The Ohio Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Official ...July 2015.pdf · the rural craft for...

No, I’m not writing to [Megan] Brennan the 74th (and first female) PMG. I’m directing this to you, Ben Franklin.

Yes, I realize you were one of the last PMGs of the British Crown. And yes, it is technically Sam Osgood who was the first PMG of the USA.

But Mr. Franklin sir, to millions of Americans you are con-sidered our first PMG appointed by the Continental Congress in 1775.

So I write to you about what they are doing to our wonder-ful American postal system. The system you helped establish even when you were the Postmaster of Philly way back in 1753.

Making MoneyAs the founding father of our Postal Service you helped re-

organize it giving personal attention to visiting the Post Offices. You even posted a surplus!

Now, under the concocted notion the Postal Service is broke the PMGs of today have taken a course of cutting ser-vices and deliberately delaying the mail. They do this despite posting a $1.3 billion operating profit.

Your successor, retired PMG Donahue, went to Congress

Article Taken From Omar Go-nalez, APWU Western Region

Coordinator

in 2012 to claim the Postal Service was on the “brink of de-fault.” He set a crazed course of cutting personnel, service, and ignoring rational calls to stop plans to deliberately delay our nation’s mail.

Slashing WorkersToday’s PMGs have slashed the workforce needed to give

quality and full service to America. Unlike you, who only had a Secretary/Comptroller, then 3 Surveyors, a Dead Letter In-spector and 26 post riders before Postal HQ was moved to DC in 1800, today’s PMGs have increased their staff at HQ while cutting operational staff to the bone at our postal facilities un-dermining service.

And unlike you with a salary of $1,000, today’s PMGs re-tire with golden parachutes of more than $4,000,000 yet they don’t believe younger postal workers should be promised a gov-ernment pension.

Dismantling Your OrganizationAs Chairman of the Committee of Investigation to estab-

lish a postal system, and as PMG, you planned and put into operations our postal system.

Ordinances have since been adopted to codify postal laws/regulations. The Post Office Act of 1792 allowed access to the P.O. to the entire country and the privacy of mail. The P.O. Act of 1845 lowered postage and encouraged communication.

By 1863 we had free delivery followed by RFD in 1896. We evolved into the People’s Postal Service when in 1877 the US Supreme Court ruled that the Post Office was not confined to the instrumentalities that existed at the time the Constitution was adopted.

The Postal Policy Act of 1958 declared that the Post Of-fice was to unite more closely the American people. “The P.O. is not a business enterprise conducted for profit or for raising general funds. The Post Office is a public service!” You would be proud that in 1982 postage stamps were declared a postal product and not a tax. Tax payer money doesn’t go to operate the P.O.!

But, I believe you would be saddened by the Postal En-hancement and Accountability Act of 2006 that is turning a profitable service into a paper debt ridden mess. This law is being used to destroy Motor Vehicle Services founded in 1914 and to dismantle the metro and sectional center systems that gave rise to one of the most efficient code systems in the world- ZIP.

Today’s PMGs call postal workers their most important

Floyd EdlerPresident

President Report Page2 OfficerInformation/StewardInformation Page3 SpotlightPage Page4 InMemoriam Page5 VicePresidentReport Page6 OhioValleyDRReport Page7 NorthernOhioDRReport Pages8-9 Secretary/TreasurerReport/MinutesPages10-13 ExecutiveCommitteemanReports Page14 WorshipCorner Page15 Auxiliary Page16 UpcomingEvents

The Ohio Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Official Publication

Volume 82 Issue Number 3 June/July 2015

Continued On Page 6

The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier June/July

Established in 1929 by H. I. Carpenter. Published in Salem, Ohio, six times a year. Entered as Non-Profit mail at the Post Office in Youngstown, Ohio. Non-Profit Postage is paid in Youngstown, Ohio. Subscription Price—$10.00 per year. Contributions are opinions expressed by the writers and do not reflect the opinions of the State Officers of the Ohio Rural Letter Carriers‘ Association or the Editor.

2014-2015 ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President Floyd Edler

1060 Schrake Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601Ph 740-775-5679 Cell 740-703-7002 [email protected]

Vice President Barb Pitts Secretary/Treasurer Penny Koren 12914 Washingtonville Rd., Salem, OH 44460-9247 104 Clay Road SW, Dellroy, OH 44620-9757 Ph 330-533-6274 [email protected] Ph 330-735-2727 Fax 330-735-2535 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joyce Bower Diane Cox 7456 County Road 107, Gibsonburg, OH 43431-9531 4780 Stony Creek, Urbana OH 43078 Ph 419-849-2613 [email protected] Ph 937-869-4724 [email protected] *Provident Guild Mark Funderburgh Tim Barker 7450 North River Road, Springfield, OH 45502-9448 4395 Cook Rd., New London, OH 44851-9357 Ph 937-605-4067 [email protected] Ph 419-901-0900 [email protected] *PAC Co-Chairman *National General Insurance Rep *PAC Co-Chairman

APPOINTED OFFICES Editor Lori Todd Chaplin Rita Beedy 610 West State Street, Salem, OH 44460 5318 Springfield Urbana Pk., Urbana, OH 43078-9420 Ph 234-567-4222 [email protected] Ph 937-484-3671 [email protected]

ADRs, AREA STEWARDS AND LOCAL STEWARDS REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE DRArea Steward assignments are subject to change. Please check the most current published list for the Area Steward assigned to your of-fice. Area Stewards are certified to offer assistance ONLY in the offices in which they are certified by the NRLCA. Please do not contact an Area Steward if your office is not listed as one of their assignments. If there is no Local or Area Steward assigned to your office, please contact your District Representative or an Assistant District Representatives.

DELBERT HUTCHISSON Northern Ohio District DRP.O. Box 326, Fostoria, OH 44830-2767Ph 419-435-3117 Fax [email protected] SUSAN THAYERNorthern Ohio District ADRPO Box 309, Liberty Center, OH 43532Ph 419-906-2058 Fax [email protected] CHRIS McCOYNorthern Ohio District ADRP.O. Box 232, Newton Falls, Ohio 44444Ph 330-469-7605Email: [email protected] AREA STEWARDS Tana Humphrey (440-224-1276) – Northern Ohio District Offices 3434 Creek Road, Kingsville, Ohio 44048Email: [email protected], Austinburg, Bristolville, Brookfield, Burghill, Conneaut,Cortland, Dorset, Farmdale, Fowler, Hubbard, Kingsville, Kinsman,Pierpont, Rock Creek, Rome, Vienna, Williamsfield, Windsor, Willoughby

Jason M. Zedaker (419-367-2834) – Northern Ohio District Offices P.O. Box 324, Stoney Ridge, Ohio 43463Email: [email protected], Bowling Green, Clyde, Fremont, Huron, North Baltimore, ak Harbor, Perrysburg, Port Clinton, Rudolph, Sandusky, Sylvania,Walbridge, Waterville, Vickery

CATHY FUNDERBURGHOhio Valley District DRP.O. Box 96, Clifton, OH 45316Ph 937-265-5477 Fax 937-528-2297 [email protected] AITCHISONOhio Valley District ADRP.O. Box 340, Plain City, OH 43064-8873Ph 614-873-4114 Fax 614-873-6352 [email protected] ANDERSON JR.Ohio Valley District ADRP.O. Box 795, Moundsville, WV 26041 Ph [email protected] BURGEROhio Valley District ADRP.O. Box 184, Pittsboro, IN 46167-0184 Ph 317-892-3893AREA STEWARDSPhilip Burnside (419-310-3817) – Ohio Valley District Offices8051 Township Road 165, Kenton, Ohio 43326Email: [email protected] Center, Bellefontaine, De Graff, Delaware, Jackson Center, Kenton, La Rue, Marion, Marysville, Milford Center, Mount Victory, North Lewis-burg, Ostrander, Prospect, Richwood, Ridgeway, Rushsylvania, Russells Point, Upper SanduskyDominic Crooks (513-602-4418) – Ohio Valley District OfficesP.O. Box 863, Mason, OH 45040Batavia, Bethel, Blanchester, Cleves, Franklin, Harrison, Lebanon, Mason, Middletown, Milford, Monroe, Moscow, New Richmond, Okeana, Oxford, Waynesville, West Chester, WilmingtonMisty Gamerdinger (740-703-7199) – Ohio Valley District Offices29 Main St. Hopetown, Chillicothe, OH 45601Ashville, Athens, Canal Winchester, Chillicothe, Circleville, Greenfield. Hillsboro, Jackson, Kingston, Leesburg, Logan, Minford, Mount Sterling, Portsmouth, Stoutsville, Washington Court House, Wellston, Wheelersburg, West Union


