Comments on: Settlement near in letter carrier talks? http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/ more from postalnews.com Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:37:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Glen W. http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-45844 Glen W. Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:37:57 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-45844 I am one of the seemingly few who actually works for their money and doesn't whine about being overworked and underpaid. And I'm not a union member-i think that those who represent me should really REPRESENT me, and not just their own interests, or those of their "inner circle". I do wish that someone would direct me to a place that will give me the straight dope on where the contract negoatiations are at this time. I am one of the seemingly few who actually works for their money and doesn’t whine about being overworked and underpaid. And I’m not a union member-i think that those who represent me should really REPRESENT me, and not just their own interests, or those of their “inner circle”. I do wish that someone would direct me to a place that will give me the straight dope on where the contract negoatiations are at this time.

]]> By: creegman http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-6381 creegman Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:01:35 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-6381 Who wouldn't want to work one day a week(sat) in retirement for $24.00 an hour? That's a weeks pays for minimum wage ! Most postal employees are short sighted. Where else can you get this pay and benefits with no marketable skills? It's refreshing to see a foward thinking union president, bringing forth positive ideas. As for the health benefit premiums ,the rest of the federal employees pay those premiums, as their premiums are not subsudized by the posal service. if you want cheap buy the Nalc plan. I for one am excited by this proposal , it's a very positive step. The carrier craft is the backbone of the service and Young is trying to protect future jobs, unlike the other crafts which have lost positions in droves. Think foward ,and don't be afraid to show up and WORK for your $50,000 plus benefits. 20 year veteran carrier living in one of the highest cola area in the country and think this job is secure. If you don't like the service , go get one of those great high paying automaker,airline or IBM type jobs who have lost so much over the last few years!! Who wouldn’t want to work one day a week(sat) in retirement for $24.00 an hour? That’s a weeks pays for minimum wage ! Most postal employees are short sighted. Where else can you get this pay and benefits with no marketable skills?
It’s refreshing to see a foward thinking union president, bringing forth positive ideas.
As for the health benefit premiums ,the rest of the federal employees pay those premiums, as their premiums are not subsudized by the posal service. if you want cheap buy the Nalc plan. I for one am excited by this proposal , it’s a very positive step.
The carrier craft is the backbone of the service and Young is trying to protect future jobs, unlike the other crafts which have lost positions in droves.

Think foward ,and don’t be afraid to show up and WORK for your $50,000 plus benefits.

20 year veteran carrier living in one of the highest cola area in the country and think this job is secure. If you don’t like the service , go get one of those great high paying automaker,airline or IBM type jobs who have lost so much over the last few years!!

]]> By: Troy http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-6168 Troy Sat, 03 Mar 2007 22:51:25 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-6168 Mike, I guess that the Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court Justices (being confirmed by those we voted into office) are all doing what's best for our country all the time, right? As long someone is voted into a position, then they must never make a poor decision, right? Wrong! I am an avid supporter of our great country and of our union, but I will not blindly accept what sparse information they give me as being solely in my best interests. What is good for a few is not always best for the whole. Pork politics ring a bell? I asked for the NALC to come forth with more detailed information on the savings of the NALC plan over the others. As an example, why not support the less expensive GEHA plan (or any of the others with lower premiums) if your trying to save both the Postal Service and the carriers money? Why did the NALC not take a national poll on any of the proposals? Why does the NALC National website not have a forum for us to post on these matters? You see, Mike, its not that I don't believe or trust in the NALC's purpose of protecting us carriers and the Postal Service as a whole; it's that I don't always trust that the best decisions for the long term are being made. I want more detailed information by which to base my final decision. I am simply annoyed that our great leaders have not stepped up to the task of providing us dues paying members the respect we deserve by providing that information. Mike,
I guess that the Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court Justices (being confirmed by those we voted into office) are all doing what’s best for our country all the time, right? As long someone is voted into a position, then they must never make a poor decision, right? Wrong!
I am an avid supporter of our great country and of our union, but I will not blindly accept what sparse information they give me as being solely in my best interests. What is good for a few is not always best for the whole. Pork politics ring a bell?
I asked for the NALC to come forth with more detailed information on the savings of the NALC plan over the others. As an example, why not support the less expensive GEHA plan (or any of the others with lower premiums) if your trying to save both the Postal Service and the carriers money? Why did the NALC not take a national poll on any of the proposals? Why does the NALC National website not have a forum for us to post on these matters?
You see, Mike, its not that I don’t believe or trust in the NALC’s purpose of protecting us carriers and the Postal Service as a whole; it’s that I don’t always trust that the best decisions for the long term are being made. I want more detailed information by which to base my final decision. I am simply annoyed that our great leaders have not stepped up to the task of providing us dues paying members the respect we deserve by providing that information.

