Throwing Grandpa Under the Bus

          Would you do it?  Would you really throw Grandpa under the bus?  That is what a yes vote for the proposed contract/pension buyout is doing.  Are you going to help UPS and the IBT throw somebody’s Grandpa under the bus?

           Most of the UPS retiree’s are in fact someone’s Grandpa.  They came to work at UPS as vigorous young people and gave 30 years or more to the Brown Machine.  Most of them came to work when there was NO national UPS coverage of the US.  With the sweat of their brow and sacrifice of large measures of their lives away from their loved one’s they help create the global entity that UPS is today.  They retired expecting to live the rest of their lives in relative security as a reward for their dedicated service.

           Now it’s inconvenient for UPS to remember them any longer.  They have become a liability.  UPS is going to throw some chips on the table and walk away from its’ people.  UPS is going to leave the balance of Grandpa’s life to a group, Central States and the Teamsters, which has twice now had to be bailed out with a huge infusion of cash.  And all they need for you to do to close the deal is vote yes on the contract.

           Well, that’s not my problem you might say.  Really?  Here’s a thought for you to consider; if UPS, Teamsters and Central States will throw Grandpa under the bus what do you think they’ll do to you?  And before you shrug your shoulders and walk away from an uncomfortable topic consider this.  If you retire with a 30 and out pension you’re going to get to enjoy stability perhaps only till you’re 65.  At that point UPS GIVES YOU UP Grandpa to the dynamic money sucking duo of Central States and the Teamsters Union.  And you’ll be right where the current crop of Grandpa’s are.  SCREWED T O THE MAX!

           But I will not qualify for a 30 and out pension since I’m so young you say?  Well there’s something for everyone in the contract/buyout/screw everyone deal.  You my friend are privileged to work till your NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE OF 65.  What’s so normal about that?  Most of you in this situation will never make it to NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE!  Your knees will give out; your shoulders will quit, your back will cave in; and you’ll experience the joy of percentage penalties for not making it till NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE.

           There is truly something for every age group and special interest group in this contract/buyout.  The current retiree’s are immediately abandoned.  The 30 and out group will be shortly abandoned. The younger workers are being manipulated for their youthful denial that old age is coming to them.  Oh, and there are three other groups we haven’t mentioned yet.

           UPS avoids its’ civil liability to their retiree’s.  Central States gets and infusion of cash which will allow it avoid going into true default for a limited time.  Teamsters get to brag that they’ve saved the day and Hoffa JUNIOR gets to keep his job and retirement package.  What a deal.  You take it in the shorts and the big shots take it to the golf course to brag about what geniuses they are.

           But this allows me to retire when I’m 50 with a 30 and out package you say?  Are you sure?  What will you do for insurance till you turn 55?  Did you fail to notice that you cannot have insurance till you’re 55.  I guess that means that there is a 30 and out pension IF you’re 55.  Would you really risk everything you’ve worked for in a gamble that you or your spouse won’t have any major medical problems till you’re 55 by retiring early? 

           Have you noticed that people who will never have to live under this pension are going to vote on the rest of YOUR life?  Why should anyone who is from outside the Central States Plan be allowed to decide that this is a good move for you and your family?

KANSAS CITY UPDATE

             We continue to work with the NLRB in Kansas City towards a new and fair election.  It appears that the NLRB will add three additional charges to the five charges filed by the APWA.  We believe that we are but assured a new election.  The people of Kansas City are just as anxious as we are for the new election.

            We filed the election complaint as unfair labor practice charges to protect our people from UPS.  It is good to protect our people but by filing this way it will be at least 60 days after the NLRB rules in our favor before another election can be held.

            We continue to fight the battle for two terminated package employees in Ft. Lauderdale and Lexington through the NLRB.  We believe that we have a good chance in both places.  If you knew the circumstances surrounding these terminations we are sure that you would feel that these guys were sold out by the Teamsters.

            We have additional charges filed in Texas, NC, SC, and Iowa with the NLRB for package employees.  All of these look good as well.  We will keep you updated on all of these cases. 

