One of the web sites that focuses on postal issues recently suggests that I favor “throwing in the towel” on 5 day delivery by supporting the Obama plan for postal reform. This analysis misinterprets my suggested course for addressing the USPS’ dilemma. The choices offered in this political struggle are:
1. Issa/Ross – Carper/McCain
a. A Republican controlled House and
b. A Democratic Chairman in the Senate who accepts the GAO report
2. Obama proposal that includes 5 day delivery
3. HR 1351 which has major obstacles in the House and Senate. The path to passage would require a miracle and even then you would be only half way there, requiring Senate confirmation
Each of these options is unacceptable in their present form but the Obama fight is much more targeted and would be among friends
I do not suggest “throwing in the towel on 5 day delivery” but settling on a specific target and directing all the guns in one direction. It gives you a better chance of hitting something you want to eat.
And to the blogger who continues to write about the timing of my retirement, I suggest that when he reaches 53 years of service at the age of 75 he will be qualified to question my decision.
1st Cav 229th AHB VN 67-69…
Burrus, a legend in his own mind? You haven’t met Terry!
No one gets to blame Guffey for this contract.
It was RATIFIED by 64% of you idiots.
My Local turned it down, why? Because we were pro-active in getting the word out to our membership about what we were voting on. Guffey bargained poorly, but YOU approved it. History has shown that arbitrators usually rule in favor of Labor.
I’m ready to go any time I want. But hey, if theres a carrot on the end of a stick in front of me, I can wait a bit longer. Besides that, I AINT taking my sick leave with me.
Mr. Burrus, Thank you for all you and Mo Biller did for us. I agree we need to pick our battles, but as you can read the other comment’s we can’t even agree to do that. Some are going after the Union, some the USPS and some congress. I am no longer a fan of President Obama, I just don’t see his strength in dealing with problems.
Anyway, yes, we got a terrible contract bet no matter how terrible it needs to be enforced. That is part of what the Union does. Right now, I see the number of arbitrations decreasing which to me means non representation to the members and non-enforcement. Is it budget or is it on purpose.
I will be joining you too in retirement but I will stay a full dues paying member of the APWU. One of the reasons I will is so I can continue to write what I think, just like you. As full dues paying members we have a voice and a say. Believe me, it will loudly be heard in two years as the next elections rolls around. I see a cleaning of the house and new tennents moving in. No one will be safe in their job at the APWU National level. Perhaps it’s time to think change and the bright young turks amoung us can start thinking of running for office to try and make the necessary changes our Union needs for the future. It is time for change and it is one battle we need to choose.
I am not saying I agree or disagree with what all you people are saying, but why can’t people who write comments sign their name to it? i have almost 27 years in and am approaching 50 years old and I am more than ready to leave, so based on Brother Burrus’ age and years in service before retiring he probably would better served to be called a moron than a coward. At least he identifies who he is when he posts. Peace.
Florida Bob is correct. I would run out the door with 50k and 6 years of service. But I still say that you cannot force out a person who, for some reason, doesn’t want to retire, or cannot retire. I know alot of people who have kids in college and cannot go now. We should not pit the older workers against the younger workers. To do so is wrong.
we need an early out incentive,,,,, the older crew has to ngo…. $50 k and 6 years of service added… you would get 120,000 people out now…..
“Imagine one day waking up not knowing how your going to pay your bills, or support your family. It may soon happen Never say NEVER!’
Wheres that clyde when i need him?
Mr. Burrus has truely sacrificed a great deal of time,effort ,and heartache over the years. Being a mailhandler union rep for 17 years i have seen firsthand the effort, politics, and heavy handed management tactics that a union official must endure.
