What is the Auxiliary?
Family Unity, Family Support, Family Values
J. Kingsbury Auxiliary #99
On Saturday, May 22, 1999, I attended the Washington State Association of Letter Carriers Auxiliary Convention as a guest. This was my first Auxiliary Convention.
Before entering, I was feeling uncomfortable, something most people would feel when you don't know what is going to happen in a room full of strangers. Immediately upon entering the room, I was made to feel welcome by the women present. As it turned out, the only person in this room possibly stranger than me was the other male who showed up, Lee McOmber from Port Orchard.
In order to have an Auxiliary Convention, a quorum of at least three Branches must he present. Thanks to the Tacoma, Spokane, and Yakima Delegates, we were (willing and) able to proceed with the business at hand.
The Convention Delegates' actions required the guests (those of us not elected as Delegates by our Auxiliary) to he a part of this family.
That's correct. FAMILY.
For all State Conventions, National assigns an Officer to be present. This is someone different for both Letter Carriers and Auxiliary, as both have separate National Officers. The Chairperson of the Laws Section, Susan McNees from Sandy, Utah, was the Auxiliary National Officer in attendance. Knowing this eased most of my anxiety before the Convention started, as I have known Susan and husband Steve for nearly ten years, and I consider them friends. I say this even after Susan gave me a couple good. hard slugs on the arm when I won $100 from Brookfield Uniform's raffle drawing and donated it all to COLCPE (Committee On Letter Carrier Political Education) instead of $50 to COLCPE and $50 to the Auxiliary.
Susan spoke at different times on different subjects. Everything that grabbed my attention revolved around employee unity and support of the family. To me, these are family values. YES - family values. Politicians
have beaten this phrase up so much in the last few years that we have stopped paying attention to its meaning. Until recently, I think I had, too.
Make no mistake, support of one an others' occupation(s) (be it spouse, significant other, child[ren], or family member, is a necessity in today's society. There are very few employers that provide decent wage and benefit packages, while at the same time allowing a person to enjoy their work and co-workers
In the 15+ years I have been employed with the Postal Service, the social connection among co-workers has nearly vanished. Retirees have told me stories of friendships (true friends) which began at the Post Office of old. Some of you may say, "Nothing has changed." To those who believe that, I am happy you work with people (employees) that you have fun with away from work with your families.
I believe there has been a change. What has caused this change'? At this point, I could give what I believe are some reasons, but I'll only state one. Years ago (for the majority) there was one breadwinner and one who stayed at home and took care of the family. Today (for the majority) we have two breadwinners in the family. This does not leave much time for many outside family activities. Because of that, we try to select activities important to all family members.
This is why I believe the Auxiliary is soooooooo vital. The Auxiliary can organize (and facilitate) functions that would be fun for the entire family, while at the same time allowing co-workers an opportunity to see each other outside the work environment. This would also allow family members to see those of us who you talk (read complain) about at home.
I intended to make this article humorous; however, as I was writing, the importance of the Auxiliary struck a nerve.
This truly is serious. Without your support by becoming involved in the Auxiliary, it may perish. Those who may join are the: spouse, significant other, children and family members over 16 years of age of NALC members.
One thing that can be done without belonging to an Auxiliary (although we really do want you, or yours, to join) is to cut the fronts off of cards, i.e. birthday, get well, sympathy, Christmas, etc., and get them to a Union Officer (NALCA or NALC) so that they could be recycled by those residing at St. Jude's. St. Jude's is one of three National Charitable Organizations that NALCA sponsors, the others being the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), and Make a Wish Foundation.
Something else that can be done would be to write one letter, or more, to the editor of your local newspaper explaining how Letter Carrier work has changed and that the new work methods on the street while delivering the mail cause both longer street times (in varying weather conditions) and has ergonomic problems which will lead to any number of arthritic discomforts in the future for many Letter Carriers while the Postal Service continues to profit.
