The Seventy-Niner

Volume LXXXXI Number 8 August 2016

President's Report: "Big Mac" Will Be Missed

th -Jo Ann Pyle- n July 6 we lost a great In 2009 Mac also organized a friend and Brother. Cecil “Big Cecil often entered my office and branch trip to New Orleans to Mac” McKenzie was a long started a conversation by saying, help build houses for Habitat for time shop steward at East Union “Let me tell ya somethin Jo Ann”. He Humanities. The trip was a huge station in Seattle and a Branch 79 then proceeded to offer me input success and something we’ve talked officer. Cecil was very respected by or advice. Throughout the years about for years. Tyrone management as well as his fellow Cecil often counseled me about Love Unsung Hero Award letter carriers and clerks. the direction of the branch and the In 2008 Cecil was given the advice was not only of benefit to the in the OCecil was a branch officer from branch but also to me personally. Madrona community where he 1992 to 2001. He served as the delivered mail. This award is given Sergeant-at-Arms, Trustee and Cecil was the person on the to a Madrona resident for service the Mutual Benefit Association workroom floor who looked after to others in the larger community. Representative. He also served in everyone and helped resolve issues Named after community and youth numerous appointed positions and in a positive way. He was a calming activist and mentor Tyrone Love committees. influence. who(Continued dedicated much on Page of his 10) life to Solidarity and Gratitude -Secretary-Treasurer Mark Myers-

his year’s statewide labor This year, I had the honor of serving convention was held at the on the credentials committee, which Wenatchee Convention Center. about strengthening and protecting verifies delegate’s registration and Branch 79 was represented by Don workers rights, and the future of distributes badges and convention Bennett, Rick Horner, Jo Ann Pyle, the labor community. Among the materials. The best part was Brooks Bennett and myself. Letter outstanding presentations was a meeting many delegates I’ve seen Carriers were also represented by speech by activist and author Bill at other conventions, but didn’t delegates from the Spokane, Tacoma Fletcher, Jr., and a very moving know their names or what union and Yakima branches. panel discussion on a program that they represented. I also had the T provides trades training for women privilege of reading the names of The theme of the convention in prison. One of the graduates Letter Carriers who have passed was “Justice for All”, and this was spoke of how she learned a trade, away during the Workers Memorial reflected in the many speakers and how it changed her life. What a Service. I attended outstanding and panels that addressed the difference it makes in these peoples workshops on “Organizing to delegates. National AFL-CIO lives to reenter society with a craft Rebuild(Continued Worker Power”on Page about 4) President Richard Trumka delivered and hope for the future. an inspiring and powerful speech Page 2 The Seventy-Niner August 2016 Branch Meeting Summarized Minutes July 13th, 2016 The Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Kevin Gottlieb

