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.

THE BURNING EMBER 26

WHERE OR WHERE DID

BULLFROG GO?

In what has to be the most brilliant example of 110% dedication with 24/7 availability and working 40 hour weeks Greg Stinson has disappeared. He has not been seen at the office all week, nor has he been in contact with anyone who matters during that time. Just to refresh the memory he has also did not show to the Executive Board meeting over a week ago. This has to be some super secret campaign technique since no one can figure it out. Someone please help me understand his secret plan. Maybe he is just pouting after Evelyn Dalton made a mailing with one of his opponents Ken Piper. Who knows? Along that line be sure to read Burning Ember 22 and the comments on Burning Ember 25. These really shed some light on the lack of experience and dedication on these two candidates.

Something else to be considered, the business of the local has been kept running in bullfrog's absence, like it has for the last three years by the other members of the executive board and the local's office staff. Which clearly shows that we need to keep these people.

Please vote.

I cannot explain the sheer joy I felt when I marked my ballot, knowing that the local's nightmare will soon be over.

THE BURNING EMBER 25

BULLFROG STINSON

DISHES OUT MORE

UNEXPLAINED PROPAGANDA

The election is just around the corner and the propaganda is starting to flow. I just received a copy of Sinson's little flyer and it is just amazing how many unsubstantiated "facts" the bullfrog is slinging around. Aside from the misspellings, poor grammar, and improper word usage which though distracting, have become Stinson hallmarks, he throws out a lot of stuff that just seems to be him projecting. For those who do not know what projecting is it is when a person assigns or credits their feelings or weaknesses to another person--something that Stinson does regularly. For example, in the flyers that I received, Stinson makes reference to "the Country Club Executive Board." The problem is that the term is so undefined that no one knows what the heck is he writing about. He uses this inflammatory language in an attempt to defame the other members of the executive board, yet he fails to define or support his contention or even provide the smallest of examples to support it. Some questions do come to mind though that demand answers from him.

For example, is he speaking of the current executive board? Since he is on the executive board does he include himself? How is it that the executive board is a "Country Club?" What do they do that makes him think so? Just so you know, he is a member of the executive board and the only one who makes purchases with the union issued credit card and refuses to account for his purchases, things like extra airline tickets to Las Vegas. He is the one who was investigated by the Department of Labor for misuse of the union credit card at the National Convention in Philadelphia. He is the one who gets paid to be at meetings and fails to attend. At last count, he has only attended 5 of the 28 meetings so far this year. He is the one that sends letters to management that harm the local. He is the one who pulls grievances, sells out stewards, and makes backroom deals with management for his own benefit. He is the one who is being paid to do a job, however, according to my sources, he failed to even show up at the office all day last Thursday or Friday or explain what Union related business he might be on, though he might have been on union business, if you count campaigning for local office as such. These actions all seem to demonstrate a "Country Club" attitude more than anything else, yet he wants to project his "Country Club" attitude and behavior onto the other members of the executive board.

However, let me point out that eight of the ten executive board members work full time at the Post Office and have to give up time from work and families to perform their union duties. Someone needs to explain to me how giving up overtime, vacation time, and family time constitutes a "Country Club." Stinson needs to stop projecting his faults onto others. Stinson needs to answer and be held accountable for his actions, a real man would.

Some members are going to question him at membership meeting to get answers. It should prove to be an interesting meeting. You should be there to get answers as well--and then when you receive your ballot you should hold him accountable for his actions and send him away.

THE BURNING EMBER 24

ATTENTION APWU MEMBERS

BULLFROG FAILS TO FULFILL

CAMPAIGN PROMISE

Well the ballots are not even in the mail and Greg Stinson has already failed to meet one of his promises, that of being available 24/7 for members and that he would give 110%. I have just heard from my sources that again the bullfrog failed to perform his constitutional duties, that being attendance at the November 2008 Executive Board meeting. Of course he failed to answer his phone and that does not seem to being available 24/7 to me. So, again he gets his pay and does not perform his duties and continues to make empty promises. It is going to be fun watching him sweat and twist in the wind as he tries to explain this at the General Membership meeting, along with the questions that have gone unanswered for the past several months. It promises to be one hot meeting. There are some very angry members who have been waiting for Stinson, who purports himself to be "available 24/7," to answer some questions, such as why he still not has not reimbursed the local for the extra airline ticket to Las Vegas that he charged to the local's credit card without authorization by the membership and of course there are the other unexplained charges. It is amazing that he thinks that the members of the local are so naive as to believe his empty promises--promises that have no substance and meaning just a lot of hot air.

