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AFL-CIO-CLCWHITE COLLAR

O F F I C E A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L E M P L O Y E E S I N T E R N A T I O N A L U N I O N , A F L - C I O A N D C L C

No. 481 Issue 4, Winter 2002-03

ORGANIZINGF O R

CHANGE 3 88 1010OPEIUappealsAllstatedecision

LobbyistCorner

CanadianNews

Notice toEmployees1111

ITPE, OPEIU Local 4873 has won a bigorganizing victory, as workers at theNonpareil potato processing plant voted

271-115 on Wednesday, December 4 for rep-resentation by the Industrial Technical andProfessional Employees Union (ITPE),OPEIU, Local 4873, Savannah, Ga. Thereare 472 workers in the bargaining unit at theBlackfoot, Idaho plant.

The workers at Nonpareil had never hadunion representation before, and the work-ers have suffered low wages and have been“treated poorly by their employer,” accordingto ITPE Organizing Director DennisArrington. “These workers wanted a voicein the workplace, and now they have it,”Arrington said.

The organizing drive began approximate-ly two months earlier after a worker at the

Local 4873 organizes Nonpareil potato factoryFor the first time, workers have a voice on the job

plant contacted ITPE. Talks between theunion and Nonpareil employees began short-ly thereafter.

“We formed an organizing committee ofabout 50 employees,” Arrington said. “Andthere are so many responsible for this win.We have to thank the workers for contactingus and beginning this whole process. Anemployee of King B Jerky in Idaho Falls thathelped in the recent organizing win thereused that experience to help organizeNonpareil. Just as at King B, the majority ofthe employees are Hispanic, so a translatorwent to all organizing meetings. A workerrepresentative was also a guest for ten seg-ments on a local Spanish radio station wherecallers’ questions were answered about theunion and benefits of representation.”

Continued on page 5

In a historic judgment that affects OPEIUand countless other unions in the future,the National Labor Relations Board

(NLRB) ruled that OPEIU, Local 153 wascorrect in objecting to a disputed election inApril at Prudential, reports Local 153Secretary-Treasurer Richard Lanigan. A newelection is expected in the coming months.

Local 153 challenged the election resultsbecause Prudential had disallowed employeesto communicate with each other over the com-pany’s e-mail system about the election andother union activities, under the auspices of anewly instituted no solicitation/communica-tion rule. Moreover, Prudential enforced thisnew rule in a discriminatory fashion by allow-ing company supervisors and managers to com-municate with each other regarding union activ-ities and to solicit votes against OPEIU.

The NLRB ruled that Prudential’s policyof prohibiting employees from using the

company e-mail system to communicateabout union-related matters is, “overly broadand interferes with and restrains employeesin the exercise of their rights under Section7 of the [National Labor Relations Act.]”Section 7 clearly states that employees shallhave the right to self-organization, to form,join, or assist labor organizations, to bar-gain collectively through representatives oftheir own choosing, and to engage in otherconcerted activities for the purpose of col-lective bargaining. For example, the judg-ment stated that because many of thePrudential employees work from home ontheir own computers or laptops and set theirown hours, communicating about union-related matters should not interfere withPrudential’s core business.

Another tenet in the ruling examinedwhether Prudential’s anti-union practices

NLRB sustains Local 153’sobjections in Prudential case

Landmark decision calls for new election

Tragically, on Tuesday, December 31, asthe result of injuries sustained in a caraccident on Christmas Day, Secretary-

Treasurer Carol Dupuis, age 42, beloved wifeof Michel Dupuis and loving mother of 2-year-old son Alexander, passed away. She was thedearly loved daughter of Ann and LawrenceOlive, and sisters Linda and Sandra. Carolwas the cherished aunt to Vanessa and Roband will be sorely missed by many aunts,uncles, cousins, friends and thousands ofOPEIU members in Canada and the UnitedStates.

Before being elected Secretary-Treasurer,Carol held the post of Staff Representative forthe Central Ontario Council. Her career inlabor began with her employment at the Unionof National Defense Employees in 1979. Carolwas a member of OPEIU, Local 225 in Ottawa,Ontario.

Tributes to Carol Dupuis will be publishedin the next issue of White Collar.

Local 30 Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer Walter Allen, Plumbers andPipefitters Local 648 Organizer Mike Hoover, ITPE, OPEIU Local 4873 OrganizingDirector Dennis Arrington, and Plumbers Local 648 TrainingCoordinator/Organizer Michael Breed join the demonstration at Nonpareil.

Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuisdies in car accident

Continued on page 9

Carol Dupuis

2 • White Collar

In recognition of the many outstanding con-tributions of International Vice PresidentJ.B. Moss, OPEIU Local 277 has dedi-

cated in his name the boardroom at the officesof the local in Fort Worth, Texas. OPEIU’sPolitical Action Fund has also been renamedin Moss’ honor. Moss died in April 2001.

“We are here today to dedicate this meet-ing room in memory of J.B. Moss, a greatman who made a tremendous contribution tothe growth and success of Local 277, theOPEIU and the labor movement,” saidInternational President Michael Goodwin ata dedication ceremony of the J.B. MossMeeting Room on November 7, 2002.“Dedicating this room in his name appropri-ately memorializes that growth and that suc-cess,” Goodwin said.

“J.B. dedicated his life to the labor move-ment, its members, its objectives and its ide-als. It is therefore proper for us to gather heretonight to remember him, to miss him, tohonor him and to make sure that the contri-butions he made to the members of Local277 and the labor movement are never for-gotten,” Goodwin said.

“By renaming this room in the memoryof J.B. Moss, we are all saying collectivelytonight that we loved him and appreciateeverything that he did to improve the quali-ty of life for so many workers,” Goodwinsaid.

A life of serviceMoss spent his life on behalf of working

people. He began is career in military ser-vice. In 1954, J.B. entered the aviation branchof the Army as a flight crew member onrotary wing aircraft, better known as heli-copters. After military service, he was

OPEIU Local 277 recognizes contributions of J.B. MossConference room dedicated to late union leader;

political action fund renamed employed by the Convair Company workingthe second shift, while at the same time earn-ing his Bachelor of Science degree fromTexas Christian University Business School.While at Convair, he was a member of theMachinists Lodge 776, a committeeman andRecording Secretary of the union.

In early 1957, he transferred to St. Louisto work for McDonald Aircraft, maintaininghis IAM membership. Upon his return toTexas later that year, J.B. took a job at ChanceVought and became a member of UAW Local893. He returned to Convair in May 1958 –this time in a job covered by Local 277 – towork in the company’s logistical supportdepartment, also known as “spare parts.”Once again, he became active in the unionas a committeeman on the grievance com-mittee and served as Sergeant-at-Arms andChairman of the negotiating committee.

In October 1960, at the age of 25, he waselected President/Business Manager of Local277 — a position he held until 1990. From1990 until his death, Moss served as Local277 Business Manager.

“When J.B. was elected to serve Local277 at the tender age of 25, he already hadpacked a lot of living — and a lot of unionexperience — into his life, but there was alot more yet to come,” Goodwin said.

Upon his election, he immediatelyannounced his intention to move the localforward with the strong belief that soundbusiness methods could also be applied tolabor unions — providing growth andadvancement of wages and working condi-tions of union members. He reached out tothe labor movement in Tarrant County, ask-ing their help in the growth of Local 277 —and grow it did!

