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* Unofficial Site

Dale Miller, President

To our honored guest, our National Officer Mr. Francis Ramier, To the excellent State Board members, honored guest, and to the great members of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association, the greatest association in the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. I am very pleased to stand before you today and present my second Annual report as your State President.
This past year has been a great one for the association. We are now nearing the 5500 mark in membership. Thanks to each one of you who have worked so hard on getting new members. I am also very proud of our financial status. When I first came on the, board, we were in dire straits. But with the diligent work and sacrifice of my predecessors and a good state board, we have overcome this and I am pleased to say that your association is in great financial shape today. The dues increase that you voted upon yourselves was also a big help in this endeavor to bring the association into financial stability. We are now and have been operating under a budget for the past 6 years and this has been a great help.
I would like to thank our state, area, and local steward force for the great work that they do. The biggest part of our budget is going toward steward work and training. And as you know, the steward program should be and is the backbone of our association. During this past year, I have visited with all my assigned locals and a few others that I have been invited to attend. I have attended all State functions and the National Convention in Madison, Wisconsin where I was privileged to sit on the Constitution and By-laws Committee. This Committee took the 25 Constitution Changes that were presented and drafted one that passed that gave each working members of our association the right and privilege to vote on the ratification of our Contracts. I also attended the Presidents and Vice Presidents Legislative Seminar in Washington DC in May. We were able to lobby with our Congress People and to get support for some of the bills that will greatly help our craft if and when the bills are passed.
I have had a great board to work with this past year. We have not always agreed but we have always supported the board. Thank you great board members for a great year and your support.
I would also like to thank each of you members for the great support and loyalty that you have shown me during this past year: Without your support, I could not have done the job.
Lastly, I would like to thank my wife and family for the sacrifices and help they have put forth in order for me to serve as your President. We can never do enough as board members to repay our spouses for their dedication to the Association.
In closing, I would like to thank Freddy Griffin and Stan Waldrip for the years that they have dedicated to the association and all the hard work gone into those years. We will miss you on the job but we know that we will still see you working as a member of the Association.
I would like to thank the Auxiliary an their State Board for the excellent work that they have done in supporting our Association. Their help in raising PAC funds for the State Association has been invaluable.
I am looking forward to the works, whatever it is that I will be privileged to do for our association. May God fulfill his richest blessings on each of you.
Your President Dale Miller
Submitted at 2001 State Convention, Beaumont, Texas

Lanona Jackson, Vice President

Mr. President, NRLCA Executive Committeeman, Francis Raimer, fellow board members, delegates, members and guests. I submit my annual report to the 97th state convention of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association assembled at Beaumont, Texas.
This has been a exciting year. There have been so many changes and different things happening I wasn't always sure if I was coming or going. I have met with all of my assigned locals this past year. I have asked other officers to meet with some of my locals when I could not attend, and I have met with some of their locals when they could not attend. As Vice President I have traveled 6,845 miles and taken 17 days of sub-hire. I have attended the National convention in Madison, Wisconsin, the state convention in Arlington, the SW AC conference and the Booster meeting. In May I attended the legislative conference in Washington DC, with Shirley and Dale. We visited with our congressmen to discuss issues that will benefit rural carriers as well as all federal employees. We were there when the power in the senate changed hands, it was something to watch how things work in our capitol.
As Assistant State Steward I have traveled 8,419 miles and used 21 days of sub-hire. I have attended the Steward Training in Reno, and held 7 steward training classes myself. I have handled 49 grievances at step 1 and 2. Of these, 32 were contractual, 25 have been settled at step 2, the other 7 are still open cases. The other 17 grievances were for discipline, 8 were removals, of which 6 have been put back to work and 2 were forward to a step 3. 1 other disciplinary grievance was forwarded to a step 3 and the rest were settled at step 2. I believe very much in our steward system, I think it is our best tool to keep the checks and balances with management. The more local stewards we can get the stronger our union will become. To be a good steward you do not have to get into confrontations with management you just need to be the iron rod that stands firm and makes it's point. One of the most important jobs of the local steward is to educate their fellow carriers in what their rights are. I want to say thank you to the local stewards for taking the often frustrating and thankless job of representing the rural carriers of Texas, without you the steward system would not work.
I have been your state steward for 10 days, and I have already appealed 2 grievance's to step 3. I am deeply honored that you have put your confidence in me, I will give it my all and do the best job I can for the state of Texas. This was a hard decision for me to make, ever since I have been going to the national conventions I have watched the opening session and was deeply impressed by the parade of states. I've always thought it would be such an honor to represent the state of Texas and carry the flag, but I have decided that I can do more for the rural letter carriers of Texas by serving as your state steward.
I wish to say thank you to my family for their support especially my husband Dale who puts up with all the missed meals, phone calls, being my chauffeur and sounding board when I am venting my frustrations. I couldn't do this job without his support. Also a big thank you to Dale, Jenny, Pasty, Stan, Shirley, Terry, Janis and Freddy for all of their encouragement and support, together we have made a very good team. Most of all thanks to you, the rural carriers of Texas for allowing me to represent you, I have tried to do the best job possible. I hope I've made a difference.