Candy L. Walls

Candy L Walls of the Galloway post office retired after 27 years as a regular rural carrier. She started her career on 11/3/1983 as an RCR. After becoming a RCA, she bid on RR6 at the Galloway post office and became a regular carrier on 12/30/1989. Since then she has been a regular on routes 4 and 3. Last year RR3 was converted to RR93 after the territory was changed and the Westland Annex took over our office. A retirement party was held on April 15, 2015 by her co workers at the annex. Candy retired on April 30, 2015. She is the mother of two sons, Roy and Brian Walls and grandmother to Olivia Walls. Candy is building a house in Port Charlotte, Florida with her fiance, Dallas Thames. She will spend her leisure time biking, boating, swimming, and enjoying life and the sunshine.

Ohio Members That Attended Mid-States In Branson, Missouri: (left to right) front row: Joyce Bower, Barb Pitts, Floyd Edler, Penny Koren, back row: Mark Funderburgh,

Cathy Funderburgh, Mike Aitchison, Tom Gamble, Delbert Hutchisson, Susan Thayer.

REVISED BOARD POLICYState ConventionJuly 5, 1997Those members of the Auditing and Election Com-

mittees that come in a day early to perform their functions, will receive a day’s room charges. Since some committee members are doubling up in rooms, those committee mem-bers not receiving a room allowance will be given a day’s per diem. Any Committee member commuting, will be paid per diem rather than the room charges. Revised May 14, 2011

The member(s) of Committees that are required to report to the State Convention a day early, will receive a day’s room charges fee reimbursement. and per diem. Revised June 11, 2013 The member (s) of the Audit, Election, Constitution and Resolution Committee will receive a $100 stipend, all committee members will re-ceive one ((1) day’s per diem. No committee member will receive more than one (1) days per diem during the State Convention. Revised April 13, 2014.


Amziah A. Hough, 80, of Salem went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 7:15 PM Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at home with his family at his side.

Amzi was born May 12, 1934 on East High Street in Lis-bon, a son of the late William Amziah and Ann Elizabeth (Tullis) Hough.

He grew up in Lisbon and was a 1954 graduate of David Anderson High School. After graduation he worked for the Park Avenue Market, the Thomas & Sons Pottery, the Lisbon Post Office, and the East Palestine Post Office for 17 years, re-tiring in 1989 after 33 years of service as a Rural Carrier.

He was a 25-year member and past president of the Lisbon Lions Club, a member of the Monday Night Bowling League, Monday Golf League and the Lisbon Booster Club. He loved to golf, bowl, play cards, and bingo as well as hut and fish. He was inducted into the Lisbon David Anderson High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

He leaves his wife of 59 years Shirley J. (Hamilton) Hough as well as his children Wendy (Charles) Backus of Rockledge, FL, Jeffrey (Susan) Hough of Columbiana, Kevin Hough, and Amy (Robert) Rupert both of Salem; a sister Nancy Hough of Lisbon, brothers William of Victoria, TX, and David of Cleveland, TN as well as eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by by a brother Donald, sisters Loretta Mullen, and Evelyn Cunningham.

Richard “Dick” Dean Harrison, 86, of Scio, Ohio went to be with the Lord on March 25, 2015 while remaining at home in the care of his family, aided by Tuscarawas County Community Hospice. Richard was a life-long resident of Scio. He was born October 20, 1928 to Byron William Harrison and Susan Crawford Harrison. He graduated from Scio High School in 1946. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Byron of Scio in 1931, Gene F. of Sugarcreek in 1982 and

Robert of Cadiz in 1994.Surviving is his wife of 66 years, Mary Jean Simmons

Harrison of the home. They were married October 15, 1948 in Scio United Methodist Church by Rev. Herbert Shiltz. Richard is also survived by one son Donald Dean Harrison and wife Elizabeth “Betty” Donohue Harrison of West Lafayette, two grandchildren Jean Ann Harrison Bowman and husband Alva Gregory Bowman of Port Orange, Florida and Byron William Harrison and partner Brian Klinksiek of London, England; one great grandson Alva William “Will” Bowman of Port Or-ange, Florida; one nephew James Harrison and wife Nancy of Sugarcreek.

Richard was a member of the Scio Presbyterian Church where he was active over the years as Sunday School Superin-tendent, Deacon, Elder and Trustee. He was a rural mail carrier for 20 years and a member of the Rural Mail Carrier’s Associ-ation. He was also very active in the Dining Fork Ruritan Club of Scio for over 41 years serving as past President, Treasurer, Chaplain and on the Board of Directors. He attended several State Ruritan and National Ruritan conventions. In 2002 he was recognized as Dining Fork Ruritan of the year and in 2013 he received the Dining Fork Ruritan Citizen of the year. He was a past member of the Scio VFD, Scio Village Council and the Knights of Pythia. Richard was a stock car enthusiast and an avid NASCAR fan.

Richard’s other employment included West End Motors, Harrison-Haun Motors, Schreiner Ford, Scio Motor Compa-ny, Harrison Auto Sales, Roger’s Sales and Service and Scio Pottery Co. A WWII veteran, he served in the US Army from July 9, 1946 to November 13, 1947 and subsequently in the US Army Reserves from 1949-1960. He was also a member of the Scio American Legion Post #482.

Memorial contributions may be made to Scio Presbyterian Church, PO Box 363, Scio 43988 or Community Hospice of Tusc. Co., 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, 44663

ATTENTIONOHRLCA MEMBERS

Please Go To ohrlca.org To Register Your Email Address If You Wish To Receive Future

Legislative Updates And Important Notices

In Memoriam

Notice of Election of National Convention Delegates:A secret ballot election for the Delegates of the

OHRLCA to the 2015 NRLCA National Convention to be held in Reno NV on August 18 – 21, 2015 is being con-ducted by mail. The Ballots should be received in home by May 26, 2015. Any eligible member who has not received a ballot or any member who spoils a ballot may request a new ballot by contacting Election Chairperson Patsy An-derson at 740-658-3666. Only the replacement ballot will be counted.


SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Is that the right saying, it doesn’t sound quite right, but no matter, the warmer weather is a blessing. I’m sure all you rural carriers are glad to be done with the layers of winter clothes for something much lighter. It is good to wake up to the sunshine ( some days) and look forward to the birds singing.

By now you are probably into your new evaluations, if you changed at all. I certainly hope that all is going well in your prospective offices. I have been greeting a lot of new RCA’s at orientations in Akron. We sure would like to see the retention rate for all those we have talked to all over the state. If you have new RCA’S in your office, please, be kind to them and help them out, remember, you were new once, too. Sometime it only takes a little encouragement from other carriers to help them over the hump. Do your part!!

I hope by this time all of you who want to get a national delegate ballot in, have done so. The National delegate name draw will be April 28 2015 at 7:00p.m. at secretary Penny Ko-ren’s home, 104 Clay Rd. SW, Dellroy, Ohio.