THE BURNING EMBER 23

ATTENTION APWU MEMBERS

AS PROMISED

THE TOP TEN REASONS

NOT TO VOTE FOR GREG STINSON

Ballots will soon be out. I already listed out those whom I endorsed for office. Bullfrog's misdoings have been numerous and therefore had to be summarized and listed. It is my opinion that in order repair the local and make it strong again we have to keep these things in mind when we vote.

1. Stinson completely ignores the will and direction of the membership.

2. Stinson refuses to be accountable for his actions to members of the local.

3. Stinson has, at the very least, misused local funds and refuses still to account for the use of those funds.

4. Stinson, either intentionally or in clumsy attempts to gain control of the local, gives tools to management to use against the local, that being letters changing long standing policy and procedure, giving management unprecedented power and say in the internal workings of the local. He is fast becoming management’s favorite tool.

5. Stinson kills grievances and enters into agreements secretly with management to the detriment of the interests and needs of the local members.

6. Stinson actively sought to have APWU National put the local under trusteeship, even to the point of begging. He admitted to doing so in several meetings. The trusteeship cost the local a lot of money. Stinson was seeking to take away the right of the local members’ to change the local constitution.

7. Stinson works mostly for his own craft, ignores maintenance craft, and attacks the clerk craft.

8. Stinson rarely shows to the union office, yet in a blatant double standard he insists that other officers be at the office on a schedule he dictates. He went after the local vice-president for allegedly not being at the office, yet he rarely makes an appearance himself.

9. Stinson continually violates the local constitution. He fails to meet even the most basic of requirements; that of attendance at the Executive Board, Executive Council, and General Membership meetings.

10. Stinson failed to meet any of his campaign promises. One in particular, he promised to “take an aggressive stance with management,” the only aggressive stance he has taken has been against union members, such as the other members of the local executive board and any member who supports them.

I have seen or have in my possession all the documents that support all of the above reasons. For further details, feel free to review the archived blogs on this site.

THE BURNING EMBER 22

ATTENTION PDX APWU MEMBERS
HERE ARE THE NOMINATIONS
AND MY RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR LOCAL OFFICES

Well the nominations are in and the ballots will soon be out. I attended the October meeting and I was surprised by some of the nominations for office. The word who came to mind as some of the names were read off. Maybe you will have the same reaction. I had to ask some of the other members who were there who some of the people were that were nominated. Several offices had only one nominee. I was pleased to see that at least four of the offices will be filled by some very good people and highly skilled members. These four also bring a wealth of experience. The contested offices also have some very good people running. I have made my choices and I am going to work hard to make sure they get elected in spite of the dirty tricks that the Stinson is already trying. It is going to be a tough campaign. Below is a list the offices and folks who are in the running. My personal endorsements for them follow. As far as the offices of president and vice president are concerned, it looks as though "Send in the Marines" should be the slogan, and they are a couple of tough, butt-kicking Marines when it comes to dealing with management.

UNCONTESTED OFFICES:

MAINTENANCE CRAFT DIRECTOR--Mike Jolly

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION--Kevin Fraser.

DIRECTOR OF ASSOCIATE OFFICES--Anna Smith.

CLERK CRAFT DIRECTOR--Bill Martin.

CONTESTED OFFICES:

PRESIDENT

--Brian Dunsmore

--Ken Piper

--Greg Stinson

VICE PRESIDENT

--Joe Cogan

--Diane Randall

--Randy Hammock

SECRETARY-TREASURER

--Debbie Battle

--Evelyn Dalton

DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION

--Patty Olson

--Deborah Morton-Hamlet

EDITOR OF THE POKER

--David Baldwin

--Louis Deoca

MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES

--Ralph McEvers

--Steve Clinton

My recommendations: (In bold type)

PRESIDENT

Brian Dunsmore is the only choice. He has demonstrated time and again all of the qualities needed by a local president. He has stepped in as president repeatedly over the last three years. He brings a wealth of knowledge of the contract, union, and issues affecting the members of the local. He has demonstrated the skill needed to deal with the issues. He puts in the time needed to give the members the best representation possible. He does his best to make certain that the stewards are supported. He has also been instrumental in seeing the local through the problems brought on it by Stinson. Making any other choice for this office will mean a continuation of the problems that have plagued the local and its members.