Its good to see Mr. Burrus still involved in some way, for all those years of experience are priceless. For all the crybabies that dont read, learn , and make an effort towards union involement, try working in a coal mine, slaughter house. Its class warfare brother, get involved or get exploited. Have a great retirement Mr. Burrus you earned it, thanks for playing the game.
burass got his big house, armani suits, jaguar cars, Vegas trips, Limo’s and 2 hour lunches on K Street….all we got were 1% raises. never on a workroom floor, said what am I going to do shake hands…aggroant a**hole.
then he got his second or third pension and left people hanging with this cliff guffy 5 year sell out/ no COLA contract……now the bum is back -coulda, woulda, shoulda. ain’t revisionist history grand!
even George W Bush had the good sense to retire and just go away…..burrass why don’t you do the same……you were not that great, legend in your own mind.
cliff guffy even wanted to fire the secretaries over the “computer screen gate” scandal at apwu headquaters……what a bunch of losers! picked a great sucessor dimwit!
President Burrus if it wasn’t for people like you who paid their dues and put their time in and for 53 years you gave your heart and soul to this great company. The reason we all make excellent salary’s now is because of true professionals like yourself.
The people who write classess post have no idea what is really going on. I would bet these are the same people who never show up for work, or always finding an excuse to not work. You won’t see them put 53 years of service in.
True postal workers who have heart and are truly dedicated know one man can’t fix this system. It takes many the power is in numbers. You don’t have to still be in office to make a difference. You can support and voice your opinions for all to see as President Burrus is doing.
I think your a man of honor and God bless you as you have done the company proud. You deserve your retirement and thank you for your continued support. It’s time for all the hate to stop and all to come together and as a team, one voice come together and make a difference.
Life is too short to have all this hate and unkind things to say to people. Today we should all thank God we have great paying jobs and very thankful for the many famlies this company has taken care of. Maybe its time for us to give back ? before its too late.
Imagine one day waking up not knowing how your going to pay your bills, or support your family. It may soon happen Never say NEVER!
God Bless You President Burrus and enjoy your retirement 53 years is truly amazing. Thank you for your service and being part of the reason we all make great salary’s.
All of you haters of Mr Burrus are hating on the wrong person you should be hating on Mr Guffey. He is the one who did not want to accept Mr Burrus’s help or listen to anything suggested by Mr B. So I suggest you stop dogging Mr. Burruss out! before I kick your ass! Na, just kidding but seriously you guys need to be rational about this and lets point our fustration in the right direction. Sometimes, I bet Mr B. wish he had not retired. I honestly, believe we would be in much better shape. Lets give him some credit for still being involve apparently he still cares to me this shows dedication after 53 years he probably feels he is attached. He definitely have the right to voice his opinion. I can go on and on, on the behalf of Mr B’s defense. I’m pretty sure you guys get the message! I know there are going to be some smart ass remarks so, bring it on” Jack Asses”.
All of you haters of Mr Burrus are hating on the wrong person you should be hating on Mr Guffey. He is the one who did not want to accept Mr Burrus’s help or listen to anything suggested by Mr B. So I suggest you stop dogging Mr. Burruss out! before I kick your ass! Na, just kidding but seriously you guys need to be rational about this and lets point our fustration in the right direction. Sometimes I bet Mr B wish he had not retired. I honestly believe we would be in much better shape. Lets give him some credit for still being involve apparently he still cares to me this shows dedication after 53 years he probably feels he attached. He definitely have the right to voice his opinion. I can go on and on, on the behalf of Mr B’s defense. I’m pretty sure you guys get the message! I know there are going to be some smart ass remarks so, bring it on” Jack Asses”.
So when should have he retired? Before during or after the new contract was settled? Then you would has chastised him for signing a new contract & then leaving.
Mr Burrus please enjoy your well earned retirement & don’t let the jerks keep you away please
do not use the (brm) business reply mail to send empty
envelopes or envelopes with useless paper in them to the
customers that use this service. if you thought about it you
would realize you are only
“cutting your own throat” in the long run. customers pay a
premium price for this service and will STOP USING THIS SERVICE
ALTOGETHER if they pay for too many empty envelopes or blank pieces of paper.
geez, some peoples kids………………..
