THE BURNING EMBER 33

EMPLOYEE ALERT
FMLA IS ABUSING YOUR RIGHTS

Well it is happening, the Portland District FMLA coordinator office is running amok. It was to be expected though, given the recent changes in the FMLA rules put in place by the Bush administration; the Portland FMLA Coordinator, also known as Lori the Bus is however is taking things past the limit. Before we get into what is going on a brief explanation is in order. As with most things in management the Bus is a much better discombobulating the FMLA office than she is at coordinating. She acts more like a bus—running over employees with no regard for their rights.

Now, the intent of the Family Medical Leave Act is to protect people from losing their jobs when they need to take time off from work for pregnancy, birth, adoption, or placement of a foster child. It can also be used to protect people’s jobs when time off is needed because of a person's own or their dependent's serious or chronic health conditions. Congress recognized that people needed this protection and passed the original law in 1993.

Under Federal law, and the USPS is covered by that law, an employee can ask that an absence be protected by FMLA. There are certain things an employee must do to qualify; the employee must have been employed by the same employer for one year; the employee must have worked 1250 hours for the same employer in the twelve months preceding the request for FML. Be aware that there are some restrictions on what hours count, for the most part actual work and overtime hours will count toward the total, whereas most leave hours do not count--LWOP never counts. Typically it is not hard for most employees to get the hours to qualify, in a normal year a full time employee works about 2080 hours--more than enough even with time off for vacation and sick leave. The law also limits the amount of protected leave you get in one year.

An employee is entitled to twelve weeks of FMLA protection a year. This protection covers parents when they are absent from work to have or adopt a child. It helps people when they have a serious illness or injury or when they miss work due to diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. It protects people who have to care for their sick children or aging parents. That is the intent of the FMLA—to provide some job protection for families. The Postal Service seems to have taken another approach, that of making it difficult for employees to get FMLA protection by looking for any reason to deny employee requests. Lori the Bus has taken that approach one step further.

The Bus, takes advantage of employees' trust and lack of knowledge of FMLA rules. The Bus looks for any reason, right or wrong that she can use, to deny FMLA protection. The Bus tells employees they have to provide FMLA Certification within 15 days and if they do not she denies the FMLA protection. She asks employees to provide information about their condition, such as diagnosis, that they do not have to divulge, violating employees’ privacy. If an employee fails to provide that information then she denies the FMLA protection. Worst of all, in what has to be the most boneheaded decision ever the Bus holds onto FML requests if she thinks they will be approved and focuses on disapproving those she can. This creates more problems for employees.

What happens then is that employees who should have their time off protected end up having to fight to get their requests approved. Employees have to deal with their supervisors, who get little if any useful information from the FMLA office. This is causing a lot of confusion among employees with many just giving up and then end up being targeted for discipline due to unscheduled absences that rightfully should have been protected. Understand, that you cannot trust the FMLA office or your supervisor to give you the correct information regarding your FMLA rights--neither want to help you and most supervisors just do not know the law and the rules. To summarize, they are not your friends.

Well with all of that said there are some simple things that employees can do to avoid getting sideswiped by the Bus. You must be proactive; you must fulfill your part of the issue in order to get FMLA protection. There are a few simple steps to follow.

First, get in touch with your shop steward right from the start; do not wait until you receive a denial letter from the uncoordinated FMLA office. Second, be sure to get your forms into the FMLA office on time and if you need more time make a request on the phone and follow up in writing. Third, when sending documents to the FMLA office use some type of delivery confirmation, Express Mail, Delivery Confirmation, or Certified Mail with return receipt. Finally, keep copies of all papers that you send or receive from the FMLA office. You must be proactive; do not wait for the FMLA office as it is to their advantage if you fail to act. All of these steps are very important both to protect your rights and if your steward has to file a grievance.