As far as Ken Piper is concerned, to me he has not demonstrated the dedication that is needed by the president of the local. He rarely attends meetings and rarely participates in union activities. His only motivation for running is that he does not like the other candidates. He has sat on the sidelines for the last few years and only recently even started handling a few grievances. In my opinion, he lacks in knowledge and experience as well. Furthermore, I question his dedication to the union's causes in general as he shops and supports places like Wal-Mart which abuse their employees and actively fight against any their employees having rights. Supporting such places is decidedly anti-union and therefore Ken would not be a good choice as president.

As to Greg Stinson, there will be a blog about his abject failures during his time in office. In the meantime, read some of the previous posts on this blog to help refresh your memory. I have to laugh to hear that he even thinks he has a chance. I have even heard that he is going to challenge the election if he loses. His challenge will be on some technicality that he should already know. He is holding this like an ace up his sleeve. He thinks if he challenges the election that he will stay in office. He Greg get a clue--that ace up your sleeve is really the 2 of clubs. The Department of Labor says that any election will stand even if challenged. If the challenge is upheld, then the election stands until a new election is held. Nice try bullfrog, but it seems you cannot even get that right.

VICE PRESIDENT

Joe Cogan is the hands down choice for this office. He is the local's most experienced officer. He has the dedication, knowledge, and experience. He has negotiated several Local Memos. He has done and won numerous grievances. Has even done and won some arbitrations. He is so far ahead of the other candidates for this office in qualifications that there should be no doubt as to who should be elected.

Retiree Diane Randall, does anyone remember her and the problems she brought to the local. I have heard the horror stories and it scares me gray. I seriously question her dedication, as she has only been to three or four meetings in the last three years and then only to pursue her own interests. She did not even show up to the nominations in October. Now there is some dedication. She has not been active in union activities for quite some time and is lacking in current experience. She should not be given any consideration for office at all. If you think otherwise, ask someone who was here when she was in office, that should remove all doubt.

As far as Randy Hammock all I can say is who? No disrespect meant, only no experience, unproven dedication, and no demonstrated ability. He has also only been to one meeting, that one being the nominations.

SECRETARY-TREASURER

Debbie Battle is my choice for this office. She has proven herself and her dedication time and again. She has put in long hours, even in the face of some extreme personal adversities she continued to perform. She has made sure that the local's bills are paid and financial records are accurate and correct. She sacrifices a lot of personal time to do the job right. She is also a no doubt choice.

Evelyn Dalton is not the best choice. She has some experience and knowledge. I do question her dedication to union issues and her support Stinson in some of his blunders in the past brings her motivation into doubt.

EDITOR OF THE POKER

David Baldwin should be the only choice for this office. He has years of devoted service to the union and the local. He has fought for members rights repeatedly. He will bring great knowledge and skill to the job. He also has the experience as he currently is the editor of the Oregon Stater, the Oregon APWU's newspaper. No question here.

Louis Deoca I laughed out loud when this name was nominated. Really, I thought this was a joke. This man lacks dedication, he has only been to three meetings in the last four years. He lacks knowledge as demonstrated by the grievances that he files. He lacks skill and his only motivations are purely selfish and self-serving. Furthermore, in my opinion, he does not even have a basic grasp of the English language, as also demonstrated by his grievances. I would fear for the future of the Poker if he were elected. The Poker is read and respected by many on the national level, Louis' lack of ability would not only mean the loss of respect, but also would probably mean the end of the Poker as a means of information and connection from the local.

DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION

Patty Olson is the clear choice for this office. Along with years of experience as an officer and a steward, she has kept in touch with issues that affect the members of the local both directly and indirectly. She would be a great asset to the local in this office.

Deborah Morton-Hamlet no real experience, little knowledge, no demonstrated dedication to the union or the union's issues. I doubt she would look out for local's or the members of the local interests.

MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES CRAFT DIRECTOR

Ralph McEvers should take this vital office. He has served his craft well. He has worked hard to make sure that his craft and the local's interests are served. He has put in the time and effort to learn the job and to do it well.

Steve Clinton, no experience, no knowledge, no skill, no way. Steve continually demonstrates all of the best qualities of a minion in that all he knows or does is what Stinson tells him.