President Jo Ann Pyle called the July Branch KCLC/WSLC Mark Myers: Seventy- meeting to order at 7:00 PM. • Spoke about upcoming labor A moment of silence was observed for events personal reflection. • The issues at Green River College. Niner A roll call of officers found Garrett Scott Official publication of Branch 79. Published monthly absent. MDA Chriss Daniels/Brian Wiggins: in the interest of Branch 79, National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO, representing the Letter • Chriss informed the members of Carriers of Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Federal Way, Communications: Mark Myers read thank tonight’s MDA drawing prizes. Enumclaw, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, you letters to the branch. Redmond, Renton and Seattle. All articles are the opinion of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the attitude of Applications for Membership: Kevin Picnic/Softball Committee Ron Jilk/ Branch 79, its Officers Gottlieb read the names of 17 new Chriss Daniels: or Members. applications for membership. MSC • Picnic is July 31 at Petrovitsky Garrett Scott, Editor Park. President Jo Ann Pyle: Edward Johnson Jr, • Cecil McKenzie passed away last Retired Club Pat Costello: Assistant Editor week. • On summer break. Address all articles and • Jack Hayes spoke about Cecil. • Attended the Pat Davis memorial. communications to: • Will be out of the office next week. State Labor Council Convention Seventy-Niner: [email protected] • Good of the Order Committee • Deadline is this Sunday. or Seventy-Niner purchased salads for tonight’s 210 Queen Anne Ave N #201 meal. Extras available for a MDA Director of Retirees John Sweeney: Seattle WA 98109 donation. • Retirement seminar October 20, • Jo Ann shared highlights of the 2016. Notice will appear in the Branch 79 Editorial Policy APWU contract. 79er. Contributors are expected to use good taste • Jason Valian will work with Coby and keep articles free of personal attacks and discriminatory Jones on OWCP. Maybe Coby’s Trustees’ Report: or prejudicial references. backup. • Chriss reported that the trustees Facts presented must be accurate. met and found the books in good Submissions must comply with Article 1 of Branch 79's by-laws, which states, in part, that Business from the Floor: order. MSC. the object of this Branch is to unite members • Discussion about the new • The membership was also into one harmonious body for their mutual upcoming Carrier Academy. informed of the donations benefit. All articles submitted to • Comments about CCAs that approved by the officers. The Seventy-Niner are reviewed recently quit. • Mark talked about a retired to ensure compliance employee who is moving to with this policy. Band Ken Eline: NALCrest. Normal Office Hours: • Had surgery recently. • Gave the upcoming locations Secretary-Treasurer Mark Myers: (M-F) 7:30am - 5pm where the band will be playing. • Reported on the Branch finances. • Spoke about CCAs and uniforms. MSC (206) 284-3420 • Membership report was given. Website: NALC79.org Condolence Mark Myers: Fax: 206-284-3432 • Read the names of those that Books are closing recently departed. A moment of Branch Officers silence was observed. Dates to Remember: President ...... Jo Ann Pyle • Shop Steward meeting 7/27/16 Vice-President ...... B J Hansen Vice President BJ Hansen: • Branch picnic 7/31/16 Secretary-Treasurer...... Mark Myers • Almost 1,500 grievances to date. • Branch meeting 8/10/16 Asst. Sec-Treas...... Kevin Gottlieb • Attended the celebration of life for Sergeant-at-Arms..Edward Johnson Jr. Cecil McKenzie. MDA drawing won by Ken Park, Jack Dir. of Insurance...... Michael C. Keels Hayes & Mary Bartley Director of Retirees...... John Sweeney Good of Order Peggy Cooper: Editor ...... Garrett Scott • We need food suggestions. Door Prize won by BJ Hansen Trustee ...... Brooks Bennett Trustee ...... Chriss Daniels Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. Trustee ...... Brian Wiggins August 2016 The Seventy-Niner Page 3 Shop Dates to Remember Stewards Branch Meeting Swedish Club Auburn...... Sharlamar Alderin Auburn...... Son Nguyen 1920 Dexter Ave N Bainbridge Island...... Erika Wales Ballard...... Tyson Burchak August 10th / 7 pm Ballard...... Michelle Holthaus Ballard...... Matt Rollins Next Month's Meeting Bellevue Annex...... Sonny Diwan September 14th/ 7 pm Bellevue Annex...... Eric Magat and at each meeting's conclusion: Bellevue Crossroads...... Alia Chaudhry Drawing for $50 Gift card Bellevue Crossroads...... Tisha Peterson Director of Retirees Bellevue Main...... Cory Carlson Retired Club Bitterlake...... Ron Jilk John Sweeney Bitterlake...... Carol Ford Summer Break Bothell...... Susan Mulholland 206-283-3079 Bothell...... Terry Nixon Burien...... Tracie Steele Director of Steward Council Columbia...... Edward Johnson Jr. Des Moines...... John Flynn Insurance Branch 79 Office Enumclaw...... Steve McMullen 210 Queen Anne Ave N Georgetown...... JV Cortez Michael C. Keels Interbay...... David Kidder-Fincher 206-380-5971 August 24th / 7 pm Interbay...... Jose Martinez Issaquah...... Kirkland...... Archie Asberry Kirkland...... Alfredo Dwan Lake City...... Andrew Forray Gold Card Members Mercer Island...... Amilin Santos Arthur Ackerman Francis P. Hennessey Ed Morris Jr. Midtown/Seattle...... Jamar Brown Darrell Anderson Ron Henry Kenneth Nelson Mill Creek...... Luong Ha Mill Creek...... Brian Wiggins Vernon Anderson Danny Hess Gary Nolta North City...... Ron Grisham Larry Austin Kenneth Hicks Mike Offield North City...... Bay Young Donald Ballard Charles H. Houston Larry Olsen Part-Time Regulars...... Cathy Brandt Gene Betz Earlie L. Hudson Junji Ono Redmond ...... Eric McMeins Billy Bigelow Arthur Jenkins Eugene Orcutt Redmond...... Ken Stevens Robert Bigelow John Janousek Earl Osterberg Renton/Hlds...... Chriss Daniels G.R. Blair Kenneth Johnston John Otis Renton/Hlds.Deborah Znak-St.Germain Lawrence J. Branze Jerry Jonason Charles Owens Renton/Main...... Frank Burdulis Richard Klein Dan Padilla Riverton...... Dave Heiszler Richard Byland James Kramer David Parmelee Riverton...... Curtis Matthews George Condon Noel Lambert David Payne Seattle Carrier Annex....Enrique Molina William Coyner Frank LaRiviere William Petersen Seattle Carrier Annex Deborah Patterson Eugene Dell Robert Leahy Robert Peterson Seattle Carrier Annex...Lucas Watanabe John Dunlap Donald Lowe Bernhart Ritscher Skyway...... Lee Brown George Eggler Roy Luquette Charles Roberts Term Station...... Emily Taylor Ronald Eng Don Madsen James Robinson Twin Lakes...... Tawnie Brenner Ronald Engen Peter Madsen David Rodger Twin Lakes...... Kevin Gottlieb Robert Erb Michael Mangan Don Sanders University...... Will Collins James Farmer, Jr. Donald Markey Gerald Samson Wallingford...... Scott Anderson Willard Fox John Martin Donald Shannon Wallingford...... Nick Simmons Earl Frank, Jr. Richard McFadden Wayne Sonnenfeld Wedgwood...... Susan Steele Conrad Gettman Robert Michels Griffith Stockwell West Seattle...... Ryan Ellison Weslie Gilbertson Robert McBerry Robert Studley Westwood...... Gonzaldo Gonzoles Jack Gummer Lafayette Moore Gerald Swanson Westwood...... Brad Larsen Elmer Gunnerson Lewis Moore Jimmy Terada Robert Hancock Wayne Morgan James Wood Page 4 The Seventy-Niner August 2016

