Secretary
Cory R Gibson Sr.
Secretary, FSALC
4075 Button Bush Cir.
Lakeland, FL. 33811
Cory4570g@gmail.com
(863)398-1477
Did you know that from the Civil War through to World War 1 that’s when Unions grew and became more powerful? That was because of the needs for more factory workers and other laborers were increasing in that time. But in the 20’s is when unionizations seemed to not mater as mush because the economy was doing a lot better.
When the Great Depression of 1929 hit, that quickly changed all of that. Unions became strong again and were growing in numbers again. Since then Unions have been falling in numbers and losing some of their strength. The fight is now even harder for Unions to protect the middle class.
What is happening now is the rich get richer and the middle class suffers layoff, unemployment and stagnant wages. What all the Unions fight for is fair wages to raise the standard of living for the working class with safe working conditions and increased benefits.
If it were up to the CEO’s and Executives, most of them would not even be providing good health insurance, a good pension, reasonable work hours and job safety protection. What they are doing is making jobs and income less secure by downsizing, contracting out and sending jobs off shore.
Can you imagine how bad it can get without the Unions fighting for the workers rights? If they did away with the Unions that represent Postal workers what do you think you would get? Well just look at what the Postal Service tries to offer the Postal workers when contract talks begin. And what they offer is JUST a small example of what you would get if there was no more collective barging.
You don’t have to believe me. Just ask what the Rural Letter Carriers and Clerks were offered in the first go around of contract talks. Then take a good look at what they will be offering the City Carriers the year when contract talks begin. And you want to think that the Postal Service is all giving?
That is why it is so important to stand with the Union that represents you at work. Remember, if they were so kind hearted the Unions wouldn’t have to fight so hard for our rights. I have been a Union member for almost two thirds of my life. I am PROUD to say I am a Union member of the NALC.
Cory Ray Gibson Sr.
FSALC Secretary
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Have you downloaded the new NALC app to your phone or tablet? It’s free to download in the Apple App Store and in the Google Play Store. Just search “NALC Member App.” You can download it to your cell phone or tablet. I have it on my Cell phone and tablets. There is so much information that you can get from it. And did I mention that’s free? That’s the best part of it. I will go over some of the things that you can get from the app.
After you have downloaded the app it will give you a brief introduction to some of the things you can access. It will ask you if this is your home zip, and if so just hit YES. You’ll then see a new page asking you check what you are interested in. You can choose from Workplace Issues, Legislative and Political Affairs, General News/Information, Union Administration just to name a few. It is surprising all the great information that you will find.
You’ll find the latest pay chart and COLAs, NALC Bulletins (latest and previous issues). In the NEWS section there will be articles that pertain to us as Union and anything that is Political that will affect us and the Postal Service. That is a valuable section to stay informed.
Under GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS you can find out who is your Congressional representatives are. Issues and Facts Sheet is where you will find what Bills are on the floor that are, or are not, in our best interest. Here you can also sign up for the Letter Carrier Political Fund. This whole section will keep you up on what is going on in Congress that will affect are jobs. To me this is the most important section.
Under WORKPLACE RESOURCES is where the 2011-2016 NALC-USPS National Agreement can be found. If voted in you will find the new agreement here. It also has various handbooks and manuals like the M-39, M-41, JCAM and MRS Index. The CCA Resource Guide is there too. It also has informational articles from Ron Watson, our Director of Retired Members. If you look under “Injured on the job”, this can help you with what you need if you ever do get hurt on the job. That in its self is priceless.
There is even a Rotating Calendar. It will ask if you have fixed or rotating days off and when is your NS day in this service week. You have a day off calendar that you will know what days off you have down the road at your finger tips.
There is so much more that I haven’t even covered. This is a well thought out and informative app. Once you download the NALC Member App you’ll be surprised with how much useful information there is in this app. And did I mention that it’s free…..
In Solidarity, Cory R. Gibson 12/13/2017
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I would like to take this time to say, I’m honored to serve as the Florida State Association’s Secretary. I am looking forward to this opportunity and working with State Officers and representing our Union at a higher level. It will be hard filling the shoes of long time Secretary O. D. Elliott and our past Secretary Joanne Wright.
I have been a member of NALC from 1983. When I was first hired in Miami with the Postal Service I was a member of branch #1071. In 1997, I transferred to Lakeland from Miami where I am a member of branch 1779. In 1997 I was appointed as Shop Steward and a short time later was also appointed the OWCP Representative. In 2005 I was appointed branch 1779’s Financial Secretary – Treasurer. I have continued as the local branch Financial Secretary – Treasurer for over nine years. I have served on various committees for our local branch. While continuing to represent my local branch 1779, I am looking forward to representing the FSALC as the State Secretary.
Thank you for this opportunity.
In Solidarity
Cory R. Gibson