That is it. My choices for the contested offices. The people I support have demonstrated that they will serve the member's and the local's interests. They will bring the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to fix the problems of the past few years so that Stinson and problems that he has inflicted on the local will become a sad, but dim memory. Most of the other candidates are only Stinson's minions who want to take control of the local and turn it into their own personal Country Club. I strongly endorse my selections and I will do whatever I can to see that they are elected. Let's get with it. Look for the posts on my reasons not to vote for Stinson coming soon.

THE BURNING EMBER 21

ATTENTION APWU MEMBERS
YOUR LOCAL PRESIDENT BELIEVES
HE IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU

Well the report is out. An audit report from the Audit Committee of the local’s credit card usage, conducted at the request of the membership, was presented to the membership at the last local membership meeting. I received a copy of the report earlier, but I have held of on reporting until after the Audit Committee made their report and to allow any person who might have used the credit card enough time to find and provide receipts. Well, enough time has passed and it is time that the findings are brought to light. The findings should cause all members of the local great concern. There were some items charged for which there were no receipts on file. Two of the items have been accounted for and receipts have been provided. The remaining charges, which were all made by APWU Local President Greg Stinson, have not. The following is a list of the unaccounted items.

A dry erase board that was purchased and is not at the local office, two airline tickets to Las Vegas for $280.00 and $412.00 both of which are Stinson’s name, postage $18.40, Hotel in Medford, OR $162.80, Radio Shack $19.90, Indentrus/Digital Signature $70.00, Office Depot $29.97, Best Buy $74.99, and Bardy Trophy $56.40. The Local Secretary/Treasure has requested receipts from Stinson several times and he has refused to provide any. The Audit Committee provided a list of the charges to Stinson and requested receipts or payments and he has refused to answer. The Audit Committee has offered to meet with Stinson; he however has refused to respond. The Audit Committee took appropriate action to protect the assets of the local. The credit card was canceled and recommendations on how to avoid future problems were made for the members’ consideration. I found it not the least bit surprising that prior to the audit he refused to authorize lost time for the audit committee for the regular annual audit. Makes me wonder what else he is hiding. Although this petty misuse and failure to account could be seen as embezzlement, my concern though, is the same one that has been on going for the entire time that Stinson has been in office, that being his blatant defiance of the local membership—his thinking and acting as though he is above the members.

He has continually done things in his time in office, most of which have been brought to light in this blog or the General Membership meetings. Every time that the members have asked for an accounting of his actions or have made motions to direct him to do things he has refused. His continual attacks on members of the local along with his incompetence and inability to take charge are what have caused the local to not be as involved with other unions in the community and the community at large. He has been an abject failure when it comes to community involvement. His only focus has been what he can do to benefit himself personally or what grievances or issues he can become involved with that will get him the most political gain; his egocentric actions have indeed hindered the local. If not for the individual efforts on the part of some of the officers on the local executive board the local would have faded to complete anonymity during his term. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for those who have continued to work, whether stewards or officers for the local during this time.

Everyone knows it takes more courage to step forward and make the effort than it does to sit on the sidelines and complain and point out perceived failures. I see and hear a lot of whining sideline sitters. They are entitled to their opinion; my suggestion to them though is to step up. The time for change is at hand; become involved in the local whether it is the first time or a return to action. The October General Membership meeting on October 19 is the place to start. All members should attend and do two things. One is to question Stinson about his failure to be accountable to you the member and two to nominate someone for or step forward to be nominated for local office. Yes, the job is not always fun; things will not always go your way, but you cannot change anything if you are unwilling to be involved. The time is coming when Stinson and his self-serving blunders will become nothing more than a dim memory. I plan on being at the meeting if nothing else, but to get some answers from Stinson so that I can pass his answers or his failure to answer on the members. I for one will be glad when Stinson is out of office, if only to set my sights and focus on the misdoings of management. Until then I will continue to shine the light on the bullfrog’s blunders.

In the meantime, contact Stinson to see if you can get answers, or at least get him to the October meeting. He seems to be hiding a lot or maybe he is in some secret meeting with Lisa Shear. You can call him on his cell at 503-819-7298 or you can email him at

