The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards recent criminal enforcement data:
On June 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Brian Brownlee, former Vice-President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) 2nd District (located in Hot Springs, Ark.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. An OLMS investigation concluded that Brownlee falsified vouchers for travel, per diem, lodging and lost time. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On June 3, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more but less than $1,000. Drake was immediately sentenced to two years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,050 and fined $160. Drake previously made restitution in the amount of $450. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 1, 2009, in Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, Va., Sylvia Grooms, Director of Industrial Relations for American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 199 (located in Richmond, Va.), was indicted on four counts of grand larceny associated with feloniously and unlawfully stealing the union’s property. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 13, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), was charged with one count of forgery and one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mozelle E. Means-Swanson, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7139 (located in Aurora, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,900. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On April 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Richard M. Clark, former Secretary Treasurer of Letter Carriers Branch 468 (located in Bowling Green, Ky.), was charged with embezzling $18,680 in union funds and concealing and destroying union records. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office
On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary Treasurer for the APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to make restitution. On November 17, 2008, Curtis pled guilty to embezzling $18,283 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office
Well said Paul Parker. D 101 thank you for your service! I have a drink for you and your brothers tonight! If your not a scab then what gives with the Sharp tounge. If i am wrong ill admit it! But as to the things i said above you know damn good and well that whiners in the service GET PEOPLE KILLED! And think about this if you had to choose between an steward or a 204b to lead you into combat which one would you pick? no need to answer we both know!
Within USPS, we have a limited talent pool: carriers, clerks, mail handlers, etc. Management and unions compete for this talent. (Scabs are not talent, they’re vermin.) The unions almost always win these competitions: union representatives are almost always better educated and more ethical than management representatives. That said, it must be added that failed membership participation sabotages the local’s effectiveness, which is dependent upon full membership participation.
Toxic environments created by scabs should be criminalized, and both management and unions agree on this.
Those who refuse to pay for the services they receive are crooks. And these crooks, who then try to rationalize their criminal actions by alleging union incompetence, are scabs. Criminals are disallowed the vote and have no say in our country’s government for very good reason – much the way scabs are in our places of employment.
We try, as a collective body, to select, support, and promote those within our group who can be the most effective. PARTICIPATION IS KEY. All are responsible to read and gain a basic understanding of our contract. Expecting your steward to do it all is unreasonable and it is unfair.
To those criticizing-members who think it is so easy to investigate, research, and write-up grievances, you should volunteer to be a steward and display your talent – if you have any.
It should dawn on members that union work is complex, difficult, and highly stressful and not worth the remuneration and perks that come with the job – and that is why it is so difficult to entice members to serve. Further, member expectations along with their failed participations handicap effectiveness, which then brings charges of ineffectiveness by members.
Members are the union and should look in the mirror before blaming other members. Shirking your responsibilities and then blaming others for not carrying your load too is the rationale of a blockhead. Fortunate are those locals that respect, revere, and even love their union officers for the great sacrifices that they make — and it is a great sacrifice.
Remember too, we are NOT professionals as are doctors, lawyers, accountants, and neither are you. Expectation of professionalism is NOT reasonable, unless YOU can provide it. We are what we are: clerks, carriers, mail handlers, etc. – just like YOU.
Rather than criticizing others, you should volunteer to do something constructive and positive. Then, if you have successfully accomplished it, you will be respected and supported by your co-workers for higher office. Earning respect from your fellow workers is better than earning their contempt – and contempt is all you’ll earn when you only criticize others without offering an alternative action, pursuing it, and successfully accomplishing it.
Navy Bob, Viet-Nam US Army 1970 to 1971, Career Military,never been fraged by anyone friendly! Never said I was a scab. Comment # 48 is a lot better than your previous one and I will agree on this one with you.