Moss led Local 277 to numerous orga-nizing successes highlighted by the organi-zation of American Income Life InsuranceCompany. With the bargaining unit at GeneralDynamics as its foundation, Local 277 was ina position to be a strong voice for all officeand professional employees. Over the years,many difficult negotiations took place and,in some cases, work stoppages had to bethreatened to enforce member demands.“J.B.’s knowledge of labor relations was sovast that he often outshined everyone in theroom. The employers had the greatest respectfor his knowledge and ability,” Goodwinobserved.

Moss appeared on television to debatewith company officials right-to-work laws inTexas. “Anyone who knew J.B. can easilyguess who won that debate,” Goodwin said.“There was no one in the union with a greaterability to debate issues than him.”

Moss was also a leader in the fight forlegal “agency shops” in Texas. The “agencyshop” had been considered outlawed in Texasbecause of right-to-work laws, however, Mossand other unions argued that the “agencyshop” in defense plants such as GeneralDynamics was legal because many suchplants are on federal property, citing that inthe early 1940s the state of Texas ceded suchproperty to the federal government in returnfor the plants being located in Texas, waivingall jurisdictions. General Dynamics wastherefore located on a “federal enclave” not

subject to the right-to-work laws of Texas.In fact, as a result of this exception, manyunions now enjoy the security of an “agencyshop” provision when the employer is locat-ed on a “federal enclave.”

Moss also championed cutting issues ofthe day such as the 35-hour workweek, thefour-day workweek, child care for workingparents and disability pay for workers onmaternity leave. He was hailed in 1966 fornegotiating a first-in-the-nation contract pro-vision providing childcare allowances forworking parents.

“That’s why J.B. was so important in hisrole as International Vice President,”Goodwin said. “He was a familiar figure atOPEIU conventions and I don’t think youcould find anyone who ever attended a con-vention who doesn’t remember J.B. Moss.

“As Chairman of the constitution and lawscommittee he had the ability to explain theconstitutional changes with brevity, simplic-ity and humor. And there was no one in theunion who understood more of the necessi-ty for the union to be involved in politicalaction,” Goodwin continued. “He professedit everyday of his life and was able to con-vince Local 277 members to participate. Infact, no other person or local union has donemore to raise political action funds than J.B.Moss and Local 277,” Goodwin said.

“That’s why the International Union hasrenamed our political action fund in hisname,” Goodwin concluded.

Local 277 member receives LCLAA award

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) Chicago Metro ChapterPresident Jose Caez presents OPEIU, Local 277 member and American IncomeLife public relations representative Sue Gilbert with a LCLAA Community

Service Award.Congratulations to Gilbert on this great honor.

Family of the late J.B. Moss gather at the memorial service, including J.B.'sparents, L.B. and Hazel Moss (far left), wife, Martha (fifth from the left), anddaughter Shelly Moss (far right).

Kevin Kistler, OPEIU Director of Organization and Field Services; Carol Dupuis,OPEIU International Secretary-Treasurer; Becky Turner, President/Business Manager,Local 277; Michael Goodwin, OPEIU International President; Margo Peel, Secretary-Treasurer, Local 277; and Martha Moss, wife of J.B. Moss, at the dedication.

Issue 4, Winter 2002-03 • 3

Relations Act. “The employee characteris-tics clearly outweigh independent contrac-tor characteristics,” OPEIU InternationalPresident Michael Goodwin said.

Allstate converted 6,500 employee agentsto independent contractor status; this restruc-turing followed an earlier conversion of anoth-er 3,500 agents to independent contractor sta-tus. Both groups of agents lost all their ben-efits, including health insurance, profit shar-ing and a 401(k) plan, among other benefits.

In a Daily Labor Report article fromAugust that detailed OPEIU’s reasoning for

Are we in good hands with Allstate?National Labor Relations Board dismisses OPEIU petition to

organize Allstate Insurance agents; OPEIU appeals

Region 13 of the National LaborRelations Board (NLRB) recentlydismissed a petition filed by OPEIU

to organize and unionize 10,000 Allstateinsurance agents. OPEIU is appealing thedecision to the five-member NLRB inWashington, D.C.

As reported in a front-page article in theBureau of National Affair’s (BNA) DailyLabor Report, NLRB Region 13 Director,Elizabeth Kinney, ruled that the agents whosell policies for Allstate are deemed inde-pendent contractors, therefore exempting

them from the National Labor Relations Act.In her findings, Kinney stated that the agentshave, “substantial entrepreneurial opportu-nity for gain or loss.” The article also men-tioned that the agents “have a propriety inter-est in their work, hire their own employees,determine their own advertising strategies,decide the amount and type of work they willengage in on behalf of their agencies, andare compensated solely by commission.”

OPEIU plans to argue to the NLRB thatthe Allstate agents are employees that shouldbe covered under the National Labor

the petition, a former Allstate agent statedthat the company has put further restrictionson the agents, including setting the hoursthey have to work, requiring them to use cer-tain phone companies, and terminating themfor no reason.

We hope that the NLRB will hearOPEIU’s appeal as soon as possible.

Special thanks to General Counsel MelvinSchwarzwald and attorney Todd Smith ofSchwarzwald and McNair for the great job theydid in presenting a very difficult and lengthycase to the Regional NLRB in Chicago, Ill.

AFL-CIO hosts photo exhibit honoring 9/11 working heroesThe American Federation of Labor and

Congress of Industrial Organizations(AFL-CIO) sponsored a photography

exhibit paying tribute to the working men andwomen involved in the rescue, recovery, andclean-up operations following the terrorismattacks of September 11, 2001. This commem-orative collection of pictures was on display inthe lobby of the AFL-CIO building inWashington, D.C., September 4-19, 2002.

The exhibition marking the one-year anniver-sary of the tragedy is named When Duty Calls:A Tribute to the FDNY and the Heroes of 9/11.The pictures were taken by labor photographerEarl Dotter. With the use of his camera, Dottertells the stories of the courageous rescue work-ers and tireless clean-up crews. Through hislenses unfold the horrific devastation that work-ers were exposed to at Ground Zero, scenes of

ing under extraordinary circumstances. The pho-tos depicted Iron Workers cutting though twist-ed steel, Teamsters hauling away tons of debris,Communication Workers reconnecting downtransmissions, and Operating Engineers clear-ing out a structure that all of these workers onceproudly built.

Similar scenes were unfortunately realized inWashington, D.C., with the terrorist attacks onthe Pentagon, and in western Pennsylvania fromthe failed attack against targets in the Nation’sCapital due to the courageous actions of the pas-sengers aboard the flight.

Even in times of despair, the American spir-it is triumphant. This was tested on September11, 2001. The challenge was met head on. Theworking men and women were united and theirsolidarity was captured on film to be shared,honored and not to be forgotten. The AFL-CIO’s photo exhibit honoring the working heroes of September 11.

OPEIU charters MAGE Local 2002

OPEIU has issued a charter to theMichigan Association of GovernmentalEmployees (MAGE), OPEIU Local

2002, thus completing the affiliation of morethan 1,300 state employees working in man-agerial, supervisory or confidential classifica-tions. The affiliation was effective October 1,2002. MAGE members range from wardens ofthe state prisons to directors of psychiatry atstate mental hospitals.

