I have been planning on writing this article for awhile but when I read the words of Venessa Freedle in the Oct. issue of our Postal Record I knew it was time. If you did not read it get a copy and do so. Great job Venessa.
Why is it that the only time workers are accused of class warfare with the leaders/bosses/owners is when we fight back? It is so easy to get along with these folks when we never question them on issues that affect us and our families. Every letter carrier I worked with over the years wanted a decent wage and a safe and respectful workplace. I never worked with one carrier that wanted to be the richest person in the world. Yet somehow we are always the villains when negotiations or hard economical times occur. We are at war in this country right now with people who would strip all of the rights we have fought for so long to gain. None of these benefits were given to us. Not one member of management or our government said lets give these folks more holidays, better wages, safer conditions, a good retirement, or the right to negotiate our own contracts. Our union and us did that.
There are people in this country who think stamps should be 10 cents and letter carriers should make minimum wage. There are people in this country who think we should not have the right to organize. There are politicians in this country who use us as a way to fire up their base and claim we are a prime example of government waste. There is a political party in this country who will do anything to eliminate all labor unions. There are union members in this country who somehow think they do not need union representation because the bosses like them just fine. I am a firm believer in the truism that you get what you work and fight if necessary for. Our union and us did that.
In 1931 Florence Reece the wife of a union organizer for the Mine Workers in Harlan County, Kentucky wrote a song. The name of the song is "Which side are you on".
The verses throughout the song are
Which side are you on boys?
Which side are you on?
I think it is past time for every letter carrier to look in the mirror and ask yourself that question.
Ed Gorman