Time is flying by and May will be here sooner than we think. The beginning of the month will see most of your board off to Branson, Missouri, for Mid States conference, May 1-3. Then on May 16, your president and I along with Mark Funderburgh, the legislative representative, and Joyce Bower, Grasstop co-ordinator will be going to Washington DC for the Legislative Seminar given by the National board. I am look-ing forward to this, as it will be a new experience for me and will give me a better understanding of whom in Congress is on the postal side of the fence. The next big event, of course, will be the state convention June 7-9, 2015, at Crowne Plaza Cincinnati. David Heather, Director of Steward Operations, will be our National speaker. This is where all elected dele-gates at their district meetings will vote on the state officers. President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Commit-teeman. Come and do your part as an association member and vote for your officers. If you have never come to a convention, it is something to see how your state runs and the procedures that must be followed. If you are new to the association, you don’t always have to come for the whole time, come for a day if you can, it will be worth your time. I know if you are an RCA and your regular comes to the convention, it is definitely hard to get off, but maybe you can work something out to get one of the days off, or those of you who are close to Cincinnati, come on Sunday. It is doable if you have the desire to come. After our state convention it is off to Reno, Nevada in August for the National convention. Most of us have been looking forward to going there since we have heard the place come up at National. However, you know the rules, you must be in attendance for all sessions to get your delegate pay, so plan to go a few days be-fore or stay a few days after to see the sights. Lake Tahoe isn’t that far and Vegas is about four hours by car. Enjoy!!

Hope to see you all soon. Have a safe and happy spring.Barb Pitts, Vice-president

Barb PittsVice President

Congratulations RetireesPenelope Albright CardingtonThomas Alexander ShrevePenny Alford CirclevilleJoseph Baker PedroPauline Beckett St ClairsvilleDiana Bell WaynesvilleAnita Black North BendRichard Blunk HiramJohn Clark HollandDennis Clemmons MasonJanice Daniels NorwalkDonna Evans SeamanJames Fisher Mount GileadLinda Gardner CirclevilleDeborah Guseman BaltimoreJoel Harris FindlayLarry Honsberge WoodvilleCynthia Huff HamiltonRonald Johnson ShadysideJeffrey Lenhart LimaCynthia Manson MassillonErnest Matthews AllianceBarbara McClendon MilfordPaul Minsterman NewarkVicki Premore Russells PointHelen Roberts AshtabulaFrederick Schultz GenoaRobert Seymour Willoughby Robert Shover NelsonvilleDiane Sickinger New PhiladelphiaCynthia Squires HinckleyDonald Stayrock EatonMichael Storer PeeblesDiana Tabor Niles

Veterans!!!Calling All US Veterans. Ohio Rural Letter Carriers

are setting up a branch of the National Armed Forces Vet-erans Club. We need to have all our honorably discharged veterans join with us and make this a strong chapter here in Ohio.

There will be special functions, meals and benefits to take part in, as a member of the club. One benefit is a scholarship fund that can be won by a veteran’s child or grandchild. We will be very anxious to have you visit with us at this years State Convention in Cincinnati or by mail at the address listed below. Simply give us your: name, home address and phone number, the office you work or worked in, and your branch of service. All carriers and auxiliary are welcome.

Please contact: Tom Gamble, PO Box 9, New Middle-town, Ohio 44442-0009


HOSTILE WORK

PLACE????The Joint Statement on Violence

And Behavior in The Workplace ac-knowledges that every employee at ev-ery level of the Postal Service should be treated at all times with dignity, re-spect and fairness and that there is no excuse for and will be no tolerance of violence or any threats of violence, in-

timidation, harassment, or bullying by anyone at any level of the Postal Service. This was signed on February 14, 1992 by all of the Unions including the League of Postmasters with the goal of making the workroom floor a safer, more harmonious and a productive place. With that being said, unfortunately we have a few employees in the Postal Service that like to disre-spect, belittle, threaten, or intimidate.

There are three types of a hostile workplace involving: #1 management towards the carrier, #2 the carrier towards management and #3 co-workers who do not get along. You can’t file a grievance against a fellow co-worker but you can file one against management for allowing it to continue on the workroom floor. In Case #3 you need to bring it to manage-ment attention and if they do nothing about it then file your grievance. Just remember that no one said you have to invite your fellow co-workers home for Thanksgiving dinner but it should at least be civil on the workroom floor. In case #2, if you are the one doing the screaming, bullying or threatening someone in the office then you can be walked off the work-room floor and face possible discipline including removal. The most common case the stewards hear is case #1 in which management is creating a hostile workplace. We acknowledge that management has the right as your boss to give you direc-tions and inform you of new office procedures. It doesn’t mean we have to like their instructions but they are the boss and generally we must follow their orders. (You can always grieve it later) For example, management is not creating a hostile work place if they inform you that a week from now your starting time will be pushed back an hour due to being unable to get the mail worked. (For the record, management does have the right to set your schedule) A hostile work place would be if manage-ment stated that since you filed that grievance asking to be paid for waiting time then I am going to show you who is the boss around here. I will make your starting time an hour later and if you file another grievance then I will make it 10:00 A.M. What management can’t do is yell, scream, threaten you such as “my way or the highway”, make snide remarks, or belittle you in any way. There is no excuse for this type of behavior from manage-ment and the NRLCA will not tolerate this type of behavior. To win your case, the steward will need documentation such as date, time, location, who said what and if anyone heard what was said. Carriers do not be afraid to get involve if you see someone being treated badly. Write those statements. You, as the carrier, must file a grievance as the steward can’t do it for you. Once you have filed then the steward will investigate your grievance. If management retaliates then file another grievance.

A paper trail needs to be created and this in returns strengthens your case. .

Every spring I think about a city carrier that lived on my route and his untimely death due to a suicide. He was constant-ly picked on and harassed by his fellow co-workers and man-agement did nothing. (These carriers picked on everyone in the office.) It got to the point that it became too much and he never did or said anything to anyone. Most mornings he greeted me with a smile but there were mornings you could tell he wasn’t happy. One day he did not report to work and management found him dead of an apparent suicide. He left a note in which he referenced the postal service. Don’t let this be you. Stand up for yourself and file that grievance.

For a stronger Union,Cathy Funderburgh

Cathy FunderburghOhio Valley District

Representative

asset while they disrupt their work and home lives with insane staffing plans that don’t work time and again. All this they do while deliberately delaying the mail.

Rest in peaceSo Mr. Franklin, I’m sorry if I disturbed your peace. We

will continue to fight to preserve the postal system you founded and what I ask from you now is for you and Saint Peter to say a prayer for us that we might prevail.

Floyd EdlerPresident

President Report (Continued from Page 1)


POORLEADERSHIP =

POORWORKER

I’m sorry to say that in most in-dustry and business the worker is at the bottom of the company business model and the USPS is no different.

For the purpose of my analysis let’s start out at the top. Most in our company would say that Megan Bren-

nan the new Post Master General is at the top. In reality the top of the USPS is the Board of Governors. The BOG of the USPS is comparable to a board of directors of a private corporation. The Board includes nine governors who are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The nine governors select the PMG, who becomes a mem-ber of the Board, and those 10 select the deputy PMG, who also serves on the Board. The PMG serves at the pleasure of the Board for an indefinite term. The deputy PMG serves at the pleasure of the Board and the PMG.

The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 created the 9 mem-ber Board of Governors serving a term limit of 9 years. The term limits changed from 9 years to 7 years following the pas-sage of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. Not more than five of the nine members may belong to the same political party.

The Board directs the exercise of the powers of the Postal Service, directs and controls its expenditures, reviews its practic-es, conducts long-range planning and sets policies on all postal matters. The Board takes up matters such as service standards and capital investments. It also approves officer compensation.

Guess what, we do not have a full board. At the end of 2014, the USPS Board of Governors anticipated that its num-bers would drop below the required six members for a quorum, issued a resolution. The resolution created a temporary Emer-gency Committee to act and exercise certain powers in absence of the board. The Board of Governors only has five members James Bilbray (D), Louis Giuliano (R), Ellen Williams (R), PMG Megan Brennan, and Deputy PMG Ronald Stroman.

The Senate still needs to confirm (or not) Mickey Barnett, David Bennett, Stephen Crawford, Victoria Kennedy, and James Miller III to the Board of Governors. It’s unfortunate that American nominations to serve in any capacity of the gov-ernment must wait for years to be confirmed. Before you say, that is wrong and politics is bad, lets us review one of the nomi-nees. James Miller III has a long history of trying to undermine the USPS and professing its privatization.