]]> By: Mike http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-5833 Mike Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:09:50 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-5833 Troy, Maybe you should get out of the union now if you don't believe or trust in what they do. Maybe you should do that because it must be the union who wants to take the benefits we do have now away from us, right? Talk to a casual and ask what they make and what benefits they have. If the USPS had their way that is exactly what we would be getting....nothing!!!!!!! Do you think we make over $500 a pay period more now than the start of the last contract because the USPS just wanted us to have it ????? This is not the time to complain about our union who has fought for everything we have today. Open your eyes brother, without the proposal our union made to the USPS, we would ALL be paying more for health care. The union had to come up with a way to not only keep our costs down, but save the USPS money in doing so. What they came up with is brilliant. You are not being force to change health plans, if you want to keep what you have you will just pay what EVERYONE would be paying without that proposal, I don't understand why you can't see that. After all it is not about YOU, it is about what is best for the majority of the membership Troy,
Maybe you should get out of the union now if you don’t believe or trust in what they do. Maybe you should do that because it must be the union who wants to take the benefits we do have now away from us, right? Talk to a casual and ask what they make and what benefits they have. If the USPS had their way that is exactly what we would be getting….nothing!!!!!!! Do you think we make over $500 a pay period more now than the start of the last contract because the USPS just wanted us to have it ????? This is not the time to complain about our union who has fought for everything we have today. Open your eyes brother, without the proposal our union made to the USPS, we would ALL be paying more for health care. The union had to come up with a way to not only keep our costs down, but save the USPS money in doing so. What they came up with is brilliant. You are not being force to change health plans, if you want to keep what you have you will just pay what EVERYONE would be paying without that proposal, I don’t understand why you can’t see that. After all it is not about YOU, it is about what is best for the majority of the membership

]]> By: Troy F. http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-5113 Troy F. Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:23:08 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-5113 I will vote NO on any contract that tries to coerce me into the NALC health plan. I will even go as far as to withdraw from the union and use the saved funds to pay for the increase in cost of the plan I prefer (if it is ratified). As a long time dues paying member I would abhor this option, and would only do so as a means of protest. I prefer GEHA standard which has comparable benefits and much lower premiums and a broad base of membership (third largest). Here’s something to think about: If something were to happen to the NALC health plan (bankruptcy, scandal, law suit, whatever)then we would be stuck paying the nearly doubled premium rates for the other plans until the contract ran out. Then it would be a horrendous (if not impossible) battle to restore our current benefits. Never put all of your eggs into one basket! I am also being active in these posts. Does the NALC national website have such a forum for members to speak out? Not one that I could find. Did they take a poll of the general membership on this matter? Not that I recall. How come there has been no statement by Young which shows the actual #s & $ values of savings of the NALC plan vs the other plans? What are the overhead cost comparisons of the various plans? NO - I will not be a lemming. I will vote no unless more detailed information is provided. I will vote NO on any contract that tries to coerce me into the NALC health plan. I will even go as far as to withdraw from the union and use the saved funds to pay for the increase in cost of the plan I prefer (if it is ratified). As a long time dues paying member I would abhor this option, and would only do so as a means of protest. I prefer GEHA standard which has comparable benefits and much lower premiums and a broad base of membership (third largest). Here’s something to think about: If something were to happen to the NALC health plan (bankruptcy, scandal, law suit, whatever)then we would be stuck paying the nearly doubled premium rates for the other plans until the contract ran out. Then it would be a horrendous (if not impossible) battle to restore our current benefits. Never put all of your eggs into one basket! I am also being active in these posts. Does the NALC national website have such a forum for members to speak out? Not one that I could find. Did they take a poll of the general membership on this matter? Not that I recall. How come there has been no statement by Young which shows the actual #s & $ values of savings of the NALC plan vs the other plans? What are the overhead cost comparisons of the various plans? NO - I will not be a lemming. I will vote no unless more detailed information is provided.

]]> By: tator http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-5043 tator Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:06:42 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-5043 becoming an active member of a union will not guarantee they are looking out for any one of us. becoming an active member of a union will not guarantee they are looking out for any one of us.