orbulldog1@verizon.net or gstin29803@aol.com

THE BURNING EMBER 20

THE AMAZING

DISAPPEARING PRESIDENT

PART 2

Well, it happened again, the bullfrog again failed to perform his required duties and show up to the all of the local meetings that he is required to attend. He has been almost a complete no show at any meetings since April. It seems as though he is trying to avoid being held accountable for his actions over the last few months. One might think that with nominations for local offices coming up next month Greg Stinson would not miss an opportunity to try and perform some political maneuvering. However, his fear of having to answer for his failures and blunders it seems is keeping him from showing his face in public. He rarely even says anything, although one my sources forwarded a copy of an e-mail that Stinson sent to several members of the local executive board implying that they were mentally ill; another personal attack instead of working together for the good of the local. I guess he senses some degree of security hiding behind his computer screen or his caller id, where he does not have to face people who are seeking answers. His fear of being held accountable keeps him in hiding. Along with this fear he seems to have great contempt for the members of the local. Let me explain. The membership is the highest governing body of the local. Stinson was directed by the membership to not come into the office a couple of mornings a week in order to allow the office secretary and the local Secretary/Treasurer time to do their work without being harassed by Stinson. Well, in recent days the bullfrog has decided he can do whatever he wants—completely disregarding the direction of the membership. My sources relayed to me that Stinson did show up at the local executive board meeting last week; the first one in months. When questioned by other members of the local executive board about his failure to abide by the directives of the members his response was that he was not going to let the membership dictate when he could come to the office. Wow again, he acts in complete defiance of the directives of the membership, though he does not have the courage to state this in front of the membership meeting. This single act alone is a far more serious than any of his other blunders. Even his messing with the stewards list, his sneaky video recording of people in his office, his underhanded agreements with management, and his failure to perform his required duties as local president all pale in comparison. By refusing to do as he was directed by the membership he is stating that he can do anything he wants as local president and can completely ignore any oversight by the members like some sort of petty dictator. Well the time to start making changes is fast approaching. The first step will be the nominations of people for local offices. The nominations will be held at the October General Membership Meeting. That meeting will also provide another opportunity to hold Stinson accountable and to get answers to questions that have arisen the last few months. One only needs to review the posts on this blog prior to the meeting in order to refresh the memory. After the nominations are made then the political campaigning will start. I am certain that the bullfrog will continue to skulk about the plant as he has done the last few weeks in a vain attempt to gather votes. Maybe he can use some of his old campaign literature; I have some copies, where he promises to go after management to protect the rights of members. Members need to keep in mind though that Stinson has failed to go after management and has instead inflicted numerous problems and blunders on the local since he has been in office.

In the meantime, join the other members at the October meeting and start supporting the good candidates the will come forward. You can also come and demand that Stinson account for his misdoings; I doubt that you will get any intelligent answers. You can call on his 503-819-7298.

You can also e-mail him at orbulldog1@verizon.net, gstin29803@aol.com.

THE BURNING EMBER 19

MEMBERS STILL SEEKING ANSWERS,
BUT NOW LOOKING FORWARD

As the September meetings draw closer, the number of members who want answers continues to increase. These people want explanations for the bullfrog's past blunders so that fixes can be made. Some members are looking into contacting the Dept. of Labor so that an investigation from that agency can be made into Stinson's failure to provide accountability for his use of the local's funds. I have heard that one of the other executive board members is looking into contacting the County D.A. to file possible charges for invasion of privacy and illegal recording of conversations being done by the bullfrog at the local office. All of this is being done in order to contain the bullfrog and minimize the damage that he has done to the local. As I have stated before, I will continue to report his blunders and failures so that members are made aware of what he does so that necessary actions, including motions at the membership meeting, can be made to keep him on a very short leash. I personally want to get to the business of reporting on management's stupidity. Along with seeking answers and making efforts at damage control, many members are now anxiously looking to the October meeting when nominations are made for local offices, knowing that that will be followed by the election, finally giving the members a chance to put the bullfrog behind them. We have already seen some names pop up for the various offices. I am pleased at the names I see coming up--I hope to hear more. It would be great if the problems of the past few months shakes the members from their collective complacency and causes more members to become active in the running of the local. The bullfrog will quickly become a faded memory, if we put good folks into office. It will take a lot of work and effort to get the word out. I would like to hear more from any candidate for any local office. If any, and I mean any candidate, wants me to put something up about them they can pass the info on to almost any steward. Most of the stewards know how to get a hold of me. So, let's get to it already.