(Solidarity from Front) Branch Donations

If you have a favorite charity or strategies to strengthen and organization you would like the empower unions, and one on During the month of June, Branch Branch to donate to, please send programs and resources for workers 79 made donations to: the Trustees information about the injured on the job. Thanks again charity for review. Please include to the branch for the opportunity *Washington Engage (Federal Way the name of the charity, what they to represent Letter Carriers at the Coalition Against Trafficking) do, and their address. StewardWSLC Convention. Appreciation Night *Sight Connection Send the information to: NALC Branch 79 Board of Trustees, *American Red Cross 210 Queen Anne Ave N #201, Every June at the Shop Steward’s Seattle, WA 98109 Council the branch hosts an Appreciation Night for the stewards and alternates. It’s in recognition of the hard work, dedication and commitment that these men and women have demonstrated over the past few months. This year, the stewards and alternates were given mugs and glasses etched with the branch 2016 State Convention logo, jump drives loaded with steward resources, and the traditional pizza and sodas. I am certain that your stewards would really appreciate a word of encouragement. It’s a tough job to represent your co- workers, and still somehow take care of your route. Let them know that their efforts are noticed…and appreciated. Labor Day Picnic

The Martin Luther King County Labor Council is holding it’s annual Labor Day Celebration on Monday, Sept. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lower Woodland Park’s Shelters 1-3, N. 50th St. & Woodland Park Ave. N. in Seattle. This free event will feature live music by the Haggis Brothers. There will be face painting, clowns and games. There will be a plethora of politicians shaking hands. With ice cream, hot dogs, soda pop and popcorn. Bring Brother George Blair showing off his Gold Card the family down to Lower Woodland Photo courtesy of Alden Bowman Park for an old-fashioned labor-day celebration! August 2016 The Seventy-Niner Page 5 Mileage Reimbursement 101 -Pati Craig-

would like to take this So what is training you ask?? time to inform all postal ELM 17.9 Orientation, Drivers training, employees of what the ELM 716 Expenses Carrier Academy, ProMaster 17.9 and Handbook F15 say 716.1 Travel training, 2-ton training etc… about mileage reimbursement. 716.11 General

If you work in Kent and Unfortunately we have a large The Postal Service pays get sent to deliver Amazon number of managers in the necessary travel expenses Sunday in Redmond you Seattle area that do not know (transportation, lodging, and should claim mileage! Iwhat their labor management per diem) in accordance with Last year I won a grievance manuals and handbooks say Handbook F-15, Travel and for Seattle on this subject about this benefit. Mileage Relocation, to compensate because Barbara Miller reimbursement is a benefit employees for costs directly who works in the Seattle that should be paid anytime an related to authorized off-site Postmasters office sent me employee is required to travel training and development an email and told me to for training further from their activities. Authorized stop giving out this false normal commute or if you are travel-for- training expenses information. We also won sent to work outside of your are claimed on PS Form a grievance against Soon normal installation. Why are 1012, Travel Voucher, Kim in Renton over a year so many employees unaware or PS Form 1164, Claim ago. I just heard from a CCA of this benefit? Well if you for Reimbursement for in Ballard this weekend attend orientation in Tacoma Expenditures on Official who told me their manager or Olympia you are told of this Business, as outlined said I was giving out false benefit in your orientation in Handbook F-15. It information once again! class. In Seattle they have is important that these Hopefully I have taken care of decided to leave that issue expenditures be charged to this ongoing issue in Seattle between the employee and the proper travel-for-training and if you are an employee the manager and that is where account to distinguish them who was never reimbursed Seattle fails. Most managers from other travel expenses for mileage for training in the Seattle area will never for official purposes. please see your shop steward share that information with a immediately! new employee for whatever ManagersHere comes should my favorite ensure part: reason; I am not sure why. I that employees who travel Pati Craig am sure that the money does to off-site training are not come out of management’s provided with sufficient 32 years as a Seattle City personal pockets. So lets funds to cover necessary review. Letter Carrier expenses at the training 4 years Driver Trainer & site. 3.5 years Carrier Academy Instructor Page 6 The Seventy- Niner August 2016