MAGE in building its membership basethrough organizing and will provide consul-tation with OPEIU legal counsel, access toresearch, education services and labor-relat-ed publications. In addition, OPEIU willmake available information published or dis-seminated by the AFL-CIO Department ofProfessional Employees. MAGE employeesin good standing will be eligible to participatein all member benefit programs.

International President Michael Goodwin joins in as International Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuis presents the MAGE Board of Directors with the OPEIUcharter for Local 2002. Pictured (left to right) are: Kevin Kistler, OPEIU Directorof Organization and Field Services; Theresa Horner, OPEIU International VicePresident; Goodwin; Dupuis; Sharon Luce, MAGE President;Y’von Forehand,MAGE President-Elect; Dale Threehouse, MAGE First Vice President; and MilleHall, OPEIU International Vice President.

Leaders from OPEIU and MAGE praisedthe affiliation. “We are pleased to present thischarter to MAGE Local 2002,” Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuis said, “and are look-ing forward to a long and fruitful affiliation.”

“We know that, in the public sector, ourstrength is in numbers,” said John DeTizio,MAGE Labor Relations Director. “We know thatthe more members we represent, the more cloutwe will have when we call upon our legislators

to protect our benefits or our job security, or toeven conjure up another early retirement.

“Though all of these discussions, onethought remained at the forefront,” DeTiziosaid. “The one key goal — the primary focus ofany union — should be to become bigger, morepowerful, more influential, while maintainingthe highest level of representation,” he said.

Included in the agreement is the under-standing that OPEIU will assist and support

OPEIU International Vice President Millie Hall, Director of Organization andField Services Kevin Kistler, International President Michael Goodwin, Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuis, and International Vice President Theresa Horner meetwith the MAGE Board of Directors.

sorrow and exhaustion at the surrounding areafire stations, and a few of the many memorialsdisplayed by workers and citizens alike. Many

of the workers involved in the humanitarianeffort were union brothers and sisters. Therewere pictures of everyday union members work-

4 • White Collar

Local 32 honors Pat Tully with retirement dinnerMore than 200 friends, family, and

union members came out to honorPat Tully at his retirement dinner

after 23 years as Business Manager ofOPEIU, Local 32, Union, New Jersey.

The dinner was held at the East BrunswickHilton in New Jersey and featured severaldistinguished speakers, includingInternational President Michael Goodwin.Also in attendance were Secretary-TreasurerCarol Dupuis, Vice Presidents RichardLanigan and Mary Mahoney, Director ofOrganization and Field Services KevinKistler, and many others from theInternational office, Local 153 and Local 6.

President Goodwin spoke of Tully’s untir-ing efforts in fighting for OPEIU membersand their families. He also cited Tully’s con-tributions during his 11 years as a VicePresident from Region II on the OPEIU

International Executive Board and his com-mitment to helping the OPEIU grow throughorganizing, noting that Tully is a two-timerecipient of the prestigious Henderson B.Douglas award for excellence in organizing.Later in the program Dupuis honored Tullyby presenting him with a gift from theInternational Union in recognition of his con-tributions to the OPEIU.

Former New Jersey State DemocraticChairman Thomas Giblin told the audienceof his long association with Tully and saidthe labor movement in New Jersey is betteroff and a lot stronger because of his contri-butions on behalf of working families.

The Executive Board of Local 32 also pre-sented a retirement gift to Tully and his wifeof 38 years, Roseann.

At the end of the evening Tully thankedthe gathering for honoring him and thanked

Goodwin, who helped in the growth of Local32 from 1,500 members when Tully startedin 1979 to more than 6,500 when he retiredin May 2002.

all of those in Local 32 who helped in itsgrowth. He also spoke of the privilege ofworking with two outstanding OPEIUPresidents, first John Kelly and then Mike

Local 32’s officers present a retirement gift to Pat Tully. Pictured (left to right)are Local 32 President Ed Andryszczyk, Secretary-Treasurer Steven Tully,VicePresident Juanita Ray, Recording Secretary Mary Short, and Pat Tully.

OPEIU International President Michael Goodwin and Secretary-Treasurer CarolDupuis present Pat Tully with a retirement gift from the International Union.Also pictured is Local 32 President Ed Andryszczyk (seated).

Retiring Local 32 Business Manager Pat Tully thanks his guests for honoring him.

Local 509 members forced on strikeOn November 5, 2002, members of

OPEIU, Local 509 in Elkhart, Ind.were forced on strike by their employ-

er, Dynamic Metal Forming Inc. The local andthe company had engaged in thirteen days ofcontract talks before the members were forcedto reject the company’s final contract offer.

The company is attempting to substantiallymodify the collective bargaining agreementby seeking major concessions on a whole hostof issues including wages, health, dental andprescription benefits, management rights lan-guage, mandatory overtime, reduction ofhours, attendance and tardiness policies, drugand alcohol policies, vacation pay and carry-over, severance pay, subcontracting, hours ofwork, job selection, holiday pay, productivi-ty pay, short term disability and medical leavesof absence. In other words, the company isattempting to rip up the contract.

Since the start of the strike, the companyhas engaged in numerous union busting tac-tics including the use of inexperiencedreplacement workers (a.k.a. scabs or rats).“Dynamic Metal Forming should be ashamedof itself,” Local 509 President Jeff Ulrey said.“Instead of dealing fairly and honestly withtheir employees…they have sought insteadto do great harm.”

In response to the company’s actions, theunion has erected a monument to stand as asymbol of the behavior of the company. OnDecember 5, the union inflated a fifteen-footrat in front of Dynamic Metal Forming, whichhas been nicknamed, “Perkie the Big Fat

Dynamic Rat” by the striking union members. The union members have been very strong

in the face of all the adversity, which includ-ed an attempt to run over Brother Ulrey by apickup truck exiting the plant at high speed.He was hit by the truck and taken to the hos-

pital for treatment and released. Brother Ulreyis now proudly back marching on the picketline. Despite the pressure, poor weather andthe holiday season the workers have vowedto remain strong until a fair and equitablecontract is won!

"Perkie the Big Fat Dynamic Rat" lends his support to striking workers.

Issue 4, Winter 2002-03 • 5

Local 30 officers elected; new era beginsThe campaigns are over, the ballots are

counted and the members of Local 30,Los Angeles, California, have made

their choices. Trustee Walter Allen Jr. has beenelected to a three-year term as Local 30Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer andMarianne Tegio has been elected President.

“All the candidates worked very hard toreach out to members in all of our units toinspire them to cast their votes and beinvolved,” Allen said. “Getting more andmore members involved has been our hall-mark, and will continue to be.”

“I believe the members have seen the changesin our Union and approve,” Tegio said. “Theelection results certainly show that membershave confidence in the current leadership, andthese officers will not disappoint the members.”

Cathy Evans, newly elected Vice President,added, “I have watched this Union completelyturn around and become strong again. WalterAllen has provided the leadership needed atexactly the time we needed it most. I am very

proud to have the chance to serve again asVice President and be a part of this team.”

Congratulations to all newly elected Local30 officers. They are Executive Director/ChiefFinancial Officer Walter Allen Jr.; PresidentMarianne Tegio; Vice President Catherine

Evans; Recording Secretary Marion Ritchie;Executive Board Members, Los Angeles,Carol J. Cancino, Marcia Salazar and EddieTaylor; Executive Board Members, SanDiego, Carmen Corral, Hector Peralta andSusan Smith; Executive Board Member,

California Service Center, Josie Calhoun;Trustees, Kathleen Doyle, Iva Gathwrightand Nelson LaPoint.