Stan Waldrip, Secretary-Treasurer

NRLAC Committeeman Francis Raimer, TRLCA President Dale MIller, Board members, members and guests: It gives me great pride to present my eighth annual report as the TRLCA Secretary-Treasurer.
I attended the NRLCA Convention in Madison, Wisconsin last August where I served onthe NRLCA Finance Committee. I am serving my second year of the three year term. I appreciate the opportunity that I have experienced. it is truly an honor to have the confidence of the NRCLA on my side.
Last October, my family and I attended the Fall Booster Meeting in Montgomery, Texas at the del Lago Resport. The TRLCA board met prior to the meeting to dicuss the business of this association.
Shortly after the fall booster meeting, I underwent surgery on my left rotator cuff. During my recuperation period, I still kept up with the business of the association.
In February, I attended the SWAC in Plano, Texas. The TRLCA board met to discuss the business of this association prior to the opening of the SWAC. I appreciate this conference and it gets bigger and better every year.
In April, the TRLCA board met with the TRLCA Auxiliary to plan this years state convention here in Beaumont. The TRLCA Board met after the state convention to discuss the business of this association. During this meeting I announced that I would not seek re-election for TRLCA Secretary-Treasurer.
In May, the TRLCA board met in Fairfield, Texas to discuss finances with the Edward Jones representative, John Wilson. Mr. Wilson explained the type of accounts that the TRLCA has set up with Edward Jones and we also discussed other options that we could pursue.
After the meeting with Mr. Wilson, the TRLCA board met at the HOliday Inn Express Hotel in Fairfield to continue discussing the business of this association. During this meeting, the TRLCA board appointed Lanona Jackson to fill the vacancy of the state steward position.
Alson in the month of May, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the NRLCA finance committee. The NRLCA Seminar was held during the same time and while there I met with President Dale Miller to visit with Congressman Pete Sessions and discuss issues concerning the NRLCA.
After returning from Washington, D.C., I met with Vice President Lanona Jackson, Trustee Shirley Weaver, and Trustee Terry Stubblefield in Fairfield to hold the drawing of the NRLCA delegate nominees for the ballot. The drawing was held inthe Edward Jones office and rural carrier Paula Snider of Fairfield did the honors of drawing the NRLCA delegate nominees.
Over $10,000 of postage has been spent to mail out meeting notices this past year and many long hours have been spent trying to keep up withthe bsuiness of this association.
We closed out this year with 5,283 members. I am sure we will maintain these numbers in order to certify 54 delegates at this years NRLCA Convention in Atlantaic City, New Jersey. I want to thank the faithful members who have worked hard in recruiting new members every year of my tenure. I also want to thank the local officers for the thankless job they do. I want to personally thank you and it has been a pleasure working with you.
I want to thank those of you who have supported and encouraged me through my tenure as the TRLCA Secretary-Treasurer. I have many fond memories from serving on the TRLCA board. I was proud to receive four awards at the national conventions during my tenure. The other two awards were for reaching and maintaining 5,000 plus members in the NRLCA. It gave me great pride to participate inthe 100th year anniversary of the rural letter carriers in Charleston, West Virginia in 1996. While there, I had the pleasure of singing the song that I had written for the rural letter carriers.
Former TRLCA Jack Dooley was assigned to my local when I became a membr of this association in 1982. Jack has always been an inspiration to me. Jack encouraged my wife Gayle and I to get involved with this association. Gayle and I attended our first convention in 1984 which was the national convention in Savannah, Georgia. Texas happened to be bidding for a national convention during that convention and former TRLCA Ray Eckermann of San Anontion was chairman of the convention bid ccommittee. Ray asked me to help with the bid as I sang a song about San Antonio. I saw the Texas pride displayed at this convention and Gayle and I were hooked after that.
I want tot personally thank former TRLCA President Gene Hollar. He was the first president that I served under. Gene has a wealth of knowledge and never got the credit that he deserves. Thank you Gene for your friendship.
Merlin Urbanovsky was the second president that I served under and may God rest his soul. Merlin was a kind-hearted individual. He was always very supportive and before he passed away he had the love of this association coursing through his veins.
Pat Bankston was the third president that I served under. Pat and her husband Bennie were always there for me. They always supported and encouraged me. Pat served this association well and she should be proud of what she accomplished during her tenure. Pat, thank you for your friendship.
Paul Newton was the fourth president that I served under. Paul was always very supportive of me. I could set my clock on Monday nights because Paul would always call me at 7:00 every Monday night to touch base with me on association business. Paul, I cherish our friendship. During Paul's tenure, I lost the best office assistant I ever had when Gayle returned to the teaching field. She also loved this association and still tried to do as much as she can for it. it has been a struggle to keep up with the business of this association, but the support and encouragement has helped me to survive. I have also had the pleasure of working with former TRLCA Presidents Roy Carpenter, Carolyn Haynes, and former state steward Freddy Griffin. They have all been an inspiration to me.
I appreciate the board that I have served with these past two years and I wish them well.
I want to personally thank the former officers and retirees of this association who have laid the foundation for us to build upon. We now reap the benefits fromthe seeds that these wonderful individuals have sown. Let us now work together to build a better future for the next generation of rural carriers upon this foundation that was laid before us. Let us not destroy the rural carrier heritage. Display that rural carrier pride and let the public know the rural letter carriers are the best.
In closing, I would like to say that Gayle and I love this association. We have been involved with is for 17 years. Both of our children were literally "born into this association".
Christopher is now 13 and Sarah is 8 and both have enjoyed being a TRLCA junior. We all appreciate everyone's support, kind words and love that has been shown to us over the years. I thank God that I have stood up for my beliefs and principles that I believe in and never deviated fromthem. Take care and may God bless.