Be assured that most of our local stewards are well-trained and experienced in FMLA rules and procedures; they deal with FMLA issues frequently Those who are not know who is and how to get in touch with those who are trained. If you want fewer problems with getting your FMLA involve your steward right at the start.

Oh, as a closing note, the current U.S. Congress is starting the process to revoke the Bush changes. You can go to www.apwu.org to get more information. I strongly suggest that you get in touch with your legislator and urge them to support this legislation. Again it is important to take action to protect your rights. Take action to protect your rights and help put the Bus back into the garage.

THE BURNING EMBER 32

LIMITED/LIGHT DUTY
DOES NOT CAUSE P.O. PROBLEMS

I have taken some time to do this post as I wanted to do some research into this issue. To start, let me state that I am appalled. I cannot believe some of the brutally insensitive and grossly ignorant comments about employees who are on limited/light duty. Maybe I expected better; maybe I expect employees at the Post Office, who all benefit from the protections of the contract, to be better informed and more aware of what their rights are under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It seems that some people just want to cast limited/light duty employees out the door. Of course these are the people who are loudest complainers when if comes any wrongs they suffer at the hands of management, including their own limited/light duty, or they are in management.

Now, I understand that there is an issue of the worthless ex-president, who is on light duty, but regardless of what he is doing, and he does have the right to request light duty, it does not justify attacks on limited/light duty employees as a group. Lumping these people together as a group is not only typical management behavior it is prejudiced and divisive--no good will come from these attacks. I do have a bit to say about this, but before I do though let me clear some things up. First, the Post Office is obligated under Article 13 of the CBA to provide limited/light duty work. There are things that an employee must do to get limited or light duty, but be it understood that it is an obligation on management to provide such work to employees who are unable to perform their jobs. Limited/light duty is a right of all employees that is protected by the contract, the law, and the Union. Second, notice the terms limited and light duty. For those who are unaware the Post Office has two different terms for injured or ill employees who are unable to perform their jobs those are limited and light duty; limited duty refers to employees who were injured or became ill on the job, light duty refers to employees who were injured or became ill off the job and who are not fully recovered or have reached the level where they will not get any better, known as maximum medical improvement. Limited duty is part of the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), which is Federal Law, which is administered by the Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP). OWCP has the final say as to if an employee is able to perform limit duty and under what the limitations. Employees who have reached maximum medical improvement, but who are unable to perform the full duties of their job can given what is called a rehab assignment. Fully recovered employees are returned to their duty assignments. Light duty is administered by the Post Office, under which there are two categories temporary and permanent. One important thing that everyone needs to keep in mind is that both limited and light duty, whether permanent or temporary must be supported by medical documentation. So if an employee is on limited duty they are seen and treated by a doctor and then the case is reviewed by OWCP to determine if it is an on the job injury and what work the employee is able to perform based upon what the doctor states are the employee limitations. Now some folks will say that some doctors will write anything for their patients. This might be true, but there are protections in the system.

If OWCP chooses to it can send the employee for a second or third opinion. The same is true for light duty, except that it is administered by the P.O. If the P.O. desires it can send the employee for a second or third opinion also. There are procedures outlined in the CBA and other manuals to make certain that only deserving employees are given limited or light duty. The system is not perfect; no system made by humans is perfect. The fact that some people might take advantage of the system does not justify broad attacks on all employees who are on limited/light duty. It is a right for all employees. Unfortunately most employees will need to be on limited/light duty at some time. So keep in mind, all of you who attack limited/light duty that when the time comes that you are injured or ill and unable to perform your job you will be protected by the same system that you are attacking now. With that clear I want to address some other comments.

Management can reassign employees on limited or light duty. Again there are rules that management has to follow. Employees can be reassigned to different shifts, facilities, and crafts in order to provide work. Problem is that management just cannot seem to get this right. So when I see comments about how we just need to get rid of all of the limited/light duty I figure that the must be coming from some moron 204b, supervisor, or manager who does not understand their obligations and just wants to find an easy way to deal with the issue. These same morons also want to blame the financial problems of the USPS on limited/light duty. What a steaming pot of poop.

Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the Bush administration, seeing an opportunity to pull in some cash to the Federal coffers and looking for an excuse to rationalize the privatization of the USPS strapped an obligation to the USPS that they did not do to any other Federal Agency. That obligation is the pre-funding of retirees health care benefits to the tune of 55 billion dollars over the next ten years. For those with math problems that is 5.5 billion dollars a year. So when the USPS says it is losing 2 billion dollars a year, you might want to thank Georgie Bush and his pals and not blame the limited/light duty employees like some brain dead supervisor or manager.

As far as limited/light duty infringing on the rights of others and such, well no person is required to do the work of two people. If you think you are and if you are taking short cuts then the only person you can blame is yourself. The CBA states that you are only required to give a fair day's work for a fair day"s pay. Keep in mind that not everyone has the same abilities. I know that I am not in a position where I can judge others work abilities so I tend not to throw the first stone.

Also, management can create duty assignments to cover limited/light duty employees and heaven forbid they could actually hire people to properly meet staffing needs. The real problem then goes back to management not doing the right thing for all employees, healthy or not. Management that does not even for the most part know or understand their own rights, rules, and obligations. Management that tries to be inventive and creative, but completely ignores their agreements and trashes employees. When we have people like Lisa Shear running the show it is no wonder that the USPS has so many problems. Look at the wonderful way she botched the past Christmas season. I wonder how many more semi trailers are still parked somewhere in Portland with Christmas Priority Mail inside and she still gets to keep her job. You folks who keep pointing at the limited/light duty need to place the blame for the Post Office's problems where it really lies; incompetent management.

In closing I have copied one of the comments from the last blog that sums up my thoughts quite well.

Lone Wolf said...

Let's see, can't make a good argument so you attack the background, knowledge, skill, experience or ability of the person. Just for the record, along with my postal service I have been self employed, worked for the private sector, oh and I still work for the private sector along with my post office job. I have not seen rampant layoffs in my field of work. I also served in the military and when I left the military I worked for two more years in the private sector before getting on at the Post Office. During that time I used my VA benefits and food stamps, that ought to stick in your craw, and went to college and earned a degree in two majors one of them being Business Administration. I continually look for other jobs and I know full well how difficult it is to find another one in the private sector, it is even more difficult in the Federal Government, especially one that pays as well as the Post Office. I hope to find one that meets my needs and wants. I have also been on light/limited duty occasionally during my time at the post office as injuries or illness required. At my private sector job they allow people to be on light duty as well, without being sent away. I have been there and done that as they saying goes, how about you?
People need help occasionally as they suffer the ups and downs of life. What is wrong with helping people through difficult times?

Your question as to who to get rid of the light duty people or the workers is such a weak argument and it clearly demonstrates a bad mind set of some people that there has to be a choice between light duty or no Post Office. Well, there doesn't. You make it sound like employees on light duty are pushing the Post Office under, that it is breaking the budget. Well here's a thought; the USPS budget is not being broken by the few employees on light duty. They are working, they are doing something. So many people buy into the management argument that the light duty employees are causing the problem that it scares me, you seem to have taken that idea hook line and sinker. By the way how much does the Post Office to pay people on light duty? Do you have some real hard figures or are you just talking out your backside? My feeling that you do not have a clue.

As far as fixing the problems at the Post Office, my experience leads me to believe that the management side of the house is far more bloated and overpaid than the craft side. EAS gets paid a lot more for doing a lot less. I say reduce the numbers of supervisors and managers. Oh, and you still sound like a supervisor.

I would also suggest that everyone take a good look at Article 13 of the CBA before you decide to attack limited/light duty employees. The next one asking for limited/light duty could be you. When it happens I strongly suggest you get hold of your steward, he or she will be able to help protect your rights and your job.