At the December 9 installation of officers,President Goodwin lifted the voluntary trustee-ship, which was in affect since April 2001.

WHITE COLLAROfficial Organ of

OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEESINTERNATIONAL UNION

affiliated with the AFL-CIO, CLChttp: www.opeiu.org

MICHAEL GOODWIN CAROL DUPUIS

President Secretary-Treasurer

WHITE COLLAR (ISSN 0043-4876) is published quarterly byOffice and Professional Employees International Union, 1660 L St.,N.W., Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20036. Periodical postage paidat Washington, D.C. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Officeand Professional Employees International Union, 1660 L St., N.W.,Suite 801, Washington, D.C. 20036.

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CALMACPS

Arrington also thanked Local 4873Business Representatives/Organizers MaureenAlsheimer and Joe Serrrano, who were also

instrumental in the organizing campaign.The organizing win was front-page news

in Blackfoot, as The Morning News reportedArrington as saying that “we’re here to help

them build a negotiating foundation that willgive them a voice in the workplace.”

The article also reported Local 4873’srecent organizing success for workers at theKing B Jerky plant in Idaho Falls. Workersthere voted 121-49 in favor of unionizing onAugust 9.

On the day of the vote, about 40 workersand ITPE representatives stood along theroadside near Nonpareil waving signs urg-ing employees to vote in favor of represen-tation and chanting, “Si, se puede,” or “Yes,we can.” Workers also honked their horns insupport as they went in and out of the plant.

ITPE will now set a date for negotiations withthe company. Issues will include better wages,

health insurance —the company currently offersworkers insurance, but this insurance is inade-quate— and better working conditions.

Local 4873 organizes Nonpareil potato factoryContinued from page 1

Arrington and ITPE Local 4873 Business Representative/Organizer MaureenAlsheimer at the demonstration.

Cosme Sanchez, from the recentlyorganized King B Jerky plant, sup-ports the Nonpareil employees dur-ing their organizing campaign.Arrington and Sylvia Lora, an Nonpareil employee.

Liliana Gomez, an employee of KingB Jerky, lending her support at thedemonstration.

International President Michael Goodwin administers the Oath of Office to the newly elected officers on December 9, 2002.

6 • White Collar

West/Northwest and Northeast Educational Conferences stress organizing, effective negotiation techniques

OPEIU Educational Conferences continue to help our members gain valuable insightsand information to help them in their organizing, negotiation and overall communi-cation activities on behalf of their local unions.

The West/Northwest Area Educational Conference held in Seattle, Washington, October 4-5,offered training on organizing tactics and strategies. Sessions included a discussion of basic sourcesfor corporate investigations led by Rick Rehberg from the AFL-CIO FAST Department; orga-nizing/neutrality agreements led by Attorney Lawrence Schwerin and e-mail issues in organizingcampaigns led by Attorney Robert Lavitt, both of the law firm Schwerin Campbell Barnard, LLP.

An orientation segment was also held on the benefits available to OPEIU members through theUnion Privilege Benefits Program, along with a segment on what members can do to effectivelyparticipate in the political process. The Northeast Area Educational Conference was held in Providence,Rhode Island on November 23-24,and emphasized effective negotiation and communication skills througha discussion with Professor of Law Charles B. Wiggins of the University of San Diego School of Law.

As always, there was the opportunity at both conferences to meet with InternationalPresident Michael Goodwin to discuss local issues and concerns. The International also pro-vided $600 to each local union that participated in the conference.

Members participate in the West/Northwest and Northeast Educational Conferences held in Seattle, Washington, October 4-5, 2002 and Providence, RhodeIsland on November 23-24.

Issue 4, Winter 2002-03 • 7

Local 2 reaches out to young workers at Youth FairOPEIU, Local 2, Washington, D.C.,

was a major exhibitor at the thirdannual Labor 2 Youth Fair on

Tuesday, November 26, 2002, hosted byFutureForce at the Omni Shoreham Hotel inWashington, D.C. The labor youth fair wasan excellent opportunity to share informa-tion about union membership and workopportunities with young people just startingto think about their future careers. The laboryouth fair, sponsored by the Department ofEmployment Services, was the creative effortof the Community Services Agency and theMetropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. FutureForce is the workforce devel-opment program of the MetropolitanWashington Council, AFL-CIO that is imple-mented by the council’s Community ServicesAgency.

The purpose of the Labor 2 Youth Fair isto provide high school students and out-of-school youth with information concerning awide range of professional careers. Thecareers focused on unionized occupations,

organized labor and apprenticeships. The stu-dents were given Labor 2 Youth passportsprepared for the fair by the FutureForce pro-gram. The attending youth were encouragedto visit all the exhibit areas and discuss theiroptions when joining the workforce. Oncethe representatives were able to explainemployment settings, technical and special-ized terms and skills, and the emphasis ofacademic skills in today’s work place, thestudents received a stamp for their passports.This was repeated at every booth that theyvisited and, for most students, this was partof a class assignment.

Local 2 Organizer Lou Wolf andSecretary-Treasurer Michael Cowan were onhand to represent OPEIU. They introducedthe students to OPEIU, explained the natureof work of the modern office employee, thevarious professional careers within theInternational Union, and the new technicalcomponent of union work. In addition, theyouth had the opportunity to ask questionsabout workplace environments, required skills

and concerns about applying their academicskills to tomorrow’s workplace. Lou Wolfspoke with so many students that he startedto resemble a customs officer with all of the

passports he stamped.Local 2, which serves the entire Washington

metropolitan area, has been involved in all ofFutureForce’s Labor 2 Youth Fairs.

Local 2 member Geoff Palmer (left) and Local 2 Organizer Lou Wolf attend tothe exhibit.

Local 2 organizer Lou Wolf (right) discusses information about OPEIU with agroup of Washington, D.C. high school seniors.

Local 2 Secretary-Treasurer Michael Cowan (left) entertains questions fromstudents.

On August 31, 2002 Joan Andersonretired from the Office andProfessional Employees International

Union. Mrs. Anderson worked for theSecretary-Treasurer’s office in Washington,D.C. for 30 years. She was the Welfare andBenefits Coordinator and oversaw all activ-ity relating to OPEIU scholarships.

Throughout her career Joan witnessed thegrowth of the International from being a rel-atively small union in the early 1970s to itspresent expansion of more than 100,000 mem-bers in the United States and Canada. Duringthis time period Mrs. Anderson was involvedwith two major office relocations, from theContinental Building on 14th Street in NorthWest, Washington, D.C. to the AFL-CIObuilding, a block from the White House andfinally to the Washington’s office present loca-tion on L Street. From Washington, she sup-ported conference personnel through ten tri-ennial conventions and countless executive

Anderson is loved and will be missed by herco-workers.

board meetings. With the exception of thefirst International President, Mrs. Andersonworked during the administrations of allOPEIU’s Presidents and Secretary-Treasurers.

During her employment with the Internationalshe had the opportunity to work with many co-workers and developed some great friendships.Over the years she worked closely with indi-viduals such as Flo Davis, Joan Turner, andOPEIU’s late Purchasing Agent Fred Toles.