Pointing the guns all in same direction sounds like more of the same me,me,me,I,I,I,more,more,more reteric the union has been pushing, only to let the enemy out flank us.
hey bill its ok. we all know you chickened out. we all know you thought that
this fight would kick your BIG EGO ass. so since you chose to chicken out then
shut your trap.
Why would Bill Burress still be involved if he didn’t want the union to succeed? He has devoted his life and working career to trying to make things better for union members, ascfificing much of his personal life along the way. When he retired, he OFFERED to help new president Guffey in the forthcoming negotiations with management; and despite having more know how and experience than anyone Guffey had ot call on, he was turned down.
Shortly thereafter he started the “bribery?” campaign with the locals, making promises if they would recomend to the membership that they vote the contrract in.
Folks, this may very be the worst giveaway contract in the history of any union! Guffey had to have planned this well in advance, which is the obvious reason he turned down Bill Burris’help. Why else would have the PO agreed to the health plan monies for new employees if it wasn’t a planned deal from the outset.
The APWU should take a cold hard look at the leadership they have as it is headed down a dead end road with agreements like this.
To the BRM idea…how long before mailers get tired of receiving empty envelopes and paying for it? They may just quit the service and we lose more money. Maybe you could write 2-3 actually letters a week. Congress, Senate, and President?
Ive been doing that with bulk mail for years !! I think it’s a funny thing when someone opens it ! Yeah it would create alot of mail flow if everyone did do it ….
I agree with what the previouse poster said. Burrus earned his right to retire. He gave us all he could during his time as our Nation President and still, to this day, he is one of the few that talks about the real issues, not to just be heard, but to make us, whoa re still working think about whats really at stake.
Guffey sold us out, plain and simple.
When I watch video’s of Guffey, he comes across as a spoiled kid who says anything he wants to say, just for the sake of attention. PMG Donehue, ate him for lunch during the negotiations. The only good thing that came out of this cotract is the continuance of the no layoff clause. Yet, even that doesnt guarentee they wont try to get rid of us some other way.
I would really like to see them try to force retire those who are already eligible.
Age Discrimination?? Bring it on.
I have started taking every piece of standard mail that I get, that has a business reply envelope inside of it and I put a blank piece of paper in it, seal it and drop it in the mail. Theres more than one wat to increase mail volume. Imagine what that would do to the actually volume across this country if EVERYBODY dropped 2-3 pieces of reply mail into their mailbox and returned it to where it came, instead of throwing it in the recycle bin.
Now that the members of the APWU Executive Board are taking flack for the new contract- they are posting things like this to blame President Burris.No one forced anyone to run for office. Take responsibility for what you have done and stand up for it. Blaming someone else for “deserting” you or calling them a coward? -please. Bill Burris is no deserter and I personally welcome anything he has to say.
dear buris / burrus / whatever,
i’m not sure what blogger your speaking of or exactly what that blogger
is saying. i assume maybe the blogger is saying you are a coward who
bailed out at a time when it was obvious that a very difficult contract
enviroment was upon us and no good options were out there. i assume the
blogger might be calling you a “deserter” that left his unit just as the
battle was about to be fought! yes billy burris, you can retire anytime you want
and the fact that you bailed out when the going got tough is absolutely
your choice. frankly, i’m glad you left because your character or lack of it
has become evident and i know the apwu deserves better than you. futhermore,
you come on here and repeatedly bash the current apwu leaders for the
current contract and the ramifications of that contract. you suggest that this is the worst contract for union members in the history of the apwu. yet, the
people the apwu sent to washing d. c. to negotiate this contract were many
of the very same people that you had in place when you were elected and
“served” as the president. so what happened burris? did the apwu people become stupid and incompetent overnight after you left?? you retired
billy burris and that was your choice. do us all a favor and keep your
retired criticism to yourself or i guess you’ll just have to accept the criticism that
comes your way for bailing on your membership. good day.