Let’s look at Mr. Millers’ background in government ser-vice. From 1985-1988 he was Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and a member of President Ronald Regans’ cabinet. His job in chief was to establish and administer President Regans’ program of regulatory reform. Otherwise known as deregulating government agencies like the USPS and the American Telegraph and Telephone Company. Does anyone remember where the “Ma Bell’s” went? Deregu-lation of the phone company led to 800 long distance carrier’s

competing for market share over night. One of Mr. Millers’ primary objectives as Ronald Regans’ Budget Director was to privatize the USPS and in 1988 he professed his plan in writing to the Cato Institute by referring to his 1985 paper on the same topic.

As we fast forward to the more recent past in 2003 and Millers’ “first” appointment to the Board of Governors by Pres-ident George Bush. Yes, Mr. Miller already served a complete term (2003-2012) and one additional year allowed by law until a successor was confirmed. In 2005 he was elected Chairman of the Board, and was reelected chairman in 2006 and 2007. President Obama in 2012 nominated James Miller III to serve a second term on the BOG of the USPS.

Millers’ nomination and past nominations are offensive to all mail carriers and USPS employee’s alike. His nominations are tantamount to the fox guarding the hen house. I’m amazed how Mr. Miller has been allowed to conceal his true motives. At his confirmation hearing in 2003 Mr. Miller tried to con-cede that a decade earlier, he expressed strong support for pri-vatizing the USPS, and repealing its monopoly. However, his statements as a governor have not reflected his past views at his April 2003 Senate Confirmation hearing, Mr. Miller testified that he intended to take a “fresh” assessment of the USPS. He recognized the institutions change and that indeed the USPS changed since the time when he expressed his criticism of it.

This new tempered view disappeared quickly as Mr. Mill-er submitted an “academic paper” to a congressional House meeting in 2011 that suggested repealing the postal monopoly and contracting out postal jobs to low-wage labor as a solution to the Postal Services’ problem.

As we fast forward to the present time and President Obamas’ appointment of Miller to the BOG for a second term. It looks like we’re trying to “get the band back together”. The group members are all here trying to get confirmed by the Sen-ate. If you think the threat of privatization is over, remember outside forces have been trying for 60 years to accomplish just that end. Mr. Millers’ appointment to the BOG with his anti-la-bor ideology is continued proof of this timeless fight.

Let’s be clear, there is no reason to privatize the USPS and the future is bright. For the month of January 2015, the Postal Service reported a $195 million operating profit. For the fiscal year to date, USPS now has a $1.325 billion operating profit!

The $195 million operating profit reflects a $73 million in-crease over 2014 and $440 million higher operating profit than the Postal Service forecasted. The operating profit does not in-clude retiree health benefits pre-funding or changes in workers compensation accounting estimates.

First-Class Mail volume was up 1.4%, Shipping and pack-ages volume was up by 5.4%, and Standard Mail volume was down 3.3% (all compared to the same time last year).

First-Class Mail revenue was up by 5.5%, shipping and packages revenue was up by 5.4% and Standard Mail revenue was up by 0.3%.

President Obama the Board of Governors have term limits for good reason. Please let the “privatize the USPS” band of miss fits retire from the BOG.

We’re all good here! Thank you kindly,

Delbert K. Hutchisson

Delbert HutchissonNorthern Ohio

DistrictRepresentative


Ohio Membership: As of April 22, 2015 the National Membership Analysis has Ohio‘s total membership at 4,281 an increase of 86 members in a 12-month period. Ohio has recruited over 400 new members, however over half have chose to become a CCA or leave the USPS.The NRLCA RAFT Program has compensated each mem-ber who has recruited a non-member who remains on the rolls three (3) months. “Thank You” to all who have

participated in the Recruit a Friend Today Program, you have increased Ohio’s membership.

National Convention: Ohio’s voting strength at the Na-tional Convention is based on Ohio’s total membership as of June 30,2015, divided by 100, minus the associate members (13). At present Ohio is entitled to 43 delegates to the National Convention, this is the exact number of delegates Ohio had at the 2014 National Convention.

The ballot to elect the delegates to the 2015 National Con-vention should arrive in your mailbox on or about May 20, 2015. Remember to read the voting instructions and follow the instructions completely. Members who have not paid dues for three (3) pay periods, are no longer member in good standing, and will not receive a ballot to vote for delegates to the Nation-al Convention.

Recent or Soon to be Retiree: The 1187 dues withholding form you signed as a carrier expires within 90 days of your retirement. Your benefits as a member will cease. You will not be permitted to participate in union supported insurance plans. You will no longer receive the State and National Publications. You will no longer receive information on what changes will affect your retirement annuity. You will receive a letter and an 1187-R authorization for dues withholdings from your annuity for $7.33 per month. Please protect your benefits by remaining a member.

Cash Dues Members: The cash dues collection for the 2015-2016-membership year, beginning July 1st, has begun. For those of you that use the cash method of dues payment, National has taken a strong position on the constitutional pro-vision that dues are to be paid before the start of the member-ship year. Thus, there will no longer be a grace period after July 1st for those who have not paid their cash dues. If your cash dues have not been paid by July 1, 2015 you will not be a member in good standing and thus will not be permitted to be a delegate to the State or National Convention. To avoid being removed as a member in good standing a dues withhold-ing option is available to all classes of membership. A notice along with a dues withholding form was sent to all previous cash paying members. If you did not receive it and want one, please contact me.

Members on OWCP or LWOP: Members receiving Work-ers’ Compensation, or if you are a member on LWOP, your dues withholdings are not being withheld from your pay; which means you are not paying dues. After 3 pay periods, you are no longer considered a member in good standing. If you are not a member in good standing you are not entitled to vote in any elections or hold office in the Association. If you were not a member in good standing at the time of nomination you

cannot be a delegate to the State or National Conventions. You may be entitled to reinstate your membership using the cash dues method, contact me for additional information.

National Delegate Ballot: The procedure for handling the election of Delegates to the National Convention; the elec-tion committee will retrieve the ballots; the membership status of each member voting will be verified. It is at this point only members in good standing for 2015 will have their vote count-ed.

Member who is not in good standing will not receive the National or State Publications.

Fall Booster Meeting: November 15, 2015 at the Double-tree Worthington, 175 Hutchison Ave, Columbus, Ohio. Watch your state paper and the ohrlca.org web site for the agenda.

I hope you plan to attend the 2015 State Convention at the Crowne Plaza Blue Ash, 5901 Pfeiffer Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bring your family and enjoy the beautiful facility and the unity of the Ohio Rural Letter Carriers.

Monday April 13Homewood Suites, Polaris, Ohio

Present was President Edler, Vice President Pitts, Secre-tary-Treasurer Koren, Committeemen Bower, Funderburgh, Cox and Barker.

10:50 AMVouchers: The entire Board reviewed and approved all the

vouchers submitted by the State Board Members for payment. The vouchers were completed on each officer’s computer and placed in drop box for viewing. The vouchers were printed and approved by all the board members.

Minutes: The minutes of January 20 – 21, 2015 were opened in drop box and reviewed. Vice President Pitts made a motion to approve the minutes, the motion passed.

Treasurer Report: The Association’s Detailed Financial Position was opened in drop box and reviewed.

Budget:The budget was reviewed and no adjustments were needed.

Vice President Pitts made a motion to accept the Financial and Membership reports, the motion passed.

Membership: The Association’s membership is 4269 members. This is an increase of 83 members since April 2014.

Grass Tops: There have been no new grassroots contacts. Equipment: New scanners that were previously approved

have been ordered. The scanners are for scanning the ballots for election of delegate to the National Convention. The soft-ware is to be downloaded onto two (2) of the computers so as to decrease the time used to count the votes. Vice President Pitts made a motion to purchase the adobe software for the Secretary-Secretary’s computer, the motion passed.

As approved during the January Board meeting the Two (2) flagpoles, stands, and a collapsible stand were purchased and added to inventory.

