nalc’s 67th biennial convention anaheim imagining the future … · 2014-09-04 · watched a...

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 I POSTAL RECORD 33

The 7,324 delegates, 28 nationalofficers and hundreds of otherparticipants at the 67th biennialconvention of the National

Association of Letter Carriers in Ana-heim in early August departed withvivid recollections of an extraordinarilywide range of events.

The convention opened with NALCPresident Fredric V. Rolando’s impas-sioned speech spelling out a broad visionto meet the challenges facing the unionand its members. Participants also heard afiery address from United Mine Workersof America President Cecil Roberts, dis-cussed the best approach to upcomingcontract negotiations, and applauded AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and

American Postal Workers Union PresidentWilliam Burrus as each pledged to sup-port letter carriers in their fight to saveSaturday delivery.

Delegates nominated national officers,debated various proposals in spirited fash-ion, attended a loud and large jobs rally inLos Angeles, watched compelling filmsmarking the historic mail strike of 1970and the one billionth pound collected inour annual food drives, heard heartfeltexpressions of gratitude from a recoveredchild and his mother, received accoladesfrom members of Congress and foreignlabor leaders, and attended dozens ofworkshops ranging from contract enforce-ment to political engagement to the globalstruggle to save postal services.

NALC’s 67th Biennial Convention

Anaheim

Imaginingthe future

together

Energy, solidaritymark convention

Over the next 30 pages, you’llget a summary marking thehighlights and major themesof the Convention, along withday-by-day accounts of all ofthe action from Anaheim.

Quite a dizzying list—and this is merelya sampling of what occurred during con-vention week, as reflected in the conven-tion report that follows. But look carefullyand it all comes together. For underlyingthe seemingly disparate events andspeeches and discussions was a powerfulunifying theme—the need to protect thejobs of letter carriers and preserve themission of the United States Postal Servicewell into the future.

Everything that occurred in Anaheim—and during the closing afternoon in LosAngeles—was aimed at advancing thisagenda. Toward that end, the conventiondid several things. It made a strong casefor retaining six-day-a-week delivery andstrengthening the Postal Service. It set astrategy and activities to bring this about.It elected the leaders who can help lettercarriers make it happen. And it buttressedthe labor solidarity that will multiply thealready considerable strength of theNALC’s 300,000 members.

By any measure, the NALC’s conven-tion—which continues to be the largestheld by any AFL-CIO union—was aninspiring spectacle. It was full of energy,determination and seriousness of purpose,with delegates continually engaged,whether on the huge convention floor ordiscussing the issues in small groups else-where. Perhaps most impressive was theunity of purpose, with delegates, officers,staffers and others joining forces to pre-pare the union for the battles ahead.

“I have never been prouder of our mem-bers and our union,” Rolando said later.“The weeks and years ahead will demand

the utmost from us. We left Anaheim withthe plan, the momentum and the cohesive-ness to move ahead in challenging times.”

Making the case forexpanding servicesand preserving jobs

Challenging times, indeed. Delegatesheard about threats to their jobs and to thePostal Service itself, including the USPS’own ill-conceived campaign to do awaywith a day of delivery in a shortsightedeffort to cut costs, and a poor economythat has lowered mail volumes.

As President Rolando and others madeclear, cutting services wouldn’t save thePostal Service but instead would openthe door to its destruction. “No oneknows where this slippery slope wouldend,” he said.

A far more constructive solution wouldbe to increase USPS services and revenue,Rolando said, while also calling for a legisla-tive fix to the requirement for the PostalService to pre-fund future retiree healthbenefits at $5.5 billion annually. Delegateswatched a video in which Postmaster Gen-eral John Potter testified, in response to aquestion from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, thatif the overpayment issue were resolved, hewouldn’t push to cut Saturday delivery.

As Rolando told delegates in no-nonsenseterms, dropping Saturday delivery whenbetter options exist “borders on the lunatic.”

The convention also focused on the myr-iad of ways in which letter carriers servethe community by looking in on the elderlyor stopping crimes, putting out fires orhelping locate missing children. Suchactions are, of course, possible only whencarriers are on their routes and would bediminished by any cuts in service.

As Rolando told the jobs rally in LosAngeles, “Who has calculated the socialcosts, the personal costs, of compromisingthese links?”

Getting it doneThe convention took several practical

steps to protect jobs and strengthen theUSPS by:

● Asking carriers to enlist the support ofbusinesses for six-day delivery.

● Authorizing President Rolando to seekearly contract negotiations with the USPS.

● Agreeing to serve as a partner withthe Postal Service by proposing ways toboost services and revenues.

34 POSTAL RECORD I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS

● Urging carriers to help elect pro-lettercarrier candidates to Congress.

● Linking our efforts with the public’sbroader concern about jobs and theeconomy.

● Getting out the message, includingthrough President Rolando’s variousmedia interviews.

LeadershipThe convention elected President

Rolando by acclamation, and showed confidence in the union’s leadership byelecting all 10 resident national officersand three national trustees by acclamation.

In subsequent discussions of resolu-tions, several delegates declared that theywanted to give Rolando and his team flexibility in making decisions related tonegotiations and other matters, a furtherindication of the trust they place in him.

SolidarityGiven the challenges confronting letter

carriers and the NALC, the support of thelabor movement is indispensable—andwas in full display at the convention,embodied by the remarks of AFL-CIOPresident Trumka, APWU President Bur-rus, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Associ-ation President Don Cantriel and others.

Miners President Roberts summed itup succinctly when he told delegates thatthe NALC had always been there

for miners, then added about the fight toretain six-day delivery, “Solidarity doesn’tflow one way...Your fight is our fight. We will do whatever you ask us to do,because you have been with us over andover again.” ✉

Media coverageThe convention and rally received a good deal of media attention,

notable given the scant labor coverage in evidence these days. And all themore notable because, with the volume of pressing business to attend to,the NALC did not put a high premium on inviting attention-getting speak-ers. Rather, we focused on letter carrier issues, on planning strategy fornegotiations, on electing leaders, on buttressing unity with labor as awhole, and on jobs for American workers.

And yet, the media listened, likely a reflection of several factors: Theimportance of the National Association of Letter Carriers and what lettercarriers mean to communities, the fact that our president and other speakers touched on issues relevant to all Americans, the foresight shownby convention organizers in anticipating the potential of the jobs rally in Los Angeles—and our delegates’ willingness to travel to the rally in suchlarge numbers and with such enthusiasm.

A few local radio and television reporters were present at various inter-vals during the convention, and President Rolando’s remarks at the Fridayjobs rally were widely covered by local network affiliates. After the rally,several reporters sought interviews with him, from a local building and construction trades writer and Los Angeles electronic media to a reporterfor a Chinese radio station. Pictures of the rally have subsequently taken on a life of their own, being widely used in TV pieces on the jobs issue andappearing in various newspapers, including USA Today.


In a passionate and rousing openingaddress on Monday to the nearly7,000 delegates present in Anaheim

for the 67th Biennial National Associa-tion of Letter Carriers Convention,President Fredric V. Rolando spelledout the challenges facing the NALCover the next five days of the conven-tion as well as for the months andyears to come.

Combining his trademark humorwith a fiery zeal that brought cheeringdelegates to their feet numerous timesover the course of almost 90 minutes,Rolando called on each individual carrier to save the United States PostalService, even if it means saving it frompostal management.

The president set the tone for theweek, touching on topics ranging fromthe need for letter carrier legislativeactivism to help preserve six-day maildelivery service, to push Congress tomake important legislative changes,and to create innovative ideas for aPostal Service of the future—makingcertain that no member of the NALCcould come away from the Mondaysession without a deep understandingof what lies ahead for letter carriers.

“The real strength of our union isthe pride that each member feels as weserve our customers, in every neigh-borhood—at 150 million addressesnationwide—six days a week,” he saidnear the close of his speech. “We willstand up to protect the future of the

Postal Service, because this is ourcompany, and we are the Postal Service!

“Together, we are 300,000 strong,and together, we will succeed,” he said.

In addition to Rolando’s openingremarks, Monday’s attendees heardfrom NALC President EmeritusWilliam H. Young and Rep. LorettaSanchez (D-CA), learned how the simple act of delivering the mail helpedreunite a mother and her missing son,and began to tackle the tough unionbusiness of working through a few contentious contract resolutions.

Getting down to business

Hundreds of letter carrier delegatesstreamed into Exhibit Hall D of theAnaheim Convention Center to thestrains of patriotic musical selectionsperformed by the Seattle letter carri-ers’ band.

At the front of the massive auditoriumwas the traditional main stage andpodium, flanked by two giant videoscreens to either side. Across thewings of the stage were the words“Honoring the past” and “Imaginingthe future.”

Shortly after 10 a.m., National Secretary-Treasurer Jane E. Broendel called the 67th BiennialConvention of the NALC to orderand asked South Florida Branch1071 member Stephanie Bostic to

Future in focus as President Rolandocalls Anaheim convention to order

President Fredric Rolando maps outthe business for the week ahead.

Secretary-TreasurerJane Broendel

Garden Grove, CABranch 1100 PresidentCharlie Miller


MondayAugust9


come forward to sing the “Star-Span-gled Banner.”

Following Bostic’s emotional renditionof the national anthem, Broendel invitedGarden Grove, CA Branch 1100 Execu-tive Vice President Barbara Stickler tolead the assembly in reciting the Pledgeof Allegiance.

Next, the Rev. Paula Swavely, seniorminister of the Orange County Centerfor Spiritual Renewal, led the invocation,and Broendel then asked delegates toobserve a moment of silence in remem-brance of union members who had diedsince the 2008 National Convention inBoston.

Convention host Branch 1100 Presi-dent Charlie Miller was invited to thestage, where he welcomed the conven-tion to Orange County. Miller then introduced Anaheim Postmaster Art Cardenas, who provided a few brief welcoming remarks as well.

Next, Broendel acknowledged retirednational officers gathered on the mainstage, including former Executive VicePresident Jim Williams, former Region11 National Business Agent Bill Cooke,former Region 10 NBA Gene Goodwin,former Assistant Secretary-TreasurerJim Korolowicz, former Health PlanDirector Tom Young, former Region 5NBA Joe Miller, former Region 9 NBAWayne White, former Region 7 NBABarry Weiner, former Vice PresidentRon Brown, former Region 7 NBA NedFurru, former Director of Safety andHealth Al Ferranto, former Region 12NBA Jim Dolan, former Director ofRetired Members Don Southern, formerRegion 9 NBA Matty Rose, and formerRegion 14 NBA Paul Daniels.

Then, Region 1 NBA Manny Peraltacame to the podium to acknowledgehis fellow business agents from theunion’s 14 other regions, as well aseach NBA’s regional administrativeassistants. Broendel followed that withan introduction of the current residentnational officers and trustees.

In welcoming President Rolando to the stage for his keynote address,Broendel noted how the union’s topleader has been forced in his first yearin office to operate on two levels—both to save the Postal Service fromitself as well as to protect the interestsof letter carriers.

“President Rolando’s job now includessaving the Service from its own short-sighted arrogance,” Broendel said. “Thisunion will be ready to push, prod and kickthe Postal Service to do the right thing.”

Rolando’s addressAfter entering the hall to Tom Petty’s

“I Won’t Back Down,” Rolando began hisaddress by reminding delegates that allisn’t bleak, and that the NALC remainsthe largest and best organized open shopunion in America, while enjoying successin programs like Customer Connect andthe annual Food Drive.

“I challenge anyone to name anotherunion with a longer and richer tradition,”he said.

And the NALC is a force for innova-tion, he said, raking in $1 billion in newbusiness since 2003 for the Postal Ser-vice through the Customer Connect pro-gram, not to mention the one billionpounds of donated food collected overthe past 18 years in the annual “StampOut Hunger” food drive.

In addition, the various route adjust-ment innovations “show that we have theability to think big and to act in a waythat both protects our members and pro-motes the long-term viability of thePostal Service,” Rolando said.

However, lowered mail volumesbrought about by the worst recessionsince the Great Depression andincreasing electronic diversion of themail present tremendous challenges toletter carriers.

“The task for us all is to act now, whilewe still have a big, big business, to devel-op the new products and new servicesthat will take advantage of both our hugenetwork of employees and facilities andof our last-mile franchise,” he said.

Then there are the other problemsthe Postal Service faces that are all toofamiliar to letter carriers—such as theoverpayment of nearly $75 billion inpension contributions, and the require-ment to aggressively pre-fund futureretiree health benefits to the tune of$87 billion, something no other gov-ernment agency or private business isrequired to do.

The Postal Service’s proposal to cutcosts by dropping a day of mail deliverywould only worsen the prospects forthe USPS.

“The very idea of abandoning a day of service, harming customers, forcingthem to alternative delivery systems,undercutting public reliance on postaldeliveries—it’s all so wrong that it bor-ders on the lunatic,” he said.

