4 years ago…..APWU President Guffey and other National officers laughed at us and refused to participate and advised others not to participate. They said our action was “rogue” and not sanctioned by APWU HQ.
And look at where we are today….
4 years ago…..APWU President Guffey and other National officers laughed at us and refused to participate and advised others not to participate. They said our action was “rogue” and not sanctioned by APWU HQ.
And look at where we are today….
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU Philadelphia, PA Area Local #89 - Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
Member / Rogue Rank and File Activist and Advocate
Bobby,
The low turn out was due to then-President Guffey advising all participants of the DC Presidents’ Conference NOT to participate though several state and local Presidents (including our newest National Organizing Director Anna Smith) DID attend the rally despite the incompetent advice from our “leader.”
Some of the then-National Officers had planned on attending (including Gary Kloepfer). Permits, signs, leaflets, flags, water, bus transportation were all made available courtesy of the great APWU Red Bank Local. All anyone had to do was get on the bus outside of the conference hotel and demonstrate with us for an hour or two. It could have been a very successful show of union solidarity and strength. Unfortunately, Guffey decided to turn it into a pissing contest and severely hampered our collective grassroots efforts.
Still, all in all, I believe it was successful and the starting point / model for many grassroots efforts to follow aimed at saving the postal service and good union jobs. It was great to see that many of our rank and file membership were, and remain, free thinking and refuse to become sheep and/or to be “micromanaged” by “leaders” who can’t, or won’t, lead.
Some APWU rank and file activists, who were not in DC for the conference traveled great distances on their own time and expense to be part of this rally. Guffey was given every opportunity to take command of this very important rally. He declined. That was the beginning of another grassroots effort to remove him and his cohorts from office. (The give-back contract and his overall failure to lead effectively accelerated and solidified that effort.)
Every voice in our great union has the right to be heard and respected. The rally above, and the subsequent victory of the Members First Team, show how small groups can grow and can get their voices heard while fighting seemingly insurmountable odds.
Kudos to ALL who had the guts and foresight to participate in the March 2011 White House rally! Kudos to all who still are Standing Up and Fighting Back management’s downsizing and privatization agenda!
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
Retiree Chapter President
I think the protest in front of the White House did little if anything for us. In fact the low turn was a disappointment, Especially when the APWU President Conference was being held.