Legislative: HR 12 and HR 11, S 49 and S 54 were dis-cussed. Legislative was passed that will hurt the Rural Carriers. The board will continue to support the USPS and 6-day deliv-ery. Flyers will be handed out at Post Offices on April 15th (tax day) to customers encouraging the customers to phone their congressional representatives to maintain 6-day delivery and to

Penny KorenSecretary/Treasurer

Continued On Page 8


stop post office / plant closings and consolidations.

PAC: The tickets for the reverse raffle were sold at each district meeting. Over half of the tickets have been sold. Do-nations of prizes continue to be received for the reverse raffle and silent auction.

National Steward Reports: Ohio Valley DR Funderburgh e-mailed her activity report and was available for question or concern over the telephone. Northern Ohio DR Hutchisson was on annual leave.

National General Insurance: Committeeman Barker re-ported that Ohio had 37 quotes an increase of 118% for the year.

The National General Insurance will continue to be pre-sented to all new hires during orientations.

Provident Guild: Provident guild applications were passed out at each district meeting

Two (2) drawings will be held at the State Convention one for non-members and one for new members. The $2.00 sign up fee will be waived for all new provident members who sign up during the State Convention.

Diane made a motion to purchase a Vera temp touch less thermometer to be given to non-members who would sign up for provident guild, the motion passed.

Board Policy: The board policy was reviewed. Committee-man Funderburgh made a motion to change the board policy to read;

the member (s) of Committees that are required to report to the State Convention a day early will receive a day’s room fee reimbursement. The member (s) of the Audit, Election, Con-stitution and Resolution Committee will receive a $100 stipend, all committee members will receive one ((1) day’s per diem. No committee member will receive more than one (1) days per diem during the State Convention. The motion passed.

5:00 PM Auxiliary Secretary-Treasurer, Diana Hausfeld and Vice

President Ed Cox joined the meeting to discuss future Auxil-iary and Junior Meeting Rooms during State Meetings. It was agreed that the Auxiliary would give written notice of their attendance at State Meetings. The Association will continue to reserve meeting space for the Auxiliary and Juniors upon receiving written notice of the Auxiliary attendance. The Aux-iliary agreed not to cancel Association’s contracted meeting rooms. The Auxiliary announced that the Auxiliary and Ju-niors do not participate in Fall Statewide Meetings.

5:30 PM Committeeman Bower made a motion to adjourn for dinner, the motion passed.

6:30 PM Resume MeetingState Convention: The Board Member assignments for the

State Convention were reviewed. Several Vendors have request-ed to have exhibits at the state convention. Meeting room as-signments were reviewed. Committeeman Funderburgh made a motion to purchase individual Member of the Year award, the motion passed. President Edler made a motion to obtain Tom McDermitt for parliamentarian for the State Convention and to compensate his fees, the motion passed.

Mid-States Conference: The arrangements for attending the Mid-States Conference were discussed. Six (6) of the Board

Members will attend the conference.Legislative Seminar: Committeeman Barker made a mo-

tion to compensate wage, mileage and 2 days per diem for Vice President Pitts, Grass Tops Chairman Bower and PAC Chair-man Funderburgh to attend the legislative Seminar in Washing-ton DC May 16 - 20, 2015, the motion passed.

Booster Meeting: November 15, 2015 The Board has de-cided to include a FERS Retirement Seminar at the Booster Meeting.

Committeeman Cox made a motion to obtain Joni Mon-troy to present the retirement Seminar and to compensate her fees, the motion passed.

8:10 PM Adjourn Committeeman Funderburgh made a motion to adjourn

until Tuesday morning 9:00AM, the motion passed.9:00 AM Tuesday April 14, 2015 Meeting resumes.Editors Report: The State Paper issue was reviewed and

the next issue of the State Paper to go out in May. The state paper articles are due April 30th

11:30 AMThe Board left the facility to tour the Quest Center hoping

to obtain a larger facility for the booster meeting.12:00 NoonThe board met with the Quest Sales Manager and toured

the meeting center. 1:00 PM The Board Meeting resumed. The Quest Center and Dou-

bletree Worthington meeting room size and cost were com-pared. Secretary/Treasurer made a motion to have the Booster Meeting on November 15, 2015 at the Doubletree Worthing-ton, the motion passed.

Committeeman Funderburgh made a motion to adjourn 3:30 PM, the motion passed.

Next Board MeetingJune 5, 2015

Crowne Plaza Blue Ash5901 Pfeiffer RdCincinnati OH

Submitted by:Secretary-Treasurer Koren

Minutes (Continued from Page 8)

Your President Floyd Edler hard at work. Handing out information and making the public aware.


What did Iforget?

Have you ever packed your lug-gage and felt that you forgot some-thing. This happens to me frequently. I am new to taking a medication daily and found myself at Cincinnati for a Board Meeting and forgot to take my medication with me. Now what am I going to do?

I have Rural Carrier Insurance and receive my meds from Caremark. I found a nearby CVS Drug Store. The Pharmacist was very helpful in telling me that I may be able to get a bridge supply. I needed to call Caremark and explain my situation and was able to get a bridge supply. This is a supply of medication to get one by, while away from home. The supply is deducted from your next order.

I hope this information is useful if you find yourself in this situation. Hopefully you will not make the same mistake I did.

CommitteemanJoyce Bower

Joyce BowerExecutive

Committeeman

MELISSA ALFORDJOHN ALLENBETHANN AMBROZYWILLIAM ANTRICAN IIIKRISTIN ANTRICAN IIIRAYMOND BIBBBRIAN BLACKBURNMATTHEW BLALOCKJOHNNIE BOOKER JRERIN BOONIERONALD BOWMAN JRBRITTANY BRUNTYAMELIA BRUTONCHRISTINE BUOBALYSSA BUTCHER IWILLIAM CAINMICHELLE CASADAJUN CHENRICO CLARKCHRISTINA COFFEEJLYSE COOKROBIN CORDIALDANAE COXSAMANTHA CRADDOCKJOHN CROWLEYDEBORAH DARRAHJAIME DAVISHANNAH DEARINGMELANIE DELBRUGGEJON DILLARDCHRISTOPHER DOBSONSHAUNA DULANEYAMANDA DUNBURGMADILYN ENGLEBERTJENNIFER EVANSHEIDI FATZINGERNICOLE FENSKEKEVIN FERGUSONKIMBERLY FETTER

JACQUELINE FUNSTONTRUDY GALLIONSARAH GARDINERLEE GERHARDSTEINBRANDON GILLSSURETY GOLDENNANCY GRIESHOPANNETTE GROFFMASON HALLNYREE HANEYOMAR HARRISBROOKE HASTINGSHEATHER HEJDUKSCOTT HELTONKRISTIN HILLMISTY HILLSARA HILYARDCHASE HINSONJUSTIN HODGEGEANINE HOWARD PEEBLESLINDA HURSTBRIAN JAMESTONI JARVISWENDY JENDRUSIKCORY JESSIEJESSICA JOHNSONVARITA JOHNSONTIMOTHY JOYCESTEPHAN KOVARBENJAMIN LANDRYJUSTIN LAWTHADDEUS LAWSONAMANDA LEGGETTCONNER LOUDNERBAMBI MANIONCONNIE MARCUMSHELBY MCMANUSHOLLY MILLERROCKY MOORE

LUCRETIA MOOREDAUD MUSAHJEAN MYERSCASPER MYERSCHRISTOPHER NOBBEMELISSA OFFENBACHERLEONARD ORAYLISA OURSMATTHEW OYERKIMBERLY PADAVICKDYLAN PALMERSTEPHANIE PALMERSUSAN PARKERLEROY PHIPPSSAMUEL PITTSLORI PRIMMRACHAEL QUIJANOTRICIA RADERTRICIA RIVERADOMINIICA RIVERANIKOLAUS ROEDANIEL ROSSMISTY ROSSAMY SALVITOTAMMY SCARBERRYMICHAEL SCHAEFFER IVICKI SCHWARCKROBERT SEVERDANIEL SPLEHAMARIANNE SPOONERTIFFANY STEELENICOLE STEIGERWALDJULIE STEVENSMAEGHEN STIMPERMICHAEL SULLIVANBELINDA THOMASERIC THOMPSONCOREY TURNER SRMELISSA TWISS