Shirley Weaver, Trustee

President Dale Miller, national Guest-Committeeman Francis Raimer, Fellow State Officers, Delegates, members and Guests:
In accordance with Article 1, section 4 of the TRLCA Constitution and by-laws I hereby Submit my sixth end of year report to the 97th Annual state convention of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers' Association assembled here at the Holiday Inn Plaza, Beaumont, Texas.
I attended the State Convention in Arlington, Texas June 24-28,2000. I served as a state delegate representing my home local, the Sam Houston 070 local. I served as your national delegate at the national convention held in Madison, Wisconsin August 7- 11,2000.
With the help of the Sam Houston local I planned the Booster meeting that was held October 7-9,2000 at Del Lago, Montgomery, Texas.
I attended the annual Southwest area Co-chair meeting held in San Antonio, Texas November 8&9, 2000.
In February I attended the annual Southwest conference in Plano, Texas.
I was assigned nine (9) locals this past year. They include: 070 Sam Houston, 04 Austin, 12 Burleson Lee, 37 Gulf Coast, 39 Harris-Ft. Bend and Waller County, 83 Washington, 69 Robertson-Bryan, 73 Southeast Texas and 79 Tyler-Jasper-Newton and Hardin County. I have met with all the locals except two (2). Local 83 and local 12 have not met this year. I thank all the locals for your hospitality, kindness and Support.
I especially thank assistant state steward John Peck, State Trustee Terry Stubblefield, Houston DJSC member Doug Shannon and Lanona Jackson for their assistance with training's and seeing that local meetings were covered when other duties kept me from attending. I travelled approximately 9,382 miles and used 47 LWOP day's in order to attend association meetings and association business.
I am local steward in my office and area steward for the North Houston area. My steward workload was reduced with the adding of four new area stewards in the Houston district. I do appreciate each of you.
I have contributed articles to the Texas Carrier through out the year as your state trustee.
I was again assigned the duty of planning the QWL/EI breakfast in Arlington, Texas at the state convention. Again we had great attendance and participation from both craft and management. Outstanding management and craft facilitators from each of the four districts were recognized and presented a plaque by this association. I thank the Co-chairs from each district and all the team members for helping make this a success.
I appreciate the opportunity you the members have given me to work for you and to represent the Texas Rural Letter Carriers' Association through Texas.
I want to thank my husband Billy for his support, our children and grandchildren (Brian, Jeff and Kayla), fellow board members, my postmaster-David Gingles and each co-worker in my office (especially the clerk's and my relief carrier- Jo Ann). I cannot express enough thanks to my home local (Sam Houston). Each and every member has been so supportive and helpful in every way. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
I hope I have helped you, fellow rural carriers', and this association through my efforts to serve you as TRLCA Trustee. By continuing to work together and supporting the rural carrier issues, this union will continue to grow and stay strong.
Thanks and may each of us be continually BLESSED!

