I believe our Chapter President will proceed accordingly from here on out. Chapter President Nesmith is evolving into a great Retiree Chapter leader and we are fortunate to have the benefit of her passion and dedication working on our behalf.
Director Beard clearly tried to control our retiree business. As a past National Retiree Director she should know better. We will remember this chicanery come the next national union elections. But make no mistake about it, this fact remains and will be upheld:
On Thursday, February 17th, the APWU Philadelphia Area Local Retiree Chapter voted unanimously to strongly oppose HR 756 unless and until it is restructured to remove ANY changes to Retiree Health Benefits / Federal Employee Health Benefits.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO. 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)
I’ve received several phone calls on HR 756 from national, one immediately…minutes, after e-mailing my angst over HR756, just as described herein. However, at no time was I told not to actively oppose the bill. Just got a selling job. A pretty stark picture if it isn’t enacted. I asked questions, primarily how sticking Medicare & FEHBP enrollees with Part D would affect us. I expressed my repugnance of forcing ANY Union member into anything. That the truth of the matter is that HR 756 is nothing more than a multi-faceted bailout of the Postal Service on retirees backs. I know the call was to tamp down field leadership criticism for fear of screwing the pooch. The long-term effects on retirees are yet to be felt. But no. No one, including Judy, told me not to speak out. Perhaps they know better. But, I deducted just as immediately that national is as nervous as a prostitute in church over active and retiree member reaction. That if we don’t support HR 756 with our Members of Congress, to at least don’t oppose it. Accept our fate for the greater good. We’re all at the mercy of Chavetz and the GOP, so bite the bullet.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Oklahoma City Area Local
Office held, if any
Local VP OK State Office 14 years
I agree John, Director Beard should leave the Chapters to take care of their own Members.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
President Pittsburgh PA Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
President Pgh Local 1974-1994, APWU DIR 1980-1983
I have been out of commission for a few months, therefore I have not seen an argument, convincing or not convincing, from national APWU, to support or not support HR 756. This appears to be life changing legislation affecting active as well as retirees in a most profound way. Moreover, Retiree Chapters as well as Locals are independent within the APWU.