MARSHA VANCULINALECIA VASQUEZMICHELLE WALEMIRIAM WARNERJUDY WEIKLEKATHY WELDEJESSICA WELLSTRACEY WILLIAMSCHRISTINE WILLIAMSCLARA WOLGAMOTTRICHARD WOODRUFF IIFRANCES WYSZYNSKIROBERT YAKIMOWKYLE BOECKERVARSANAR MYERSDAVID FOLTZKIMBERLY COOKLISA WEBBMARCY VANLIEUDARREL JOHNSONTYLER CHESONISJUSTIN DAVISDAPHNE BROWNTIMOTHY NORTONSTEVEN CONWAYMEGAN GARNOJACENDA DOHMEMICHELLE ILESCHARLES MCDOWELLHARRY WOLFEFREDRICK HENSLEYBRAIN ROOTZACHARY BASTIANSUZETTE GOODINELIZABETH WAGGONERHALEN OLIVERTERESA VANCURENKAREN KIENER

Newly Elected Local Stewards: Left to right front row. Darlene Stewart, Ellen Krantz, Serena Brown. Left to right second row. Randy Childers, Christine Putz.


Well congress has reconvened and the house of representatives has already passed a bill that is detrimental to our current and retired carriers. The house voted to reduce the interest rate on the TSP G-fund from the 5.43 % down to a menial .01%. If I figured right I am receiving one penny for every dollar I now have in the “safe” fund in my TSP. This is down right thievery. This bill also includes measures to allow the postal service to go lower the number of delivery days. If we don’t stand up

for our rights and contact our congressmen and let our voices be heard they will give away the farm, so to speak. Congress is slowly “chipping away” at our livelihood. They couldn’t get it done altogether so now they are dismantling our postal service, one processing plant at a time, slowing mail delivery times and upsetting our customers that we provide service to everyday. Let’s tell congress to put the service back in the postal service.

We still have some other bills that we can correct this se-rious injustice that has been given to us by our congressmen. There is HR-12, and HR-49, both of these bills keep six-day delivery and maintain service standards back to June of 2012.

My reflection on the mail count is one of mixed emotions. Relief and anxiety, relief it’s over and I don’t have management watching over my every move, and anxiety of just how much time I didn’t get for various functions. Just in the DPS letters we have to keep track of inverted letters, look out for any piece over 6& 1/8 “ for credit as a flat, any forwards for snowbirds and recent moves, deceased, etc., any first class parcels. There was just so much to keep track of and I am sure I left some time out there on the street.

During all of the time we were being observed during mail count, there were still carriers giving away time by working off the clock, and we wonder why management is coming after the rural craft for working under their evaluations every day. It’s not my job to police the rural craft for management. I am a rural carrier not a supervisor/postmaster. I deliver mail to my customers and that is it. It is not my job to distribute mail to carriers, or call my RCA when I am sick, or find a replace-ment for me when I filled out a 3971 for vacation. Or make out the schedule for the rural carriers in my office. All of those are management’s responsibility. If management is going against the contract we need to hold them accountable and file griev-ances, the more we give them the more they will take.

When I return to the office, after being off for union duties or vacation, and I find out management had a city carrier deliv-er my mail while I was gone I immediately file a grievance with my steward and if there are vacancies in the substitute craft I file a grievance to hire more RCA’s. If management is going to try and deny me leave for anything I will be filing a grievance and if they do not follow up with the settle.

When we receive our new RCA’s, first we need to remem-ber what our first few weeks were like and how we struggled with the job, and then we need to get them involved with the union. If we have a district meeting soon after they are hired we should just tell them that they are going and we are buying their meal for the first time and pick them up on our way to the meeting. I am sure that they will learn something and be

back the next time to share in the companionship of this great association.

If we feel management has gone against the contract, we need to file a grievance. If we continue to allow management to do things and not file, we are essentially giving away the farm bit by bit. Every time we settle managements problems and work off the clock to lower our evaluations, or not hold them accountable for hiring replacements for our routes we are giving away the farm. I can’t stress it enough we need to take a stand from this point forward. Enough is enough.

If we have a suggestion for our association now is the time to submit them by filling out the resolution and constitution changes that were in the last issue and at the district meetings. These need to be submitted to our state secretary by 6/2/2015. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. OHIO lets get some grease for our wheels and submit some changes to national. Let our national board hear our voices loud and clear, stop giving away everything and start taking back some provisions for the carri-ers.

Hope to see everyone at the state convention June 7-9 in Cincinnati and remember to bring lot’s of cash for numerous opportunities for some great articles of merchandise.

Committeeman Funderburgh

PACAs of March 31, 2015 we have maintained third place

just behind Fla. and Texas in the aggregate category and are currently 7th in the per capita. Help us out by filling out a re-ceipt any time you purchase clothing from us at a meeting or convention this helps spread out the wealth. Any $25 donation gets your name in the national paper, if you did not know that already.

Hopefully everyone was at their district meeting and heard about the reverse raffle that is going on after the banquet on Monday night of the state convention. We have a lot of nice prizes for the raffle and when we get to 500 tickets sold (as of march 31st we have 243 tickets sold) we are planning on awarding a prize for every 20 numbers drawn. The top prize of $1000.00

You can always mail your request for tickets to Tim Barker or myself with a check made out to NRLCA-PAC there was a form in last issue for doing that or you can get our address from inside the front cover.

Also on Monday night we have the auction and we have obtained Jay Kurtz, the auctioneer who has been to the last three years and is always entertaining. As you can see we will be having fun, after the work is completed for the association, so come on down to the Crown plaza and join us for a good time with some laughter and great comedy where Shrek will defeat Spiderman (hopefully) in a wrestling match. GO GREEN!!!!!!

Hope to meet many new friends and acquaintances at the state convention this year.

Update: on April 7th, I mailed in to national almost $10,000 from all the receipts from district meetings and that was enough to overtake Texas and Florida for first, providing they don’t send $4000.00 in to national in the month of April. Thank you to the great state of Ohio for all of your donations so far.

PAC CO-CHAIR MARK FUNDERBURGH

Mark FunderburghExecutive

Committeeman


With the spring district meetings coming to an end and State Convention around the corner, I can’t help thinking about the wealth of talent we are bless-ed with in this state association. I am looking forward to seeing all the unique baskets the districts will be bringing to auction for PAC.

I would like to take this opportu-nity to remind everyone of the benefits of membership in the Rural Carriers’ Provident Guild. The Provident Guild is a Fraternal NON-Profit Death Bene-fit Plan created by rural carriers for ru-

ral carriers, right here in the state of Ohio. Membership is open to all Regular, Substitute, RCR, RCA, and PTF rural carriers and their spouses, who are under 56 years of age. Annual dues are from $10 to $50 depending on your age at the time of your application. Additionally, you may choose any classification as long as you are under the maximum age limit for that class. Your benefits do not decrease as you grow older. The class you choose remains in effect as long as you pay your annual dues.

Available Annual Maximum Immediate If You Dues Benefit Relief Payment Are Class 30% Max.Under 56 $10 $1,000 $300Under 50 $15 $1,500 $450Under 45 $20 $2,000 $600Under 40 $30 $3,000 $900Under 35 $40 $4,000 $1,200 Or $50 $5,000 $1,500

The Provident Guild President and Provident Guild Sec-retary/Treasurer are bonded in sufficient amount to cover the funds in their hands at ay time.

Contact any Provident Guild Officer, State Association Of-ficer or Auxiliary Officer for details. You can secure an applica-tion from them, or write:

Diana Hausfeld, P.O. Box 105, Minster, Ohio 45865-00105, Phone 419-501-2213, or email [email protected].

DID YOU KNOW??1. PROVIDENT GUILD is a non-profit, fraternal organi-

zation, created and operated by rural carriers, for our member-ship and auxiliary members to give their survivors an amount of READY CASH for those days when routine procedures of the courts and legal action tie up our estates after death.