And, of course, our current contractexpires in November 2011. Bearingthat in mind, Rolando outlined his four major goals for the next NationalAgreement:◆ to extend and enforce the ban on out-

sourcing city carrier jobs◆ to win more work for letter carriers

through the assignment of new deliveries

◆ to develop a better, fairer system forevaluating and adjusting routes

◆ to prepare for the next round of wagebargaining.

“It is no exaggeration to say that thenext round of bargaining will be the mostdifficult in our history,” Rolando said,proposing to spend time Thursday dis-cussing the NALC’s approach to negoti-ating a new contract.

“Let me be up front and unambiguousabout one thing, however,” Rolando said.“And chip this one in stone: NALC is 100percent committed to fight to protect thejob security and standard of living of let-ter carriers, no matter what economicconditions we face. We will not give it up.

“If the Postal Service approachesbargaining in good faith, and with creativity, it will have a willing partner.[But] if the USPS approaches bargain-ing with the goal of gutting our payand benefits, or tries to exploit thenational economic crisis by makingdemands for sharp cuts and give-

Region 1 National BusinessAgent Manuel Peralta Jr.

backs,” Rolando declared, “it will havea bloody fight on its hands.”

The union’s legislative activists willcontinue to have a role to play in protect-ing the NALC’s interests, Rolando said,electing pro-letter carrier and pro-laborcandidates from both parties, and lobby-ing Congress to protect our pensions,health care and other benefits.

The union’s two top legislative goalsremain permanently reforming theretiree health pre-funding provisions ofthe 2006 postal reform law, and defeatingthe Service’s proposal to eliminate Satur-day mail delivery.

Some progress has already beenmade, thanks to H.R. 5746, a bill offeredby Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), whichseeks to recover and transfer the postalpension surplus to the postal retireehealth fund to fully pre-fund all futureretiree health benefits. The next step willbe to repeal the $5.5 billion pre-fundingpayments, which is likely to becomemore feasible once Congress sees thatthe retiree health fund is fully funded.

Rolando urged delegates to contacttheir congressional representatives tomake sure they are co-sponsors ofH.R. 5746.

Saving Saturdays“We must also stop the Postal Ser-

vice from making the biggest strategicblunder since it gave away the ExpressMail market in 1978,” Rolando said,“when it voluntarily loosened the pri-vate express statutes at the urging

of a small, unknown com-pany in Memphis calledFederal Express. The rest is history.”

He called giving up thekey advantage the USPShas over its competitorsat the same time it is rais-ing rates “downrightcrazy.”

“Thanks to our legisla-tive and political activists,we are making real gainsin the battle to save Satur-day delivery,” Rolandosaid.

“This week I will askeach of you to pledge to find three businesses backhome to formally oppose

the loss of Saturday delivery. I am con-vinced we will win the battle for the heartsand minds of the American people.”

Rally for jobsThe president put this struggle in the

context of the overall economy.“As long as there are 15 million Ameri-

cans out of work and another 13 milliondiscouraged and underemployed work-ers, the outlook for the Postal Servicewill remain bleak,” he said, since payrollgrowth is the number one indicator offuture mail volume growth.

Rolando announced that AFL-CIOPresident Richard Trumka would speakto the convention on Friday before head-ing to a massive noon “Rally for Jobs” indowntown Los Angeles, a rally that willalso call for supporting the preservationof six-day delivery as a means towardsaving 80,000 postal employee jobs.

The president outlined a proposal toalter the convention’s hours on Friday toallow delegates to take part in the rally,which the convention approved.

Necessary innovationThe real key to bolstering the USPS’

future, Rolando said, is innovation thatwill increase services and revenue.

“In a perfect world, we would have amore-than-willing partner in the PostalService, willing to explore and experi-ment out-of-the-box,” he said. “Unfortu-nately, at the moment, we have a PostalService dedicated to cuts in service, notservice expansion.”

Rolando acknowledged the contribu-tions of active and retired members inthe evolution of what a letter carrier istoday, and pointed to the results of theannual Ponemon Institute study thatshowed the Postal Service remains themost trusted government agency.

Our work with the food drive, the Mus-cular Dystrophy Association, CarrierAlert, and the Cities Readiness Initiativeall certainly play a role, he said. And formany Americans around the country, theletter carrier is the only face they seeeach day.

He concluded by telling the delegatesthat there is plenty for NALC membersto do—not just during the conventionweek, but in the months and yearsahead, as NALC works to save SaturdayDelivery, revitalize the Postal Service andhelp rebuild America.

Abby Potash and Sam Fastow

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS

Sam’s storyPresident Rolando then introduced Vin-

cent Giuliano, vice president of governmentrelations for Valassis Direct Mail Inc. In 1985,Giuliano, in conjunction with the Cen-ter for Missing and Exploited Chil-dren, devised the idea of the “Ameri-ca’s Looking for Its Missing Children”program, which places photos ofabducted or lost children on Valassis’Red Plum coupon mailers. Coming tothe stage with Giuliano was Sam Fas-tow, along with his mother, Abby. In1997, a 10-year-old Sam was abductedfrom his home in Hamburg, NJ, by hisfather—but was located and rescuedjust eight months later thanks to apatron in Alvin, TX, who recognizedSam’s face from the cover of a RedPlum packet.

“I know delivering mail is your job,”Sam said, “but for families with miss-ing kids, you also deliver hope.”

Credentials reportPresident Rolando next called to the stage

Rod Holub of Manhattan, KS Branch 1018,the chair of the Credentials Committee.Holub reported that, as of Monday morning,6,447 convention delegates had registered,including 6,358 branch delegates, 61 dele-gates-at-large, and 28 national officers, withmore arriving during the course of the day.Holub noted that the preliminary tally repre-sented 568 branches from all 50 states,Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Ricoand the District of Columbia. He said regis-tration was continuing and the committeewould present a final report later in the week.

Board of TellersPresident Rolando then announced his

appointment under Article 5, Section 6 of theNALC Constitution of Joe DeRossi of Brook-lyn Branch 41 as Election Commissioner.DeRossi, in turn, announced the names ofthe members of the Board of Tellers:

Helen Amill, Br. 36, New York; David Barbuzzi, Br.25, Mass. NE Merged; James Beach, Br. 644, Musca-tine, IA; Kevin Boyer, Br. 763, Columbia, MO; ShawnBoyd, Br. 132, Dallas; Geoffrey Brown, Br. 11, Chicago; Lisa Contos, Br. 2778, Sparks, NV; Terry Davis, Br. 1358, Tulsa; Rocco Evangelista, Br. 78, Columbus, OH; Jim Falvey Jr., Br. 82,Portland, OR; Paul Gillie, Mid-Michigan Br. 256; Jose Gonzalez, Br. 24, Los Angeles;Pete Goodman, Br. 2309, Arlington, TX;

All’s‘fair’ atopening reception

The 67th Biennial Convention launched Sunday,August 8, with a well-attended opening reception. Dele-gates and family members arriving from Alaska to Puer-to Rico and Maine to Guam came for food, music andentertainment in the California sun.

Children and adults alike amused themselves at carnival-style game booths, with prizes for winners.Others sat for caricatures and temporary tattoos orenjoyed the antics of entertainer “Alvin the Average.”Over the three-hour event, letter carriers connectedwith old friends and made new ones while they enjoyedpizza, sliders, soft pretzels and funnel cake.


Michael Harazmus, Br. 46, Springfield, MA;Thomas Harlow, Br. 439, Greenville, SC; DannyHatchett, Br. 197, Shreveport, LA; Mark Judd, Br.2184, W. Wayne Co., MI; Ivars Lauersons, Br. 214,San Francisco; William LeLand, Br. 132, Dallas; Ed

Mansfield, Br. 2148, Sara-sota, FL; Vincent Mase,Br. 19, New Haven, CT;Clarence McCarthy, Br.709, Reno, NV; TimothyMcKay, Br. 531,Charleston, WV; KeithNelson, Br. 4319, Anchor-age; Laurence Pasciuto,Br. 2502, Las Vegas;Darla Peterson, Br. 491,Sioux Falls, SD; JeffreyRainey, Br. 30, KansasCity, MO; Marilyn Ray, Br.1071, South Florida; JoeRutkowski III, New JerseyMgd. Br. 38; GeorgeSarvis, Br. 137, HudsonValley, NY; MarieTartaglione, Br. 41, Brook-lyn; Paul Toms, Br. 39,Indianapolis; Sandy OtisWalker, Br. 914, LakeCharles, LA; Marion Ware,Br. 283, Houston; AndrewWeiner, Br. 562, Jamaica,NY; Timothy Whelan, Br.157, Philadelphia; LeoZachwieja, Br. 157,Philadelphia.

Friday‘Rally forJobs’

After delegatesapproved the rules ofthe Convention asproposed by theRules Committee,President Rolandoasked delegates toconsider two specialmotions: to use

Thursday morning’s session as a sort ofmini rap session to discuss the nextround of collective bargaining, and tomodify the Convention schedule to allow delegates to participate in an AFL-CIO “Paychecks Pay the Bills” jobs rallyat noontime Friday in downtown LosAngeles. Delegates approved both schedule changes.

The Rules Committee: Dan Tegreeny (chair),Central Florida Br. 1091; Karrie Blough, Austin, TXBr. 181; Tom Cleer, Northern VA Br. 3520; RonResop, Arizona Mgd. Br. 1902; Stephanie Stewart,Central Iowa Br. 352.

As a result, Friday morning’s work-shops will be moved to an earlier time,with further details to be announced dur-ing Tuesday’s session, although Presi-dent Rolando did announce that rally par-ticipants would receive special T-shirtsplus box lunches, and that buses wouldconvey participants from the AnaheimConvention Center to the rally and back.

Young looks backPresident Rolando then took the

microphone to propose a resolutiondeclaring his predecessor, William H.Young, “president emeritus.” The dele-gates approved the resolution by accla-mation, whereupon President Rolandoinvited now-President Emeritus Young toaddress the convention.

Looking back on his more than threedecades of service to letter carriers as anational officer—not to mention 21national conventions, including thisone—Young expressed his unwaveringconfidence in the union’s members. “Iwas interested in seeing what you and Itogether could accomplish,” he said,“and by God, you never let me down, andI thank you.”

Young also offered some advice tothe delegates: “During your delibera-tions, do not let any single issue dividethis union.” At the conclusion of

Young’s remarks, President Rolandoled delegates in a “letter carrier cheer”for Young.

President Rolando then addressed thefloor regarding the current Joint Alter-nate Route Adjustment Process, orJARAP. He acknowledged that creatingthe process had proved difficult andpainful at times, but he said the processfor handling route adjustments continuesto steadily improve. “The monster hereis not the process—the monster is thevolume,” he said. He then asked dele-gates involved with JARAP at the branchlevel to stand up and be recognized forthe work they do.

Resolutions considered

Executive Vice President GaryMullins then took the podium to explainthe process by which convention resolu-tions are considered. He introduced theresolutions the Executive Council hadrecommended for approval. A motion toadopt those resolutions en bloc wasapproved by acclamation.

The adopted resolutions included aproposal to require all temporaryemployees (TEs) to take the 473 exam,to let employees use accrued sick leaveto care for a family member, to usenational resources for a national “day ofaction” campaign to save Saturday ser-vice, and for TEs to be capped at currentlevels and existing TEs to be convertedto regular carriers.

Legislative resolutions adopted includ-ed a call to support legislation expandingFamily and Medical Leave Act coverageto care for children of any age, legislationgranting parity in retirement income tax-ation, a bill giving retirees access toMedicare Part D subsidies, a proposal topetition for a postal union member to beappointed to the Postal Regulatory Com-mission (PRC), legislation to providebenefits to all letter carrier familiesregardless of sexual orientation, and acall for the repeal of federal law that pre-empts a state’s definition of marriage soPostal Service employees can receivebenefits based on a particular state’s law.

Next, Vice President George Mignosiintroduced for consideration resolutionsthat the Executive Council had recom-mended for disapproval. The sponsors of


National Agreement Resolutions 15 and 16withdrew them, noting that the passage ofResolution 14 in the previous en bloc votehad addressed their concerns. Resolution14 adds proposed language that wouldabolish a route or full-time duty assign-ment if more than 50 percent of the deliv-ery points assigned have been eliminated.

The Convention agreed to the disap-proval of National Agreement Resolution7, which would have granted “super-seniority” to alternate stewards, and ofNational Agreement Resolution 8, whichwould have forbidden the union fromentering into a national route adjustmentagreement that restricted the ability ofbranches to initiate grievances.

The delegates began a debate overNational Agreement Resolution 9, whichwould require a vote of the national mem-bership before the union could enter into anational agreement on route adjustmentthat uses unverified DOIS counts and vol-ume inputs. A teller vote was called for butwas held off to allow Rep. Sanchez achance to speak to the delegates.

President Rolando then introducedSanchez, who has represented Anaheim inthe House since 1997. Rolando noted thatshe is a strong supporter of letter carriersand a co-sponsor of H. Res. 173, the con-gressional resolution calling for the contin-uation of six-day mail delivery, as well as ofH.R. 5746, the bill that would correct anerroneous $50 billion to $75 billion over-payment to the U.S. Treasury by thePostal Service into the Civil Service Retire-ment Fund.