There’s no doubt there are problems within the APWU, no arguments here! However if we stay on our laurels and bitch do we change anything? To say we would be better of without a Union would be insane, I’m mean truly think about it! If you don’t like the way something is you work to change it ,some times that means getting involved even when facing overwhelming opposition to your beliefs and opinion’s. I take annual leave every time I have to go somewhere and my most sincere hope is to help keep jobs and gain more jobs! I tried management but it’s locked up tight with idiots and opportunist to even give more of an effort there. So I fight, I fight the same fight for the Good Union employees the Bad Union employees and the Scabs, some of which are my dear friends and over drinks at least once an month I let em have it! So grow up no of us can afford to not be involved anymore. Otherwise we will all be casuals.
dummies 101 Yes indeed thank God because a whinner like you would get fraged quick! Besides if the military was ran like the post office we would surly need one. O by the way the military does now EEO access for cry babie like you!
The misuse of the members’ money has been rampant throughtout the APWU for years. They have thrown extravagant parties, purchased luxury automobiles for retiring union officials, and have eaten at the best restaurants and strip clubs to talk “busines”. Now what they have sown, they will reap.
to navy bob, thank God that the military does not have a union!!
just the tip of the iceberg. what about all of those full time officers with no-show jobs?
How are things at the race track?
Scabs and bitching union members, GET INVOLED! Some more Union for dummies 101:
If you’re a Union member and you feel there is something going wrong with your Union, report them to the Labor board, they hate Union and will do all they can to find something wrong. So if they don’t find something wrong you just didn’t know any better because you were not involved.
If you don’t like the representation (those who give up time away from there home and families to represent all good members, whiners and yes scabs) run for office! Get people to a Union meeting to vote for you to attend these so called parties (seminars, training and conventions).
If you don’t like your constitutions then submit, at a Union meeting a motion to change it!
I was just doing a little whining myself I’m not going to quit like a scab. Most scabs are proven habitual quitters! If they think someone pissed in there coffee they quit! One day you feel like a nut next day you don’t.
Ok dummy so they got compensated for going south, what were they doing? You don’t even know and it probably was something involving saving your ungrateful ass! Besides you are a dummy because I didn’t Say all I said most get a dictionary and read it!
Unlike you dummie I will go where I have to, to support my family and wont bitch. I did before this job and I will (God forbid) after this job too!
Get involved change starts from within not on your f&*%^ ass!
In my 12 years as a steward, and 20 years as a USPS employee, it’s been my observation that those who critisize the Union, usually don’t know squat about the Union or their CBA. Most critics are ignorant of that which they critisize. Especially, SCABS!!!!!
Give yourself a raise….quit the union.
Hey Union Guy, I don’t hate the union as a whole just this local, as i am sure other do as well. The National is doing ok but the crap that these locals are getting away with is disgusting. We don’t seem to have voice in this local 7048 so why for local if local isn’t representing me/us/you properly. You PRO UNION THUGS MAKE ME SICK. The only time a person puts that much faith in another at least on the surface is when he is out for something, All I wanted was good/fair rep. couldn’t get the simplist things done thru this local, so good for the nat’l and screw this local. Did ever think maybe you haven’t gotten screwed yet?
I think they aought to investigate my local too. My Officers seem like crooks…
USPS fired all of them, and APWU filed a grievance and got their jobs back. They are now all officers again. Don’t worry fellow members, everyone deserves a second or third chance. Pass your dues please…
Recognition for you, Scab!
Author Jack London supplies a definition:
‘The Scab
‘After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, and the vampire, He had some awful substance left with which he made a scab.
‘A scab is a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a water brain, a combination backbone of jelly and glue. Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles.
‘When a scab comes down the street, men turn their backs and Angels weep in Heaven, and the Devil shuts the gates of hell to keep him out.
‘No man (or woman) has a right to scab so long as there is a pool of water to drown his carcass in, or a rope long enough to hang his body with. Judas was a gentleman compared with a scab. For betraying his Master, he had character enough to hang himself. A scab has not.
‘Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. Judas sold his Savior for thirty pieces of silver. Benedict Arnold sold his country for a promise of a commission in the British Army. The scab sells his birthright, country, his wife, his children and his fellowmen for an unfulfilled promise from his employer.