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Membership Report Congratulations As Reported at the July 2016 Branch Meeting Recent Retirees Secretary-Treasurer Mark Myers Tom Koken New Members 17 Left Service 49 Patricia Lough-George Transfer Out 0 Dana Valiquette Cancelled 0 Chu Chong Retired 10 Deaths 3 Dana Fosberg Donald Leger Active 1857 Robert Mclean Associate 29 Total Retired 498* Peggy Meza *Includes Gold Card Members 84 Robert Roberts Total Membership 2384 Mary Costanzo Page 8 The Seventy- Niner August 2016

MEMORIAL Welcome New Members Brother Cecil McKenzie Retired T. V. Mao Brother Federico Recardo Patrick Nauman Retired Jacqueline Mayes Donald Janneck Benjamin Pritchett Father of Brother Michael Janneck Sean Barnes Marnilo Laureta Father of Brother Michael Laureta & Susan McIntyre Father-in-Law of Brother Robert Kirtland Julia Knox David Sims Donna Manning Sister-in-Law of Sister Pati Craig Sanhstha Khiev Emmah Kanyora Cliff Traylor Robin Whitehead Brookfield Ben L. Anderson Uniforms Xung Duong Designers and Producers James Goodnow of Highest Quality Kelli Fischer Union Made Uniforms Get $465 for your $420 allowance. Seattle Odd Zips Ken Eline Retired Br. 79 1526 NE 165th St Shoreline WA 98155 206-365-2659 Cell: 206-271-3053 Shared Services (National Human Resources) Seattle Even Zips Larry Anderson 1-877-477-3273 Retired Br. 79 http://liteblue.usps.gov P.O. Box 69444 You’ll need your Employee ID# Seattle WA 98168 and your USPS PIN. 206-653-7815 August 2016 The Seventy-Niner Page 9

(Cartoon Courtesy of Jack Hayes)

Below is from the program from brother McKenzie's memorial service courtesy of Jo Ann Pyle: Mutual Exchange Request NV: Carson City (04/07) To Bremerton, Tacoma, Kent WA or surrounding areas.

Mutual exchange, regu- lars only.

Lots of businesses on my route. 1 office, 40+ routes, plenty of OT.

Skiing, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, camp- ing, we have it all.

Ron (775) 830-0507

[email protected] Page 10 The Seventy- Niner August 2016

(President's Report from Front) who knows the secret of creating This neighborhood is often seen as community. particularly together. Adams wants the youth of the community. people to know it’s not a Magic Make that two someones. For the Kingdom. Any neighborhood can The customers on his route loved celebration is Adams’ parting shot. be good, if people look out for one him and threw a big party when She debated whether to move for another. he was nearing retirement.Seattle Times I am five years, weighing the benefit of reprinting (with permission) an being free to travel vs. the loss of a “It’s knowing there’s somebody article from the from strong and caring neighborhood. who knows you and is interested in June of 2011 regarding Cecil. It what’s happening to you and you’re bearsMaid repeating. and `Mac’: putting their Traveling won, but Adams, a interested in them, too,” Adams said. teacher and counselor, did not “It’s a simple thing, but it means a stamp on a community want to leave without spreading lot.” wisdom of what it takes to build By Sherry Stripling Seattle Times staff community. By honoring McKenzie, reporter Mac McKenzie doesn’t even live in a man who personifies the love of this neighborhood, but it feels more people that is above all what makes like home to him than his own place neighborhoods work, she’s saying to in Mount Baker, he says. Maid Adams stands at the top of the her neighbors: See what you have? stairs leading to her Madrona home See why this works? I’m leaving, but That may be because he spends all of 41 years and points past the For I don’t want it to fall apart when I’m day here. He’s involved in people’s Sale sign to where she’ll see him gone. lives. In fact, he knows the names coming. - and many of the details - of McKenzie is 60. Adams is several everyone from 38th Avenue to Lake “When he’s here we have a nice years his senior. The postman is not Washington and East Howell to East interaction, and then boom, boom, retiring; he’s just being appreciated Union streets. boom! He’s off.” for reaching out to all the neighbors with equal warmth. Maureen Bekemeyer, a near Actually, before Adams sees Cecil neighbor to Maid Adams, “Mac” McKenzie, her mail carrier of “It doesn’t matter if they just moved remembers being pregnant with 29 years, she hears his resounding in or if they’ve been here since he her younger son when McKenzie voice. Usually it’s followed by his moved onto the route,” said Adams, first took over the route. That son laughter, as he delivers goodwill to who shares a strong personality is now 29. Her new granddaughter her changing neighborhood on the trait with McKenzie: They both see is named “McKenzie,” not entirely east side of Capitol Hill. the best in people. after Mac, but more affectionately so because it’s his name, too. And then he’s there, leather bag Madrona, like most Seattle strapped across his barrel chest, neighborhoods, is changing. Through the years, her children dropping off a bundle of mail as Longtime residents like Adams always added a “Hi Mac!” on the he spreads word of babies and are moving or dying. Even the backs of envelopes for letters home. new neighbors or chastises Adams social activists who moved in Bekemeyer recalls the warmth of for working too hard in her huge when the Black Panthers had their McKenzie handing over her mail garden. headquarters here 30 years ago are with these words: “You got a letter nearing their golden years. from your mother.” “Now, Mrs. Adams, you know to move slow in this heat, don’t you?” With views of Lake Washington “It’s not that he was being pushy. It and sturdy Craftsman houses, high was that he cares about everybody That’s almost all there is to it, and prices have bid adieu to Madrona’s and he cares about you. It’s very yet it’s enough. When Adams and blue-collar roots, hello to affluent small-town, and we all need that.” her neighbors honor McKenzie at a two-profession couples. (Continued on Page 11) 2 p.m. party at Adams’ house today, they’ll celebrate not just a man Yet for all the changes, a recent who does his job well but someone poll shows Northwesterners still greatly value a sense of community. August 2016 The Seventy-Niner Page 11