‘You’re good as gold’Inviting members of Garden Grove

Branch 1100 to join her on stage duringher speech, Rep. Sanchez brimmed withaffection and enthusiasm for letter carriers

and for all working men and women. Shesaid she admired letter carriers’ hardwork-ing “six-day legs” and pledged to keepthem walking six days of the week. Shealso said she admired how letter carriersmanage to reach the remote Arkansastown where her grandmother lives. “You’reas good as gold, and we’re going to keepyou that way,” she said.

Sanchez also noted that letter carriers provide plenty of services beyond deliver-ing mail, such as collecting donations forthe annual food drive, helping customersin crisis, and providing daily contact for isolated people.

“I know all the work you do that’s not inthe job description,” she said. “That’s whatbeing an American is all about—doing all of that.”

Sanchez heralded the accomplishmentsof the current Congress, including creditcard reform, financial regulation and “thegift of health care for everyone.” She criti-cized opponents in Congress for attempt-ing to block this agenda. “Enough of the‘no,’” she said. “People don’t send us toWashington to do nothing.”

The delegates rewarded her with a “let-ter carrier cheer” after she expressed con-fidence that an economic recovery wouldbe led by working men and women, sayingthat “Americans are the most productiveworkers in the world.”

The Convention then returned to con-sideration of Resolution 9. After the dele-gates approved extending the day’s busi-ness and moving the Secretary-Treasurer’sreport to Tuesday, the teller vote on Reso-lution 9 was held. Delegates ultimatelyupheld the Executive Council’s disapprovalof the resolution by a vote of 3,451 to 1,428.

The Convention adjourned shortly after3:30 p.m.

Letter carriers boughtclose to 650 raffle ticketsfor the MDA benefit Sun-day afternoon—hundredsmore than expected. Eachhad their eyes on thegrand prize Harley David-son motorcycle, but NancyTaylor, Branch 3867Pasadena, TX, was theone who rode away withthe bike.



PoliticalAction

In theRegistration

Area

From the moment the doorsopened on Saturday, the Reg-istration Area was the place tobe for delegates. After pickingup delegate badges and bagsfilled with useful publicationsand mementos, membersperused the many boothsincluding the NALC Store,stocked with branded goodsand clothing. Other boothsincluded the NALC Health Benefit Plan, the RetirementDepartment, the Mutual BenefitAssociation and more.

Most delegates made their way to the Political Action booth,where they checked on their COLCPE and e-Activist status, whilepledging to encourage businesses to write a letter against theUSPS’ five-day delivery proposal. When they were all signed up,delegates were given their ‘3 ways to save 6 day’ T-shirts. To keepthe mood fun, the booth also had a carnival-style basketball hoop,where for a small donation to COLCPE, members could shoot towin small collector basketballs.


United Mine Workers of AmericaPresident Cecil Roberts madeTuesday feel like Sunday morn-

ing, firing up delegates to the 67thBiennial Convention of the NationalAssociation of Letter Carriers with aspirited tribute to working people, therighteousness of their cause, and thepower they wield when they standtogether. The proud West Virginianative brought thousands of letter carriers to their feet again and again as he preached a message of solidarity,justice and compassion.

Noting that the NALC had always beenthere for miners, Roberts pledged tostand behind letter carriers in their fightto preserve six-day mail delivery. “Solidar-ity doesn’t flow one way like a river,” hesaid. “Solidarity is like a huge ocean.”

“Shoulder to shoulder, back to back,your fight is our fight,” he roared. “Satur-day mail delivery should continue!”

Roberts’ speech was part of a daystressing unity among letter carriers,American workers and union membersworldwide—all joined together in the justcause of helping to preserve letter carrierjobs by saving Saturday delivery.

Along with Roberts, representatives of other labor organizations came to thestage to pledge their solidarity in ourstruggle—just as letter carriers havestood with them so often in the past,whenever they were in need.

Call to orderThe Memphis Letter Carrier Band

played several patriotic tunes at thestart of the day’s events and NALCPresident Fredric Rolando called Tues-day’s session of the convention to ordershortly after 10 am. Darnell Lawrenceof Garden Grove, CA Branch 1100,sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” fol-lowed by the Pledge of Allegiance ledby Kirk Biaz, First Senior Vice Presi-dent of Branch 1100. The invocationwas then offered by Rabbi Mark B.Goldfarb of Temple Beth Ohr in LaMirada, CA.

The convention then moved to consid-eration of proposed constitutional amend-ments as presented by the Committee of

Laws: NALC Vice President GeorgeMignosi, Director of Life Insurance MyraWarren and Assistant Secretary-TreasurerNicole Rhine. An amendment to limitscheduling of rap sessions to the sum-mer months wasdefeated, as was a proposal torequire posting ofproposed resolu-tions and amend-ments on theNALC website amonth before theconvention. Athird proposedamendment waswithdrawn.

PresidentRolando nextintroduced theNALC NationalTrustees:Lawrence D.Brown Jr., Branch 24, LosAngeles; RandallKeller, Branch 25,Northeast Massa-chusetts Merged;and Michael Gill,South Florida

Standing togetherUnions, members pledge solidarityin struggle to save Saturday delivery

Above: Fred Rolando leadsa letter carrier cheer forUnited Mine Workers ofAmerica President CecilRoberts.Left: National Rural LetterCarriers’ Association Presi-dent Don CantrielBelow: Neil Anderson, ofUNI Global Union, showsoff his solidarity by wearingan NALC-branded shirt.

TuesdayAugust10

Branch 1071. The trustees noted that aresolution related to the Mutual BenefitAssociation had been ruled out of order.

Shoulder to shoulder,back to back

Taking the stage to the tune of PattiSmith’s “People Have the Power,”Roberts thanked letter carriers for theirconsistent support of mine workers,

especially thosestruck by tragedy.“One of the firstunions of all tosay ‘What can wedo? What can wehelp with legisla-tively? What canwe do to comfortyour people?’ hasbeen the lettercarriers,” he said.

In return,Roberts pledgedthat miners wouldsupport theNALC’s efforts tosave Saturdaydelivery. “We willdo whatever youask us to do,because you havebeen with us overand over again,”he said. “Your jobsare important toour economy. Westand squarely onyour side.”

Roberts notedthat 14 workingmen and womendie on the jobeach day in Amer-ica. “As we fightfor jobs, we mustremember that we must makethese jobs safer,”he said. Morethan 200,000mineworkers havedied in this coun-try, he added, halfthrough mineaccidents and half from blacklung disease.

The best way for workers to ensuretheir safety, said Roberts, is to organizeand join a union. “You want a saferworkplace?” he asked. “Join a union!”Roberts then listed a litany of benefitsunions bring to workers and all Ameri-cans, from better health care toimproved pensions to workplace fair-ness—closing to particularly loudapplause with this: “You want to tell theboss to kiss your ass? Join a union!”

Following Roberts’ fiery speech, Sec-retary-Treasurer Jane Broendel pre-sented her convention report. Shedelivered some sobering news: Theunion’s membership rolls have droppedto 268,656, down from 303,037 twoyears ago. The number of individualbranches has also decreased in thesame period, from 2,386 to 2,267,although some of this decrease wasattributable to mergers.

President Rolando then introducedthe members of the Mileage and PerDiem Committee: Chair Antonia Shields,Br. 530, Birmingham, AL; Trina Charles,Br. 4970, Havelock, NC; Antoine Thig-pen, Br. 11, Chicago; and Jim Walzen-bach, Br. 70, San Diego. Shields present-ed the report of the committee, whichthe convention accepted.

Fighting for the ‘last mile’

The delegates then viewed a video,“Fighting for the Last Mile—NALC’sCampaign to Save the Postal Service,” a 28-minute film that detailed the union’scontinuing fight to stop PostmasterGeneral John Potter’s efforts to drop a day of mail delivery. The featureexplained the complex financial issuesthat have put the Postal Service in abind, as well as the NALC’s effort on allfronts to save Saturday delivery by fix-ing these financial problems whileopposing Potter’s short-sighted plan.

“The answer is not to take letter carriers off the street,” Rolando said in the video. “It’s to give the Postal Service access to their own money.”

Following the film, a motion was madefrom the convention floor, calling for a voteof “no confidence” in Postmaster GeneralPotter. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Rolando then asked delegates to fillout a form contained in their convention

delegate’s bags, pledging—while off theclock and out of uniform—to convince atleast three businesses on their routes tosend comments to the Postal RegulatoryCommission opposing the switch to five-day delivery. He said copies of the videowould be distributed to branches, themedia and members of Congress, andwould be posted on the NALC website.

Organizing awardsRolando then presented awards to

branches that had been the most suc-cessful at organizing since the 2008 con-vention in Boston:Best organized:Branches with 1,000-plus members:

South Florida Br. 1071Branches with 500 to 999 members:

Toledo, OH Br. 100Branch with under 500 members:

Fall River, MA Br. 51Most improved:Branches with 1,000-plus members:

Hartford, CT Br. 86Branches with 500 to 999 members:

Kansas City, MO Br. 30Rolando next called forward the

members of the Committee on the President’s Biennial Report. Committeechair James Wright of Fort Lauderdale,FL Branch 2550 then introduced themembers of his committee:

Stephen Leeds, Branch 5420, Brick Town, NJ;Larrissa Parde, Branch 8, Lincoln, NE; Luis Rivas,Branch 2076, Des Plaines, IL; and Steven Schultz,Branch 442, Spokane.

Delegates approved the committee’sreport by acclamation.

NRLCA President Don Cantriel

Invited to the stage next was DonCantriel, president of the National RuralLetter Carriers’ Association.

“Rural carriers are our good friends andpartners in all we do,” President Rolandosaid in his introduction, “and the NRLCAhas as much to lose with the elimination ofSaturday deliveries as we do.”

Cantriel noted that in 2010, theNRLCA became a full-fledged partnerin the annual Stamp Out Hunger fooddrive. “We proudly stand by you in thisendeavor,” he said.

Calling the Postal Service “a patient,”Cantriel quipped that it “may be sick, it


NALC Trustees LarryBrown (chair), RandyKeller and Mike Gill

may need a little medication, but it doesnot need a limb removed.

“That is precisely what the Postal Ser-vice wants Congress and the Americanpeople to do, to sacrifice Saturdays for thegreater good of the company,” he said.

Cantriel suggested that USPS considersome management trimming. “We don’tneed layer after layer of management totell us to do our jobs or to manage othermanagers,” he said. “Don’t try to save thePostal Service on the backs of workers.”

ResolutionsBefore turning back to National Agree-

ment resolutions, a motion from the floorwas approved for a collection to be taken upto benefit the families of two letter carrierswho died recently while delivering mail.

Eddie Lin, a member of Garden GroveBranch 1100, died June 3 from headinjuries he received after he was attackedby a Rottweiler on his route. Twelve dayslater, Christine Jones, a member of St.Louis Branch 343, died after lightningstruck the tree she was near.

A second motion to ask National to match the collected money was alsoapproved. Tellers were to take up that col-lection Wednesday morning, with proceedsto be split evenly between the two families.

Director of City Delivery Dale Hart pre-sented National Agreement Resolution 10,which called for prohibiting NALC fromentering a route adjustment agreement without putting the agreement to a mem-bership vote. After a brief debate, the Con-vention upheld the Executive Council’srecommendation for disapproval. Next,Director of Retired Members Ernie Kirk-lamd began discussion on National Agree-ment Resolution 11, which called for col-lection procedures to follow the M-39Handbook. Shortly after the resolution wasread, it was withdrawn.

Branch publicationsawards

Next, President Rolando honored thepublications contest’s first-place award win-ners, which were announced during Mon-day morning’s branch communicationsworkshop:Best Cartoon or PhotoCartoon by Richard Lapine, Zenith BranchNews, Br. 114, Duluth, MN

Promoting UnionismRichard Thayer, “It’s Union Time!” The NorthCarolina Letter Carrier, North Carolina StateAssociationBest Editorial or ColumnLois Strobel, “Darrell’s Diagnosis,” Branch 82B-Mike, Portland, OR Br. 82Best News or Feature StoryJavier Rodriguez, “Banking on Obama,” SouthFlorida Letter Carrier, South Florida Br. 1071Overall Excellence, Small Branch(tie) The Beast of Burden, Santa Barbara, CABr. 290, and The Union Vision, Toms River, NJBranch 2128Overall Excellence, Large Branch(tie) South Florida Letter Carrier, South Florida Br. 1071, and Branch 34’s CLAN,Boston Br. 34.Best Websitenalcbranch1100.org, Garden Grove Br. 1100

Neil Anderson, UNIThe next speaker invited to the stage

was Neil Anderson, post and logisticsdirector for Union Network International(UNI), to which the NALC belongs.

“There are 20 million UNI members inthe service sector worldwide, including 2million postal workers,” President Rolandosaid in his introduction of Anderson, whoserved as a postal worker in New Zealandearly in his career.

