PRESIDENTS LETTER DECEMBER 1999 FROM THE PRESIDENT (December 1999) Loren Adams THE GAP History has witnessed its booms and busts (some conveniently refer to as "cyclical economic adjustments"). History repeats itself. Now we are supposedly in the core of an unparalleled economic boom -- measured by purchases, low unemployment and traffic. What is the future? What caused history's busts? How can they be prevented? When capital is concentrated among 1% of the wealthiest, history warns of impending collapse. The bubble bursts! It happened in 1837, 1857, 1884, 1893, 1907 and 1929. In all depressions there was glaring disparity of income distribution. The poor -- poorer, the rich -- richer. Prosperity is the result of healthy currency circulation; when wealth is not circulated but concentrated at the top, the economy falls and results in depression or severe recession. When the rich accumulate an overwhelming portion of the wealth, their house of cards comes tumbling down because there remains few to buy the goods sold by the wealthy to sustain their lifestyle. Consider this forewarning fact: The average American's income has remained flat since 1977 -- 23 years ago, while the income of the richest 1% has more than doubled -- 115% (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities). CEOs (corporate executive officers) incomes rose 400% in the 1990s to $10.6 million annual income per person, while take-home pay for the average American, the 80%, rose zero percent. Real life experience bears it out. Most Americans don't enjoy the purchasing power they once did when a one-income family could raise children, purchase a home, car and college education for their kids. Now both parents work and still can't keep up, resulting in less quality education, poor family relations, and an eroding moral foundation. Some in this country never learn their history [nor their Bible lessons]. The greedy are blinded to the fact that refusing to care for others less fortunate ultimately leads to their own collapse. The underlying truth may be that these tightfisted characters are not so much concerned about accumulating wealth as widening the gap. Yes, they delight in seeing the difference. Class consciousness means more to them than money in the bank. Thus, the motive is more of a power struggle. Remember the kid down the block who showed off his expensive toy the day after Christmas? It wasn't the toy; it was the joy in knowing he had more than others could ever hope to imagine. The political muscle of the rich is more powerful than ever. They want to rid the country of any safety-net, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and any other social program. It's all "socialism" or "communism" to them, enemies of the state. They hide their greed behind such noble causes as "individualism" and "local control," but all the while their ultimate aim is the same. So, they buy off religious organizations and congressmen, hire the best lobbyists, and manipulate enough voters to change laws for their benefit. Their aim? To further concentrate the wealth in their hands and leave the rest of the country destitute if need be. The result? Another 1929. They never learn. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan measures the nation's economic health on whether average Americans' incomes rise. He calls this "inflation," a bad omen. (Note: If upper- class incomes rise, it has no impact on Greenspan's projections, just the average Joe's. "Inflation" only applies to the rise of middle-class incomes.) The drive to privatize the Postal Service comes from the same faction. Charles Dickens in "A Christmas Carol" tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge with his blasts of "Bah! Humbug" at every turn. He hoards coal to heat himself yet is stingy with others freezing in the same building. Scrooge leaves the door open enough to not let the heat out but that he might keep his eye upon his clerk. Scrooge is warmed by his well-built fire while his clerk's consists of one lump of coal. The boss counts his Christmas bonus and booty as he casts a distrusting glance at his workers shivering from cold. All important in thought is his own welfare. You know the rest of the story. Scrooge finds redemption after experiencing ghostly visions. The lessons are timeless. CHOICE VACATION BIDDING PERIOD December 6 - 29 Submit your 3971s for choice vacation periods when your designated day comes up. Choice leave bidding schedules are posted on all bulletin boards. For those with more than 2 weeks vacation leave, the additional week may be submitted after January 10 during the 2nd round of scheduling. Additional one- day incidental leave may be applied for on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 on seniority basis. INJURED ON THE JOB? If you are injured on the job, you first need to talk with your union steward or our Local's OWCP Counselor, Carolyn Kent. Suffering injury is an unpleasant experience in itself, but to face government forms makes it overwhelming without proper guidance and information. The redtape, regulations and officially-sanctioned skepticism with OWCP are horrendous. To begin with, You must know the difference between "traumatic injury" and "occupational disease." A "traumatic injury" is a sudden occurrence, not just pain brought on by days/months/years of repetitive motion; whereas, an "occupational disease" is one that has developed over a period of time. If your supervisor hands you a packet and states you need to fill out everything, don't believe them. If you are injured on the job, you only need to initially fill out a CA-1 or CA-2, and you only need to fill out your portion of these forms. All the other material they hand you is not required to be completed. If you receive a letter from the Department of Labor, Office of Workman's Compensation (OWCP), you need to respond to the letter. The union and USPS will not do your claim for you. You need to respond to the best of your ability. It is a privilege to welcome CAROLYN KENT as our newly appointed OWCP Representative / Counselor. Please make appointment to see her if you have questions concerning OWCP/COP. She is well-read and experienced on the subject. REVIEW OF THE YEAR We've come a long way, baby! Just think of all that's been accomplished this year: the lawsuit hurdle, the legal defense fund, national stepping in, the office, the computer, the desk, the file cabinets and organization, steward training lunches, the Labor Law Symposium, the national union president visits Fayetteville, the CDs, the new resources & books, the arbitrations, the networking with state & national leaders, the fantastic website, the impressive newsletters and cartoons, the LMOU negotiations, impasse, win and signing, and on & on.... We've learned a lot; still lots more to learn. Our goal this year is to concentrate on basics: attention to enforcing the Contract and job bidding/creation. Education is still our prime focus. We will hold quarterly training sessions for stewards and a Labor Law Symposium [that was very effective and inexpensive in 1999]. We will limit the number going to conventions to conserve money. This doesn't mean we will not attend conventions that benefit the Local; just that we will send limited number. We will continue to work hard for the members and the strength of the union. Thank you for allowing us to serve. As I said before, it takes WORK to get things accomplished — no matter what organization, church or associaton to which one belongs. Our officers, stewards and alternates are there to get the job done, and done with a touch of class. WISHING ALL SEASONS BEST I hope we all experience the true joy of Christmas -- sharing and caring for one another and those less fortunate. May God's blessing be with you and your loved ones. In Solidarity, Loren Adams