(President's Report from Page 10) APWU Contract Highlights It isn’t the territory (Madrona is steep) or the mail volume More stories: (Madrona’s is heavy), it’s the people. th When a rapist stalked Madrona, one On July 8 neutral arbitrator neighbor in particular counted on “I just enjoy talking to people Stephen Goldberg rendered the McKenzie to go through her house regularly,” he said. “I know just three person panel decision on the to make sure it was safe. Another about everybody’s mood on APWU/USPS interest arbitration. was in the hospital with a broken the route. When they’re happy, Our union is still in negotiations bone when she heard McKenzie’s when they’re sad. I can tell by the with the Postal Service for our deep laugh coming down the hall. expression on their face.” contract,th which expired on May 20 . We hope to reach a negotiated “Who was that handsome man When they’re sad, McKenzie says he settlement but time will tell. I found who came to visit you?” the nurses tries to govern his small talk, but it’s it informative to read the award for wanted to know. not easy for him to do. the clerk’s union to see, not only what was awarded, but also some of McKenzie’s view that the new “Me? I’m always happy. I haven’t had the rationale of Arbitrator Goldberg. neighbors show just as much one unhappy day on this route.” Whether we reach an agreement or promise as the old gives Adams go to arbitration some of the same hope that all will stay together in When Adams began to spread the provisions may end up with us. the neighborhood. She’s moving word of today’s party, she heard temporarily to an apartment but from many people she didn’t know, I am obviously not going to reprint hopes someday to find her way back all saying the same thing: “What can the fifty page award but I will print to Madrona to a home and garden I bring?” Lengthsome highlights: of the Agreement with fewer demands. That’s the spirit of this, she says. It’s Meanwhile, McKenzie, who cannot not that hard. Anybody can honor be too far from retirement, does his someone who makes a difference in May 21, 2015 - September 20, 2018 best to keep the flock together. a neighborhood. Career(40 months) Employee General Wage Increases Not long ago, he handed Bekemeyer “Mac is appreciated and loved and the phone number of new neighbors he knows that. But he’ll know it and said, “Why don’t you go down Hereeven endsmore Seattle now.” Times article and introduce yourself? They seem There will be across-the-board like real nice people.” pay increases of 3.8% for career employees over the life of the “I feel really bad,” said Bekemeyer. “I I am so happy I knew Cecil and am Agreement: haven’t done it, yet.” sorry he is gone. • 1.2% effective November 14, 2015 (Retroactive) The party for McKenzie is typical • 1.3% effective November 26, of Adams, said Bekemeyer, who 2016 knows she and her peers must step • 1.3% effective November 25, up and take the place of departing PSE Wage2017 Increases “community pillars” such as Adams.

“I give Maid so much credit for figuring out how life works,” PSEs (who do not receive COLA Bekemeyer said. raises) will receive wage increases as follows: There has to be something right to • 2.2% effective November 14, make a postman stay on the same (Continued on Page 12) route for 29 years, said McKenzie, who hasn’t missed a day to sickness in two decades. Page 12 The Seventy- Niner August 2016