“You know all too well that you have towatch what’s happening in the rest of theworld,” Anderson said.

He gave the example of the trade negotiations between Canada and theEuropean Union (EU). “The EU wantsCanada to sign on to a trade agreementwhich would require Canada to liberalizeits postal service,” Anderson said.

“In the Netherlands, its postal service,TNT, proudly points to the 11,000 jobs itwill shift to part-time positions and that itwill deliver mail only three days a week, to save costs,” Anderson said. In Italy, how-ever, “six days is not enough for them,” hecontinued. “They say, ‘The Internet is ourcompetition,’ and we will continue to delivernot just six days a week, but twice a day,with express and parcels in the afternoon.”

“They’re saying, ‘To give better service,we have to give more service,’” he said.

“Innovation is our future,” he said.“Innovation is how we’re going to meet thecompetition in the future.”

Cecil Roberts’ fiery oratory broughtdelegates to their feet.


Director of RetiredMembers Ernie Kirk-land, Director of CityDelivery Dale Hart andDirector of Life Insur-ance Myra Warren

Band committeereport

President Rolando next called on Band Committee Chair Pam Donato ofMinneapolis Branch 9, who introduced the other committee members, CharlesSexton of St. Louis Branch 343 andErnest Phillips of Cleveland Branch 40.

NALC AuxiliaryInvited to the stage next was National

Association of Letter Carriers AuxiliaryPresident Linda Kirby. She extendedgreetings to the NALC from the Auxil-iary, which was holding its own conven-tion on the second floor of the AnaheimConvention Center.

Kirby then introduced the Auxiliary’snational board: Vice President CythensisLang, Secretary Marie Rasmussen, Trea-surer Kathy Miller, retired Assistant Secre-tary Edie Pottenger and newly electedAssistant Secretary Sue Prather.

“We represent your families,” Kirbytold the NALC delegates. “Six-daydelivery is important to our livelihood,and we will continue to help you inyour fight to protect it.”

e-Activist AwardsBefore presenting awards to the

branches with the highest levels of e-Activist Network members, PresidentRolando introduced a short video that showed images reflecting on theimportance and relevance of the PostalService as a crucial component of com-munications in the 21st century.

He then handed out the e-Activistawards, which were based on networkparticipation as of July 2010:Highest percentageBranches with 50 to 99 members:

Minot, ND Br. 1152 Branches with 100 to 499 members:

Newport, RI Br. 57Branches with 500 to 999 members:

Royal Oak, MI Br. 3126Branches with 1,000 to 1,999 members:

Austin Br. 181Branches with 2,000 to 3,999 members:

San Diego Br. 70Branches with 4,000-plus members:

South Florida Br. 1071State with the highest percentage: AlaskaRegion with the highest percentage: Region2

Uniform CommitteePresident Rolando called forward the

members of the Uniform Committee,chaired by Director of Life InsuranceMyra Warren, a member of DallasBranch 132. Warren introduced theother members of her committee: TomGavin of Scranton, PA Branch 17, andStafford Price of Chicago Branch 11.Warren reported that her committee hadconsidered only one resolution, whichwould be presented to delegates later inthe convention.

Clarifying route adjustments

Toward the end of the general session,Rolando took the microphone under per-sonal privilege to clear up some miscon-ceptions about the part the DeliveryOperations Information System (DOIS)plays—or does not play—in adjusting let-ter carrier routes.

“The union passed a resolution severalyears ago that said, basically, that ‘DOISdoesn’t mean s—t,” Rolando said. “Itcan’t tell leave times, it can’t set returntimes—it can not be the sole determi-nant of a letter carrier’s work schedule.

“That’s why no system the NALC usesadjusts letter carrier routes to DOIS.

“If anywhere in this country after thatsettlement, you’ve got supervisors thatare walking around with a clipboard,telling you what time you should leaveand come back, and that your workload isbased on DOIS,” he said, “you should befiling a grievance on every report, everyday, because that violates the settlement.

“Our process takes the volume esti-mates in DOIS that are verified by theletter carrier, and then we run our for-mula based on the M-39,” he said, “withno ‘percent to standard,’ to compute thecarrier’s actual time.

Unite HereOn Monday afternoon, 150 NALC

members went to a Unite Here picket ata local Embassy Suites, where house-keepers are expected to clean 20 roomsin eight hours for a mere $8.83 an hour.To meet this quota, they often are forcedto work through breaks.

“NALC supports our working brothersand sisters,” Rolando said. “I sent withour members a letter to the manager thatsaid, ‘We won’t be staying there.’”

A motion was put forth asking theNALC to donate money to help pay thewages of the 35 workers who walkedoff the job to join the picket. Rolandosaid he would pass on the convention’srequest to the national trustees for theirconsideration.

Rolando recessed the Convention shortly before 3 p.m.

United togetherTen members from each NALC regionparticipated in a Unite Here rally(above) on Monday to protest a localEmbassy Suites’ practice of forcinghousekeepers to work duing theirbreaks. An NALC member delivered aletter from the union to a manager(below) that stated NALC would notbook rooms in the hotel until manage-ment halted the practice.


Delegates to the 67th BiennialConvention of the NationalAssociation of Letter Carriers

on Wednesday overwhelmingly placedtheir faith in President Fredric V. Rolan-do and their future in his hands, electinghim to the highest office in the union forthe next four years.

“Damn!” Rolando said, reacting to thedelegates’ enthusiastic cheers. “Thankyou for your vote of confidence.”

The leadership team of Rolando andTimothy C. O’Malley, newly electedexecutive vice president, will facetremendous challenges, including savingSaturday delivery and renegotiating theNational Agreement in the wake of a deep

economic downturn and dropping mailvolume, but delegates displayed theirtrust in the union’s leadership by elect-ing all 10 resident national officers andthree national trustees by acclamation.

The officer nominations were thehighlight of a day that walked a linebetween reflecting on the past andpreparing for the future.

Call to orderAfter enjoying entertainment provided

by the Seattle letter carriers’ band, Presi-dent Rolando called the convention toorder at 10 a.m. Wednesday. He askedJuanita McKissick, Branch 24 Los Ange-

les, to come to the podium to sing theNational Anthem. David de la O, seniorvice president of Garden Grove, CABranch 1100, led the Pledge of Allegiance,followed by an invocation by FatherIkechukwu Ikeucha of St. Gregory theGreat Catholic Church of Whittier, CA.

In its first order of business of the day,the convention adopted a motion fromthe floor to declare Cecil Roberts, presi-dent of the United Mine Workers ofAmerica who addressed the conventionTuesday, an honorary member of theNALC. President Rolando then intro-duced William Burrus, president of theAmerican Postal Workers Union.

A seat at the tableBurrus told the delegates that his

union stands with the NALC in opposingPostmaster General John E. Potter’s planto drop Saturday mail delivery.

“We’ve been in that fight, we opposeit, and we’re going to beat him,” Burrissaid. “Potter’s not going to get five-daydelivery.”

Not only would it be unwise to lose aday of delivery, Burrus said, the PostalService owes the American people sixdays of service on principle. “How can[Potter] have the audacity to tell theAmerican public youcan’t receive mail on Sat-urday? Forget aboutdelivery—that mailboxbelongs to us?”

The result of endingSaturday delivery, he pre-dicted, would be the endof USPS’ monopoly onthe mailbox and on first-class mail, even while the public continues todemand full mail servicesix days a week.

Above: Fredric Rolandothanks the delegates.Right: Current Executive VicePresident Gary Mullins con-gratulates Executive VicePresident-elect TimothyO’Malley.Below: Applause for Secre-tary-Treasurer Jane Broendel

Vote ofconfidence


WednesdayAugust11

William Burrus

While both Burrus’ union and theNALC face difficult challenges—theeffort to save Saturday delivery, job losses and pressure for concessions in looming contract negotiations—hepraised the NALC for its role in assertingthe rights of Postal Service workers.While postal unions don’t win everyfight, “we have a seat at the table,” hesaid. “Management’s word is not the lastword as it was in 1970.”

Making historyThe delegates then viewed the film

“The Strike at 40: Celebrating NALC’sHeroes of 1970,” featuring several lettercarriers who participated in the 1970postal strike—including one little-knowncarrier named Vincent Sombrotto, whowould go on to serve as NALC presidentfor more than two decades.

Veterans of the strike described thetough working conditions and lowwages—some were eligible for welfareand held second jobs—that sparked theillegal strike, and the tremendous risksthey took in walking out. Few under-stood at the time how important theirbrave act would be to the future of theletter carrier profession. Ultimately, theirstrike won immediate improvements inpay and true collective bargaining forcarriers, giving the NALC’s leaders thetools to build on their progress andestablish a middle-class lifestyle forthemselves and thousands of carrierswho followed in their footsteps.

After the film, President Rolando invited to the podium delegates on handfrom New York Branch 36—the pioneersof the 1970 strike—and then led the convention in a cheer for them. He alsoasked delegates from around the coun-try who joined the strike to stand and be recognized.

Greetings from former leaders

President Rolando read an open let-ter to the convention sent by Presi-dent Emeritus Vincent Sombrotto.Expressing his regret at missing hisfirst convention since 1972 due tohealth concerns, Sombrotto urged

delegates tohonor his fellow lettercarriers whowalked off the job in 1970. “Remem-ber those brave strikers and honorthem,” he wrote.

“I believe it is fair to say that we are atthe cutting edge of a series of changesthat will equal, if not surpass, thechanges of the 1970s and the 1980s,”Sombrotto wrote, citing the loss of mailvolume to the Internet and the currenteconomic downturn. “I have every confi-dence that the NALC is up to the task ofdealing with these changes.”

In his own letter to the delegates, President Emeritus James Rademacherechoed Sombrotto’s sentiments. PresidentRolando read Rademacher’s letter, whichpraised the carriers of New York Branch36, Brooklyn Branch 41, Hartford, CTBranch 86 and the branches nationwidethat joined in the strike. Despite the riskto their jobs and the threat of fines or jailtime, wrote Rademacher, these brave let-ter carriers took action.

“These gallant members defied allthese risks because their guaranteedsecurity had turned into guaranteedpoverty,” he wrote.

Passing the hatEarlier in the day, as a follow-up on a

floor motion approved on Tuesday, Pres-ident Rolando directed tellers to collectfunds from convention delegates to helpsupport the families of two letter carri-ers who were killed this summer whiledelivering the mail, Eddie Lin of GardenGrove, CA Branch 1100, and ChristineJones of St. Louis Branch 343. The presi-dent reported that carriers donated atotal of $24,000—and since the motion

had also called for National to match thefunds collected, the families wouldreceive $24,000 each.

President Rolando next asked Directorof Retired Members Ernie Kirkland to joinhim on the stage. Kirkland introduced themembers of the Retirement Committee: Ron Brown, Br. 3126, Royal Oak, MI; James Dolan,Br. 157, Philadelphia; McDowell Frazier, Br. 24, LosAngeles; Norman LeFrois, Br. 210, Rochester, NY;Doug Gulley, Br. 78, Columbus; John “Pee Wee”Walsh, Br. 29, Albany, NY; Steve Martinez, Br. 576,Phoenix; Clarence “Smokey” Smekofski, Br. 28, St.Paul; Cheryl Stately, Br. 9, Minneapolis; KenStephens Sr., Br. 106, Montgomery, AL.

Officers’ nominationsThe next order of business, as

required by the NALC Constitution,involved calling for nominations fornational office. President Rolando cededthe chair to Executive Vice PresidentGary Mullins, since the first nominationwas for the office of president.

Mullins called for nominations, andonly one was forthcoming—for FredricV. Rolando of Sarasota, FL Branch2148. Since there were no other nomi-nations, Rolando was declared electedby acclamation.

Returning to the microphone, Presi-dent Rolando sought nominations for allremaining offices, which were offered asfollows (uncontested nominees wereelected by acclamation):Executive Vice President—Timothy C.