Jenny Lewallen, Trustee

President Dale Miller, NRLCA Executive Committeeman Ramier, fellow TRLCA Board members, delegates and guests, I submit my 6th annual report at the 97th annual convention of the TRLCA in Beaumont, Texas.
Once again this has been a very busy year, full of changes and growth in the rural carrier craft. I have certainly enjoyed the opportunity to serve all of the rural carriers of Texas and have continued to learn more and more about our craft, our contract, and the USPS.
As one of your trustees I traveled 7483 miles, mostly to attend local meetings. I am assigned 14 locals and am proud to say that all of them have met at least twice, many of them more than that, and all elected local delegates to this convention. Hopefully, each local was able to have delegates attend, but if not, I think they will certainly try next year, and are in the habit of becoming more involved at the local level. I started the year with the State convention that was held in Arlington. The Tarrant/Dallas local did a great job hosting the convention and I believe it had one of the largest attendances in history. As we were learning about our contract extension, interest was high, I hope that interest continues, and in my observation it has.
I proudly attended your National convention in August in Madison WI as one of your voting delegates. At that historical convention the delegation passed the one-man/one vote for all upcoming contracts, along with creating a new National Board position for the Director of Steward Operations, which will be elected for the first time this year in Atlantic City. I attended the Booster Meeting October 7-9 in Montgomery. Once again, this meeting was full of information for rural carriers, and a lot of money was made for PAC AC, thanks to our Auxiliary and the open pocketbooks of rural carriers, mine included. The SW AC was held once again in Plano in February and the four states and the SWAC Board put together a great meeting. It gives a lot of rural carriers the opportunity to attend and meet with several National officers for some one on one that is not possible at a National convention. We also have a very good steward training that is put together by our legal staff of Bill Peer and Michael Gan that is always very educational and usually pretty funny, too. My only disappointment is that we don't have a better attendance at that. There are more than a 1000 rural carriers within 100 miles of that meeting, so we should have several hundred attending. You carriers that did attend, thank you, and do your best to encourage your fellow rural carriers to take advantage of this meeting next year.
This State Board has also had some difficult decisions to make this year, too, first and foremost, how to replace Freddy Griffm as your State Steward. After some soul searching and many hours of discussion the decision was made to appoint Lanona Jackson to that position. I personally want Lanona to know that she has my full support and the support of the state board in her new job, and I hope the support of all of the rural carriers of Texas. It is a thankless job and a very difficult one, but I am confident Lanona is up to the challenge.
As your Assistant State Steward, I traveled 6419 miles and used 61 days of wap since the last state convention. I have handled 27 grievances at the Step 1 level, 7 contractual and 20 disciplinary, as well as 27 at the Step 2 level, 15 disciplinary and 12 contractual. I have appealed 2 grievances to the Step 3 level, and had one arbitration in January in Grapevine. We did not prevail in the arbitration. I heard 4 removals at Step 2, three of which have either resigned or taken a medical retirement. The fourth one is currently at the Step 3 level. I spent countless hours on the phone or in the offices dealing with problems and clarifying issues for both management and rural carriers. I could not guess how many actual grievances were prevented by making a phone call or a visit to a manager.
I once again spent most of the summer doing training in conjunction with the District, both for mail count and on the contract extension. I traveled at their expense for most of July, August, and part of September, as well as serving on the conflict resolution team for the mail count. I did two steward trainings and one enhancement, and plan on a couple more enhancements later this summer. I would like to say a special thank you to all of my local stewards and the Area stewards for all of the work you do. It would be impossible to do this job without you. As far as changes in our contract due to the extension, the Ft. Worth District has moved relief days in 6 offices and has just recently posted 4 PTF positions in Colleyville and 8 in Grapevine. It is likely that 5 PTF positions in Grapevine will be posted District wide. I worked very closely with Personnel to ensure that everything is being done to hire relief carriers and that they are able to retain those employees. I also attended the Western Area Stewards Seminar in Reno, NV in November with Freddy, Patsy, Lanona, and John. As always, that is such a learningexperience for all of us, and a chance to meet with other stewards and realize that we have some of the same problems, and sometimes are better off in some areas.
I would like to close by saying that I really do appreciate the opportunity to serve all of the carriers in Texas and want you to know that even though we may disagree sometime, I have done my best to make decisions that I thought were right and were supported by the contract. I want to thank the rest of the TRLCA state board for their support, and especially Patsy, Lanona, and John as we try to work our way through the changes in our contract, and the daily problems as stewards. Stan, I want to say THANK YOU for all of your years of service to this Association and I am personally going to miss you very much on this board, but certainly understand your reasons for stepping down.
And now for the hard part, there is no way to say thank you to Freddy for all of his years of service to this association, but I want to publicly say a big thank you to him for all of his support and friendship through the years. It is not something that you can explain, but many of you know how we feel about Freddy and how much we are going to miss him as an everyday part of our rural carrier lives, but if anyone deserves to enjoy retirement it is Freddy. Freddy, you and Joyce have earned this time so enjoy it fully, know we will miss you, but will muddle through using the integrity, warmth, and love for rural carriers you have taught us.