THE BURNING EMBER 31

STINSON'S STUPIDITY STILL STINKING

Though it has been weeks since he was given the boot it seems that the odor of Stinson's blunders is still hanging over the local. It is bad enough that he continued to attack the Clerk Craft throughout his stint, unfortunately it seems that he now has turned on his own craft. The lame-duck agreement signed by Stinson on his way out the door is just another typical bit of Stinson stupidity. I was provided a copy of the agreement and have shown it to others and the response has been unanimous; how could he put his name to an agreement that purports to be for 18 months, when it can be canceled by either party with 30 days notice? Which means that management is probably going to cancel the agreement, resume subcontracting, and refuse to negotiate any changes to the split days off on MVS routes. Thanks a lot Greg, you really know how to screw over your fellow employees, oh wait, they are not your fellow employees as you have not come back to work yet. I mean you failed your DOT physical and have refused the light duty offer from your friends in management. I have heard that you are currently on sick leave, hiding again, from those you screwed over while you were in office. So, the effects of your agreement with management will not affect you since you will not be driving. Well, I guess that is what MVS gets for helping put you into office. Now, your little minion Steve Clinton will have to fend for himself. No experience, no knowledge, makes me wonder how he will handle any issues for the Craft. Oh, wait, he is going to run to you for help. How just, you will have Clinton handling your grievances with your guidance, wow maybe then you can screw yourself. How poetic. Maybe it is time to look at that 204b detail.

Whatever happens it will not be long until Stinson fades into oblivion and anonymity. His stink will soon be gone and with that this blog will change its focus. For the people who follow this blog, the time has come for this writer to put some of the heat on management. We have some pretty awful people in management who deserve a bit of the heat; maybe some of the supervisors or the FMLA office who knows. There are lots of issues that need to be exposed. I would like to address issues that matter to the local and the members of the local. Some ideas would be FMLA, FECA, leave issues, and such. If anyone has any topic or question in particular please leave a comment on this blog and I will contact my sources in the local and give you the best opinion I can.

Along with that, though I have great confidence in the new local executive board, I will continue to monitor and report on issues affecting the local and will apply heat as needed. Let me know what you want to hear, otherwise I will write and post as I can. I do have some good tales to tell about some of the folks in management that will be quite entertaining.

THE BURNING EMBER 30

NEW PRESIDENT TO BE SWORN IN
TOMORROW

Well, for those of us who have been looking forward to the day when Greg Stinson would no longer be in office, tomorrow, 4 Jan 09, will be that day. The membership meeting in November, as is allowed by our local constitution, decided to move the meeting to the first Sunday in January in order to get the new administration in control of the local and to minimize any damage done by the bullfrog. Fortunately, he has not shown his face since the election. Although he has continued to demand to be paid. Amazing, no work and still getting paid, now that is a country club attitude if I have ever seen one. Some folks are wondering what he might do to retaliate against the local, there is now telling what goes on in that small mind. He might try to sue the local or the other members of the executive board which would cost the local some more money and would demonstrate his completely childish, selfish and anti-union attitude. He failed to appeal the election results within 72 hours so he has lost that issue. No matter what he will be out of office as of Sunday night. He is going to have to go back to work. Since he did management so many favors in the time he was in office, maybe he can get that job with management. Now that would be fun.

I would like to see everyone who can at the meeting tomorrow, that will be more fun.