Throughout the changes that have takenplace in her career with OPEIU, there has beenone constant: Mrs. Anderson’s commitmentand loyalty to her work that she demonstrat-ed during her three decades with the Union.This has provided an example for the newergeneration of workers in the Secretary-Treasurer’s office.

When asked how she will spend her retire-ment time, Mrs. Anderson mentioned that shewill have more time for friends and family,continue her involvement with her church and

various community activities, but mostly willenjoy her new state of relaxation. Joan

Joan Anderson retires after 30 years of service

Joan Anderson on her last day of work in the OPEIU Secretary-Treasurer’soffice.

8 • White Collar

Lobbyist Corner

The 107th Congress failed to complete legislation affecting workers and their families

Submitted by OPEIU Lobbyist Robert McGlotten of McGlotten & Jarvis

The list of unfinished business in the 107th Congress is long and unsettling for thou-sands of workers. November 5, 2002 was a day when workers should have gone tothe polls and voted for men and women who represented their interests, but the list

of winners and losers tells the story: the 108th Congress may just be as non-productive forworker legislation as the 107th Congress.

Left on the battlefield are the following:

Patients’ Bill of Rights Health Care for the Uninsured

Prescription Drug Benefits Bankruptcy Reform

Minimum Wage Increase Energy Bill

Pension Reform Mental Health Parity

Unemployment Compensation Medical Malpractice Insurance

Trade Issues Taxes (reincorporation/tax avoidance)

The House and Senate will return on January 7, 2003. Will you write or visit your sen-ator or congressperson’s local office to ask for their support for legislation that affects youand your family? Your involvement is vital.

Getting involvedGrassroots involvement significantly amplifies our Union’s lobbying efforts. Phone

calls and personal letters encouraging your congressional representatives to back labor-friend-ly measures are invaluable. Elected officials need direct feedback from our members, urg-ing them to sponsor and support OPEIU-endorsed legislation. Every letter counts. Everyphone call can make a difference. If you prefer to make written contact, OPEIU stronglyadvises you to mail all correspondence, as opposed to sending an e-mail. With your sup-port, we can press for more immediate action on key bills awaiting hearings in both theHouse and Senate.

If you are not sure who your representative is, the following web sites contain links tocongressional directories: http://www.house.gov/writerep and http://www.senate.gov/learn-ing/learn_faq.html. The International Union can also provide a directory of the 108thCongress members.

Special mid-term election coverage

Republicans regain control of Senate; take control of HouseMany labor-friendly candidates defeated; labor’s future

hinges upon membership involvement in political process

November 5 was indeed a sad day for Democrats, as the Republicans maintained con-trol of the House of Representatives, re-gained control in the Senate and won several keygovernors’ races. President Bush now has an absolute mandate to push through his agen-da—one that includes several anti-worker and anti-union initiatives. It is up to us as unionmembers to contact our representatives in Congress and ensure that our voices can still beheard. Here’s a quick rundown of key mid-term election results:

GOVERNORSThe Democrats actually fared quite well this year in governorship elections. The Democrats

control governorships in 24 states, Republicans now control 26. This is a net gain of threefor the Democrats and a loss of one for the Republicans. Democrats were buoyed by victo-ries in traditional Republican states like Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Democrats alsoscored upsets in Oregon and Arizona. They took-over seats in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsinand Pennsylvania, thought of as key battleground states in presidential elections, and held onto the governorship in the biggest electoral state of them all, California. Republicans werethrilled with their hold on three of the biggest electoral states in the union, Florida, NewYork and Texas. Republicans scored upsets in traditional Democratic strongholds as Marylandand Massachusetts. They also upset incumbent Georgia governor, Roy Barnes.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESRepublicans now control the House of Representatives 228 to 204, with one indepen-

dent and two members who are undeclared. They expanded their majority during a mid-

term election, which is highly unprecedented. Highly targeted Republicans such as NancyJohnson in Connecticut, Jim Leach in Iowa, Shelley Moore Capito in West Virginia and MarkKennedy in Minnesota all won re-election. Democratic incumbents Karen Thurman andBill Luther were upset in Florida and Minnesota, respectively. Democrats picked up twoseats in Maryland, as Christopher Van Hollen upset heavily entrenched incumbent ConnieMorella. After the election, Minority Leader Richard Gephardt from Missouri resignedhis position. California Democrat Nancy Pelosi won election to become the first womanto lead her party in the House.

SENATEThe Republicans completed their sweep of power with a strong showing in very

high-profile Senate races. Two Democratic incumbents, Max Cleland of Georgia andJean Carnahan of Missouri were defeated by their Republican rivals, Saxby Chamblissand Jim Talent, respectively. Norm Coleman, the former Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesotaupset former Senator Walter Mondale for a seat that was recently vacated by thedeath of Paul Wellstone. Other key Senate victories for the Republicans includedElizabeth Dole in North Carolina, Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, John Cornynin Texas, Lamar Alexander in Tennessee and John Sununu in New Hampshire. Allwas not lost for the Democrats as Mark Pryor upset incumbent Tim Hutchinson inArkansas. Also, Tim Johnson in South Dakota survived an extremely tight race, andformer Senator Frank Lautenberg beat Douglas Forrester in New Jersey to keep thatseat Democratic.

Issue 4, Winter 2002-03 • 9

Working in cold conditions –whether seasonal or occupational– is a hazard. Outdoor work in

winter months adds many more thousandsof workers to those exposed routinelythroughout the year in their jobs: In cold stor-age facilities, freezer plants and meat pack-inghouses.

How does the body respond to cold? Whatare the health effects of exposure to extremecold? How can you protect yourself and bemore comfortable?

The human body works best at the nor-mal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.To keep it at this point, the body producesits own heat from chemical energy – bybreaking down food and building upmolecules in all tissues.

You can lose some of this body heat whenyou’re in a cold situation. To minimize thisloss, the body has a few tricks up its sleeve.Did you ever wonder why you shiver whenyou’re cold? Shivering can increase themetabolic rate of heat production 5 to 7 timesfor short periods of time.

Do you “hunch up” your body when youare cold? That’s a way your body is tryingto reduce its surface area to help reduce heatloss.

These instinctive external measures, how-ever, are relatively inefficient. The main waythe body decreases heat loss is by constrict-ing the blood vessels in the skin and under-lying tissues. This “vasoconstriction” leads toa corresponding reduction in the volume ofblood reaching the skin.

The nearer to the skin the warm bloodgets, of course, the greater the chances ofconvective heat loss.

Hypothermia is one of the most serioushazards of working in cold conditions. Thishappens when the core body temperaturedrops to a level at which normal muscular

and cerebral functions are impaired.Warning signs of hypothermia include

numb hands, particularly to the point of los-ing fine motor coordination, such as troublewith buttons, laces, zippers and so on; shiv-ering not under voluntary control; slurredspeech; difficulty in thinking and irrationalbehavior.

These signs require immediate attention.Hypothermia can lead to unconsciousnessand even death. Each year, more than 700people die of hypothermia.

Frostbite is a freezing of tissue duringexposure to temperatures well below freezing.Usually, the face, hands or feet are affected.The damage can range from mild, superfi-cial tissue damage to massive damage andgangrene.

If you are out in the field, you can treatmild frostbite – frostnip – by firm but gentlepressure of a warm hand, or by placing theaffected fingers in the armpit. If toes or heelsare affected, take off the footwear, dry andre-warm the affected parts, and put on drysocks or other protective footwear.

