6-PACK APWU CONFERENCE

Irving, Texas

January 23-25, 2000

What was most notable to me about the 6-Pack APWU Conference in Irving, 
Texas, January 23-25, was the phenomenal attendance, reported to be 549, up 
200 or so from two years ago.  Why are so many attending?

There is dramatic change coming to the Postal Service and I believe workers 
are feeling the impact.  Thus, union leaders feel increasingly compelled to 
meet with others in order to gain training to cope with the challenge.  One 
of the symptoms of change is a growing hostile environment within the service 
identified by increased violations of the Contract, blatant disregard of 
labor laws, and other insensitive acts by management.  The many troubled post 
offices around the country attest to the fact that more union activity is in 
demand.  Stewards and officers gather to share information, take training 
courses to sharpen their skills, learn new technology, and get advice from 
seasoned leaders how to deal with specific situations.

The Irving conference demonstrated, above all else, the yearning on the part 
of a growing number of union leaders for practical solutions to growing 
problems.  They don't just want to know the history and the "why-nots" of 
union activism, but they want to know the tools that can be used to restrain 
abuse by management and they want to know how they can practically meet the 
needs of their co-workers.  And they want to know some answers NOW!  ..... 
not at some far-off distant date when they've long retired from the Post 
Office.  The "problematic" post offices are becoming more numerous at an 
alarming rate.  This must be put in check or we will face more tragedies in 
the future.  Management may say this is just exaggeration or simply 
imagination of such conditions, but facts are facts.  The true stories I 
heard at Dallas are frightening.

Some may pass it off by saying, "Well, it's bad everywhere, so why are you 
raising flags about your situation?"  I say to them, if you don't believe 
there are answers to anything, then surely there are no remedies.  So, what's 
the purpose for you assuming the union leadership role if you don't believe 
there's an answer?  I sensed at the Dallas meeting among the unexpectedly 
large crowd that union leaders are longing for practical solutions to real 
problems, not excuses or pacifying.  They want to acquire the necessary 
skills and training to combat wrong-doing in high places targeted at their people.

This era of change is not the time for disunity, as is witnessed in several 
large locals over the country.  This is the time to fully unite.  How?  By 
supporting the weathered leaders who have laid their careers on the line for 
others and have a track record of caring combined with wisdom.  Great nations 
are only built with continuity of sound leadership; and so are strong unions.

To me, one of the most informative classes at 6-Pack was PARLIAMENTARY 
PROCEDURE, taught by Joyce Robinson from headquarters.  Reason?  She was both 
enlightening and entertaining, necessary ingredients to comprehensive 
education.  The other classes (COMPUTERIZATION IN THE APWU AND PPA) were good too.

Thank you to the Arkansas APWU for sending me.  I hope to share the 
information gained from the meeting with others here locally and state-wide.

Loren Adams
Fayetteville