‘Esau was a traitor to himself; Judas was a traitor to his God; Benedict Arnold was a traitor to his country; a SCAB is a traitor to his God, his country, his family and his class.’
Congratulations Scab! This is a lot to be proud of — you worthless piece of feces.
as far as the NALC goes…’ I LIKE IT HERE’
some of you talk very fowl about our wondefull union
you stinkin ninnys, without the union you would have Nuttin Honey
Our stewards are always sleeping in the union office while the clerks are being abused on the floor every night.
San Bernardino stewards how many grievances have you filed in the past month for all the hours you have spent on union time ?
The chief steward should be checking up on you !
We have crooks in the LOS ANGELES APWU tooo..You will be reading about their antics and exploits soon..GET THE CUFFS READY….Haul their azzz to jail with the rest of the crooks…More news to follow in the next few months….
I used to be a carrier treasurer for the NALC. I took it over after some improprities found on the books. I made sure all checks needed to signatures and full blown receipts! How does this happen!
The former 4th Dist.VP from Arkansas was discovered by other officers of the AR state organization and quickly acted upon to have him investigated and we went after the reimbursement.
Yes it gets published as if the DOL discovered it and did all the leg work when in reality it is your fellow officers and stewards that police one another and watch the funds. Once a bad officer is discovered the majority of good ones will take action. ALL these bad officers I can assure you give the rest of us a black eye but it is the good ones that catch them and turned them in.
There are thieves everywhere but none so horrible as the ones who take from those who are trusting them to save their jobs. When training seminars and conventions are all about entertainment and alcohol then things need to change TODAY! Absolute power corrupts absolutely! The big fish swallow the minnows, but the minnows are an important part of the food chain.
All of the scabs are nothing but a cancer! You thieving bastards make me sick! None of you uneducated f*%ks would even be making $10 dollars an hour, no benefits and living in the slums if it wasn’t for the union. Someday you will regret sitting on your worthless asses and kissing managment ass! The day will come when all you young punks WILL be making minimum wage and thinking about getting together and get involved in a union to save your low-life asses!
(Dummies 101 and memorandumb)…so what do you say to yours when you have sucked what comes out of a chickens behind and claim you would still have a job at the wages you currently have…..the last part of memo’s name says it all…..DUMB!!!!! No better than the pimple on “society’s behind” you are…..
sorry phil bmc,,my mistake, it was vedo says,please accept my azpoligies.
say phil bmc,some of these people you call scabs are your former brothers and sisters!
John Manager, Is that what you’re going to tell God?
PHIL BMC just found another excuse for being a scab…whoopdedo…Scabs are all thieves…they don’t have any nerve but a million excuses.
say navy bob, the only dummi here is you, i know for a fact yhat a group of people from the north east just went away for a week down south and the union is paying their salary and transportation. you will see how much power your union has when the next contract is negotiated, you might as well quit working for the union now,there,s more to just getting your raises,see if you can save your own job as well as other jobs,start packing now for your relocation away from your family and friends.
Way to go Brother Navy Bob harsh but true and sometimes the truth hurts no matter how much the non-members close their eyes and ears and blame those of us who are giving up our FAMILY time and money to fight for all of our rights. Once again, these are the times for everyone to do their part, sign up, pay your dues and find any way to support your local stewards, officers and yourselves. The USPS would like to stop paying dues (Good Pay & Benefits) to everyones bank accounts and make us all casuals. SAVE OUR JOBS!
Yeah get out of the Union that would be smart. Take your money and go to Disney World, F*&^ you I don’t like leaving my family to go to the God D@#$ conferences or conventions. The purpose is to learn better ways to defend your sorry ungrateful no nothing don’t wanna know nothing ass’s. Sure after spending 8 hours doing business on your behalf, well when in Rome. Your interests are looked after first.
Take your money back and when there is no money to bargain for a decent contract you can go home stick your 50 cents between your ass checks and stair at yourself in the mirror and wonder why YOU were so stingy with 50 f%$#@ cents. I hope you can keep those cheeks pinched a while.