Avoid dry heat. Use warm water instead.And never try that old myth about rubbingfrostbite with snow. Rubbing of any kind willonly increase the damage.

As with any injury, severe cases shouldbe treated by your physician.

Dress in layers. Underwear should be ableto trap the body heat, and at the same time,permit moisture to escape.

Next, the insulating layer – shirt, pants,jacket – should contain wool or some of thenewer fiberfill materials that can insulate evenwhen damp.

The outer protecting layer can range fromnylon to waterproof suits or ponchos. Themain purpose of this layer is to protect theother layers from the elements and serve asa windbreak.

Washington Window

The Coming WarAgainst Us

The mid-term election is over andlabor’s allies lost. Now labor’s ene-mies — in and out of the Bush

administration — will really launch a waragainst us.

Already, big business lobbyists are sali-vating over such things as making it hard-er for people to repay their debts whenmedical catastrophes or job loss forcethem into bankruptcy.

“This is a very bad bill in every respect.With more than eight million workers laidoff, unemployment benefits about to runout for thousands and an economy thatshows little sign of improving, GOP lead-ers — backed by the banking and creditindustry — are trying … to hurt thousandsof hard-pressed working families at a timewhen they can least afford it,” the UAWlegislative department says.

And the bankruptcy bill includes a planby Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to “jeopar-dize the ability of unions, civil rights andenvironmental groups to engage in legit-imate picketing and protest,” UAW adds.

The Chamber of Commerce wantedthe GOP to bring up the final version ofthe bankruptcy bill in the lame-duck ses-sion of Congress last fall.

AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeneysays that other issues labor faces in thespecial session include: GOP PresidentGeorge W. Bush’s push to ban unions; abig giveaway in “terrorist insurance” sub-sidies; and Bush’s attempt to ban Davis-Bacon wages for construction workers onhomeland security projects.

But all that pales compared to theschemes big business, Bush and theRadical Right may unveil when they goto war against us after the new Congressconvenes. Some possibilities:

Davis-Bacon repeal. The anti-workerAssociated Builders and Contractors willrenew its push to completely junk Davis-Bacon, driving down construction work-ers’ wages.

Company unions. This is a favorite ofthe Radical Right front group, the NationalFederation of Independent Business.

Minimum wage. Forget raising theminimum wage, but don’t be surprised if

Bush pushes his plan to let states opt outfrom minimum wage laws.

Comp time for overtime. This is a petcause of Sen. Christopher Bond (R-Mo.),who may again chair the Senate SmallBusiness Committee. And now he’ll havea Missouri ally, GOPer James Talent, whobeat Jean Carnahan.

Paycheck deception. Hatch could notattach his plan, to choke workers out ofthe political process, to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform billlast year. Big business loves it. Chancesare Hatch will try again.

Privatizing Social Security. GOP oper-atives told their candidates to soft-pedalthis one during the campaign, but it isnotable that no Republicans signed ananti-privatization pledge, circulated bylabor and its allies.

Now expect big business and its hand-maidens to renew their drive to divert one-sixth of Social Security’s revenues to thestock market — raking off billions in com-missions in the process.

Of course, what the plutocrats and cor-porate criminals that back Bush and theGOP really want — and have even beforeit was established in 1935 — is to abolishSocial Security entirely.

Even worse? We wouldn’t be surprisedto see even more radical plans from theRadical Right than we’ve outlined above.

After all, they pushed through the“Patriot Act,” after last year’s fatal ter-rorist attacks on New York andWashington. That law opened everythingfrom church services to union meetingsto federal snooping, spying, arbitraryarrests and indefinite jailing of anyone forbeing a “terrorist supporter.”

They also pushed through a Home-land Security Department giving the pres-ident the right to negate the CollectiveBargaining Agreement in the interest ofNational Security. This could potential-ly de-unionize 600,000 federal employ-ees.

What’s to prevent this crowd from try-ing to repeal the National Labor RelationsAct? Or the entire minimum wage law?God forbid, that’s what we may face.

■ Work and HealthHazards of Workingin Cold ConditionsBy Phillip L. Polakoff, M.D.

affected the outcome of the election. TheNLRB ruled that because of the voting unit’sunique structure—employees located all overthe country, with many not even working atan office—they do not have the same day today interrelationships that most employeeshave at work. Therefore, the employees’access to one another is extremely limited.Contrast that with Prudential’s situation dur-ing the campaign. They could communicatedirectly with employees when they were onthe premises at any time, and they also com-municated through their Intranet defaultpage, making it impossible for any Prudentialemployee to not see anti-union communi-cations when logging onto the Internet orchecking e-mail. Because the outcome of

the election was relatively close, the rulingargued that these practices had a “foresee-able affect” on the election.

The ruling declared that the original elec-tion be set aside so that a new election couldbe held forthwith. The original tally was 748votes in favor, 811 votes against, 17 voidedballots and 41 challenged ballots.

Local 153 began organizing Prudentialrepresentatives last year. The United Foodand Commercial Workers (UFCW) previ-ously represented Prudential employees incollective bargaining but yielded represen-tation rights to OPEIU, Local 153.

Congratulations to Carol PenningtonO'Rourke of Colleran, O'Hara, & Mills forthe excellent job she did in presenting Local153's objections to the election to the NLRB.

NLRB sustains Local 153’s objectionsin Prudential case

Continued from page 1

10 • White Collar

the workplace. The union sees that theworking conditions and rates of pay aredecent,” Organizer François Champouxsaid. The ongoing organizing campaignat Renaud-Bray bookstores continues.Renaud-Bray is the largest French book-store network in Québec, with more than23 locations.

The employees working at Renaud-Bray bookstore branch located onSainte-Catherine East Street in down-

town Montreal have just signed their unioncards with the SEPB 57, bringing the totalRenaud-Bray members to more than 100.

“Renaud-Bray employs young work-ers often ill-informed about their rights in

nized members of SEPB 57 by signingunion cards. In the same time that a largeprocess of mergers of caisses populaires isbeing carried out, Local 57 is working hardto consolidate its presence in theMouvement Desjardins.

Local 57 now represents about 5,000members in the Mouvement Desjardins finan-cial institutions network across the province.

SEPB 57 is the top choice ofDesjardins employees when it comesto choosing a union. In deciding to

sign up with Local 57, the 17 non-unionemployees of the newly amalgamatedcaisse Desjardins Les Salines in St-Hyacinthe in the Richelieu-Yamaska regionand the 34 of Caisse populaire La PetitePatrie in Montreal joined their fellow orga-

Two new Canadianrepresentatives sworn in

Liz Fong and Mireille Fillion were sworn in as representatives for RegionX and Region I, respectively, at the Canadian National Committee’s semi-annual meeting in November. Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuis admin-

istered the oath.Fong will now sit as one of five representatives from Region X in Ontario.

Fillion, from Local 57, will represent Region I, Québec and the MaritimeProvinces, along with five other international representatives.

Canadian News

Local 57, Montreal, Québec

Desjardins employees choose SEPB 57

La Magnétothèque is a public libraryfor Québecers who, because of avisual or physical disability, cannot

use standard print materials. The 15 techni-cians and clerical employees who belonged

to a yellow company union decided to joina union capable of meeting the needs andexpectations of the members it represents.