(President's Report from Page 11) no holiday leave.) The holidays are the six Job Security Provisions major holidays of New Years, Memorial Day, 2015 (Retroactive) Independence Day, Labor • There will be no new • 2.3% effective November 26, Day, Thanksgiving Day and subcontracting of PVS 2016 Christmas Day driving work during the life • 2.3% effective November 25, of the contract. 2017 • For a minimum of the first year In addition to these general wage • The number of hours paid for the of the contract, the postal increases, PSE wages will be holiday will vary by size of service will not expand increased by fifty cents per hour office: 200 Man-year offices contract stations, village over the life of the Contract as – 8 hours. POStPlan offices – post offices and approved follows: 4 hours. All other offices – 6 shipper programs. (The fight • $0.09 per hour effective Hours. over Staples is not affected November 14 2015 • PSEs who work on a holiday will by this moratorium.) (Retroactive) have the same option as • There will be no further plant • $0.20 per hour effective May 13, career employees to have closings and consolidations 2017 their annual leave balance Bereavementuntil at Leave least April 2017. • $0.21 per hour effective May 26, credited in lieu of holiday 2018 leave pay. • The 75% contribution of the I thought this was interesting as USPS to the premiums of Clarification on expanded a comparison for our CCAs. The the APWU Consumer Driven bereavement leave coverage to “in- PSEs got 1% more each year than Health Plan, available after laws.” the career clerks and they received one year of service, remains an additional hourly increase. This in effect. In addition, PSEs Uniform and Work Clothes was less than the union wanted will now have access to a for Eligible Career Employees but more than the Postal Service USPS sponsored health plan Allowances for uniform and work offered. upon employment with the clothing programs will be increased USPS contributing $125.00/ • Effective May 2016, increase of Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) No Lay-Offpay Protectionsperiod. for Career 5% The COLA for career employees Employees • Effective May 21, 2017, increase is maintained under the current of 2.5% formula. Cost of living adjustments • Effective May 21, 2018, increase will be made in March and Limits onof 2.5%Excessing September of each year of the The no lay-off protections of Article Contract. 6, for employees with more than six years of service, remain in full force. Career Employee Health Benefits In addition, no lay-off protection is During the life of the CBA, no The Health Plans and benefits for extended to all career employees employees can be excessed beyond career employees remain in effect. who are on the rolls as of July 8, Workforcea 50-mile radius. Structure Over the next three years, the 2016. This protection covers the employees’ portion of the health 32,000 postal workers recently premium will increase 1% a year. converted to career who have not For the APWU Consumer Driven yet achieved the six-year threshold • All Maintenance Craft PSEs will Health plan, the Postal Service Veteranof no lay-off Hiring protection. be converted “in place” to will continue to pay 95% of the career within 60 days of PSEpremium. Health Benefits and Holiday the Award. Thereafter the Leave Pay PSE category of employee Preference Eligible Veteran hiring will be eliminated in the • PSEs will now receive six will be greatly enhanced with the Maintenance Craft. paid holidays. (PSEs had creation of the all-career workforce • All Motor Vehicle Service Craft in the Maintenance and MVS Crafts (Continued on Page 13) where Veterans will now be hired directly into career positions. August 2016 The Seventy-Niner Page 13

(President's Report from Page 12) At the beginning of this award the One final quote from Mr. Goldberg, arbitrator stated, “The evidence “I am persuaded, as the Postal PSEs will be converted to clearly shows the Postal Service to Service asserts, that the package career - either full-time or be in a difficult financial position.” of economic benefits received PTF - within 60 days of the In many ways this is of their own by bargaining unit employees – Award. Thereafter, the PSE doing. retirement benefits, retiree health category of employee will be care, paid leave, low employee eliminated in the MVS Craft. In crafting this award, Arbitrator health care contributions, and a no- However, in the future PSEs Goldberg relied heavily on what the layoff provision – are superior to could be authorized as part APWU agreed to in 2010 and what those typically available to private of a package to bring back the NRLCA (rurals) agreed to earlier sector employees. Another factor currently subcontracted this year. The arbitrator assigned, which stands out are the quit rate MVS work. “substantial weight to the NRLCA data, which show that career Postal • PTF employees are reintroduced Agreement . . .” Especially since their Service employees voluntarily into the MVS craft, not to negotiated agreement was ratified leave their jobs at a rate far lower exceed 20% of the MVS by 83% of the voting membership. than do private sector employees. career workforce. Despite APWU arguments to the • Non-Traditional Full-Time The NRLCA ratified the 1.2%, contrary, I consider this as powerful (NTFT) duty assignments 1.3%, and 1.3% that this arbitrator evidence that APWU-represented are eliminated in Function awarded to the APWU. The rurals employees consider their jobs with 1 (mail processing) and also agreed to the decrease in health the Postal Service to be superior to Function 3 (MVS) and will benefit contributions of 1% per year the alternatives available to them be reposted as traditional for three years. elsewhere.” full-time duty assignments. NTFTs cannot be introduced into the Maintenance Craft. Current four day a week/ ten-hour a day duty assignments may remain in place if the local parties agree. Local parties may mutually agree upon more such assignments under the Modified Work Week Memo. • Non-Traditional Full-Time employees in Function 4 (Retail) are now capped at 8%, excluding NTFT assignments in POStPlan offices. (Previously there was no cap.) The rules concerning schedules and postings in the NTFT memo remain. However, the restriction on assigning mandatory overtime to non-OTDL employees is narrowed from installation wide to the facility.