THE BURNING EMBER 29

BULLFROG SENT PACKING

I cannot describe how excited I am. The membership has made their voice heard. They spoke and have now shown bullfrog the exit. Isn't democracy grand? I love it. I have to admit that I had some apprehension as I waited for the results. Throughout the night I had several of my sources reporting to me on the counting. Surprisingly, bullfrog came in the back door just before the ballots came downstairs to be counted. He strutted around trying to look important. One of my sources who was there to help with the counting told me early on what the results would be, and he called it quite accurately. I was a bit taken aback by his great insight, but then he told me that after the ballots were opened he helped to put the general ballots into stacks of 25 and as he did course as he did he was able to see the votes. Though he could not make an accurate count, he could see the trend. He related that it was fun to be able to see that Mr. Dunsmore and Mr. Cogan were going to win before the counting actually started. Of course he kept that to himself as he did not want to spoil the surprise for bullfrog. As time passed, the bullfrog's mood started to drop off fast as the numbers began to stack up against him. It became keenly clear very early, almost from the start, that he was not only not going to win, but that he was not even going to get enough votes to even make the race for second close. He sat down on the podium pouting while the count continued. What was funny though was when the folks counting stopped to have some dinner about eight he left without a word. My sources told me everyone just chuckled to themselves and then went back to work. Since then no one has seen or heard from him. When the final count was done the mood in the room was one of elation. Finally, after three years of this moron and his ineptitude we will be free of him. I also want to point out that it was not just a majority in all except one race, it was an overwhelming majority. The bullfrog had his head handed to him on a platter. I just cannot help but say, "Stick a fork in them there frog legs Vern, I think they're done." As much as I hope that it is so, but there are a couple of things that concern me.

The first one is that some of the lame things that Stinson has done to harm the local in general and the Clerks in particular are just coming to light. Another source sent me a copy of an agreement signed by Stinson and Shear where he had Shear agree to send all correspondence to his personal P.O. Box, not the local's address. This little paranoiac power grab has lead to the local being unable to meet time lines on grievances. This has lead to the loss of Clerk jobs at the plant. Bullfrog just had to get one more stick at the Clerk Craft. I am sure that the local will take action to prevent future problems, however we cannot get back the jobs that Stinson has lost.
I just want to ask him, "Hey Greg, you incompetent boob, did you again not think that management would not tell the local what you did? Did you think they would sit on this and keep it secret?" I am constantly in a state of amazement when it comes to Stinson's stupidity. He just keeps on lowering that bar.

Another other thing that concerns me is what damage the lame-duck bullfrog is going to do between now and the day that the new officers that control. We have seen what damage he is capable of over the past few years. Everyone needs to keep their eyes open and watch for bullfrog appearances. When he is spotted question him about what he is doing. See if he can give an sort of an answer. Then go ahead and make a comment on this blog so that others can know and act if needed. We will have to work together to keep the damage to a minimum.

The last thing I am concerned about is what stunts he is going to pull to attack the election results. I just do not believe for a minute that this buffoon is going to return to craft without stirring the poop pot and flinging poop everywhere. It is the only thing at which he has shown any ability. I can imagine that he has called National APWU. He will probably try and challenge the election results with the Dept. of Labor. Then there is the lawsuits. I am certain that now that he is not on the executive board that he will try and sue the local, the other officers, and maybe some of the members. Again, he has shown some ability in this area also.

Now I do not want to be a wet blanket, I just want everyone to keep in mind that it is not completely over yet. I expect bullfrog to croak some more, we just need to continue to keep those pudgy little legs over the fire until they are good and done and gone.

Now as to the MVS race, one question comes to mind, what the hell were those MVS members thinking? Maybe they thought Stinson could win and that would keep him out of their area. Maybe they thought that they could Clinton like a pudgy little place holder for Stinson to take over if things went bad for him. Things though are not always as simple as they seem. If Clinton resigns there will have to be a craft election. Given Stinson's less than stellar results in the general election, I am willing to bet that he will not do any better there. If Clinton does not resign, well MVS will have a Craft Director who cannot even file his own grievances--a director with no experience, no contractual knowledge, and from all appearances no ability to understand anything without having someone draw him pictures with large crayons. I am also fairly certain that there will be no official union position, like assistant craft director or steward for Stinson once he returns to craft--folks are pretty fed up with his antics and they just want him to go away. It is possible that another election could be held for the MVS Director at a membership meeting. I just hope that those thirty or so MVS folks who did not vote show up with the rest and fix this problem.

