This is what President Emeritus Bill Burrus has to say about each of the candidates for the Office of Executive Vice President:
On Candidate Jeff Kehlert:
“It was my pleasure to meet with you and relive the past during your visit to the area. We discussed among many issues, your candidacy in the 2016 national election and as I informed you, while I did engage in the 2013 election because of the negotiated contract and its negative impact on postal employees, I do not intend to endorse candidates in any future elections. This refusal to make an endorsement does not alter the respect that I have had for you and your contributions to the union over a 30 year period. You have demonstrated a skill set of successful advocacy, effective negotiation outcomes and educational productions over a long and productive career. This drive and ability will serve the membership well.”
On Candidate Greg Bell:
āI have read with concern in Greg Bellās campaign literature, his alleged accomplishments as Director Industrial Relations from 1995-2010. He assumes responsibility for many positive changes and in an effort to fool the membership he carefully chooses to describe his involvement, claiming to have played a āmajor roleā in achieving success. The time frame when most of these subjects were addressed, I served as Executive Vice President and President and in those positions achieved many contractual improvements without the involvement of Greg Bell. The assertion that he played āa major roleā in achieving the positive changes is no different than a rooster taking credit for daylight because it crowed at sunset and sundown.
āI firmly believe that no one should achieve any elected office in the union by misrepresenting accomplishments to the membership ā especially to the second highest office of responsibility, the Vice President. This is what Greg Bell is doing by taking credit for accomplishments achieved by others. The use of cute phrases like āhe played a major roleā does not mitigate the fact that he played no role in the achievements, spending most of his time reading arbitration awards. I invite the membership to review previous National Agreements and the Step 4 Interpretive Book to find the name and/or signature of Greg Bell as a participant in contractual change. In my view, his false claim of achievements disqualifies him as a serious candidate for the second highest office in the union.ā
On Candidate Debby Szeredy:
ā ā¦ ā
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Kehlert
Email: jeffkehlertvp2016@aol.com
Union/Local: Trenton Metro Area Local
Office held if any: National Business Agent, Clerk Division, Philadelphia Region
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU - Cleveland, Ohio Local
Office held, if any
President
I have previously expressed my views about Greg Bell’s claim to have played “a major role” in achieving many positive changes for postal employees. I was privileged to serve as President and Executive Vice President for 30 years and engaged in many efforts for positive change over that period. In these positions I worked with many union officials at the Local, State and national level and we succeeded in making many positive changes. I can report to without reservation that Greg Bell did not play a major role in those efforts. I inform the membership of this false claim of involvement not from any personal animus to Greg Bell but because the claim of involvement is just not true. In the Guffey Team candidacy upon my retirement a similar claim of achievements was included in campaign literature and I informed them that unless the false claims were removed I would expose the exaggerations on my web site. The false claims were removed.
I was responsible for Greg Bell’s election as a national officer, supporting his candidacy in opposition to the wishes of President Biller who wanted Cliff Gufffey to be the candidate instead and at a meeting that lasted until 2 AM before Moe or I could get a majority in support of our nominee, I finally prevailed and Greg became a member of our Team and succeeded in the election. Upon my election as President, among my first acts was the hiring of Greg’s wife as my Communications Director and I retained her in the position until I retired. So there is no personal animosity toward Greg in achieving electoral success. I merely want to inform the membership that his claims of a record of many achievements is simply a lie. I do not endorse any specific candidate for the position of Executive Vice President but I owe the APWU membership too much to be silent to have their selection be influenced by false representation.
Bill Burrus
President Emeritus
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Philadelphia Local 89
Office held, if any
Former National Executive Vice President and Former Director of Industrial Relations
For those who missed my Aug. 29 response to President Burrus’s comments about me, I am reposting it here:
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, Iām often asked whether I have seen or talked to Burrus, and I would say no, but itās my understanding that heās doing well.
When Burrusās 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:
āThat as a top priority in the 2010 negotiations, that our negotiators take all necessary steps to assure the retention of our membersā rights to health benefits in the Federal Employees Health Group Plan.ā
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 tellerās 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, āThat severs all ties.ā
Itās 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 ā 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 APWUās success on behalf our members, contractual improvements, achieving positive changes ā 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 managementās 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 unionās expert witness at arbitration. And, yes, Burrus was Executive Vice President at the time.
Another example, is my role in APWUās 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 ā both as a national and local leader.
Burrus wrote, āI 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.ā Well I did. For what itās worth, you will find my name in the following National Agreements:
2000 ā 2003 National Agreement on page 291
2000 ā 2006 National Agreement on pages 291, 275, 273, 266, and 263
2006 ā 2010 National Agreement on pages 279, 277, 270, and 267
However, traditionally, the only unionās 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 āBurrus Bookā 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.
Iām reminded of the āstraw manā argument ā giving the impression of refuting an opponentās 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 āachieve many contractual improvements without the involvement of Greg Bellā ā 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 ā that of the three (3) candidates for Executive Vice President, I am the only candidate who has:
ā¢ Played a major role in the APWUās success in improving working conditions and benefits for our members in national contract and arbitration;
ā¢ The experience and a proven record of resolving and winning national-level disputes on behalf of our members; and
ā¢ Based on my experience and expertise, served as the APWUās expert witness in national-level arbitration, and played a major role in the APWUās 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. Itās about which candidate is best able to represent our union and our members. Itās about electing a leader with a record of aggressive representation and accomplishments. Itās 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 Burrusās years of service and his accomplishments on behalf of the APWU and our members. As always, I wish him well.
Greg Bell