Local 57 was granted the certificationon September 27, 2002.

La Magnétothèque employeessign up with SEPB 57

Renaud-Bray employeesjoin OPEIU

OPEIUTRIENNIAL CANADIAN CONVENTION

andEducational Conference on Organizing

AFL-CIO, CLC

SAVE THE DATE

April 26–27, 2003 and April 28-29, 2003

Marriott Château ChamplainMontreal, Québec

Room Rate - $165.00 plus taxes

Convention Call, Credentials and Reservation Forms Will Be Mailed Shortly With Appropriate Instructions

National Letter Carriers Associationhonors heroes of the year

Every year the National Letter Carriers Association (NALC) recognizes six employees who’ve demon-strated acts of courage while on duty. This year, Vincent Sombrotto, President of NALC, invitedOPEIU Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuis to attend the award ceremony. “The acts of heroism were

incredible,” Dupuis reported. In one case, there was an individual among the six recipients who was involvedin a remarkable kind of heroism. Paul Wagoner was awarded the “National Hero” award for donating a kid-ney to a customer on his route. After hearing that the man was having difficulty finding a donor match,Wagoner quietly went to get tested. He found out he was a perfect match for the customer. He discussed thematter with his wife and son, and together they decided that Paul should make the offer to donate his kid-ney. The customer’s family members were shocked that a stranger would give such a gift. The operation wasa success and both individuals are recovering well.

Paul Wagoner accepts the "National Hero" award from theNational Letter Carriers Association. Also pictured is OPEIUInternational Secretary-Treasurer Carol Dupuis.

Issue 4, Winter 2002-03 • 11

Local 30 hosts first Family Fun DayThe first-ever function for members and

families of Local 30 was held at SanteeLakes, California on Sunday, September

15. Local 30 member Iva Gaphwright fromNuclear Medicine best summed up the over-whelming response when she said, “We can’twait until next year for the second annual!”

More than 1,200 members of Local 30 andtheir families attended the event. “We havenever tried anything like this before at Local30,” President Marianne Tegio said. “We wereclearly taking a chance on this, but it obvi-ously paid off. I have been a member for morethan 13 years and this is the greatest numberof members I have ever seen attend a Local 30function,” Tegio continued.

“Any time you get members together social-ly it’s a good idea,”Vice President Cathy Evanssaid. “Members need to know that their unionis there for them, but they should also knowthat the union means more than representation.”

“This was a brave attempt to try somethingnew,” Local 30 Executive Director/Chief Financial

Officer Walter Allen said. “We wanted to work tobuild union capacity in a really creative and funway. This was a partnership activity, and I ampleased to say that it was very successful.”

Local 30 Executive Director/CFO Walter Allen (left photo) joins members and their families in the Family Fun Day

This Notice is for all employees work-ing in the United States under anOPEIU contract containing a union

security clause which requires, as a condi-tion of employment, that an employee paydues or fees to the Union. The obligation stat-ed in this Notice is the only obligation undersuch clause regardless of the wording of theclause. Individuals who are members paydues, while individuals who are nonmem-bers pay equivalent fees. These dues or fees,which are authorized by law, are your fairshare of sustaining your Union’s broad rangeof programs in support of you and yourcoworkers, but nonmembers may file objec-tions to funding expenditures that are nonger-mane to the collective bargaining process andthereby be obligated to pay fees represent-ing only expenditures germane to the col-lective bargaining process.

Only if you are not a member of the Unionor if you resign your membership, and ineither case, file an objection to the funding ofexpenditures that are nongermane to the col-lective bargaining process, may you pay feesrepresenting only expenditures germane tothe collective bargaining process. However,if you resign your membership, the manyrights and opportunities available to Unionmembers will not be open to you. For exam-ple, if you resign your membership you willno longer be able to:

• Vote on the terms of your contract;• Participate in strike votes;• Participate in the development of con-

tract proposals;• Nominate, vote for, or serve as an offi-

cer of your Local Union;• Nominate, vote for, or serve as a dele-

gate to the International Convention; and• Enjoy discounts and other benefits avail-

able only to members, including eligi-bility for OPEIU scholarships for youand your family.

Individuals who are employed by publicemployers in the states of New Jersey and

Minnesota are covered by the demand andreturn system applicable to them and are notcovered by this procedure. Other individualswho elect to be nonmembers may object tofunding expenditures which are not germane tothe collective bargaining process. Expendituresgermane to the collective bargaining process(“chargeable” expenditures) represent that por-tion of the Union’s expenditures devoted tocollective bargaining, contract administration,grievances, arbitration, and other matters affect-ing wages, hours and other conditions ofemployment. Examples of “chargeable” expen-ditures include: the costs of negotiations withemployers; contract administration expenses;communication with employers in regard towork-related issues; handling employees’work-related problems through the grievance andarbitration procedure; lobbying on mattersdirectly related to conditions of employment;and Union administration.

Examples of expenditures nongermane tothe collective bargaining process (“non-charge-able” expenditures) include: expenses madefor community services; for lobbying on issuesthat benefit represented employees and theirfamilies as citizens rather than as workers; forpolitical purposes; for certain affiliation fees;and for benefits available only to membersand their families. The fee reduction will rep-resent these non-chargeable expenditures. TheInternational Union’s Voice Of The Electoratefund (“VOTE”), is an independent, segregat-ed fund that receives voluntary donations andcontributes to political candidates who sup-port the needs of working men and women.No money received from dues or fees goes tothe VOTE fund. Accordingly, the VOTE fundis not considered in the calculation of the per-centage of expenditures that is spent on non-chargeable expenses.

Individuals who choose to file an objectionwill receive a rebate of their fees equal to thepercentage of expenditures that is spent onnon-chargeable expenses. This percentage iscalculated separately for the International

Notice To Employees Subject To Union Security ClausesUnion and for the Local Union. The major por-tion of an objector’s fee remains with the LocalUnion. Studies show that the percentage ofreduction for the Local Union ranges between0% and 8%. The remaining smaller portion ofthe objector’s fee goes to the InternationalUnion. The percentage of non-chargeableexpenses of the International Union, whichwill be effective for the months of September2002 through August 2003, is 16.38%.

Individuals who choose to file objectionsto funding expenditures that are nongermaneto the collective bargaining process must filethem in writing with the Office andProfessional Employees International Union,1660 L Street, N.W., Suite 801, Washington,D.C. 20036, Attention: Carol Dupuis,Secretary-Treasurer. The objection mustinclude the objector’s name, home address,social security number, employer, job title,department, work location, local union num-ber, and business telephone number.

In order for an objection to be recognizedat this time, it must be postmarked duringthe month of June, except that newly resignedmembers must submit their objections post-marked within thirty (30) days from thereceipt by the Union of the resigning mem-ber’s letter of resignation. All objections mustbe renewed each year in writing and allrenewed objections must be postmarked dur-ing the month of June. All objections will beeffective on the first day of the month fol-lowing the month in which the objection wasreceived by the Union.

In addition to any other avenue of reliefavailable under the law, an objector may chal-lenge the International Union’s and/or theLocal Union’s classification or calculationof expenditures before a neutral arbitratorappointed by the American ArbitrationAssociation pursuant to its Rules for ImpartialDetermination of Union Fees. Any challengea nonmember makes may be coordinated orconsolidated with other challenges to theLocal Union or International Union deter-

minations before a single arbitrator selectedby the American Arbitration Association.Such challenges may also be coordinated orconsolidated with challenges to other OPEIULocal Union classifications or calculations.

