National Association of Letter Carriers Non-Profit Org. Joseph P. Considine Branch 34 AFL-CIO U.S. Postage Branch 34 400 West Cummings Park, Suite 3950 PAID Woburn, MA 01801-6396 Boston, MA Permit No. 54631 Takes to the Sea! Address Service Requested Branch 34 officers, members and friends boarded the steamboat Samuel Clemens and enjoyed an evening in Boston Harbor. See more photos on page 6. Volume XLI, Number 2 • August-September 2012 The Award-Winning Newspaper of Joseph P. Considine Branch 34 NALC, AFL-CIO Branch 34’s CLANCLANNational Association of Letter Carriers 122 Years of Proud Union Participation and Accomplishments ★ 1890 - 2012 President’s Corner Minneapolis Convention Provides Needed Push for Uphill Battles Ahead! e just completed the NALC 68th Biennial Convention time doing summer projects around the house (painting, northeast region. Evidently he’s Robert A. Lind Win Minneapolis, MN. As always we had a number of repairing or planting) but that can be therapeutic also. Ei- not convinced we’re out there pro-labor key note speakers to inspire those in attendance. ther way it was time to unwind. Let’s look back at what’s working or management needs President I’m pleased to report that the Branch 34 Convention taken place these past few months. The postal service’s to have their time occupied by Delegates, throughout the week, were in attendance and new appointee to overseeing operation program support checking additional scans within every office. involved in NALC business right up till adjournment late sent out a directive to add additional scans throughout the (continued on page 2) Friday afternoon. I say that because towards the end of the week you could visibly see that wasn’t the case with many branches. Not only were they involved in the daily general sessions but many took advantage of the morning and Branch 34 Delegates Representing You afternoon seminars being offered by the NALC involving a variety of pertinent topics. Our delegates did a good job at the NALC Convention in Minneapolis, MN and I commend them for their involvement. Once again, Branch 34 received the honor of being The delegation awarded First Place In the “Overall Excellence” category from Branch 34 for a large branch publication (“Branch 34’s CLAN”). I pose for a group would like to thank all the contribu- photo in front of tors, Editor Mazie Collier and espe- the dais at the cially designer Stephen Hamilton th for his graphic arts, layout, printing NALC 68 Biennial and dedication to producing a quality Convention in newspaper for the members of Branch Minneapolis, MN. 34. Great job! The empty chair This past convention will always stay in the front row embedded in our minds not because of signifies Branch anything that took place within the con- 34 Vice President vention hall but to the contrary what took Bob Simpson’s place before it even began. That prior Sat- hospitalization and urday, Branch 34 Vice-President Brother See Convention his being with us photos on pages 8-12. Bob Simpson took ill upon his arrival in spirit. in Minneapolis. Bob suffered a stroke Get well soon, Bob! shortly after checking into his hotel while in the company of other branch members. We immediately had him transported to a nearby trauma center where he received stellar treatment. INSIDE Fortunately for Bob despite this infliction someone was Branch 34 Upcoming looking over him. Time is of the essence when it comes to Branch 34’s CLAN treating strokes and Bob was within ten minutes from one Membership Meetings of the best facilities in the country. His recovery has been Tuesdays at 7:00 pm miraculous and he continues to make strides every day. Convention Has Come I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the prayers September 11, 2012 & Gone - Now the Real and support that Bob received from the many delegates at the Boston Lodge of Elks #10 throughout this country and great union. I’d like to take this Spring Street, West Roxbury Fight Begins opportunity to personally thank the Minneapolis Branch 9 Page 3 President Mike Zagaros for his extended assistance to the October 9, 2012 Simpson Family. The mere fact that so many were there to at the Malden Moose Hall Scholarship Winners offer assistance was consoling. 