2. The GUILD is NOT AN INSURANCE. Rather, it is a Frater- nal Death Fund that guarantees you at least 30 times your annual dues and, depending on the number of claims in any given year, can pay up to 90 times your annual dues, as along

Diane CoxExecutive

Committeeman

as you are a current dues paying member.3. There are no physical examinations - No assessments—

No commissions - No high salaries.4. This low cost protection does not decrease, nor can it be

can- celed when you reach age 65.5. You can become a GUILD member until your reach age

56. When you reach that age, you can not enter the program BUT you do remain in it as long as you pay your GUILD dues annually.

6. Claims are to be filed within 60 days after death with the Sec- retary/Treasurer except all death claims for the fiscal year end- ing midnight June 30th must be filed in the Secretary/ Trea-surer’s office not later than midnight July 30th next following close of the fiscal year. In the event a death claim is filed after the July 30th deadline, no benefits will be paid.

7. If death occurs in JUNE, the Provident Guild Secretary/ Treasurer must be contacted IMMEDIATELY.

8. IT NEED NOT BE HANDLED BY A LAWYER.9. Upon receipt of the blue claim form and the death cer-

tificate of a current dues paying member, an IMMEDIATE RELIEF CHECK for 30% of the maximum payment is mailed to the beneficiary. The balance or the settlement is mailed in August, following our board meeting that is held during the NRLCA convention.

10. Your GUILD dues are payable in advance. The Secre-tary/ Treasurer will mail you a dues notice during the month of May for the following fiscal year. These are then payable by June 30th.

11. Members joining later in the year pay only a portion of the full years dues. The fiscal year runs from July 1st to the next June 20th.

Those who become members during July, August and September pay full dues.

Those who become members during October, No-vember and December, pay 75%.

Those who become members during January, Febru-ary and March, pay 50%.

Those joining in April, May and June, pay only 25%. When joining during these months, the next year’s full dues need to be included.12. The entrance fee of $2.00 is payable when joining during

any part of the year.I am continuing my incentive for new members by paying

the $2.00 entrance fee. For those of you that are not already members, I encourage you to join as soon as you can. I would be happy to assist anyone with their application. Plan to attend the State Convention and enter a giveaway drawing for members and also for new sign-ups. Hope to see you all in Blue Ash!

Committeeperson Diane Cox


Even though an LLV was added to my route and my evaluated time de-creased I’m still so glad that it is final-ly over. The stress, uneven mail flow, and negotiations with managers can be overwhelming making it 3 long weeks. I can only hope that the evaluated com-pensation system (the time standards project) being conducted right now will relieve much of the stress that comes

with mail count. I am sure there will always be areas or items of discussion during mail count, but overall the time standards project should eliminate most of the grey area we seem to have from office to office and state to state. It should be a more uni-formed mail count not only office to office and state to state, but for the whole country. This is a very large task; evaluating everything we do as rural carriers on a daily basis. Not only us here in the great state of Ohio, but throughout the whole coun-try. There are many different situations and conditions that need to be considered, such as the heat in Florida, the snow in Ohio, the rain in Seattle, etc. This is a long, slow process but in the end I believe it will be best for our craft.

Hopefully everyone attended their spring district meetings and signed up to be a delegate at our 2015 Ohio state convention at the Crown Plaza (5901 Pfeiffer Rd Cincinnati, OH 44592; phone number: (513)-793-4560) being held June 7-9, 2015.On Saturday night we will be having a corn-hole tournament with all donations going to PAC. We have a lot of business on our agenda, but as always Monday night will be a great banquet dinner with an awesome reverse raffle for your enjoyment with many great raffle prizes and auction items also. Plus, I hear that Spiderman and Shrek will be going head to head in a wrestling match; that should be enough to bring you and your family to Cincinnati. If not how about all the other attractions in the area such as Kings Island, The Underground Railroad Museum, and golf, just to name a few. If that still isn’t enough how about voicing your ideas or concerns and voting on the issues that effect you as an Ohio rural carrier, and most important voting for the people that will be running for our state board. Yes, you vote and decide who will run our Ohio union.

Folks, we need everyone to get motivated about our union here in Ohio. Our new 114th Congress will be making legisla-tive changes that will affect our financial future as rural carriers. For example, they are still trying to end six day a week deliv-ery, they are planning on closing over 80 more mail processing plants throughout the country in April, a proposed health ben-efits program that is ran by government officials with a large portion of the premium paid for by you, the employee, and a bill to base federal employee’s annuities on the highest five years of salary, instead of the current highest 3 years. These again are just a few of the troubles we face this year.

It is time to join hands, stand up and fight for our jobs, ben-efits, wages and our communities. After all we, the American people, own the USPS not the House and Senate in Washing-ton D.C.

OHIO Union Proud, Tim Barker

OHIO RURAL LETTER CARRIERS’ANNUAL CONVENTION

2015 CONVENTION RULES1. A Delegate speaking from the floor shall rise, address the Chair and ob-

tain recognition from the Presiding Officer. The Delegate shall then give their name and the District they represent.

2. No Delegate shall speak twice on the same question, except by majori-ty consent. No Delegate shall be recog-nized to speak a second time on the same question if a Delegate who has not spoken asks for the floor. Non-delegates may be recognized to speak if no Delegate asks for the floor.

3. Debate shall be limited to two (2) minutes to each speaker. Debate on any question shall be limited to twenty-five (25) minutes. No extension of time shall be allowed a speaker to debate a question, except by unanimous con-sent.

4. A report by a Chairman of a Committee shall be deemed moved for adoption by such Chairman. No second to the motion to adopt will be required, as the approval of the report by other Committee members shall constitute an appropriate second. Following debate on the motion to adopt, the Presiding Officer shall call for a vote of Ayes and Nays.

5. Each proposal to amend the CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS shall be considered separately. After debate on the issue, the Presiding Officer shall call for a vote of Ayes and Nays to adopt the proposal.

6. The Convention will only address Constitution Amendments and signed Resolutions that have been received in the Secretary-Treasurer’s office 5 days prior to the opening session and reported out by the Constitution or Resolu-tions Committees. Constitution Amendment or Resolution sub-mitted after the deadline may be considered under New Business if the Convention suspends the rules, by a majority vote. Any one submitting changes after the deadline must supply copies at their expense.

7. In considering the RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT, the Cour-tesy Resolutions may be approved as a Unit. Other Resolutions shall be considered separately. In accord with Rule *4 above, upon the reading of the Reso-lution by the Chairman of the Committee, it shall be deemed to have been moved for adoption and is properly before the delegates for appropriate action. If there are no objections to a Resolution within a reasonable time, it shall be considered adopted at the fall of the gavel. If there is an objection to a Resolution, it shall be passed over and acted upon after completion of the reading of the full Committee Report. Fol-lowing debate on each Resolution, including amendments, the Presiding Officer shall call for a vote of Ayes and Nays on the motion to adopt. This procedure precludes any motion to strike or reject a Resolution and any such motion would be considered out of order.

8. In accord with Article VI, Section 3, Paragraph F, which states in part “that where a District is represented by less than a full delegation, the delegates present may vote the entire district vote”, such voting shall be done by one of the following methods:

a. The district delegates may caucus and agree by democratic proce-dures to cast all the District votes for the same candidate or issue; (In this instance, any delegate may claim their own vote), or,

b. The delegates may choose to divide the District votes by the number of delegates and distribute that num-ber to each delegate. Any frac-tional vote shall be forfeited unless:

1) The delegates agree to allow the person in charge of the dele-gation to vote the remaining votes at his/her discretion; or

2) The delegates choose to apply the Unit Rule to such votes.

10. As per Article XII, Parliamentary authority for the Conduct of Business shall be “Roberts Rules of Order”.

11. No campaign signs are to be posted inside the convention-meeting hall.

12. All candidates for State Executive Board Position shall have 5 minutes to speak and/or answer questions from the convention body.

13. When there is only one nominee for an office and nominations have been closed, the President or Secretary-Treasurer shall declare the nominee is elected.