It’s October 01 & YOU’VE JUST BEEN “DONE”

           When we announced we would create a single employer pension plan for UPS employees we heard it said that:
          It is not possible to exit a multi-employer pension plan.
          It is not possible to go from a multi-employer pension plan to a single employer plan.
          UPS will never pay the money necessary to leave the Central States Plan unless Hell freezes over.
          Well guess what, ice skates are being handed out in Hell today with the announcement that UPS will pay $6.1 BILLION dollars to exit a multi-employer plan and go to a single employer plan.

           When we announced that Hoffa would “SELL YOU TO UPS LIKE A SLAB OF BEEF at the supermarket” we heard people say that they could trust Hoffa to never give them up to the company.
          Well guess what, YOU’VE JUST BEEN GIVEN UP to the company.
          The only thing open to discussion when we made that statement was the amount of the selling price.  Now we know.

           Question: What do you think Hoffa had to give UPS to get $6.1 BILLION?
           Question: Do you think that whatever it was will impact Hoffa or any of his pony crowd?           Question: Do you think that the common worker will pay the price in order for Hoffa to keep his “anointed” position?
           Question: Do you think your current bargaining agent, teamsters, will have any bargaining clout now that they no longer hold the big pie pension plan? 
           Question: Do you remember those years upon years and contracts upon contracts where we were pounded with the idea that the very existence of the teamsters depended on keeping control of that pension money?

ANSWER-HOFFA’S DERRIER HAS BEEN SAVED AND YOURS HAS JUST BEEN “DONE”.  KY anyone?

FRED ZUCKERMAN AND THE SCAM

             Fred Zuckerman and his Local 89 cronies are running a scam on their own members.  The scam is that Fred is going to throw you out of his union thereby costing you your job by pulling your union card.  FRED ZUCKERMAN IS A LIAR.  While the international constitution has provisions that say that Local 89 can remove you from the union membership for activities detrimental to the international; THEY CAN NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET YOU FIRED.  If you are removed from the union it ONLY means that you will not have to pay full union dues anymore.  You will only have to pay your core charge or Beck dues.

            Fred Zuckerman is a wanna be dictator that rules on fear and intimidation.  I would bet his nickname would be Fat Freddy; of course he would have to have a faithful little minion so that he would feel important.  Wonder who that would be?  Surely none of you are fearful or afraid of Freddy.  Why is someone that is supposed to be working for you intimidating you?  Why would you take this?

            ANYONE THAT WILL SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT THAT FREDDY OR ANY UNION OFFICIAL HAS THREATENED YOUR JOB FOR ANY REASON INCLUDING APWA SUPPORT; if you will let us know WE will file NLRB charges against Freddy and Local 89.  I guarantee this WILL stop Freddy. 

            If Freddy tells you he is going to fine you for your APWA support PLEASE tell us, our attorneys will handle this matter for you at no charge of course.  Incidentally Freddy can NOT do this either.

            We have heard that Freddy is taking credit for Brad Borders losing his job.  If any of you have heard Freddy or any union official say this; if you will sign an affidavit Brad will be back to work shortly.  ANY AFFIDAVIT WE COLLECT WILL BE FILED IN THE NAME OF THE APWA AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT FREDDY OR ANY UNION OFFICIAL CAN FIND OUT WHO SIGNED THE AFFIDAVIT.  You are completely protected by the United States government.  We have filed NLRB charges against Brad’s Local and UPS for wrongful termination.  We believe that Brad has a very good chance of coming back!!!!

            If I were one of the members of Local 89 I would let Fred and his minions know that I will not be intimidated.  I would tell them in no uncertain terms that they work for me and if they want to continue to do so that they will stop their childish activities against the members.  IT IS YOUR VOTE ON ELECTION DAY THAT ALLOWS FREDDY TO DO WHAT HE DOES.  Historically Kentuckians have been a brave people that will fight injustice.  DON’T LET THIS WANNA BE DICTATOR PUSH YOU AROUND.  If I were from Lexington I would damn sure let John know what I thought of him and his brother-in-law.

            One other thing to note is that at the APWA we will sign our name to materials we print.  Notice a difference in us and them?

 

ANOTHER LOSS

           The people of Pittsburgh spoke on September 12th saying that they do not want a union.  It is certainly not the fault of the core leaders we have in Pittsburgh.  These people worked tirelessly and appear to have been misled by their co-workers.  It is this humble person’s opinion that the people of Pittsburgh would do well to follow their leadership as they are intelligent, articulate, brave leaders.