Some additional points of interest: Page 14 The Seventy- Niner August 2016

(Remembering Mac from Back)

and let them know he understood. The story of Cecil McKenzie began in With a fatherly hand on the shoulder, and placed it on a waiting cart. In a Gary, Indiana on September 8, 1939. “Mac” would give a friendly word of measured clopping cadence the white He was the third oldest of six children advice, a hug or that familiar smile gloved uniformed honor guard half- born to the late Donzetta Sr. and that flashed like a ray of sunshine that stepped forward with the casket on Rosebud McKenzie. Cecil graduated in could warm the heart. That could be the cart to the front of the shelter. 1958 from Theodore Tatum Roosevelt the reason more than one of Mac’s Some of the relatives of our union High School where he played football patrons named their new baby boys brother Cecil “Mac” McKenzie were and also join the ROTC. after him. “Mac” connected with in the front row of chairs and friends people as a sincere friend. He was a and acquaintances were either seated Cecil became a Christian early in gentle giant with a kind word and love in other rows of chairs or stood life and learned to serve others as a for everyone. When “Mac”retired the further behind. A member of the VFW young man. He worked for U.S. Steel people on his route celebrated with a spoke eloquently about why we so in his hometown after graduation. At neighborhood party in his honor and highly honor those men and women that time he met and wed the former other celebrations. who served in our Armed Forces. The Laverne Anderson. Cecil loved her honor guard with rifles at the ready son Danny as his own. Enlisting in “Mac” was a regular at our union performed a 21 gun salute; the loud the United States Army, Cecil was meetings well into his retirement. reports rang in our ears. After laying on active duty for six years which He attended State and National their weapons gently on the ground included two tours in Vietnam during conventions. He served several years the honor guard marched to either the war. He earned an Honorable in two capacities for our branch: side of the casket and performed the Discharge and then joined the Army Sergeant at Arms and our Mutual solemn flag folding ceremony. Each of Reserves and saw service in the Gulf Benefits Representative. “Mac” served the 13 folds has special meaning. The War during Desert Storm. He retired as co-shop steward along side B.J. final folded tri-cornered shape reveals as a Command Sergeant Major after Hansen at East Union Station. “Mac” the stars of our flag reminding us of 30 years in the military. was usually quiet at the meetings our Nation’s motto “In God We Trust.” but when he had something to say After the ceremony, the staff sergeant everybody took notice. He would from the honor guard knelt in front of Cecil joined the U.S. Postal Service in stand up and heads would turn to Cecil’s sister, Mae Alice Fossett, and Chicago, Illinois. In 1968 he relocated hear what he had to say. He would presented her with the flag “On behalf to introduce himself with his booming of a grateful nation and the United Seattle, Washington. He became voice, “McKenzie here...East Union States Army as a token of appreciation a member of the First African station …”. then he would begin for your loved one’s honorable and Methodist Episcopal Church where speaking by addressing everyone with faithful service.” he did service as a Trustee and “Now brothers and sisters....” “Mac” A woman sang a song about “someday helped the FAME Food Ministry, The was always brief and to the point. I’ll fly away” that transported many of September Circle and other church us on a spiritual journey. She captured projects. In 2009 “Mac” organized a trip to New our feelings of sadness and turned Orleans to help with the rebuilding them into hopeful moments of joy. Cecil’s Postal career lasted 40 years. of homes after Hurricane Katrina. It was so beautiful to hear. People He worked out of the East Union In April of 2009 branch 79 sisters applauded in appreciation afterward. Post Office. He was called “Mac” by Sally Knowle and Connie Wigle and Following the song Rev. Dr. Margaret those who knew him. On his route union brothers Rick Baird (Branch Spearmon closed the service with Cecil was a local legend. Contrary 130 Tacoma) Brooks Bennett, Jack encouraging words and a prayer. to his football-player-like oversized commanding image was a child- Gilmore, J.D. Stewart and myself joined “Mac” and flew to Louisiana After the ceremony we were able like smiling radiant face and large to help build houses for Habitat for to talk to some of the people who compassionate eyes bursting with the Humanity. We volunteered, I believe, knew “Mac”. I welcomed brother Ron glow of life and revealing the affable, because of “Mac’s”passionate desire Henry and I also met several East loving spirit within. to help others. He inspired all of us. Union letter carriers: brothers Arthur Besides being an excellent letter He set the dream in motion and he Wilcox, John Guros, Benito Sison and carrier “Mac” was a reliable friend, took care of the details to make it Kelvin Phillips from Des Moines. I a surrogate father figure to the come true. That’s the kind of guy briefly talked with one elderly lady neighborhood children, a brother to “Mac” was. who had been seated in the first row. some and he was loved by everyone I asked, “Are you a relative of Cecil’s?” who knew him. He was always there Earlier that morning before the She said, “Oh no! He was my mailman! to help others or give someone a few procession of