O’Malley, Philadelphia Br. 157Vice President—George C. Mignosi, Brook-

lyn Br. 41Secretary-Treasurer—Jane E. Broendel,

Davenport, IA Br. 506

48 POSTAL RECORD I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

Asst. Secretary-Treasurer—Nicole Rhine,Lincoln, NE Br. 8

Director of City Delivery—Lew Drass,Huntsville, AL Br. 462

Director, Safety & Health—Manuel L. Per-alta Jr., Garden Grove Br. 1100

Director of Life Insurance—Myra Warren,Dallas Br. 132

Director Health Benefit Plan—Brian Hell-man, New York Br. 36

Director, Retired Members—Ernest Kirk-land, Lexington, KY Br. 361

National Trustee—three positions—Lawrence D. Brown Jr., Los Angeles

Br. 24—Randall L. Keller, Massachusetts North-

east Mgd. Br. 25—Mike Gill, South Florida Br. 1071Region 1 NBA—Christopher Jackson, Gar-

den Grove Br. 1100Region 2 NBA—Paul L. Price, Portland, OR

Br. 82Region 3 NBA—contested—Kevin Schaible, Belleville, IL Br. 155—Neal Tisdale, Springfield, IL Br. 80Region 4 NBA—Roger Bledsoe, Oklahoma

City Br. 458Region 5 NBA—Dan Pittman, Kansas City,

MO Br. 30Region 6 NBA—Patrick C. Carroll, South

Macomb, MI Br. 4374Region 7 NBA—Chris Wittenburg, St. Paul

Br. 28Region 8 NBA—Peter S. Moss, Gulf Coast

Mgd., MS Br. 1374Region 9 NBA—Judy Willoughby, Tallahas-

see Br. 1172Region 10 NBA—Kathy Baldwin, Beau-

mont, TX Br. 842Region 11 NBA—contested—Mike Hayden, Toledo Br. 100—Dan Toth, Lorain, OH Br. 583Region 12 NBA—contested—William J. Lucini, Philadelphia Br. 157—Michael D. Stanton, Haddonfield, NJ

Br. 769Region 13 NBA—Timothy W. Dowdy,

Virginia Beach, VA Br. 2819Region 14 NBA—contested—John J. Casciano, Boston Br. 34—Michael L. Willadsen, Hartford, CT Br. 86Region 15 NBA—contested—Walter Barton, Long Island Mgd.

Br. 6000—Lawrence D. Cirelli, New Jersey Mgd.

Br. 38

ResolutionsNext, President Rolando asked for

and received the convention’s approval

to extend the day to4 p.m. to finish up anumber of businessitems. He thencalled to the stageDirector of Safetyand Health BrianHellman to continuediscussion ofNational Agreementresolutions.

Resolution 12,regarding densitychecks under Article12, was withdrawn.The Executive Coun-cil’s disapproval ofResolution 13 wasupheld following ateller vote, by a voteof 2,627 to 1,222.This resolution hadurged the NALC toapprove utility kiltsfor purchasethrough the uniform allotment program.

Next, Director of Life Insurance Myra Warren led the convention’s consideration of General Resolution 3.The Executive Council’s disapproval ofthis resolution, which called for the mem-bership to boycott Voice of the Employeesurveys, was upheld following a division.

Rep. Susan DavisPresident Rolando then introduced

the convention’s next speaker, Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA). The president called Davis a “friendof the NALC” since her electionin 2000 to represent her state’s53rd Congressional District,which includes San Diego.

“She authored H.R. 1604, theUniversal Right to Vote By MailAct,” he said, “a bill that calls for allowing for the use of ‘noexcuses’ absentee ballots in anyfederal election.”

“Another way to raise revenue is to expand vote-by-mail,” Davis said, “whichalso encourages participa-tion in the electoralprocess.”

She saluted carriers’commitment to theirroutes and to theirpolitical causes.

Take meout tothe ballgame

NALC delegates, staff and families turned out inforce at Angel Stadium Tues-day night to see the LosAngeles Angels of Anaheimbattle the Kansas City Royalson “Letter Carrier Night.”

Those who arrived earlyenough caught PresidentRolando throw an amazingfirst pitch. Looking like a pro-fessional, Rolando stepped to

the mound, peered at the catcher, andshook off the sign. He then wound upand delivered...a one-bounce pitch. Delegates ribbed him for his pitchrepeatedly from the convention floor the next day.

The daughter of Thursday’s guestspeaker, General Secretary of Com-munication Workers of the United King-dom Bill Hayes, yelled “play ball,” andhis son served as honorary bat boy. TheAngels emerged victorious, with DanHaren out-pitching Kansas City’s BryanBullington three to one.

Photo by Douglas Adams Jr.

Opposite page: After the strike video (top) wasshown, veterans from the 1970 strike from NewYork Branch 36 were recognized.Opposite page (bottom): Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)declared, “Five-day delivery was dead on arrival.”



NALC Director of Safety andHealth Brian Hellman, GlobalFoodBanking’s Bob Forneyand Director of Health Bene-fits Tim O’Malley

“Everything I learned about precinct-walk-ing, I learned from letter carriers,” shesaid. “And you carry the mail with suchgreat care.

“It’s no wonder that the American peoplehave more confidence in you than in anyother federal workers,” she added. “And whatyou do is truly amazing. You are brave, giventhe potential dangers—and I know there are anumber of them—that you face.

“I want you to know that Congress is lis-tening to you, because you command asmuch respect in Washington as you doacross the country. The proposal [to dropSaturday mail delivery] became dead onarrival in Congress because of everythingyou have done.”

Davis encouraged letter carriers to staypolitically active this fall. “I know every-one is angry and unsettled,” she said, “butthe answer is not to stay home and skipthe election.

“We’ve gotten a lot done, but I think youwould agree that we still have more to do,”Davis said.

Food drive videoNext, President Rolando asked the dele-

gation to watch a video containing high-lights of this year’s national “Stamp OutHunger” food drive and the drive’s pastachievements. Held annually on the sec-ond Saturday in May since 1993, thisyear’s campaign saw the collection ofmore than 77 million pounds of food—putting the drive’s 18-year collection totalover the one billion-pound mark.

After the video, Rolando asked Bob For-ney, president of food drive partner GlobalFoodBanking, to comment.

“You change lives,” Forney said. “Withoutyour help, I’m sure more people would suffer.”

Joining Forney on the stage was JohnFaulkner of Campbell Soup Company,another key food drive partner and spon-sor. Before handing out awards to the top branches in food drive collections,Rolando and Faulkner took a moment to recognize the NALC’s Drew VonBergen, who served as national food drivecoordinator since the annual event’s incep-tion. Von Bergen retired earlier this year.(Read more on page 16.)

Food Drive Award WinnersCategory I (1-49 members)Branch 6013, Inverness, FL—66,455 pounds

Category II (50-99 members)Branch 1103, Ocala, FL—382,000 poundsCategory III (100-199 members)Branch 815, Billings, MT—242,000 poundsCategory IV (200-349 members)Branch 2072, Ft. Myers, FL—445,500 poundsCategory V (350-499 members)Branch 116, Fort Wayne, IN—622,236 poundsCategory VI (500-699 members)Branch 2008, Clearwater, FL—1,392,267 poundsCategory VII (700-999 members)Branch 704, Tucson—924,847 poundsCategory VIII (1,000-1,499 members)Branch 599, Tampa—2,062,529 poundsCategory IX (1,500-1,999 members)Branch 2, Milwaukee—909,736 poundsCategory X (2,000 or more members)Branch 3, Buffalo, NY—1,697,528 pounds

Committee reportsPresident Rolando called Tim O’Malley,

director of the Health Benefit Plan, to the podi-um for the report of the Health Benefit Com-mittee. O’Malley introduced the committee: Lydia Caffrey (Chair), Br. 52 San Luis Obispo, CA; BarryDoherty, Br. 25 NE Massachusetts Northeast Merged;Lyal Hanson, Br. 4319 Anchorage; Danny Massari, Br.157 Philadelphia; Robert Murphy, Br. 40 Cleveland;Hector Salinas, Br. 283 Houston and Marilyn Youman,Br. 1100 Garden Grove.

O’Malley reported that “the Plan remainsin excellent shape.” The committee’s fullreport is available in the President’s BiennialReport book.

Rolando then recognized Myra Warren,director of life insurance, who introducedthe chair of the Mutual Benefit AssociationCommittee, Anthony Loconto, South Flori-da Branch 1071. Loconto introduced thecommittee members: Allen Jelenik, Branch2 Milwaukee; Cathy King, Branch 500 Har-risburg, PA; Charles Lewis, Branch 70 SanDiego and Mary Liz Dow-Rubio, Branch504 Albuquerque. Committee memberOnorinda Amill, Branch 36 New York, wasunable to attend the convention.

Loconto said the MBA was in “superbcondition.” The committee’s full report isavailable in the President’s BiennialReport book. “Do yourself a favor,” Loconto said. “Invest in the MBA andinvest in yourself.”

Following a few announcements from Secretary-Treasurer Broendel, at 3:50 p.m.Rolando declared the Convention in recessuntil 10 a.m. Thursday.

Delegates weigh in onbargaining strategy

As if facing the pressures of a deeprecession, dropping mail volumeand a worldwide trend toward

increased competition weren’t enough,letter carriers face the difficult task ofnegotiating a new contract with the PostalService. Although the current contractdoes not expire until November 2011,National Association of Letter CarriersPresident Fredric V. Rolando took theopportunity Thursday to listen to sugges-tions for potential negotiation strategies.

“This will be the most difficult roundof contract talks in our history,” Rolandotold the delegates.

On a day focused on that arduous journey toward a fair contract, a virtualsea of blue was formed by the thousandsof “3 Ways to Save 6 Day” T-shirts thatdisplayed NALC members’ commitmentto doing all they can to put the USPS onfirm financial ground—by giving to

COLCPE, registering as e-Activists, andpledging to join the Carrier Corps. After50 minutes of discussion with PresidentRolando, delegates directed the nationalleadership to consider entering contractnegotiations early to maximize the union’schances for success, and they expressedtheir confidence in the president and therest of the Executive Council.

Call to orderFollowing some contemporary musi-

cal entertainment provided by the Mem-phis Letter Carrier Band, PresidentRolando called the convention to orderThursday shortly before 10 am. GeorgeElias of San Diego Branch 70 sang thenational anthem, and James Henry, thirdsenior vice president of Garden Grove,CA Branch 1100, led the Pledge of Alle-giance. Bishop James Carrington, Pastorof Friendship Baptist Church in YorbaLinda, CA, gave the invocation.

Rolando first announced that Fridaymorning’s workshops would begin at 7and conclude at 8:30, and that the generalsession would begin at 9 to allow dele-gates enough time to get to the AFL-CIOjobs rally in downtown Los Angeles.

Box lunches and T-shirts will be distrib-uted to participants, and no luggagewould be allowed on the buses to the rally.

The president then invited Teri Lin, thewidow of Hao Yun “Eddie” Lin, to the

podium along with members of his family,including his three children. A member ofGarden Grove Branch 1100, Lin died June3 on his route from injuries resulting froma dog attack. Teri Lin thanked the dele-gates for the overwhelming support theyhad extended to her and her family fol-lowing the tragedy.

Next, Rolando introducedOdd Christian Overland, presi-dent of Postkom, the union representing letter carriers inNorway. Overland described hisunion’s struggle with the pres-sures of competition and privati-zation in both Norway andthroughout Europe. Callingmail service “a part of the nec-essary infrastructure of a well-functioning society,” Overlandsaid postal services worldwide alreadyface competition from the Internet, solabor unions must prepare for difficulttimes regardless of the competitionthey face from other delivery providers.

Delegates from 621 branches

Rod Holub, Manhattan, KS Branch1018, chair of the Credentials Commit-tee, then took the stage to present thecommittee’s final report. He also intro-duced the committee members:

Rolando listens to delegates’ideas on contract negotiations

Odd ChristianOverland


ThursdayAugust12

Craig Bishop, Br. 133 Sacramento; Alton Branson,Br. 142 Washington, DC; Kathleen Dahlman, Br. 540Camden, NJ; Marie Didier, Br. 825 Oak Brook, IL;John Dyce, Br. 385 Gainesville, FL; Ethel Ford, Br.283 Houston; Robbie Gardiner, Br. 116 Ft. Wayne,IN; Tom Gates, Br. 916 Portland, OR; Laurie Miale,South Florida Br. 1071; Carol Ann Rasmus, Br. 67Elizabeth, NJ; Brian Simmons, Br. 18 SE Massachu-setts Mgd; Amy Tuscherer, Br. 205 Fargo; MonicaWalker, Br. 129 Baton Rouge; Mike Williams, Br. 47Denver; Delano Wilson, Br. 2611 Silver Spring, MD;Carol Woods, Br. 201 Wichita; and James Yates, Br.6000 Long Island Mgd.

Holub reported that 28 national offi-cers, 71 at-large delegates, and 7,253branch delegates had been issued cre-dentials for the convention, for a total of7,352. Delegates from 621 branches rep-resent all 50 states, the District of Colum-bia and three territories.

PresidentRolando thenannounced theappointees tothe NationalElection Com-mittee: JoeDeRossi, Br. 41Brooklyn; PamDonato, Br. 9Minneapolis;Antonia Shields, Br. 530 Birmingham,AL; Mack Julian, Br. 11 Chicago andRicardo Guzman, Br. 70 San Diego.

Next, Rolando introduced Jeff Faux,a distinguished fellow at the EconomicPolicy Institute. Faux described a long-term trend that began three decadesbefore the current economic crisis—theend of the growth in wages that beganafter World War II.

“It’s no accident this happened at thebeginning of the 1980s” after the elec-tion of President Ronald Reagan, hesaid, because Reagan’s encouragementof cheap overseas production and bust-ing American unions stopped wages intheir tracks. If the wage growth trendhad continued, said Faux, averagewages today would stand at doubletheir current level.