          Everyone seems to be asking: what happened?  At this time we really don’t have any explanation except for the possibility that a UPS Vice President by the name of Mike Morgan is a pathological liar.  It is true that Morgan can sale ice cubes to Eskimos but when a person is caught in a lie by a room full of people those people must act on what they’ve seen.

          We feel that it is important to note that Morgan, a Vice President of one of the largest corporations in America, was so childish that he refused to even speak to Van when introduced; much less shake his hand.  We feel sure that this didn’t trouble Van in the least but by his behavior he caused the terminal manager to act the same way.  We don’t feel it was the terminal manager’s fault as he is more than likely in fear of his job.  The bottom line here is that if you have a pathological liar for a boss and your job is at stake, what do you think the terminal manager is going to do?  As further evidence of the moral character of Mr. Morgan; the immature celebration that occurred when the company had the needed ballot to deprive their employees of a union was something to be witnessed!!  Mr. Eskew should be proud of the brainwashing job accomplished by Morgan!!!  When a grown man KISSES the terminal manager in public there is definitely a problem.

          The APWA will move on from here.  EVERYONE should thank the leaders of Pittsburgh as they did their job. We will figure where the mistakes, if any, were made on our part.   

          A note to everyone involved; the APWA had planned long before the election in Pittsburgh to be at several brown side meetings in the coming weeks.  This should be in no way construed that we are giving up on the Freight side.  The APWA has plans for the Freight side as well.  The next Freight terminal doesn’t tolerate people that have an affinity for stretching the truth very well.  Come on down Mikey!!

KANSAS CITY UNCOVERED

            The APWA is big on truth and will not tolerate lies.  Therefore we have to give the devil his due; Mike Morgan; UPS Freight Human Resource Vice President, has the charisma of the Pope himself.  If Mr. Morgan ever gets out of a job with UPS Freight he needs, in our opinion, to take up selling cars at Honest Bob’s car lot.  The man can sale ice cubes to Eskimos.  Please rest assured that UPS has one hundred more just like Mike when his creditability is beyond repair.

            We at the APWA have taken to calling Mr. Morgan, Mr. Misrepresentation because we strive to be kind to everyone.  The fact of the matter is, when a person intentionally misrepresents something that he knows not to be true he is plain and simple a liar, at least in the opinion of this North Carolina resident.  This is what occurred in Kansas City especially the last five days before the election.  Until that point we had an overwhelming lead in the poles.  Our final pole showed that we had the support that UPS eventually won by.

             All the following occurrences happened in the final five days of the campaign.  Mr. Morgan said; “your pension may be frozen if you elect the APWA.”  Look at the qualifier may.  May was used because Mr. Morgan knew that this is not true.  Mr. Morgan does not have the authority to freeze your pension nor is this legal.  When you use qualifiers such as may, could, it’s possible, maybe, etc…legally you are not lying.  Morally we are sure this is something Mr. Morgan will have to talk to his Maker about one day.

             When Mike Morgan tells you, and he will, that your pension may be frozen if you elect the APWA, stand up and ask him point blank.  Are you going to freeze my pension?  Then ask if UPS would bring one of their attorneys to the next meeting to explain the situation to you.   Mike Morgan does not have the authority to freeze your pension.  Neither UPS nor the Board of Directors of your pension fund has the authority to freeze your pension fund.

             Folks plain and simple; the ERISA laws were written to protect you from the likes of Mike Morgan and UPS Freight.  If your pension fund is ever frozen the Board of Directors of UPS Freight will have to go before a Federal Judge and explain why there is a need to freeze your pension.  Your pension can not be frozen because UPS Freight is mad and they are going to take their ball and go home.  It is not their (pension) ball. That pension belongs to you; UPS Freight merely manages it for you.  Corporations such as UPS are the very reason the ERISA laws came into being in the first place.  Remember when major corporations could steal their employees’ pension fund?   This can not happen today because of the ERISA laws.