cars headed to the “Mac” would do anything for anyone. dollars if they needed it. If a child was (Continued on Page 15) Everybody loved him!” having problems “Mac” would sit on the porch and listen to the youngster August 2016 The Seventy-Niner Page 15 (Big Brotherism from Back) (Remembering Mac from Page 14) why not a Red Square? Why not yellow moons, orange stars, for “Official Discussions”; Graveside Service several people green clovers and pink hearts? were waiting in or near their cars for no need for “Investigative DMS: it’s magically malicious.) others to arrive. I greeted Branch 79 Interviews” – correct? No President Jo Ann Pyle. We talked with need for Letters of Warning, So, in short, the scanner leaves sister Deborah Patterson who worked Suspensions – oh, the suspense ping marks like breadcrumbs with brother McKenzie at East is killing me. Au contraire all along the way, and with a Union. We met Cecil’s God Daughter, mon ami. Carriers are not push of a button management Dalia Eshe (Levi) Samuels and God only being disciplined using personnel can, like a carp- Granddaughter, Vonte Samuels of Sanford, North Carolina. We shared scanner stats, but actually mouthed Kardashian, visually our feelings about Cecil with them. losing their jobs. gobble up the trail of your whereabouts from the time Jo Ann brought out from her car one This DMS system also includes you left, all the way back to of the beautiful cedar-boxed Bibles “geo-fence” technology the station door, or wherever we give to the families whenever to assist supervisors you eventually cradle your someone in our branch passes away. in monitoring delivery scanner. So, shorter yet, don’t be Jo Ann and I walked over to the family operations. Geo-fence anywhere except where you're limousine a few feet away where technology is a system based meant to be – don’t skip lunch, Cecil’s sister from Gary, Indiana, on the concept of virtual don’t skip your breaks, don’t Mae Alice Fossett was seated. We introduced ourselves to her and geographic zones. Should a skip comfort stops, remember expressed our condolences Then Jo carrier deviate from his or to hydrate – and don’t run your her designated geographic Ann presented her with the Bible. route. If you’re going to make She humbly thanked us. I walked to zone during street delivery, an it to retirement – you have to my car and brought out three pages alert is sent to the supervisor take the long view, this is not a of pictures I had taken of “Mac” over in an email or text message. sprint – it’s a marathon. Don’t the years and photos of the house (Joy.) The DMS will enable run any route – there’s no such we worked on in New Orleans. She supervisors to see “at a thing as a slow pace, or a fast was again grateful for the gesture of glance” the location of each pace, there’s only the pace that’s kindness. mail carrier and determine going to help you stay healthy whether the carrier is ahead and win the race to retirement. “Mac”was not a boastful man. He was of or behind their scheduled a proud man who knew who he was delivery time. The DMS will and was comfortable with himself. And one last “rewrite fullwise He was a man of uncommon loyalty. display an icon to indicate upsub antefiling” salute to our “Mac” loved sports. Even though he the timeliness of each * new hires. The USPS Unpersons, lived in Seattle for over 40 years he carrier. (Timeliness is next the CCAs, freshly minted still always rooted for the Chicago to Godliness, I guess.) A red and freshly erased from the Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs circle indicates the carrier employment ranks for violating and the Chicago White Sox! What is more than 15 minutes an example of loyalty. His journey’s the USPS primordial rule: being behind schedule, a yellow in life took him to the football field, unfast is doubleplusungood. square indicates the carrier *Nineteen Eighty-Four by George several battle fields while in the U.S. is fewer than 15 minutes Orwell (Book 1, Chapter 4) Army and fighting for letter carrier behind schedule, and a green “The reporting of Big Brother’s justice in the boss’s office while serving as co-shop steward at East diamond indicates the carrier Order for the Day in ‘The Times’ of December 3rd 1983 Union Station His life exemplifies the is either on time or ahead teachings of his church. Help your of their scheduled delivery is extremely unsatisfactory and makes references to non-existent fellow man. Love one another. Be time. The accuracy of this humble in spirit. From that comes the persons. Rewrite it in full and information is paramount to real joy in life. He will be remembered enabling delivery supervisors submit your draft to higher for his concern for others, his gentle to quickly determine which authority before filing.” demeanor, his pride for his service routes require attention. Of and to our country, and his many acts course, when they say, “require of kindness. We will all miss brother attention” – they mean Cecil “Mac” McKenzie. May our dear brother rest in Peace. “discipline”. (I was wondering, THE SEVENTY-NINER THE SEVENTY-NINERTHE SEVENTY-NINER NON-PROFITNON-PROFIT ORG. ORG. 210 QUEEN ANNE210 AVE. QUEEN N. ANNE AVE. N. NON-PROFIT ORG. 210 QUEEN ANNE AVE. N.SEATTLE, WA 98109 U.S.U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE SEATTLE,SEATTLE, WA 98109 WA 98109 U.S. POSTAGEPAID ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PAID Seattle,PAID WA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Seattle,Seattle,Permit WA No. WA 5242 PermitPermit No. 5242 No. 5242

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