Patsy Black, Trustee

This is my sixth annual report as Trustee for the TRLCA.
I have met with my assigned locals except for the Cook County local. Rural Carrier Joe Falls and I have attempted to set up a local meeting, but to no avail.
I attended the National Convention in Madison, Wisconsin in August 2000. I attended part of the Steward training in Reno, Nevada with State Steward Freddy Griffin and the other assistant state stewards in November 2000. I became ill and had to come home after only 2 days there. Once again, nurse Lewallen took excellent care of me. I attended the Booster meeting in October 2000 and the Southwest Area Conference in February 2001. I was privileged to attend the Natinoal Steward's Conference in Washington, D.C. with State Steward Freddy Griffin. This was an excellent training.
I serve as the Assistant State Steward for the Dallas District. I have conducted Steward training for new stewards and enhancement training for re-elected stewards in the Dallas District.
I have settled 77 contractual grievances, have 24 pending at Step 2, have 8 pending, a Step 4 decision, and have 2 OWCP issues pending for a total of 111 contractual grievances. I have handled 9 removals that were settled, 2 removals pending, 6 suspensions, 9 letteres of warning, 6 letters of demand, and 4 other disciplinary actions for a total of 36 disciplinary grievances. I have ahndled a total of 147 grievances in the Dallas District. In my spare time, I talk on the phone. I have recorded 785 calls and there are many that I did not write down because I was not close to the phone, although Robert thanks I have a phone permanently attached to my head.
The stewards at the convention are wearing red ribbons identifying them as stewards. Let us notforget to tell them how much we appreciate all they do for all of us. The local and area stewards are the soldiers inthe trenches. They do an outstanding job of handling grievances, making it easier to defend the Unioin's position at Step 2.
How can I ever say thank you enough to Freddy Griffin? He has always been there to answer questions and help with any problems we stewards have. Our leaders change, but we will not forget those wh ocame before and helped build a foundation on which our great union stands. Freddy, you have been a mentor to many, and we thank you. The Lord observes the good deeds...Psalm 37:18
I attended my first state convention in 1984. That was the beginning of many challenges in my postal/union career. I saw what I thought to be wrongs that needed to be made right, and I set about trying to "make a difference". As many of you are aware, there were times when I did not think I would ever attend another union function, and today I am honored to be a Trustee of the TRLCA. I know that many of you have also faced many challenged as rural carriers. I encourage you to not give up.
Trustee Shirley Weaver is facing the most difficult challenge of her life. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I ask that you keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. What can you do? Buy a book of breast cancer stamps. Part of the money is used for breast cancer research. Ask all your friends and neighbors to do the same. You will be helping so many people that you do not know, but you will also be helping one of the most wonderful friends any rural carrier could ever have.
My thanks to all of you who have taken your time to attend this convention and try to make a difference. Thanks also to those who stayed home to carry the mail so we could be here.
The next time you are upset with "the union", I encourage you, "Don't point a finger, lend a hand."

Terry Stubblefield, Trustee

President Miller, National Guest Frances Ramier, State Officers, Delegates, Members and Guests. I hereby submit my 4th annual report as trustee of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association for the 2000-2001 term to the assembly of the 97th Annual State Convention of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association assembled here in Beaumont, Texas.