]]> By: Brett http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4935 Brett Sun, 18 Feb 2007 00:38:20 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4935 If people like Anon believes that the NALC insurance will be like Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage now, he is definately mistaken. If you like to believe in fairy tales then do you believe in the Easter Bunny also? I believe in our Union and always will, but there are some points that stick in my throat. Maybe the hardliners need a reality check that not everything NALC negotiates for us is in our best interest all the time! If you think Brother Young has the pulse of the membership, when was the last time he carried mail in the snow, or in the rain? If people like Anon believes that the NALC insurance will be like Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage now, he is definately mistaken. If you like to believe in fairy tales then do you believe in the Easter Bunny also? I believe in our Union and always will, but there are some points that stick in my throat. Maybe the hardliners need a reality check that not everything NALC negotiates for us is in our best interest all the time! If you think Brother Young has the pulse of the membership, when was the last time he carried mail in the snow, or in the rain?

]]> By: T.J. http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4802 T.J. Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:59:00 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4802 Please offer a buyout so I can exit this sinking ship. DPS,MPS,Dois,3 bundles, pivoting...WHAT NEXT??? Please offer a buyout so I can exit this sinking ship.
DPS,MPS,Dois,3 bundles, pivoting…WHAT NEXT???

]]> By: annon http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4793 annon Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:36:15 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4793 Troy Maybe you should consider not printing your name and become one of us Union lemmings. You state you are informed. If you were you wouldn't be complaining about being forced to take the NALC Health Plan. Nobody will get forced to join any plan. It is your choice. If it was up to the NALC the USPS would pay our total premium for health care. It is the USPS that wants to reduce their contribution to our health plan not the NALC. The NALC chose to offer this up instead of being forced to pay more as the other unions have done. This is a chance to stay where we are and not agree to pay more. All other Federal employees pay 28% for health care. How would we fair going before an arbirtator pleading our case and win. Our leaders will inform us with all the information if a vote is needed.Maybe instead of dropping out of the NALC you should drop out of the USPS because it is postal management along with the postal Board of Govenor who want to take benefits away from you not the NALC Troy
Maybe you should consider not printing your name and become one of us Union lemmings. You state you are informed. If you were you wouldn’t be complaining about being forced to take the NALC Health Plan. Nobody will get forced to join any plan. It is your choice. If it was up to the NALC the USPS would pay our total premium for health care. It is the USPS that wants to reduce their contribution to our health plan not the NALC. The NALC chose to offer this up instead of being forced to pay more as the other unions have done. This is a chance to stay where we are and not agree to pay more. All other Federal employees pay 28% for health care. How would we fair going before an arbirtator pleading our case and win. Our leaders will inform us with all the information if a vote is needed.Maybe instead of dropping out of the NALC you should drop out of the USPS because it is postal management along with the postal Board of Govenor who want to take benefits away from you not the NALC

]]> By: union forever http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4789 union forever Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:07:29 +0000 http://www.postalnewsblog.com/2007/02/14/settlement-near-in-letter-carrier-talks/#comment-4789 Troy & Brad and the rest of you cry babies. Do you think our National leaders make decisions that are popular to everyone's needs or do they make decisions for the majorities needs. Dont you realize the only reason you have a job and the benefits you now enjoy is because of all the hard work and struggles our past brothers have fought for. Look up the word union in the dictonary. You are one member. What have you done for your fellow union member. Do you attend meeting and actively participate in your union. The leaders of this union are just like you one member one voice. You can choose to complain and write your opinion of how bad the NALC is and what they should do or do something about it. Maybe you should read the history of this great union and see what other letter carriers worked hard for by uniteing together to make the the lives better for all letter carriers. We have hundreds of thousands of members and decisions are not always popular to everyone. Our leaders were one member just like you who chose not just to sit back and complain or drop out. You have a choice to be a voice in this union or just complain when you make judgements without all the facts. I challenge all of you to become active members of you union and make the future better for all of us. Troy & Brad and the rest of you cry babies.
Do you think our National leaders make decisions that are popular to everyone’s needs or do they make decisions for the majorities needs. Dont you realize the only reason you have a job and the benefits you now enjoy is because of all the hard work and struggles our past brothers have fought for. Look up the word union in the dictonary. You are one member. What have you done for your fellow union member. Do you attend meeting and actively participate in your union. The leaders of this union are just like you one member one voice. You can choose to complain and write your opinion of how bad the NALC is and what they should do or do something about it. Maybe you should read the history of this great union and see what other letter carriers worked hard for by uniteing together to make the the lives better for all letter carriers. We have hundreds of thousands of members and decisions are not always popular to everyone. Our leaders were one member just like you who chose not just to sit back and complain or drop out. You have a choice to be a voice in this union or just complain when you make judgements without all the facts. I challenge all of you to become active members of you union and make the future better for all of us.

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