First I would like to apologize for the article not written. I realize that as Vice President I have an obligation to share my words of wisdom with everyone. I am not much of a writer (of articles that is). I am better at grievances, so bear with me. There had been a lot going on since we last met. June seems like so long ago. I have had the opportunity to talk to Bob Johnson, from the State of Connecticut. He is very interested in our having a New England State Convention, or at least a joint conference, if that’s what we need to call the gathering until we change or make an amendment to our state constitutions. Since we are all dealing with the same issues it just makes sense to be on the same page so to speak when we vote at National Conventions. It would also give us insight as to how other areas or locals are handling these issues, what works, what doesn't’t. We will always be fighting, the struggles never end and there is strength in numbers.

I attended the National Presidents Conference in September. I listened to State and Local Presidents talk about the same problems we have here. Can you imagine trying to organize casuals instead of fighting to hire career employees? I can’t, but this is just one of the issues that we may be dealing with. Membership is down, that is a fact. We need to organize the non members working beside us before we look to organize a supplemental workforce that we have been fighting to do away with. Are we giving in to the management’s way of basically contracting out our work to casuals? Is this the way we want to increase our membership and revenue? If the APWU were to try and organize casuals, what would the incentive be for them to join? There is nothing that we can offer them. 2008 brings with it the Presidential Election. We need to fight to get a labor friendly president back In the White House. It is not to early to start reminding family and friends of how important it is to get out and vote. Every one of us is aware of what is going on in the present administration. We need change to get America back on its feet. We can make that happen!

I look forward to working with all of you in the upcoming year. I hope all of you and your families had Happy Holidays and a happy healthy New Year.!