Challengers must notify Carol Dupuis,Secretary-Treasurer, at the Office andProfessional Employees International Unionat 1660 L Street, N.W., Suite 801,Washington, D.C. 20036, in writing, withinthirty (30) days of their receipt of theObjector Letter, of any challenge he or shewishes to make through this arbitration pro-cedure. That challenge should specify whichclassifications and/or calculations of theInternational Union and/or Local Union arebeing challenged.

The Unions shall bear the burden of jus-tifying their classifications and calculations.If a hearing at which the parties or witness-es may be present is held by the arbitrator,it will be held at a location most convenientto the largest number of involved challengers.The cost of any arbitration proceedings willbe paid for by the Unions. However, a chal-lenger will have to pay his or her own losttime and travel expenses, and the fees, costs,and expenses of any persons they involve inthe proceedings.

Once a written challenge is received froman objector, the Local Union will place anamount equal to the challenged portion of thefee into an interest-bearing escrow account. Itshall remain in that account until the arbitratorissues a decision. Should the decision lowerthe percentage of chargeable expenditures, theappropriate portion of the escrowed fees, plusthe interest earned by that portion while in theescrow account, will be refunded to the chal-lenger. All objectors in each Local Union affect-ed by the decision of the arbitrator will thenpay the adjusted fee amount determined by thearbitrator. If the arbitrator approves the Unions’classifications and/or calculations, the escrowedmoney and interest will revert to the Local andInternational Unions.

The event was free of charge for all Local 30members and their guests, with the cost beingcovered by the LMP Trust Fund at the requestof Allen on behalf of the subcommittee that

organized the event, which included Tegio andEvans. Special thanks for their efforts go toLocal 30 Administrative Assistants Maria Perezand Kim Tyler in the San Diego office.

will make it easier for companies such asIBM to make the conversion from a definedbenefit plan to a cash-balance plan. What dowe have to look forward to when we alreadyhave these changes that adversely affectworkers even before the 108th Congress takesoffice? If they can do all this now, what arethey going to do over the next two years?

I think it’s time for workers to wake upand realize that handing the federal govern-ment to one political party is not good forworking families. Regrettably, many unionworkers, including OPEIU members, votedfor this administration based on their viewson other issues. It’s time we understand thatone of the most important issues is how weare treated in the workplace. If you don’thave a job or a fair pension, you won’t havetime to worry about the other issues becauseyou will be preoccupied trying to figure outhow to provide for your family.

It is so important that every OPEIU mem-ber and their family participate in the polit-ical process and vote. If we don’t vote, wecan’t complain about the results. We havedone it to ourselves. I look forward to speak-ing with the leaders of your local union andto you, the members, at educational confer-ences and union meetings about the impor-

The November elections were certain-ly an eye-opener for organized labor.For the first time since 1952, control

of all three entities responsible for enactinglegislation is in the hands of one politicalparty. For a bill to become law it must beenacted by the House and Senate and signedby the President. Over the last fifty years theopposite political party always controlled oneof the three entities. This meant that legisla-tion not in the best interest of working fam-ilies could be blocked in the House or Senate,or vetoed by the President. In such cases, itwould take a super majority or a two-thirdvote to override the veto. Not anymore! Withcontrol of all three entities in the hands of

the Republican Party, anything passed by theHouse and Senate will be signed into law bythe President.

Everything is at stake! There is no part ofthe law that is safe from being amended,watered down or eliminated. Perish thethought of elimination of the National LaborRelations Act or a national right-to-work law!We all should be concerned about the fate ofworker rights over the next two years.Anything can happen and some of it alreadyhas! Within days of the November election,

tance of this matter. I know that once themembers understand what’s at risk they willrespond.

I urge you to get involved in the politicalprocess as quickly as possible. The fact is,the reason why working families are in thissituation is because the Republican Party wasable to get out 46 percent of their vote inNovember, while the Democrats were onlyable to deliver 38 percent. If we stay homeand don’t vote, this will inevitably be theresult.

You can help by getting involved in pol-itics in your community by working withyour local union. Please don’t believe that itdoesn’t matter who is elected or that politi-cians are all the same. It certainly does mat-ter and we hope and pray we see little elseof new proposals that adversely affect work-ing families over the next two years.

Despite the adversity that may lie ahead,I remain optimistic that these obstacles can beovercome. We need to organize now for the2004 elections, making sure at least one ofthe three entities — the House, Senate orWhite House — is in the hands of the oppo-site political party. We must end one partyrule in 2004!

Thank you and God bless working families!

■ Editorial

End one party rule in 2004!By Michael Goodwin, International President

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the Homeland Security Department was cre-ated, combining 22 federal agencies into oneand granting the President the right to negatethe collective bargaining agreement at anytime in the interest of national security. Thismeans that the union representing federalemployees could be eliminated in theHomeland Security Department by a strokeof the pen! The President then demanded andgot a commitment to release the nominationof two right wing federal judges out of aCongressional Committee, which was bot-tled up by the Democrats for months. Thesetwo anti-union, anti-working family judgeswill soon be confirmed. There was good rea-son for the Democrats to hold these nomi-nations up, but they no longer have control!

The President also announced the freezingof wage increases for 600,000 federalemployees scheduled to go into affect inJanuary. Those needed wage increases arenow gone with the explanation that they can-not be afforded despite the fact that millionsof dollars in tax cuts were granted to the richwith more tax cuts planned for administra-tion constituents and supporters. Once again,the working class takes it on the chin!

Just recently, the Bush administration pro-posed new pension regulations that pose aserious threat to working families and theirfuture retirement. The new rules will makeit easier for employers to switch from adefined benefit plan to a “cash-balance” planthat would shrink the employers’ pension lia-bilities and reduce some employees’ bene-fits. “The switch to a cash-balance plan istantamount to a pension pay cut for olderworkers unless they get adequate transitionprotection,” said J. Mark Iwry, former bene-fits tax counsel at the Treasury Departmentduring the Clinton administration. At least23 million Americans work for companiesthat offer defined benefit plans. Fortunately,current retirees are not affected by this lat-est move, but middle aged and older workerswho have been at their jobs for many yearsare most at risk. The proposed regulationsfollow a dispute at IBM in 1999 when olderworkers realized that the company was strip-ping them of anticipated retirement benefits— often worth hundreds of thousands of dol-lars to each worker. The issue still remainstied up in court. The IBM workers rallied,followed by Congressional hearings and age-discrimination suits. Amid the outcry, theInternal Revenue Service, which as part ofthe Treasury Department regulates corporatepension plans, stopped approving cash-bal-ance plans while it studied the legal issues.Now that IBM has friends in high places(Washington, D.C.), the proposed regulations

International President Michael Goodwin with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) atNAACP's 13th annual holiday gala honoring Sen. Schumer, John Gillis (UNITE),James Sweeney (SEIU) and prizefighter Larry Holmes. OPEIU is very proud ofDr. Annie B. Martin who is the President of the New York Chaper of the NAACPfor the past 25 years. Dr. Martin is a proud member of OPEIU, Local 153.

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“Perish the thought of elimination of the

National Labor RelationsAct or a national

right to work law!”