Let me begin by saying that I appreciate the opportunity to have served the Rural Carriers of Texas as Trustee these past four years. It has been my honor and privilege to represent each of you, thank you for your encouragement and support. I attended the 2000 State Convention in Arlington, Texas. I would like to thank each member of that local. You really did a great job. My family and I attended the Fort Worth QWL/EI picnic. We had a good time even though it was 100 degrees in the shade.
I attended the National Convention in Madison, Wisconsin in August, as one of your elected delegates, we had the opportunity to vote and represent Texas.
I attended the Annual Fall Booster meeting at Conroe at the Dellago Resort. Shirley and everyone in that local worked hard to make it a great meeting, and thanks so much to the Auxiliary for their efforts and Auction to raise money for PAC. It was a good cause but, my pockets were a lot lighter, Brenda kept seeing things she wanted.
The Dallas District QWL/EI Banquet was also held in October in Athens, Texas. Jan Stone, you and the Banquet committee did a wonderful job planning a banquet with a small budget.
In February we attended the SWAC Conference in Plano. This is always a good meeting with so much information.
In April your Board met here in Beaumont to finalize plans for this Convention.
In May we met again in Fairfield to appoint your new State Steward. Good luck to Lanona, you have big shoes (or maybe I should say boots) to fill!
This has been a busy year, especially before State Convention with all the locals trying to get their meetings in to elect Delegates to State Convention. But hopefully, all were taken care of. I met with all my assigned locals except for one, Palestine. I had already committed to meet with Marshall when I received their notice. My assigned locals include: Local # 002 Anderson; Local # 003 Angelina; Local # 014 Cherokee; Local # 040 Harrison-Marion-Panola; Local # 041 Henderson; Local # 044 Houston County; Local # 061 Nacogdoches; Local # 072 Shelby-San Augustine-Sabine.
I also had the pleasure of visiting with several other locals with their meetings held in Conroe, Fairfield, and Beaumont. I would like to thank the Officers and Members of all of these locals for their attendance and participation. I have traveled 4,550 miles this year attending to business for the TRLCA.
I have become more and more computer literate, just ask Victor. Thanks to everyone who helped me, you know who you are. Anyway if you need to reach me you can Email me at TLSTRLCA@AOL.COM. I will answer. It's kind of cool to here a voice say "You've Got Mail". For those of you who are like I used to be you could always call me or get in touch the way the Postal Service prefers with an envelope and a stamp.
I would like to thank my fellow Board Members for all they do for this association. We may not always agree, but we can all be friends when we leave the board table, and really, what we all want is what is best for the Rural Carriers of Texas.
Stan and Freddy, you have both served this association well, you and your families are special to us. Thank you both for all your years of service.
I would like to say a very special thanks to my family for being so understanding. While Mandy is in college, she calls and wants to know "Where are you going now?" Trevor enjoys the going. We let him go to one local with us, and now he thinks he has to go to all of them. He even celebrated his 13th Birthday at Booster in Conroe. And last to my wife Brenda, the Postmaster, (you all would love to have a Postmaster like her). Thanks for your help and support and for being a great chauffeur.
I will end by saying "Thank You" again to you the members of the TRLCA for allowing me to serve you. You are truly the foundation of this Association. God Bless each of you and God Bless Texas.