THE BURNING EMBER 28

BULLFROG STILL MAKING A STINK

Well I was hoping that it was pretty much over; that bullfrog had made his last croak and was now safely in hiding waiting for the vote. I found out otherwise the other day, as I will explain. I was walking out to pick up my mail the other day and noticed a very strong stench in the neighborhood. At first I thought one of my neighbors was putting some compost or manure on their garden but as I approached the mailbox the smell became stronger and stronger and it had a familiar stink to it--something I had smelled before. As I could not figure out what could be making this horrible obnoxious odor, I began to walk faster so as to get the mail and return to my house as quickly as possible so as to get away from obnoxious smell. As I opened the door to my box the smell became stronger, almost nauseating so I quickly reached in and grabbed the mail, locked the box, and started back to my house hoping to get away from whatever was causing the stink. I noticed, however, that the smell was still close at hand, even surrounding me. I looked down at the mail in my hand to make sure that one of the neighborhood delinquents had not poop bombed my mailbox. As I sorted through the bills, ads, and magazines I found the source of the stench that was worse than a poop bomb; a letter with bullfrog's home address in the upper left corner. It had the same stink only a little stronger than usual. I was curious as to what he had sent me, could he possibly have discovered my identity and sent me a poop bomb to get even. I cut open the envelope and was almost immediately overcome with the stench. There inside were four pieces of paper; propaganda from bullfrog and his fringe group supporters. As I took the papers out I began to wonder what it was that he had put in there that had such a putrid, rotten odor and there it was; his typical regurgitated made up "facts." Well as I am always interested in what my opponents have to say I held my nose and started to read, hoping that I would find new information or maybe some explanation for his actions. I was disappointed though, as it was just the same old made up "facts" that bullfrog has put out for the last three years.

A quick reading of what the bullfrog wrote shows pretty much the same line he has taken for the last three years—he attacks the rest of the local Executive Board and states nothing of what he is doing to support the members. It is just amazing that he continues to following the same ideas that have produced nothing but upset and problems for the local. Things that have directed the anger of the members towards him. One has to wonder why he does it, if he is so fired up to go after management why does he not that, instead of going after stewards and local officers. He claims that he works at least forty hours a week; however he has not been seen at the office for almost a month, this time. He claims to be 100% committed, yet he only attended 5 of the 33 constitutionally required meetings this year. I cannot figure out how that is being committed, maybe he can explain. He claims he is available 24/7, however, one of my sources told me that he tried to call and e-mail Stinson over the last few days and he received no response at all. I have heard this from many other members, stewards, and officers. I guess he must mean that he is available to his group of 24 supporters for 7 minutes a day. As for the web site he spawned, what another poorly put together crock of steaming horse dung that is. You can only access the site if he gives you permission, like some elitist “Country Club” might do. What is fun though, is that without his knowing, several of the members have obtained access to his site and have shown me what is on his site; sure enough a lot of manure, the dog pound and the fire hydrant award to name a couple. Both of which are aimed at Union members, not management. He continues with his attacks on other members of the Executive Board spewing forth a bubbling cesspool of lies, misleading statements, and vague innuendos. He states that this is what our dues can buy. I am fairly well certain that myself and many other members would not want our dues paying for bullfrog’s own personal hate site. Along with his attacking members, the other major theme I found was his continual pointing out of his own flaws which he sees in others; projecting as it is called. He constantly accuses others of doing things like misusing the local’s funds, when he himself failed to account for his use of the local’s credit card. Furthermore, he states he has the membership's best interests in mind, but when the membership directs him to do something, produce some receipts, or reimburse the local he just ignores the members stating he does not have to do what the members tell him to do. That does not sound like the supporting the members to me, it just smells like more stinking poop. I would love to go on, but you have heard it before and the reek of his propaganda is giving me a headache—just like everything else he has done to the local and its members. I wish I had done what several members did, that is when they saw the letter was from bullfrog, the refused delivery and sent it back. That is almost as good of a message as what will be sent on Monday. I am so looking forward to Monday, it is going to be such a relief when the count is finally taken and the bullfrog is sent back to whatever stinking poop pond he came from. I am glad that there will be no more of his fetid lies stinking up my mailbox anymore.