14. Write in votes shall not be considered valid.

15. While on the convention meeting hall floor, all electronic devices are to be operated in such a manner that would not be disruptive to an individual or the body as a whole.


Hi! Rita Beedy here,Freedom....noun*the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants

without hindrance or restraint. “we do have some freedom of choice”*the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.“the shark thrashed its way to freedom”*synonyms: liberty, liberation, release, deliverance, de-

livery, discharge;...As I sit to write this article I have a bit of writer’s block.

The last thing I want to do is preach at folks, but I do love the Scriptures, and love to talk about Them!! I really want to be an encouragement to my fellow carriers and our retirees. So I won’t preach, but share what a few of my favorite ones are on freedom.

These are a couple of my favorites because they speak of my freedom in The Lord.

*Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,..

*2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

These two speak to me as a rural mail carrier.. remind-ing me to not be a slave to a mean spirit (ahem..to.. ahem...

co-workers..not that I ever am... ahem...) But to be kind and treat others the way I want to be treated, and to serve humbly and with love....

*Galatians 5:1 [ Freedom in Christ ] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (anger, in my case..)

*Galatians 5:13 [ Life by the Spirit ] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your free-dom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

I was very upset one day at work, and shared it with friends at church I, asked them to keep me in prayer so I wouldn’t ‘embarrass Jesus’ and would let the anger go; they reminded me that it would NOT be a good thing for the Chaplin to ‘go postal’.... we joke, and are made jokes of for, and with, that term, but really, I don’t want to ever allow my-self to go there, or even give the appearance of....

Ahh, these... These remind me Whose I am, and I can always ask The Lord to make me kind, humble, loving.....

*Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

*James 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

There is no better place besides home to apply these than my work place!!

Let’s remember those who fought for our freedoms, who are still fighting for them, and live to honor them, military, and committee members!

Blessings,With love and prayers,

Rita(p.s. I think the block is gone....)HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

Worship Corner

OHRLCA BANQUET RESERVATIONS

FOR MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 6:30-8:00 p.m.RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY JUNE 1, 2015

(NoBanquetTicketsSoldAtConvention.)MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO OHRLCA $17.50 PER PERSON

MAILTO:BarbPitts,12914WashingtonvilleRoad,Salem,Ohio44460

NAME:_______________________________District_____NumberofTickets______TotalAmountEnclosed__________

MENU:RoastBeeftoppedwithAuJusorBrownGravy,StuffedChickenwithWhiteCreamSauce,BakedPotatoes,CaribbeanBlend(Broccoli,GreenBeans,RedPepperandYellowCarrots),TossedMixedRomaineBlendwithAssortedToppingsandDress-

ings,RedskinPotatoSalad,CreamColeSlaw,FreshFuitDisplay,CrispVegetableCrudites,IceTea,CoffeeandHotTea.

Make Reservations At Crowne Plaza by May 22nd!Buffet Lunch Available Monday and Tuesday!


Hello Friends,It seems like I just wrote my last article, time sure goes fast.

We are really getting into spring now, new flowers coming up and the birds are singing, building nests and getting ready for a successful year.

Here’s hoping our members are getting ready for a success-ful State Convention in Cincinnati and then later our National Convention in Reno.

Shelia Reardon Gilman will be with us in Cincinnati so let’s come and give her a warm Ohio welcome. I hope you all plan to attend and bring your children and grandchildren with you, they will have a good time with Pat Singelyn our Junior Sponsor. She always has very interesting things planned for the Juniors. I want to thank her for all she does for the Juniors.

I’m asking you to think of ways we can get more people to come to our meetings and be involved.

The percentage of carriers and reliefs that come to the meetings is very low. This is how you learn about your job and put more money in your pocket. Learn and read everything you can.

Our project this year is Program of Miracles. Alzheimer’s Research, and lately their has been some good news coming from the research dept.

You have been very generous with our projects and I thank you for that, let’s contin-ue hoping to find a cure soon

Please come and be involved and hope you enjoy the convention. Sincerely,Paul Ortz

Paul OrtzAuxiliary President

Auxiliary Officers

PRESIDENTPAUL ORTZ11696 Youngstown Pitts Rd.New Middletown, OH 44442Phone [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENTED COX4780 Stony CreekUrbana, OH 43078Phone 937-206-2537 [email protected]

SECRETARY/TREASURERDIANA HAUSFELDP. O. Box 105Minster, OH 45865-0105Phone [email protected] Guild Rep. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMAN

Ray Mull, Chairman9235 Wayne Trace Rd.Camden, OH 45311Phone [email protected] Chairman

Sandy Schwartz, Secretary10 Eastmoor CourtNew Bremen, OH 45869-1101Phone [email protected]

Jodie Burke, Board Member4822 Delevan Dr.Lyndhurst, OH 44124Phone 216–[email protected] JUNIOR SPONSORPat Singelyn18991 Munn Rd.Chagrin Falls, OH 44023Phone [email protected]

JUNIORS 2014-2015President: Riley Hausfeld4860 Loramie Swanders Rd.,Minster, OH 45865VP: Abby Hausfeld33 Oakwood Drive, Minster, OH 45865Secretary : Samantha Fernandez1997 Riverview Dr., Defiance, OH 43512Treasurer: Morgan Todd610 West State Street, Salem, OH 44460

A PROGRAM OF MIRACLESHumanitarian Project: Alzheimer’s Research

Motto: “Hope for a Cure”

Symbol: Mirror

Americanism: Volunteerism

Safety: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Songs: “Heavenly Sunshine”

“Precious Memories”

Flower: Forget Me Not

Inspiration: “Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it”David Star Jordan

Convention Time

Happy Memorial Day!See Everyone At The State Convention!


Upcoming Events

Constitution Changesand Resolutions

DueinSecretary-Treasurer’sOfficeJune2,2015

Pre-Convention Board Meeting June5-6,2015,11:00AMCrownePlazaCincinnati

5901PfeifferRoadCincinnati,Ohio45242

2015 State ConventionJune7-9,2015

CrownePlazaCincinnati5901PfeifferRoad

Cincinnati,Ohio45242513-793-4500

Post Convention Board MeetingJune10,2015,9:00AMCrownePlazaCincinnati

5901PfeifferRoadCincinnati,Ohio45242

National ConventionAugust18-21,2015

PeppermillConventionCenter2702SVirginiaStreetReno,Nevada89502

Fall Booster/Retirement SeminarNovember15,2015

DoubletreeWorthington175HutchisonAvenue

Columbus,Ohio

Non-ProfitU. S. Postage

PAIDPermit #225

Youngstown, OH

MembersSend Address Changes to:Ohio Rural Letter Carriers Association104 Clay Road SWDellroy, OH 44620-9757

DEADLINE for the August/September issue is July 12, 2015. Please have all articles to Editor Lori Todd by that date. [email protected].

If a hearing impaired member needs a sign language interpreter for a state wide meeting, please advise our state secretary Penny Koren two weeks prior to meeting date.

Official Notice of Annual Meeting2015 Annual State Convention

June 7-9, 2015Crowne Plaza Cincinnati

Sunday June 7th – Registration, Opening Session, Nominations of State Officers (Nominations remain open till election on Tuesday Afternoon).

Vacancies to be filled: President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, 4-year Committeeman and any Committeeman position that may become vacant at the Convention. Positions to be appointed will be state editor and state chaplain.

Monday, June 8th – National Officers Address. Last day to file Delegate Credentials by 5:00PM. Report of the National Delegate Election Committee, Report of Time and Place Committee, Selection of 2017 Convention city, Banquet in the eve-ning. PAC Reverse Raffle for $1000 and other valuable items.

Tuesday, June 9th – Election of State Officers, Report of Law and Resolution Committees, Unfinished BusinessOnly the duly elected delegates from each District Organization may vote for the candidate for office.

Happy Fourth Of July!

The Ohio Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Official ...July 2015.pdf · the rural craft for...

Documents

Transcript of The Ohio Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Official ...July 2015.pdf · the rural craft for...