Janis Cassens, Trustee

President Miller, National Committeeman, Francis Raimer. Fellow Texas State Board Members, delegates, members, and Guests: In accordance with Article 4, Section 2 of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers' Association, I hereby submit my end of the year report to the 97th Annual State convention assembled at the Holiday Inn Plaza in Beaumont. Texas.
Since the 2000 State Convention in Arlington, Texas I have met at least once with the following locals: 086 Williamson County; 055 McLennan County; 038 Hamilton, Coryell, Lampasas Counties; 08 Bell, Milam, Falls County; 042 Hill County; 053 Burnet, Llano County; and 078 Austin Area Local. I would like to thank each member of these locals for being so gracious to me.
I was honored to be elected a National Delegate and represent the membership of the Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association at the National Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. I was a very proud supporter of the One Member-One Vote change to our National Constitution. I attended the fall Booster Meeting in Conroe in October and the SWAC in Plano in February. In addition, I traveled 3817 miles attending to the business of this union. I would like to thank each of you as you have supported me in so many ways this past year.
This past year I have served on the Rio Grande Divisional Joint Steering Committee. I will rotate off this committee in July. I also served as the craft member on the district conflict resolution team and the route adjustment team.
The most difficult, time-consuming job has been the job of Area Steward. This past year has been remarkable in the fact that the Postal Service expects us to do more and more without compensation. We have been expected to absorb the time on delivery confirmation, signature capture and at the same time. We are pressured to take our DPS to the street. report to work later, and reduce our casing equipment to 3 pieces. One manager actually told me that if he forces the carriers to come in 2 hours later, and take their DPS to the street, the carriers will "break their necks" trying to get back before it gets hot and thus save hours. Many carriers are proving he is right. I told him that he might as well take a can of red paint and spray a big target on the back of each vehicle because this is a recipe for disaster. I pray that none of our carriers has an accident under this kind of pressure.
Many of my locals have been affected by the contract extension changes and the severe shortage of subs. Many have had their day off changed and have a ptf only for the one day. As a result. We are having a large number of carriers in 2080 trouble and the 2240 list is growing. I wonder if our National Officers had any idea how this contract extension would adversely affect our craft. The biggest job ahead is recruiting new members. I try to remind people that you cannot change an organization or a union from the outside. You must be an active member to implement change from within.
I would like to thank each one of you, the Rural Carriers of Texas for giving me the opportunity to serve you as your State Trustee this past year. I hope my job performance was acceptable and I pray Gods' tender mercies on each of you in the coming year.