Yes scab pat yourself on the F&%$&% back you do yourself and others a good service by keeping your penny’s. It’s a damn good thing the majority of Postal Workers don’t think like the likes of you whiny ass’s or we would all be f%##%$ casuals making 10 bucks an hour right now!
You asses are the reason I want to quit working for the Union. Some quick facts for you idiots:
Union for dummies 101
Most Union members attending conferences, training, and seminars take WOP, Use their own annual use their own transportation and don’t get reimbursed.
Travel between offices is reimbursed in some big locals and the one’s who can afford it, most of the time the officers decline the reimbursement.
Get involved learn something then if you don’t like try to change it. Quit sitting in your chair at home looking out the window bitching because some kids are playing next door.
Release your cheeks do some kind of good before it’s too late!
Use your head Manager. Illegal is illegal. It will never be forced upon you to perform an illegal act. I tell you that you have to rob this bank. Do it or it is insubordination. Gimme a break
Hey Phil BMC!!! You Scabs cry about everything, they caught those f–king crooks and are making them pay it back. They also have a criminal record now. You Scabs take all the pay raises the Union negotiated for you for last 10 or 20 years and you are whining, what has my Union done for me lately. You make me sick!!!!!!
John Manager be a liar. Never required to obey an illegal act. Get it in writing but be sure you are corect
These are just the bad apples out of thousands of honest stewards and officers. With the times we are going through now, those of you who chose to get out should be signing back up and offering some of your own leadership or helping those of us who are leading with honesty! Our unions need all of the help and support we can get, without them our society and the middle class will crumble as a whole. JOIN THE FIGHT!!
You craft people (including scabs) think you have it tough; you should try management for a week and then you would know what tough is. We are ordered by morons to do things that many times are illegal, then, sweat it out that we are not caught, because we know that the morons that ordered us to do the illegal acts are not going to admit it should their bosses investigate it. We are then left holding the bag.
As stated, once ordered to do the illegal act, we must commit the illegal act or be charged with insubordination. Once the illegal act is committed, if discovered, our boss can either admit responsibility (which is never the case) or deny it (which is always the case) — leaving us to suffer the punishment.
How would you like to be in our shoes?
There would be no need for a union if management were acted just half way professional with a little integrity and wee bit of decency.
But as it is, management has become so morally corrupt and untrustworthy that craft workers are forced to “union up” to survive.
While the unions are far from perfect, the percentage of low-life’s running the unions is still lower than those in the USPS management’s ranks.
It is too bad that those who choose to not be union members get a free ride from those who are members. In a perfect world, the unions would have no obligation to represent non-members for free and non-members would have to trust management to take care of them and look out for their best interests.
I am called a scab for quiting the union and these thieving S.O.B.’s are stealing money from dues paying members and they have the f**king nerve to call someone a scab.
where do I sign up to be a part of THIS madness?
So far only 6 different states with a thief each. Our branch “caught” ours. Unfortunately, she had already “taken” what was not hers to take!!
Got out of the union many years ago. Was tired
of hearing we will look into it, and then got
done. They agreed to scan points with the saying
they will not use them against us!!! Ha hahaha,.
Get out and buy lotto tickets that way you at
least have asmall chance of getting something
back.
They should be fired and prosecuted.
do all these thieves still have a job with the USPS? A thief is a thief and should be fired!
Last year, over 400 Local Union Reps for the NPMHU went to a conference at DisneyWorld of all places. All expenses paid by dues paying union members.
I want my free trip to DisneyWorld !!!
There is always a bad apple no where you go. AS a whole. I still support the union.
What about Frankie Sanders? He has been busted twice, twice I say. That is why I got out of the union several years ago.
I will hire these crooks as Vice Presidents’ in charge of pay-offs : )
Yes you should quit the union because they have turned their back on you and me. It is ironic when we get a pay raise the union get their cut also. What is up with that.
Burris what the hell is going on, should I quit the union, We pay union officials and for what? Trips to conferences.
I want my money back.