An Open Letter to Our Friends at UPSF

    In July 2004, legal groundwork was laid to create the Association of Parcel Workers of America (APWA).  At that time we had absolutely no idea that Overnite would ever become a part of UPS.  Now that you are a UPS employee, the APWA has had to decide whether or not to include UPSF employees in the APWA’s plans for a brighter future. 

    We formed the APWA as a mechanism which would allow us to severe our relationship with the Teamsters Union.  As you are probably aware, the Teamsters are now coming after you in their effort to organize UPSF.  Based on our experience over the last 35 years, we don’t think it’s wise for anyone to be a Teamster.  For this reason, we think it’s the right thing to do to include you in the APWA’s plans; otherwise, you might suffer the tragedy of having the Teamsters thrust upon you just like we’ve had. 

    We have watched you folks at UPSF resist organizing efforts over the years and respect your desire to remain independent.  However, all of the changes being forced upon you in the past years are probably not what you wanted out of life. Should YOU DECIDE that joining our union is best for you or will simply allow you to avoid becoming a Teamster, then the APWA welcomes you.   

    The APWA is an alternative to the people who are currently pursuing you.  There is a great difference between them and us.  It would be an honor to represent you good people.  We will not actively pursue or hound you.  We believe that if you want to be a part of the APWA, you will come to us of your own free will.  We will be happy to come to hold meetings with you IF asked.   

    We have the entire legal and pension infrastructure in place TODAY.  We have the formula to make a positive impact on your life.  There is, however, one important ingredient missing from the formula and that is strong input and participation by UPSF employees in the APWA.  Only through your leadership, input and cooperation with other members of the APWA team can we be successful at UPSF.  Once this element is added, there is no reason under the sun that the APWA cannot have a positive effect on you and the life of your family.  

    All we need is your decision that you would rather be a member of a UPS-ONLY union than the Teamsters that has shown you “up close and personal” over the years that Teamsters and trouble go hand-in-hand.  There’s an old saying - fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me.  Think about this for a minute so far as the Teamsters are concerned.   

    If you decide that a UPS-ONLY union is what you want, there are four actions that need to be taken:

    First: educate yourself and fellow co-workers on who or what the APWA is about. Visit our website at www.theapwa.com to learn more about our organization;

    Second, discuss among your co-workers the impact that the APWA-led union will have on your workplace versus a Teamsters-led union. 

    Third, contribute to our campaign.  As we move this campaign forward, we will encounter expenses (legal, traveling, etc.) which are necessary to achieve our goals.  On our web-page you will find a donations page where you can contribute via credit card payment or by conventional check.

    Fourth and most importantly, you will need to show your interest in the APWA by signing an authorization card which you may print off of our website or get one from a fellow-UPSF employee at your worksite. These signed cards must be placed in the hands of APWA officials. The mailing address is on the authorization card itself, or you may give it to a fellow employee at your worksite who knows how to get the card to APWA officials.   

    With a substantial amount of cards in favor of the APWA, it is our hope that UPS will declare the APWA as the recognized bargaining agent at your location.  However, rest assured, if voluntary recognition is not forthcoming an NLRB election will be requested and vigorously pursued until we prevail.

 If this is an option you wish to pursue, you are going to have to work for it.  But we will be there for you each and every step of the way.  YOU are going to have to spread the information throughout your organization.  Your co-workers will listen to you better than us.  You know and trust each other.  You will come to trust us as we work together.  We will not disappoint you. 

You can contact us by using the contact page on the website to send us an e-mail; you are also welcome to call us.  Van Skillman can be reached at 704.252.3951, Danny Eason can be reached at 919.210.9500.  LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES - WHAT WILL YOUR CHOICE BE?