THE BURNING EMBER 18

BULLFROG SUPPORTER
MAKES A FEEBLE CROAK

I just love the comments that pop up sometime. I do not agree with some of them, but usually, I just let them go, but one of the comments on the last post deserves a little attention. It seems that we have an individual who elected themselves to speak on behalf of the whole membership. I would be curious as to how this person came the conclusion that the whole membership is sick of the “old timers” I wonder if they did a mail in ballot or just a phone poll—whatever the case it sounds as though someone is angry that the bullfrog has failed to perform and wants to blame the rest of the local executive board for bullfrog’s failure. Fact of the matter is that for the most part all of the other members of the executive board, especially the local vice president, secretary/treasurer, and Poker editor have gone above and beyond the call in regards to making sacrifices of time and energy in the attempt to correct the bullfrog’s gross errors and to keep the local functioning. Business has been getting done and will be done in spite of the bullfrog’s bungling ways. I have continually pointed out specific things that he has done. Other members of the executive board have not called for trusteeship, other members of the executive board have not involved management in the affairs of the local, and other members of the executive board have not used the local’s funds without accountability. It amazes me how anyone could be so naïve as to assume that the problem is the rest of the executive board when all of those folks have been able to disagree on issues, yet they come together and support the cause even if it is not what they had wanted.

As far as the Greg this and Greg that, well maybe Greg and his puny cluster of supporters should look at the things that have been brought to light and come to the realization that maybe the problem is Greg. Now, I am not sure, what the commenter meant by “old timers,” but most of the executive board have not been in the positions they are in very long, maybe one term in office is an ‘old timer.’ The bullfrog however has been on the local executive board for more than five years, I wonder if that makes him an “old timer.” A closer examination of the make up of the local executive board would reveal a very divergent group of people—many different backgrounds and levels of experience and a wide range of years as stewards and officers. Yet they get the job done. However, the few people who support the bullfrog say that the rest of the executive board is the problem. Hey, wake-up and do the math. A person only needs to ask why is it that nine other people are always wrong and one person, Stinson, is always right. It makes no sense that such a diverse and experienced group of people, along with an overwhelming majority of the membership, would be wrong and Stinson would be right time and again. Let it be noted, however, that broad generalizations such as “old timers” without any specific definition is just a weak-minded way of poisoning the well and in reality makes a pretty feeble stab at those who are doing the job. Along with that, stating that we need new blood is also just another generalized pathetic argument used to attack others when a person cannot identify specific facts to support their arguments.

Now, as far as cleansing and purging the local of its mentality, again we have another generalized attack without specifics or facts; using a term like ‘mentality of the local’ is just a bombastic generality. No, definitive points are made only an indiscriminate attack on others without any supporting arguments. The beauty of such a mindless attack is that a person does not have to think of anything to support it; just toss it out there and hope the stink sticks. As far as “purges” are concerned, over the last two years Greg Stinson has been identified as the only weed in the garden, I do not believe that we have to burn down the whole garden just to get rid of one weed—selective hoeing works quite well. As a final thought, the current assortment of executive board members gets along very well, with one notorious exception, and they have done a super job keeping the local afloat in spite of Stinson's blatant attempts to scuttle it.

THE BURNING EMBER 17

BULLFROG ATTACKING YOUR PRIVACY

Here we go again. Having failed numerous times to find any misdoings with which to attack other members of the local executive board and the members of the local who oppose him, the frustrated bullfrog is trying other things. So now with all the forethought a of blundering lummox Greg Stinson is once again ineptly reaching into his bag of slimy tricks in what will prove to be another vain attempt to attack members of the local. This time though his ham-fisted actions are putting the privacy of all members of the local at stake and exposing the local to criminal and civil action. Now it is bad enough that he has taken personal information from the local office for his own use, but now he is stooping to a new low of treachery and deceit. Going back to something he tried to do before and failed at; he again has placed video and sound recording equipment in his office.

The last time he tried this charges were filed against him, however the National APWU intervened and prevented him from being properly disciplined. Now, in spite of a lack of continued support from National Officers, which was clearly demonstrated by the snubbing he received at the recent National Convention, the bullfrog has somehow become emboldened and is trying again to make video and audio recordings of members in his office.

Keeping in mind that he seems to be a very slow learner, one might ask how anyone would know that he has set up his spy gear; my sources have again been most helpful. Other than the fact that he was seen rummaging around in the vent openings, allegedly chasing a mouse, maybe it was Mickey or Minnie, the answer came from his own mouth. When a member, who was in his office, asked if he was recording her he said yes and when she asked him to turn the recording off or step outside to discuss an issue he refused. Well now there is a surprise—the bullfrog again showing no regard or respect for the members. Aside from the fact that it is against the law to electronically intercept or record a conversation without the consent of the person being recorded, this appalling action is a complete violation of the trust and privacy of the members, furthermore who knows where else in the office he has set up equipment.