Though unions are a strong backstopagainst eroding wages, Faux warned thateven union members will face pressureto hold down pay. “You people here workfor a great institution,” he said, “andyou’ve got a great, strong, union, but noone can escape what’s happening in thelabor force.” Faux said the economy

needs more federal stimulus spending toboost the recovery. “If nobody spends,nobody works—this is the lesson fromthe Great Depression.”

Mini rap sessionTo gather input from the delegates

about the upcoming renegotiation of theNational Agreement, President Rolandoled a mini “rap session” to discuss anumber of strategic ideas. He warnedthat pressure for concessions will befierce, and that the political environmentcould turn negative following the con-gressional elections this fall.

Rolando presented three options theunion’s leadership had discussed: waitinguntil the contract nears expiration next fallto begin talks; bargaining jointly with theAmerican Postal Workers Union andNational Rural Letter Carriers’ Associa-tion, both of which have contracts expiringthis year; or beginning negotiations early ifpostal management engages the NALC asa willing partner. He said the ExecutiveCouncil was leaning toward the last option.“We can try to seek win-win solutions thattake advantage of letter carriers’ key rolein the Postal Service,” he said.

Rolando then opened the floor to com-ments about these or any other ideas forthe best negotiating strategy, and dele-gates offered a range of suggestions.Some noted that legislation the union ispushing to correct the $50 to $75 billionCivil Service Retirement System overpay-ment by the Postal Service would greatlyrelieve pressure for concessions andshould be a top priority. Other delegatesrejected the joint negotiation option,given the weakness of the other unions’bargaining positions.

The convention adopted a motionfrom the floor urging the ExecutiveCouncil to explore the third option ofexploring the possibility of early nego-tiations. Several delegates expressed

their trust inthe nationalleadershipteam’s abilityto vigorouslyrepresent letter carriers in thenext round ofnegotiations.

“That was very helpful,” Rolando saidas the rap session concluded. “We have apretty good idea of what you’re thinking.It’s right where we’re thinking. Let’s seewhat’s happening in Congress, seewhat’s happening with the finances.”

We say ‘community’Billy Hayes, general secretary of the

Communication Workers Union, whichrepresents letter carriers in the UnitedKingdom, then addressed the conven-tion. He said his workers face pressure toprivatize from governments motivated byextreme ideology. “It’s not about reason,it’s not about rationality, it’s aboutdogma,” he said.

Hayes urged letter carriers andunions worldwide to work together fora united front against efforts to priva-tize postal agencies or degrade service.“When they say ‘profit,’ we say ‘public.’When they say ‘competition,’ we say‘community.’ And when they say ‘fivedays,’ we say ‘six days.’”

ResolutionsPresident Rolando then called to the

podium Director of Life Insurance MyraWarren for consideration of General Res-olution 6, which urged the NALC to takea position on racially divisive laws suchas Arizona’s SB-1070. The NALC Execu-tive Council’s disapproval, based on theunderstanding that the union does notnormally take a position on lightning-rodissues that have little to do with lettercarrier pay and benefits, was upheld fol-lowing a brief discussion.

Coming to the stage next was HealthBenefit Plan Director Tim O’Malley tocontinue consideration of general resolu-tions. O’Malley noted that the ExecutiveCouncil had initially disapproved Resolu-tion 7, which proposed distributing theCarriers in a Common Cause book to newand recent NALC members. However, themaker of the resolution, Oregon’s stateassociation, amended it to the council’ssatisfaction before it was brought to theconvention floor for final consideration.Delegates gave their assent to the council’s approval, and it also upheld the disapproval of Resolution 9, whichhad proposed that the NALC categorizeand publish presidential rulings.

Jeff Faux

Billy Hayes


Vice President George Mignosi tookthe microphone to lead consideration of afloor resolution that called for providingNALC members online access to arbitra-tion awards in digital format. The resolu-tion, approved by the Executive Council,was passed by the convention.

Then, noting that this was the last timehe would take the stage at a national con-vention to lead a discussion of resolutions,retiring Executive Vice President GaryMullins told delegates that Legislative Res-

olution 6, press-ing for opposi-tion of individualhealth care man-dates, had beenwithdrawn. Aftera brief discus-sion, the conven-tion upheld theExecutive Coun-cil’s disapprovalof Resolution 1,which called forthe NALC’s sup-port of the 2009Fair Tax Act.President Rolan-do then led dele-gates in a “letter carrier cheer”for Mullins.

Mileage and Per Diem Called to the stage next was Mileage

and Per Diem Committee Chair AntoniaShields of Birmingham, AL Branch 530,who introduced her committee’s members:Trina Charles of Havelock, NC Branch4970; Antoine Thigpen of Chicago Branch11; and Jim Walzenbach of San DiegoBranch 70.

Shields reported that, on the basis of a$416.08 allowance, the total per diem costwas $52,426.08 and the mileage allowancetotal was $8,350.75, bringing the com-bined mileage and per diem allowance to$60,776.83. The convention gave itsassent to the committee’s recommenda-tion of approval.

COLCPE awardsNext, President Rolando turned to

awards for member contributions to theCommittee on Letter Carrier Political Edu-cation (COLCPE), the letter carriers’ politi-cal action fund. He noted that 7.6 percent of

the membership contributes to COLCPEvia one of the available automatic donationmethods, with 5.7 percent of active andretired carriers giving at the Gimme 5 forCOLCPE level of $5 per pay period.

“Before the convention started, 3,395delegates had not given to COLCPE thisyear,” Rolando noted. “I hope all of you rec-tified that this week.” He then asked mem-bers wearing special COLCPE T-shirts tostand and be recognized.COLCPE Awards based on the period7/9/2008 to 7/16/2010Branch with highest percentage of memberscontributing: Branch 57 Newport, RIState with highest percentage of memberscontributing: Mississippi (Sharon Stockstill,State Chair)Region with highest percentage of memberscontributing: Region 8 (Lew Drass, NBA)Gimme 5 AwardsBranch with highest percentage of memberscontributing, 50-99 members: Branch 938Hattiesburg, MSBranch with highest percentage of memberscontributing, 100-499 members: Branch 57Newport, RIBranch with highest percentage of memberscontributing, 500-999 members: Branch 860HonoluluBranch with highest percentage of memberscontributing, 1,000-1,999 members: Branch181 Austin, TXBranch with highest percentage of memberscontributing, 2,000-3,999 members: Branch70 San DiegoBranch with highest percentage of memberscontributing, 4,000 or more members:Branch 1071 South FloridaState with highest percentage of memberscontributing: Hawaii State Association (TerryKaolulo, State Chair)Region with the highest percentage of mem-bers contributing: Region 8 (Lew Drass, NBA)

President Rolando then conducted twoCOLCPE contest raffle drawings. He firstreached into a drum containing the namesof all Gimme 5 contributors and drew out aticket bearing the name of Stephen Lipskiof South Jersey Branch 908. Lipski is thewinner of a trip for two to next year’sNCAA basketball finals, which includesa pair of tickets to the “Final Four”and the national championship game,airfare, a three-night hotel stay anda per diem for expenses.

The winner of a second rafflefor lump-sum donors who aren’t

Opposite page: Delegates who participatedin the 1970 Postal Strike gathered at thefront of the hall for a group photo before thesession began.

President Rolandodraws a winner for theCOLCPE contest raffle


automatic givers was Raymond Eisen-berger of Norristown, PA Branch 542,who won a 42-inch flat-panel high-definition television.

Scholarship Committee

Coming to the stage next at PresidentRolando’s invitation was the ScholarshipCommittee, chaired by Jackie White ofLos Angeles Branch 24. White first pre-sented her committee’s members, SandyLaemmel of Detroit Branch 1 and ArtMuoio of Rochester, NY Branch 210. Eachmember then read a portion of the com-mittee’s report and thanked delegates fortheir contributions to the scholarships cre-ated in memory of former NALC Presi-dent William Doherty and John T.Donelon, longtime assistant to threeNALC national presidents. Laemmel alsoread a thank-you letter from a recentscholarship winner. The committeeencouraged members’ continued support.

MDA awardsPresident Rolando next turned to the

awards for branch fund-raising for theMuscular Dystrophy Association. “TheNALC was the MDA’s first national spon-sor back in 1952,” Rolando said, “and wewill continue to be a sponsor until a cure isfound.” He noted how hundreds of carri-ers took part in the NALC’s first-evernational bowlathon conducted last Novem-ber, and highlighted the many more whoheld car washes, poker tournaments andsummer camps, all in an effort to help“Jerry’s kids” find a cure for neuromuscu-lar diseases.

He then introduced NALC NationalMDA Coordinator Jim Williams, a mem-ber of Portland, OR Branch 82, andMDA Director of Program Administra-tion TomBoyle.

“If you’veever spent anytime with afamily that’sbeen impacted

by one of those diseases,” Williamssaid, “you come to realize just howimportant these things are that you doto raise money, because these kidshave more courage than anyone youcan imagine.”

Rolando asked delegates to watch ashort video on the NALC’s partnershipwith MDA. Following the video, hehanded out awards to the top MDAfund-raising branches:Grand Prize $128,434—Branch 38 NorthernNew Jersey MergedCategory I (2,000 or more members)$56,000—Branch 41 BrooklynCategory II (1,500 to 1,999 members)$30,832—Branch 86 Hartford, CTCategory III (1,000 to 1,499 members)$17,024—Branch 14 LouisvilleCategory IV (700-999 members)$21,320—Branch 358 Schenectady, NYCategory V (500-699 members)$24,709—Branch 56 Grand Rapids, MICategory VI (350-499 members)$10,954—Branch 197 Shreveport, LACategory VII (200-349 members)$12,850—Branch 619 Green BayCategory VIII (100-199 members)$11,091—Branch 205 Fargo, NDCategory IX (50-99 members)$6,801—Branch 924 Freehold, NJCategory X (10-49 members)$8,140—Branch 5229 New City, NY

NalcrestNext, President Rolando called to the

stage Executive Vice President GaryMullins, whom Rolando has appointedpresident of the trustees committee forNalcrest, the letter carriers’ Central Florida retirement community. Mullinsintroduced three other Nalcrest trustees:Matty Rose of South Florida Branch 1071;Don Southern of Lakeland, FL Branch1779; and Tom Young of Garden GroveBranch 1100. Rolando, Assistant Secre-tary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine and Directorof Retired Members Ernie Kirkland alsoserve as Nalcrest trustees.

Mullins then introduced Nalcrest Man-ager Jerry Kane, a member of Jamaica,NY Branch 562, who delivered his report.

Tom Boyle



Convention sitesTaking the stage next was Secretary-

Treasurer Jane Broendel, chair of theConvention Site Committee, who intro-duced the members of her committee:Howard Komine of Honolulu Branch 860;James Korolowicz of Utica, MI Branch4374; and Glen Norton of Las VegasBranch 2502. The committee briefly out-lined the process of reviewing potentialconvention cities—that the ExecutiveCouncil chooses the convention location,usually about four years ahead of theevent. Broendel noted that the 68th Bien-nial Convention is set for MinneapolisJuly 23-27, 2012.

Minneapolis Convention

Immediately following the ConventionSite Committee report, President Rolan-do asked delegates to watch a brief videopresentation showcasing the attractionsthat Minneapolis has to offer visitors.

Following the video, Rolando askedPam Donato, president of MinneapolisBranch 9, to come to the stage. Accompa-nied by a recording of the song “1999”performed by Minneapolis native Prince,Donato and a cadre of Branch 9 mem-bers made their way to the stage, flingingfake snow onto convention delegatesalong the way.

Donato explained the tongue-in-cheekgesture. “It doesn’t actually snow all thetime in Minnesota,” she said on stage,contrary to many people’s belief. “In fact,today it’s sunny and 91 there.”

Donato told delegates that theycould look forward to finding plenty to do in her northern city after a day’sconvention business is finished—it’sthe home of several professional sportsteams, the famous Mall of Americashopping complex, and a new light-railsystem to help convention-goers andtheir families get around. “It’s a great,friendly town,” she said.

Noting both Minnesota Vikings quar-terback Brett Favre’s uncertain future

Oldest dudes get their dueDELEGATES TO A NATIONAL CONVENTION CAN GO TO A MICRO-

phone on the floor and ask any question. The question on the mindof Sellie Truitt (pictured with President Rolando at left) of Branch 30(Kansas City, MO) was, “Am I the oldest dude here?”

Truitt is 92. He started as a letter carrier in 1947, before most ofthe delegates present on the floor of the Anaheim Convention Cen-ter were born. Sellie was likely the first African-American member ofhis branch. He retired in 1974, but has remained an active unionmember. When he stood on the floor of the convention on Tuesdaymorning and announced his age and his record of attendance at allbut one NALC national and state convention since 1956, delegatesgave him a standing ovation and soon afterward surrounded him toshake his hand and take pictures. From the podium, PresidentRolando asked if any delegate was olderthan Truitt. Nobody responded.

In fact, no delegate was, but it turns outthat a visiting letter carrier had Truitt beat,if only by a few months.