582 Broadway (Rte. 99), Malden Lastly I would like to mention how proud I was of the Say Thanks Branch 34 Delegates for rallying around our wounded November 13, 2012 Page 7 brother. From the moment Bob took ill our delegates were at the Sons of Italy Hall 120 Quarry Street, Quincy Check at his bedside. Many times he didn’t even know they were Out These Branch 34 Food Drive there but they were. Throughout the entire week there was Dates & Locations a constant flow of visitors to support Bob in his darkest Photos hours. I believe their support helped Bob over his biggest Pages 13 & 18 hurdle and on the road to recovery. Semper Fi! Summer of 2012 Tel. / 781-281-1133 Catching Up With he month’s flown by and so has the “Summer of 2012”. Fax / 781-281-1127 Marty Foley THopefully everyone took the time to take that much Page 17 deserved vacation. I know a number of us just spend that www.nalcbranch34.com President’s Corner… (continued from page 1) Massachusetts Again I know we find the “big brother” is watching you choice sit by and do nothing or get involved to save our jobs. concept insulting while management continues to promote the Those are our only options. Congressional fallacy “to ensure regular service” knowing that service is no Webster’s Dictionary: sac’rifice’v 1 offer (something) to a Delegation longer a priority. Scans do not bring an additional dime to this deity 2 give up something for another –n. a sacrificing company and their deployment to the contrary has the poten- Our starting point is being an E-Activist, giving to COL- U.S. SENATE tial of costing additional unwarranted dollars. Unfortunately CPE and donating time to get labor friendly candidates The Honorable John F. Kerry Russell Senate Office Bldg., Rm. 218 as one arbitrator articulated, “If kept within the confines of elected. We need to take back the House and Senate while Washington, D.C. 20510 the national agreement management has the right to manage keeping a friend in the White House. Enough with the games 202-224-2742 Fax: 202-224-8525 as well as mismanage”. It’s their company. being played if you want to protect your livelihood and the kerry.senate.gov It’s frustrating to watch in many offices the managerial livelihood of your workmates you must not only vote accord- The Honorable Scott Brown force grow. Between route adjustments, telecoms, scans and ingly but get involved politically too. Sacrifice! COLCPE and Russell Senate Office Bldg., Rm. 317 GPS management has created themselves an unnecessary full getting politically active is a must starting point. We need labor Washington, D.C. 20510 time workforce. We downsize while their overinflated ranks friendly representation. Mitt, Paul and Scott may all have mil- 202-224-4543 Fax: 202-224-2417 scott- grow yet their productivity doesn’t. lion dollar smiles (and they should) but I assure you they can’t brown.senate.gov For all extensive purposes they can put a scan on every relate to the grimace of a hard working middle-class struggling U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES single delivery and someday perhaps they will. Don’t let their family. If you cherish the work you do and enjoy bringing First Congressional District The Honorable John W. Olver decision making drive you crazy! We scan, they pay is the home a weekly paycheck then you must vote for labor. Longworth House Office Bldg., Rm. 1111 creed we need to adopt, nothing more. It doesn’t stop there though, once elected we must de- Washington, D.C. 20515 Another problematic area is pivoting. Just because they mand performance. Those elected legislators must protect 202-225-5335 Fax: 202-226-1224 have a pivot plan doesn’t mean it fits into our route configu- our interests; a trillion dollar mail industry depends on it. www.house.gov/olver ration. If you don’t have the work to sustain an eight hour Our message is simple,” We’re worth saving”. Unshackle Second Congressional District workday that’s one thing but if you do then treat it accordingly. us, Congress fix what you broke and let the postal service The Honorable Richard E. Neal Follow the directive if you’re told to pivot in the office and compete but it all begins with you! You have to sacrifice! Rayburn House Office Bldg., Rm. 2266 before leaving for the street submit to your immediate super- You know what has to be done. If you don’t comply, scans, Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-5601 Fax: 202-225-8112 visor a PS Form 3996 for auxiliary assistance or overtime. overtime, pivoting and street supervision will be the least of www.house.gov/neal If you’re given a street pivot and it also can’t be completed your worries. Mr. Bloom predicts that if left unaltered we Third Congressional District within the allotted time once again submit, as early as pos- will be going out of business. He stated, “The basic facts of The Honorable James P. McGovern sible, a PS Form 3996 and await your instructions for that day. the Postal Service are dire and dramatic, Congress created Cannon House Office Bldg., Rm. 438 You know and I know they’ll play their games and question it and whether by action or inaction, indifference or malice, Washington, D.C.