A steward could be in the conference room discussing something with a member and not even know they were being recorded. They could be discussing discipline or even a serious personal medical, FMLA, or FECA issue and they end up being recorded for whomever to see. No one knows who has access to the recordings; there is no control. Members and others who come to the office have a right to expect a reasonable level of privacy; that is gone. Now, if I were to go to the local office, I will not discuss anything until I know that all covert recording equipment was removed. All members should likewise be concerned.

Maybe we need to purchase some spy gear detection equipment or interference devices and have the office swept clean. I believe we need a new president. All of this is because the bullfrog is looking for anything he can use to attack other members of the executive board and the stewards and members who oppose him. The members now need to hold him accountable. We need to show up to the September membership meeting and seek answers and direct him to remove all recording equipment. More importantly, we need to become active in the local elections this fall. We need to actively discuss the issues that have affected the local over the past years and support openly and actively the good members who will step up and will work toward strengthening the local. I have my eyes open and I am looking to see who is nominated in October. For those who wish to know I will share with you the names of those who I will be supporting.

In the meantime, join the other members at the September meeting and demand that Stinson account for his misdoings. You can call him on his cell at 503-819-7298; be aware he will probably record your conversation. You can also email him atorbulldog1@verizon.net, gstin29803@yahoo.com.

THE BURNING EMBER 16

BULLFROG TAKING THINGS AGAIN

Local President Greg Stinson is falling back on his old tricks in a vain attempt to find ways to attack the local. Given the changes that management is inflicting on employees, his time and energy should be focused on management. Instead Stinson, the bullfrog, is attacking on other members of the local. Now we know that in the past, Stinson snuck into the local Secretary/Treasurers office took documents containing member’s personal information and made copies of those documents. He then told other members that he had “evidence” of misdoings on the part of the executive board. He stated he had copies of documents in a safety deposit box and he was going to file charges with the Department of Labor. The membership directed that an audit be held and one was conducted. Stinson, in his typical spineless, cowardly fashion failed to show for the audits, failed to produce any evidence, and failed to return the personal information he had stolen from the local. Furthermore, his attempt to file charges with the Department of Labor blew up in his face. Instead of going after other members the Department of Labor turned on the bullfrog like a heat seeking missile, which he narrowly dodged by lying last fall. So you would think that after the powder burns healed he would have learned a lesson. Nope not the bullfrog, he is once again up to his juvenile skullduggery.
This last week the bullfrog was again skulking about the office and snooping in other’s desks he found a packet of papers. One of the things that were in that packet was information and checks left to take care of business while the local Secretary/Treasurer Debbie was away on vacation. Well, hallelujah, the bullfrog thought he had found the “smoking gun,” wrong again Greg. One can only guess what the bullfrog did with that file—yep he stole it. He took all of the information and checks that the local Secretary/Treasurer left, including lost time checks for the members who attended the national convention and to pay the local’s bills. He stole everything, including the new credit card number, now that is scary, which was given to the local secretary to keep the local operating for the three weeks that Debbie is going to be gone—things such as purchasing supplies and paying bills and the information needed to process checks, including her pay and benefits checks. Just so there is no misunderstanding, this is the procedure that is followed whenever the Secretary/Treasurer goes on vacation—the local secretary is given the information and resources necessary to make sure things continue to run. Stinson it seems does not know this, of course if he showed up to do the job the members want him to do he might have known. Now you might wonder how anyone knows for certain that Stinson has these papers. Well again, in his dim-witted manner he admitted to doing having the papers in e-mails to other members. The editor of the Poker, who is also the Oregon State President, Anna Smith, has repeatedly tried to get these items back from him to no avail. The local secretary, with no other recourse, has contacted the Department of Labor and her union in an attempt to get her earned pay and benefits. Stinson is once again flailing about causing the local problems in an ill thought out attempt to hold the local hostage until he gets what he wants.
Turns out, one of the things that he wants is his paycheck, I have no problem giving him his unearned salary, if it keeps him from doing more harm to the local. Of course he seems to forget he was out of town when the checks were cut. More importantly he has failed to turn in his time sheet even though Debbie and Anna have repeatedly asked him to do—more things to seek answers for at the September meeting.
You should get a hold of him and insist he return the things he took. Call him on his cell,503-819-7298, or email him at orbulldog1@verizon.net, gstin29803@yahoo

l.com.