On Wednesday—a week before his 93rdbirthday—Robert Porter (pictured at right with Director ofRetirees Ernie Kirkland) came to the floor. A guest at the con-vention, Porter was introduced by Region 6 NBA Pat Carroll.Porter delivered mail in Jackson, MI (Branch 232) for 30 yearsbeginning in 1942. In his long retirement, he visited 25 coun-tries with his wife Evelyn, who passed away this year after 67years of marriage.

Truitt and Porter are both looking forward to the nextnational convention.

with the team and Rolando’s demonstratedathletic prowess in throwing out the firstpitch at Tuesday’s night’s baseball game,Donato light-heartedly made the presi-dent the football team’s honorary quarter-back. Rolando dismissed the committeewith his thanks.

Distribution Committee

Rolando then called DistributionCommittee Chair Jill Lemons to thestage. Lemons, a member of CanogaPark, CA Branch 4006, introduced the members of her committee:Gilberto Abundis, San Antonio Br. 421; RonaldBlank, Pittsburgh Br. 84; Vincent Calvanese, LongIsland Mgd. Br. 6000; Joan Crugnale, Providence,RI Br. 15; Rene Eberhardt, Casper, WY Br. 1681;Daniel Espinosa, San Antonio Br. 421; JeffreyFox, Bergen Co. Mgd., NJ Br. 425; Yolanda Gip-son, Chicago Br. 11; Orlando Gonzalez, New YorkBr. 36; Allen Harris Sr., Louisville Br. 14; HarryJudd Jr., Boston Br. 34; Manuel Mairena, SanMateo, CA Br. 1280; Richard Martinez, Albu-querque Br. 504; Ansel Maynard, Savannah Br.578; Richard Montesarchio, Westchester Mgd.,NY Br. 693; Michael McKinney, Southeast PAMgd. Br. 725; Paul Mooney, Pittsburgh Br. 84;James Nelson, Minneapolis Br. 9; MelodyRoberts, Memphis Br. 27; Phil Rodriguez, SaltLake City Br. 111; Timothy Sheehan, NortheasternNY Br. 358; Tammy Sneed, Chattanooga Br. 62;Dianne Stewart, Los Angeles Br. 24; Dan Szucs,New Jersey Mgd. Br. 38; Charles Walls, OmahaBr. 5; Laura Walters, Tri-Valley, CA Br. 2902;Robert Wilkerson, Wilmington, DE Br. 191; JacobWilkins, Scottsbluff, NE Br. 1836; Cherrie Young,Wichita Falls, TX Br. 1227.

The convention approved a motionfrom the floor earlier in the afternoon totake up a collection for a member of LosAngeles Branch 24 whose house wasrecently destroyed by a fire. Before call-ing Secretary-Treasurer Broendel to thestage for the some announcements,Rolando directed the tellers to conductthe collection.

Broendel made a few brief announce-ments, and then at 3:07, Rolando declaredthe convention in recess until Friday.


More than two dozen workshopsessions covering topics fromcompensation to community ser-vice were offered to delegates during the convention week. Theeducational meetings were heldboth before and after regular con-vention business and many attractedstanding-room-only crowds. Theever-popular Contract Administra-tion and City Delivery workshops,along with a workshop on how tofight stolen clock rings, wereoffered twice to meet demand. Also drawing large crowds wereclasses on the National Reasses-ment Plan, the Health Benefit Plan,the Mutual Benefit Association andthe Retirement Department. Oneclass that generated a lot of chatterwas one on NALC history, whichused a “Jeopardy!”-style game toquiz members on information fromCarriers in a Common Cause.

Lots tolearn

A fter a week of talk about soli-darity, saving six-day delivery and reversing the

downward-trending economy, mem-bers of the National Association ofLetter Carriers put those wordsinto action on Friday by descend-ing on Los Angeles City Hall enmasse to join a noontime AFL-CIOjobs rally. Some 3,500 carriers, anumber dwarfing the other unionmembers and activists at the gath-ering, chanted, “Five day, wrongway!” “Six-day delivery!” and gaveletter carrier cheers to speakerswho called for Congress to pre-serve good union jobs.

“I am here today with more than3,000 blue-shirted letter carriersthat we bused up from our conven-tion in Anaheim to join you for threesimple reasons,” President FredricV. Rolando told the cheering assem-bly: “jobs, jobs, jobs—the No. 1issue in the country today.”

With a swell of activism andthe knowledge that greateffort will be needed to over-come the great challenges facing the NALC and its mem-bers, delegates dispersed fromAnaheim to close the 67thBiennial Convention.

Call to orderFollowing entertainment by

the Seattle Band, President

Rolando called the final session ofthe NALC convention to order at 9a.m. Friday. Stephanie Bostic ofMiami Branch 1071 sang thenational anthem. Garden Grove,CA Branch 1100 Fourth SeniorVice President James Goins led thePledge of Allegiance, and the Rev.Patrick Harris, a Branch 1100member, gave the invocation. Thedelegates then viewed a film show-ing highlights of the convention.

Rolando announced thatThursday’s collection for a lettercarrier who lost his home to afire during the convention yielded$8,310. He then introducedRichard Trumka, president ofthe AFL-CIO.

Trumka told the delegates thatthe struggle to create jobs andraise wages was key to the eco-nomic recovery. “When working

Rally wraps upConvention

Top: Thousands of NALC delegates join hundreds ofother union workers at the rally in Los Angeles.Above: NALC President Fredric V. Rolando addresses the crowd.Below: A letter carrier shows her support for saving six-day delivery.Below right: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka calls oncarriers to help put job creation on the political agenda.

FridayAugust13

people rise up, our entire economy risesup,” he said.

However, Republicans in Congresshave blocked many attempts to boostthe economy with jobs and workers’rights legislation, Trumka said. “Everytime the Democrats have proposed jobslegislation, they have been blocked bycrass maneuvering, he said.

“They simply don’t want the recov-ery to work because they don’t wantPresident Obama to succeed. It’s insaneand it’s disgusting.”

Trumka said the labor movement wasstill fighting to pass the Employee FreeChoice Act, a bill to restore the full rightsof workers to organize that has stalled in

Congress. “It’s alive and it’s well and it’s asessential as it’s ever been,” he said. “We’renot going to quit until every worker whowants a union has a union.”

Trumka called the proposal by Post-master General John Potter to eliminateSaturday delivery an attack on workersrather than a plan for restoring the United States Postal Service. “That’s not the way to fiscal health, that’s theway to disaster,” he said.

“This is about an excuse to take aknife to the letter carriers,” he added.“Let’s call it what it is—it’s ugly, it’s asham, and it’s senseless.”

Trumka praised letter carriers fortheir role as community supporters andheroes, citing Keith McVey of Akron, OH Branch 148, who has saved the lives of three people while on his route,including one last month. Letter carriersnot only protect lives, Trumka said, theykeep an eye on the community and givethe public someone to trust with deliveryof their medicine, bills, and other vitalletters and packages.

Letter carriers take satisfaction in theirservice to the public, Trumka said. “Youdon’t become a public employee to becomewealthy,” he said, “you do it to be of ser-vice to your fellow citizens. You do it soyou can take pride in the work you do.”

Trumka urged letter carriers to remainactive politically in the crucial electionsthis fall. “We will win these elections on

President Rolando poses for a photo with Muscular Dys-trophy Association NationalAmbassador Abbey Umali ofRedlands, CA, during Friday’sMDA workshop.

Above: President Rolando explains thatjobs are the No. 1 issue for the labormovement.Right (from top): Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) and Rep.Judy Chu (D-CA)Far right: Assistant Secretary-TreasurerNicole Rhine fires up the crowd.

November 2nd,” he said, “and when wedo, it will strengthen us for the fight onNovember 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th,and every day after that until we get thejobs that we need.”

Trumka called on carriers to show their strength at the AFL-CIO’s “Rally for Jobs” Friday afternoon in downtownLos Angeles.

President Rolando thanked the mem-bers of Branch 1100 and the NALC stafffor a job well done hosting and runningthe convention. The convention thenpassed a motion to adjourn the conventionsine die shortly before 10 a.m.

‘Paychecks Pay the Bills’“We’ve never tried anything on this

scale before,” a confident Rolandoremarked of the massive effort to move delegates the 30 miles to Los Angeles CityHall. After approval of the motion toadjourn, more than 3,500 NALC conven-tion delegates flocked to waiting busesparked on both sides of the Anaheim Con-vention Center, picking up along the way

special “Save Saturday Delivery” T-shirts,bottles of water and box lunches.

Thanks to the help of dozens of volun-teers, guided by the NALC’s dedicatedLegislative and Political Department, thou-sands of delegates were on their way toL.A. within 45 minutes of the convention’sfinal gavel.

Good fortune was with the delegates asfears regarding Los Angeles’ notoriouslyawful traffic proved mostly unfounded—-on that morning, at least—-and all 65buses arrived safely and on time for the12:30 p.m. rally.

Letter carriers were joined on the cityhall lawn by hundreds of their brothersand sisters from the building trades, theAmerican Federation of Teachers, UniteHere, and other unions. Trucks and vansrepresenting numerous local and nation-al news organizations—-even one fromChina!—lined up along a couple of cityblocks, and at least two news helicoptershovered above the fray as their camerascaptured the event from their vantagepoint 1,000 feet in the air.

Left: Trumkagives a thumb’sup to NALC’sefforts to saveSaturday delivery.Below: A carrierexplains to areporter what isat stake witheliminating a dayof delivery.


“As those of you in Southern California knowall too well, American jobs are a bigger issuetoday than they’ve been in many decades,”Rolando said at the microphone, addressing thecrowd. “We must preserve existing jobs and wemust create new jobs.”

Rolando told the gathering that if the PostalService’s penny-wise and pound-foolish plan tosave money by cutting a day of mail delivery service were approved, 80,000 postal worker jobs would be on the chopping block.

“Our fight to save the Postal Service and Sat-urday delivery is a fight that is critical for ourunion but it also has major implications for everyAmerican and every community,” he said. “It isyour fight as well as ours.

“It is no coincidence that the attack in recentyears on the job security, wages, working condi-tions and pensions of working and middle-classpeople came at a time when unions faced majorchallenges,” Rolando said. “No one knows thisbetter than Rich Trumka, the president of theAFL-CIO. That’s why we are fighting with himto restore balance to our labor-management system and to provide a level playing field forworkers who want to organize.

“We also heartily endorse President Trumka’scall for a huge public investment in infrastructureand for additional assistance to state and local gov-ernments to avert mass layoffs of police, firefight-ers and other public servants in the monthsahead,” he said. “A new stimulus bill that preventsdamaging layoffs and tax increases would guardagainst a worsening of the recession.”

President Trumka delivered a fiery address as well. “How are we going to rebuild America?”he asked. “With jobs! Who’s going to rebuildAmerica? Working people with jobs!”

Other speakers included Los Angeles MayorAntonio Villaraigosa, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), and severalSouthern California labor leaders whospoke of local initiatives to get financing to fund transportation construction.

With energy and enthusiasm, carriers cheered and waved signs at the passing traffic as they waitedto board the buses back to the Anaheim Convention Center.Returning at about 3 p.m., thedelegates dispersed, preparedto take the fight to save Satur-day delivery back to theirhomes in cities and townsacross the country.

60 POSTAL RECORD I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

RetiringOfficers’Dinner

More than 1,000 friends andfamily members turned out forthe Retiring Officers’ Dinner onThursday to honor the eightNALC national officers whohave either left office since the 65th Biennial Convention in Las Vegas or who will do so at the end of their term this December. The dinner, speeches and dance providedunion members an opportunityto celebrate the careers of the Executive Council mem-bers who have spent much of their letter carrier careerswith the NALC defending the

pay, benefits and working conditions oftheir fellow members.

Following the meal, NALC PresidentFredric V. Rolando, whose own positionas the union’s top leader had been reaf-firmed by an enthusiastic conventionthe previous day, served as the masterof ceremonies and invited each retiringofficer to come before the crowd to saya few words. Although their remarksran from humorous to reflective, eachhonoree was effusive in his thanks tothe men and women with whom theyworked and whom they served.

Those honored were PresidentEmeritus William H. Young, ExecutiveVice President Gary Mullins, Directorof City Delivery Dale Hart, former Den-

ver Region 4 NationalBusiness Agent WesDavis (who was unableto attend the gathering),St. Louis Region 5 NBAMike Weir, MinneapolisRegion 7 NBA NedFurru, former DallasRegion 10 NBA GeneGoodwin and formerCincinnati Region 11NBA Bill Cooke.

Top: President EmeritusWilliam H. Young thanksthe delegates for theirefforts while he waspresident of the union.Above: Retiring ExecutiveVice President GaryMullins embraces Presi-dent Rolando.Below: After dinner, thecrowd enjoyed dancing.

