First, let me express my respect and appreciation for your patience throughout our current struggle.  I would like to consider this a sign of confidence in what we are hoping to accomplish.  To say the least, this has been a difficult time for you and, again, you have my respect.

It would seem that this is a good opportunity to explain some of what you are seeing.

We have been conducting our talks with the company as negotiations.  In a negotiation process, both sides generally keep the talks somewhat confidential until an agreement or an impasse is reached.  This permits a very frank and open exchange between the parties.  To say the least, we have that; although, obviously, we do not have an agreement.

To be very honest, we have also had what can be described as some security breaches on our side.  This is extremely disappointing as it disserves you.  Regardless, we have had to deal with that reality.  And it has forced us to be guarded in what we say.  But based on what occurred today, it might be time to say a few things.

So, you're wondering exactly what they want from you.  So am I.  I'm not sure they know what they want from themselves, from each other. 

I knew a financials guy at Verizon who told me something profound:  Ultimately, all economics are micro-economics.  What this means is what happens on Wall St. is ultimately governed by what happens on North Church, on Indian Springs, on Satmar, on Laroe.  You get the picture.  Sometimes feels like  you're the only one who does, doesn't it?

I have NEVER encountered a technician here who expressed a "screw the customer" attitude.  You know how integral the success of this company is to you and your family.  I assure you we have clearly communicated to the company our desire to work with them to this end.  Thus far, the  response we have received is what it is.

A portion of what we have been talking to the company about became "public" today.  There may well be more.  We know your value.  We know the value of the service you provide.  We will continue to advocate, and where necessary, litigate your rights under the collective bargaining agreement to continue to provide this service to our customers.

Once again:

Thank you for your confidence.  Thank you for your patience.  The importance of your job is irretrievably linked to the importance of the job of the person sitting next to you.        

We want to thank all our fellow 503 members for coming to the last union meeting. 

Also, we would also like to express our appreciation to the membership for showing their solidarity to your fellow Frontier unionized employees by wearing red on March, 26.

Your questions and viewpoints clearly expressed your concern and involvement in the current set of proposals from the company.  It was gratifying to see the clear sense of “we” in the ideas expressed; that “we” are confronted, that “we” will protect each other.

It is obvious that the furlough proposal has raised many questions.  Some new ones were heard at the meeting.  Please be assured that we are working diligently on this.  While our talks with the company remain in the status of a negotiation, information may be slow to surface.  For now, this permits us to more productively exchange positions and ideas with the company.  We know this can be tough on all of you.  If and when an agreement, impasse or whatever occurs, be assured you will know.

Thank you for your support and your patience.

I wish to share with you a tale of great personal distress to me.  This is not about the economic downturn, the Giants first loss, the Middle East or any other such trifle.

In the next day or so I will be confronted with attempting to fulfill my duties of office without the assistance of the Vice Chairperson.  I fear that soon you will all find out exactly how much she does in this operation. 

Lisa and Julio will very soon give birth to their first child.  I'm sure that many or most of us have known the absolute perfection of that moment.  Honestly, I tried to tell her about the other stuff too, but she wouldn't listen.

Anyway, I'm sure you all join me in wishing the Garcia's all the best.  I personally feel confident that young Vi will in due time develop much of the fire that comes with Mom.

God speed to all.

Just a reminder that nominations will be held Thursday May 15th, 2008.  You MUST be present or have a written letter to accept a nomination.  This meeting will be at the MW Middleschool.  For questions concerning this process, please contact any current officers or the union hall. 

Due to some website updates old Columns can be read by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

Please visit  the NEWS column the situation regarding the Vice Chairman position is referenced.

In recent weeks I have had a number of conversations with Vice Chair Brian Grant. Throughout his absence he has remained committed to service to the membership, interested in developing situations. He has numerous times been a very helpful source of information and help on various issues as much as his absence permits.

Brian has related to me that his current treatment and recovery may well extend throughout the remainder of his term. In a clear expression of concern for providing the best possible service to the membership, he has decided to resign his position and allow another member to fill in for the next few months.

Brian will remain one of our most experienced shop stewards and a most valued member of the safety committee.

I wish to say, personally, that I greatly appreciate this gesture to the membership and look forward to Brian’s future contributions. I’m sure we all wish Brian a speedy and complete recovery.

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Message from John Schreiner (Chairperson 503.1)  11/2/07:

We would like to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Mark Lawrence who passed away this week after a courageous struggle against cancer.

There is a Native American adage that proposes that the tribe’s greatness is measured by the fierceness of its opponents. I did not know Mark as well as many of you, but in my few dealings with him I found him to be just such an opponent. What I have heard from many of the members confirms this. His staunch advocacy of his positions has made us better defenders of ours.

We wish his family peace as they continue through what must be a very trying time in all of their lives.

If things seem a little bizarre to you on the company’s side recently, I agree. Actually I would say: You don’t know the half of it.

The steward body and executive committee have shown a great willingness to get involved in serving the membership and I greatly appreciate this. I have grown to count on them a great deal and have seen some impressive work recently. Please don’t hesitate to come to them with your concerns as I have seen that they do not hesitate to pass them along.

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If things seem a little erratic in our operations in the next week or so, it’s because they probably will be. This is because I will be attempting to function without our Recorder.

Lisa DeStefano is getting married this Friday, October 19.  I’m sure many of you will join me in wishing Lisa and Julio a great wedding day, a fine week in Puerto Rico, and much happiness thereafter.

We continue to receive a long list of excuses from the company regarding their failure to provide payments negotiated in the current contract.

I would like to remind all of you that you received less than desirable pay increases as well as a significant increase in your benefit premiums in this contract. We were all remained of how much of this would be offset by the bonus payment.

These payments are required to be made twice a year. We are almost in November. The contract has been ratified for six months. You have received NOTHING.

We are told that there have been administrative problems with processing these payments. I have noticed there were no delays in rolling out their latest TTL plan, or their latest “How are we doin’?” survey.

The company expects you to function daily under the collective bargaining agreement.

We expect them to do the same.

The collective bargaining agreement is just that: an agreement between the parties.

We expect the company to hold up their end.

Keep in touch with your stewards for further developments.