Vance Zimmerman
Candidate for Industrial Relations Director
In April of this year I announced my candidacy for Industrial Relations Director for the same reason I became a clerk steward many years ago when I was in my early twenties; which is ‘I thought our members deserved better’. I have always believed if you say there is a need for change then you have to be the one willing to make that change. I have been an NBA for 15 years and could have continued in that role but I believe that our members deserve a strong, knowledgeable, aggressive person representing them in the job of Industrial Relations Director. This job is responsible for contract enforcement. In my opinion, contract enforcement has lagged with the current DIR. Therefore, I stepped up to run for this position.During these last few months I have had the opportunity to travel this country and talk to 1000s of people from Rhode Island to Florida to California and I have talked to members on the phone from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. I have learned one thing; that our members are great hardworking people that want to provide for their families, have a safe workplace and want the USPS to succeed but demand that they should be treated with dignity and respect. I have talked to brothers and sisters from all four crafts and brothers and sisters that have less than 30 days’ seniority up to 55 years’ seniority.
As I travel across the country, I have learned a lot about the needs of our members and their desires to strengthen this union. I am inspired by these discussions with members from around the United States and strongly desire to strengthen our contract and contract enforcement for both our current and future workers. The contract is not simply words, but it is the foundation of job security so that we can provide for our families and better this country. After traveling this country, the pride I have of being an APWU member and National Officer could not be any greater.
I have always felt serving as a union representative is an honor and something for which I am very happy to be a part. I have taken great pride in the work that I have done in my career to help tens of 1000s of working men and women in across the country. Locals from every state and Puerto Rico have come out supporting me and I am very humbled and proud of this support. It would be a privilege to continue to represent you and making the APWU and the union movement stronger for future generations. The ballots will be in the mail September 13th, I am appealing to all of my supporters to please vote and talk to your coworkers and get them to vote.
In closing I would like to just quote a few of my supporters:
Mark Dimondstein stated “I wholeheartedly endorse Vance Zimmerman for APWU’s Industrial Relations Director. His experience as a strong aggressive representative for the union and his loyalty to putting the members first is why I have asked him to join the Members Unity Team. The union will be stronger if he is elected as the Industrial Relations Director. I am asking all my supporters to vote for Vance Zimmerman in the upcoming union election.”
John H. Dirzius Coordinator Northeast Region: “Let me take this special opportunity to publicly and proudly endorse Vance Zimmerman for the position of APWU Director of Industrial Relations. Vance is the right candidate for this important leadership role in the APWU. Over the years, as a National Business Agent, Vance has proven that he is a strong and aggressive advocate. Vance has a proven record of fighting to enforce our collective bargaining agreement. Vance is a proven arbitration advocate. Vance has a record of providing ‘first class’ representation to our members. That same energy and those talents will be carried forward into his new position as our Director of Industrial Relations. Please join me in supporting and more importantly voting for Vance. A vote for Vance is a vote for a trade union brother who is positive, motivated, enthusiastic and an energized supporter of the American Postal Workers Union.”
Merle Bell MVS NBA Central Region: “Vance, I’ve known you for 16 years and you have been more than a coworker and NBA. You are my very good friend, we’ve shared many, many conversations about our families, our struggles and the direction of our union. People don’t know just how hard you work, and how much you care and fight for the membership. Your record is second to none. You’ve won millions of dollars for Maintenance Craft members for violations of the contract. You have been one of the pillars that has made the Tri-Steward School the most successful training program in the country. At least six students of the Tri-State Steward School have become National Officers of our great union. You are a leader who remains ahead of the curve on all issues affecting workers, whether contractual or political. You are unquestionably highly qualified for the position of Director of Industrial Relations and I support and endorse you.”
Sharyn Stone, Central Region Coordinator: “My union sisters and brothers, I strongly and proudly support Vance Zimmerman for Industrial Relations Director. I have known and worked with Vance for at least the last 15 years. I know him as a co-worker and a friend. He works for and with the membership and with fellow officers. Vance is knowledgeable of all aspects of the union. He is an outspoken advocate for the membership and is keenly aware of the requirements of this position. He will hold management accountable. He will be responsive. He knows what is needed and what is expected. Vance has been a credit to his craft as Maintenance NBA and to all members of APWU. Join me in voting for Vance Zimmerman for Industrial Relations Director!”
Visit my website zimmermanforDIR.com
Take a stance – Vote for Vance
First Name: Myra
Last Name: Grubbs
Email: myralynng@aol.com
Union/Local: Greater Cincinnati Area Local #164