NALCAuxiliary


Monday, August 9Auxiliary delegates to the 52nd

National Convention were greeted by thelively sounds of music provided by theMemphis Letter Carrier Band under thedirection of Carl Flake. Color GuardVickie Payne (Aux. 8—Salt Lake City)presented the colors. The band accompa-nied Donna Beckwood, Branch 530Birmingham, Alabama, who sang theNational Anthem. President Linda Kirby(Wisconsin) called the meeting to order,with this year’s theme being “Member-ship—The Key to Our Success.”

President Kirby introduced the NationalAuxiliary board: Cythensis Lang (Alaba-ma), vice president; Marie Rasmussen(Wisconsin), secretary; Edie Pottenger(Colorado), assistant secretary; KathyMiller (Iowa), treasurer; and Sue Prather(Oklahoma), bylaws chair. Peggy Morris(Texas) was introduced as a past nationalpresident and Bonnie Christy (Illinois),Geraldine Turner (South Carolina) andPatsy Mester (Illinois) were introduced aspast national officers. James Stewart wasnamed convention parliamentarian.

Edie Pottenger (Aux. 444—Denver)presented a moment of grace and led thedelegation in reciting the organization’scollect.

Jeanette Meyer, president Aux. 361—Modesto, CA, welcomed all the officers,delegates and guests to California for theconvention. Jeanette wished everyone agreat convention and hopes we enjoy thegreat weather.

Six first-time convention delegates intro-duced themselves. President Kirbyannounced committee assignments.

Dressed in period clothing, each nation-al officer represented a national presidentfrom the Auxiliary’s past. The Auxiliary’sinvolvement over the last 105 years hasreflected the changes to the NALC, butthe mission remains the same—to supportthe NALC and its charities.

Credentials Committee Chair AmandaMiller (Aux. 141—Oklahoma City) introduced committee member CynthiaMartinez (Aux. 377—Phoenix) and pre-sented the convention credentialsreport. Bylaws Co-Chairs Sue Prather(Aux. 141) and Cythensis Lang (Aux.2517—Mobile) introduced their commit-tee members: George Anna Myers (Aux. 4—Kansas City, MO), Paula Connell (Aux. 2907—Edison, NJ) andJeanette Strohl (Aux. 1—Portland, OR). Bylaws duly submitted for actionprior to the convention were presented.Those actions are part of the recordedminutes.

National Treasurer Kathy Miller (Aux.200—Iowa City) updated the delegates onthe filing of e-postcards and possible impli-cations if the postcards are not filed appro-priately and timely.

All delegates were reminded to maketheir individual and auxiliary donations to COLCPE, MDA and the William C.Doherty Scholarship Fund. Recognition oftwo-year contributors of at least $50 peryear to COLCPE were to be recognizedduring Wednesday’s business session.

Tuesday, August 10The Washington State Letter Carriers

Band provided an entertaining mix ofmusic as delegates prepared to reconvenethe session.

National Auxiliary Vice PresidentCythensis Lang led the Memorial Service,which paid tribute to auxiliary brothersand sisters who have passed away sincelast convention. Donna Beckwood, Branch530 Birmingham, Alabama, sang a moving version of “Yesterday.”

President Kirby reconvened the business session and called on the audit committee for its report. AuditCommittee Chair Alice Weed (Aux.2809—Mankato, MN) and committeemember Crystal Bragg (Aux. 153—Decatur, IL) reported the results of theiraudit. They found the books of SecretaryMarie Rasmussen and Treasurer KathyMiller to be in good order, and both offi-cers have met the specifications accord-ing to the bylaws.

The mileage and per diem committee,chaired by Patsy Mester (Aux. 21—Springfield, IL) and committee memberAnn Borowski (Aux. 144—Milwaukee)presented the mileage and per diemreport. The delegates approved the reportas presented.

Director of Health Benefits TimO’Malley thanked the auxiliary for itsassistance in new member sign-up dur-ing open enrollment periods. O’Malleycalled on the auxiliary to continue itsstrong support as we all face legislative

The NALC Auxiliary’s Execu-tive Council is sworn in byNALC Executive Vice Presi-dent Gary Mullins.


issues, stating “Together we can over-come the issues.”

Vice President Cythensis Lang (AL)presented her organizer’s report. Newauxiliaries formed since last conventioninclude Aux. 1570, Santa Clara, CA; Aux. 2621 Winterhaven/Lakeland, FL;Aux. 1222, Lawton, OK; Aux. 388,Janesville, WI and Aux. 507, Madison,WI.

Larry Kania, Br. 3 Buffalo-Western NewYork, delivered greetings to the auxiliaryfrom NALC. He introduced the NALCgreetings committee: Emre Edwards, Br.181 Austin, TX; Tony Gonzales, Br. 35 Little Rock; Mary Smith, Br. 1080 Green-wood, MS and Mitchell Terral, Br. 2589Lubbock, TX. Kania told the delegates thatwhen he looked up the word “auxiliary,”his favorite definition was “held in reservefor exceptional service.” On behalf of thecommittee, he thanked the auxiliary for itsservice and support through the years,especially in the legislative arena and insupport for the charities of the NALC.NALC Executive Vice President GaryMullins accompanied the Greetings Com-mittee to the podium. Mullins announcedthat NALC President Fredric Rolandoappointed him as the first-ever liaison tothe NALCA. This action proves the sincere efforts that are needed to save thePostal Service.

Delegates divided into groups to brain-storm on ways to increase membership onthe local level in order to become evenstronger and more viable supporters ofthe NALC and the missions.

Nominations of officers took place.Linda Kirby (Aux. 465—Kenosha, WI) andBonnie Christy (Aux. 946— Aurora, IL)were nominated for president. CythensisLang (Aux. 2517—Mobile, AL) was nomi-nated for vice president. Marie Rasmussen

(Aux. 430—Racine, WI)was nominatedfor secretary.Kathy Miller(Aux. 200—Iowa City, IA)was nominatedfor treasurer.Susan Prather(Aux. 141—OklahomaCity) was|nominated for assistantsecretary.

An election for president was set to take place on Wednesday morning. All other officers were declared elected.

Wednesday, August 11Delegates’ toes were tapping to the tunes

played by the Memphis Letter CarrierBand under the direction of Carl Flake asthey entered the convention room. Afterthe delegates sang the National Anthemand said the Pledge of Allegiance, Presi-dent Kirby reconvened the 52nd NationalConvention.

Kathy Miller (Aux. 200—Iowa City, IA)led a moment of grace, after which the del-egates recited the Auxiliary collect.

Nominees for president then gaveelection speeches. Bonnie Christy (Aux.946—Aurora, IL) indicated that if shewere to be elected, she would focus onincreasing membership with new carri-ers’ spouses and retirees, legislativeinvolvement and communication withauxiliary members. Incumbent LindaKirby (Aux. 465—Kenosha, WI) saidshe would continue to strengthen theauxiliary by continuing many of the ini-tiatives she had begun—communica-tions, membership, more legislativeinvolvement and making sure the auxiliary was prepared to survive intothe future by working to resolve its IRS matters.

President Kirby called on CredentialCommittee Chair Cynthia Martinez (Aux.377—Phoenix) for the final convention cre-dentials. The convention accepted thereport without objection. President Kirbyretired the Credential Committee mem-bers and thanked them for their diligentservice during this convention.

An election for president took place.

The delegates to the 52nd National Con-vention re-elected Linda Kirby to serve the2010-2012 term as president.

Chair of the Greetings Committee tothe NALC Linda Kirby gave a report. Allnational auxiliary officers served on thecommittee and were introduced to theNALC Convention delegates. PresidentKirby’s comments focused on membershipas the key to our success, whether itrelates to strengthening the membershipor fighting legislative battles together.President Kirby asked carriers to get theirspouses involved in the auxiliary. Whenfamilies band together, we can and willmake a difference.

Jeremy Goldberg, NALC RegionalField Coordinator from the Legislativeand Political Department, updated thedelegates on keeping six-day delivery aswell as the importance of the 2010 mid-term elections. Goldberg urged all auxil-iary members to get actively involved, asthese elections will be crucial to carriersand their families.

Delegates and guests then boardedbuses to travel to Knott’s Berry Farm foran enjoyable luncheon organized byNALCA Bylaws Chair Sue Prather (Aux.141—Oklahoma City).

Thursday, August 12NALC Executive Vice President Gary

Mullins installed the officers of theNALCA for 2010-2012: President LindaKirby (WI), Vice President CythensisLang (AL), Secretary Marie Rasmussen(WI), Treasurer Kathy Miller (IA) andAssistant Secretary Sue Prather (OK).After the installation, each officeraddressed the delegates with a shortacceptance speech.

National Auxiliary Secretary MarieRasmussen led a Moment of Grace, fol-lowed by the Collect. The conventionapproved the minutes of the previousday as presented.

Resolutions Committee Chair LorettaSmith (Aux. 28—Dallas) and committeemember Darlene Fabio (Aux. 430—Racine, WI) announced that no resolutionswere put forward for the convention.

Tonya Lloyd (Aux. 111—Austin) Chairof the Country Store Committee gave areport. Members of the committeeincluded all the delegates of Auxiliary111. Lloyd thanked the members as wellas giving special thanks to Darlene Fabioand Ralph Honda (Aux. 550—Grand

The Auxiliary raisedmoney through its rafflesand country store, set upin the Registration Area.


Forks, ND) for all their work in the store.The preliminary total of money raisedwas $3,217.50.

We Care–We Share awards were pre-sented to Auxiliary members who havecontributed at least $50 each year sincethe last convention. A preliminary reportof income during the convention was dis-tributed and explained to the delegates.Once final totals are in, a formal financialstatement will be released.

Distribution Committee Chair SylviaFrazier (Aux. 2720—Tulsa) introduced her committee: Barb Grage (Aux. 78—Omaha), Linda Herinckx (Aux. 795—Puyallup, WA) and Loudean Rodriquez(Aux. 444—Denver). The delegatesaccepted the report.

President Kirby thanked the TellersCommittee Chair Jacque Ragsdale (Aux. 351—Wichita) and membersMatthew Strohl (Aux. 1—Portland, OR),Selina Dornan (Aux. 1248—Muskogee,OK), Peggy Winston (Aux. 1200—New-port News, VA), Jean Gaskin (Aux.1200—Newport News, VA) and Sue Baxter (Aux. 327—Appleton, WI).

President Kirby thanked Sergeant ofArms Gloria Diaz (Aux. 444) and BoydCulp (Aux. 2720) for their diligence andservice during the convention.

The convention warmly welcomedNALC MDA Coordinator Jim Williams andNational MDA Vice President of ProgramDevelopment Tom Boyle. Williams spokeabout our long-term relationship withMDA. Our collective efforts are appreciat-ed, and Williams thanked the delegates forwhat has been done and what we aregoing to do. Tom Boyle noted that therelationship with MDA has lasted for 58years. Boyle thanked the auxiliary dele-gates for all of their support.

Edie Pottenger (Aux. 444) gave apoignant farewell address. Edie retiredfrom the National Board but said shewill always be available to assist in anyway she can.

The convention reached a consensusthat the Country Store will continue at the2012 convention. The Colorado Associa-tion of Letter Carriers Auxiliary volun-teered to chair the committee.

Color Guard Vickie Payne (Aux. 8—SaltLake City, UT) retired the flag. PresidentKirby declared the 52nd National Conven-tion adjourned.

M. Marie Rasmussen,NALCA Secretary

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS AUXILIARY FUNDS RECEIVEDFROM 2010 NATIONAL CONVENTION ANAHEIM, CA

REGISTRATION $2,340.00Pre-Convention Registration $1,800.00On Site Registration $ 540.00

PER CAPITA $1,189.50

50/50 RAFFLE $1,402.00

CHINESE AUCTIONS $ 560.00Auction during luncheon $ 345.00Auction during Thursday session $ 215.00

CONVENTION LUNCHEON $4,100.00

CONVENTION QUILTS $ 724.00

COUNTRY STORE $3,250.50

DONATIONS COLLECTED $1,609.00Doherty Scholarship $ 245.00MDA $ 335.00We Care—We Share $1,029.00

DONATIONS TO NALCA $ 125.00

ROOM REIMBURSEMENT $ 545.00

T-SHIRTS FOR MDA RAFFLE $ 228.00

TRAVEL VOUCHER $2,460.00OVERALL TOTAL $18,533.00

Thank you to all the individuals and auxiliaries who made dona-tions to the charities supported by the NALCA. It is always a riskto publicly thank individuals, as invariably someone will be inad-vertently omitted from the list; however, we would like to recog-nize the following: Crystal Bragg (Aux. 153—Decatur, IL) fordonating fantastic items to the Chinese auction held during theluncheon; Jeanette Strohl (Aux. 1—Portland, OR) for donating anadorable quilt for our Auxiliary Chinese auction; Donald Becker(Aux. 111—Austin) for creating and donating the amazing histori-cal poster for the Auxiliary Chinese auction; Sue Prather (Aux.141—Oklahoma City) for the beautiful quilts for our raffle; all theAuxiliary members and residents of Nalcrest for the donations toour Country Store, Auxiliary 111 (Austin) for chairing the CountryStore and thank you to all the delegates who supported our country store and raffles.

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