            The second step in the fiasco here was that UPS put their people on the dock with calculators figuring what an employee would draw in retirement.  These UPS people were telling dock workers that they would receive pensions in the $4,700.00 per month range.  Again, enter misrepresentation!!!  These UPS people were adding these people’s pension, social security and 401K together to come up with this.  A dock worker and mechanic can expect a pension of somewhere around $1,400.00 a month.  This is what your pension is; period.  Social Security and whatever 401K that you have is YOURS and has nothing to do with your pension.

             A road driver can expect a pension of somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000.00 a month.  This is pension only!!  It is not right that others receive so little.  It takes all of you; city drivers, dock workers, mechanics and clerks to make this company go.  In other words it makes no difference when the road driver brings the freight in if the city drivers are not there to deliver the load to the customer.  The road drivers don’t load the delivery trucks.  If the mechanics don’t keep the road trucks running how in the world can the road drivers bring the freight in?  Clearly we do not want to reduce the pension of the road drivers but we have to bring the pensions of the remainder of the terminal up to the road driver level.

            Let’s understand what’s going on here.  UPS added the $1,400.00 a month pension a dock worker will receive to the $1,600.00 a month social security that worker will be eligible for to a supposed $1,700.00 that same worker will receive if that worker put X amount of dollars into the 401K from day one.  The $1,600.00 from social security and the $1,700.00 from a 401K, if you made the appropriate donations, are YOURS and have nothing to do with what UPS pays you in pension.  If you want to calculate this way, then the road driver would draw $7,300.00 a month in so called pension.

             The final part of the collapse in Kansas City came from ten full time dock worker jobs with no CDL requirement being added and from what we have heard from some people, the promise of forty more over the next two years.  This promise came in the form of it’s possible that we could add 40 more fulltime non CDL dock jobs.  See the two qualifiers in one sentence!  UPS has been insistent over the last year that they are going to turn all the dock jobs into part time jobs.  Do any of you think that Kansas City will get the ten additional jobs much less forty more over the next two years???  There ain’t no Santa Claus and UPS is going to make all the dock jobs part time the same way it has on the package side if you don’t stop them.

            The bottom line is you have to look around and see what’s happening to you.  You have less full time dock jobs; in some cases you have temps in these jobs.  You have more independents pulling your loads.  In many cases people are making less money today than they did 10 years ago.  You know where your pension is but know little else about it.  UPS charges you $25.00 for a copy of the pension plan document that takes an attorney to understand.  Is it possible that UPS does this to cover up something?

      It is a fact that the APWA will not lie to you even if it hurts us to tell the truth.  We beg you to come to us if UPS tells you something we said is untrue so that we can prove that we did tell you the truth.  If need be we will provide you with our attorneys, accountants, health care or pension providers to prove to you that we are telling the truth.  We will never get upset with you for asking us to prove what we say is true!!

            Please don’t fall into the pit that Kansas City did; they fell for the lies Mr. Misrepresentation told.  Some of the other examples were:

the Teamsters will be on the ballot

no one that was hired after December will be eligible to vote

we have no support anywhere except Kansas City and especially not in Gaffney

the APWA will negotiate a contract that will pay you less money than you make today and there is nothing that you can do about it. 

All of these are bald face unmitigated lies and we think Mike Morgan knew they were when he told them!!!

Gaffney, SC UPS Freight

          After the backstabbing we received at the hands of Morgan’s Raiders in Kansas City the interest in Gaffney has waned.  Apparently the Gaffney people are not interested in fighting the company and the teamsters. 

         Recently we called over 100 people who had signed authorization cards and asked that they attend a meeting to prepare for the coming election scheduled for their facility.  We had 3 people to show up.  So we called again and had absolutely no one show up. 

           We have chosen to accept this lack of interest as the expression of the people’s choice in Gaffney.  We will not proceed with the election at that facility.  We have notified the NLRB of our decision and the election is cancelled.

          We wish the people of Gaffney well and hope that at some point in the future they will reconsider.  Since we never did conduct an election at that facility there is no cooling off period applicable under NLRB law.  We could start the process of collecting authorization cards all over at any point; as could the teamsters.  At last count teamsters had been “guarding” the gate at Gaffney almost around the clock for some 35 days.  It will be what it will be.  People do have choices and we are just one of those available.