Hey, want to have some fun? The questions that have arisen over the past few months of Stinson failing to be at the office, failing to attend meetings, failing to account for charges on the local’s credit card, along with all his other failings are still waiting to be answered. I have heard that a lot of members are planning to show up for the ballot counting on Monday so that maybe they can get some answers from the bullfrog. It would be so much fun to watch the count and bullfrog trying to explain himself. It just gives me goose bumps thinking about it.

Just a quick note, I have heard from two of my sources that vice-presidential candidate Randy Hammock after speaking with Joe Cogan has retracted his statement. He apologized for buying into Stinson’s lies without doing some research and offered a public retraction. Though I applaud his renunciation of his propaganda, the damage has been done and it is too late to undo what was done. Maybe there is hope for him.

THE BURNING EMBER 27

JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT !

As hard as it might be to believe we are now down to the last week of voting. I am not sure how everyone else is feeling, but the anticipation is killing me--I want this over with now. The only pleasure I have had the last few days is that the bullfrog seems to be doing a fine imitation of an ostrich or a ghost. There have been no reports of Stinson sightings. Some rumors have him sneaking into the Union office at night making copies of his little flyers, but he did not make it to the Plant for his Friday night "pass out the propaganda" event. You cannot blame him as he did not seem to have much success with the last time he was at the plant, though he did manage to give some of his stuff to one of the MDO's on Tour 1. I am not sure what that was about, maybe he does not know that she was an MDO he did not seem to know many of the people passing by. Maybe he was glad to have someone take his flyer and not question him about his absences and his failure perform his duties. I guess he hopes to get her vote or maybe campaign for him, though I am pretty sure that one she is not a member and two she would not support him even if she could. He is doing a good job of hiding though. One of my sources told me that he had sent an e-mail to bullfrog asking about what he agreed to with management about the reposting of Clerk jobs. My source told me that at least three different MDO's told him that Stinson had met with Lisa Shear about management's proposed changes to several duty assignments at the Plant. Of course bullfrog did not relay any information about those meetings to anyone else. For those who want to catch a glimpse of the bullfrog, he is planning a meeting in Labor Relations this Tuesday 2 Dec at 8:30am. It looks like he might be trying to interfere with some more Clerk grievances. It would be great if several members could meet him in the parking lot or even on the second floor. I am certain that he would enjoy answering questions about his credit card use or his absence from the office. It would be a great surprise.

The only surprise though, that I am looking forward to is the surprise on bullfrog's face when the last ballot is counted and he is sent packing. Though I am pretty sure that when he loses that he will not go quietly into the night. He will more than likely throw a whiny little fit and try to contest the election. He has probably been plotting his challenge out for some time. Maybe he already has some correspondence supporting his case and all ready to send out with his usual misspellings, misuse of capitalization, and excessive bold type, which he uses to really impress others. He reasoning for challenging is that he thinks that if the election is challenged that he gets to stay in office. Nice try, in spite of what he thinks, the election results will stand until any appeals are heard and a decision is made by the Dept. of Labor and even if the DOL decides to have the election run over the results still stand until the new election. We have been through this before.

Even if his appeal fails though, I do not believe that even that will be the end of it. I am sure he will probably try to sue the local or members of the executive board with whatever false accusations he can dream up. He has made the threat for years and he has a real talent for screwing things up. No matter what happens, and no matter how much dust he kicks up, the most important thing, is that through it all he will no longer be the local president. With that sweet thought kept close in mind, I believe I can make through the next few days.