Freddy Griffin, State Steward

To President Dale Miller, National Guest Frances Raimer and the officers, delegates and members of the 97th Annual State Convention, assembled in Beaumont, Texas onJune 23-27, 2001. This will be my eighth and final report as the State Steward of Texas.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Dale Miller and his board, and the past state board boards for their help and support during these past eight years as your state steward. Needless to say it has been a hard and stressful job, but it has been an honor to have served the carriers of Texas. I think that we have come a long way these past eight years in developing one of the best steward systems inthe country. A lot of the credit goes out to the four Assistant State Stewards, Jenny Lewallen, John Peck, Lanona Jackson, and Patsy Black, who have done an outstanding job these past seven years in their districts.
I would also like to express my thanks to the 20 area stewards: Poly Alexander, Diane Christensen, Raymond Coats, Donna Costlow, Robert Fair, Dale Miller, Frieda hartman, Ed Warren, Janice Wichman, Shirley Weaver, Dart Stoddard, Helen Stautmeister, Carol Graham, Brenda Stoddard, Pat Bankston, Anthony Bohnert, Janis Cassens, Bill Heaeth, Rick Hinojosa and Paul Newton. You folks do a great job. Keep up the good work. And to you local stewards, hang in there, everyone of you are needed.
I will miss working and talking to the assistants and area stewards almost every day. They were good about keeping me informed on what was going on in their districts. I know that I am leaving the steward system in good hands. I hope that all of you will give Lanona Jackson, the newly appointed state steward the helpand support that she will need. I am confident that you will. I would like to express my thanks to Bill Gordon, National Committeeman, and Terry Leeper, Assistant to the National Committeeman, for their assistance during these years.
Since our state convention last year, I have appealed 58 grievances to Step 3. I let John appeal one to Step 3, and Patsy appealed one to Step 3. Lanona has appealed 2 to Step 3, for a total of 62, compared to 51 during the same period last year. Of the 62 grievances appealed to Step 3, there were 46 contractual grievances , and 16 disciplinary grievances, with 10 of those being removal cases. This is two less removals than we had last year. The following is a summary of grievances that were handled by the Assistant State Stewards in their districts:
Jenny Lewallen, Fort Worth District: 27 Step 1 grievances, 27 Step 2 grievances. Of these, 15 were disciplinary grievances and 12 were contractual. Of the 15 disciplinary grievances, 4 were removals. jenny settled all but two, that she sent up to me to appeal to Step 3.
John Peck, Houston District: 141 grievances this past year. 111 Contractual cases, 30 disiplinary. Of the 30 disciplinary cases, five were removals. Of the 141 grievances, 123 were settled, and 18 were sent up to me to appeal to Step 3.
Patsy Black, Dallas District: Patsy handled 147 grievances this past year. 36 were disciplinary cases, and 111 were contractual. Of the 36 disciplinary cases, 11 were removals. Of the 147 grievances, Patsy sent 36 to me to appeal to Step 3, two of those being removals.
Lanona Jackson, Rio Grande District: Lanona handled 49 total grievances this past year at Step 2, and settled 46 of these. Of the 49 grievances, 17 were disciplinary cases and 32 were contractual. Of the Disciplinary cases, there were 8 removals. Lanona sent me three grievances to appeal to Step 3.
Folowing the state convention in Arlington last year, I attended three arbitration hearings, the National Convention in madison, Wisconsin. I visited 14 offices with the CSA of Austin to close some of their routes on automation. I attended the Booster meeting in Conroe in October, then in November I attended the Southwest Area Stewards Seminar in Reno, Nevada, along with four assistants. in February, I attended the SWAC Conference in Plano, and the National Stewards Seminar in Washington, DC, along with Patsy Black. I also attended the State Board meeting in Fairfield in may. During the year I also attended other meetings with Managers, Postmasters and rural carriers.
During this past year we certified approximately 226 local and area stewards. We still have a few more stewards that need to be trained, and this should be accomplished by the end of July.
In closing, I am proud to report that there are no labor charges filed against the TRLCA. There are no arbitration hearings scheduled at this time.
I must express my thanks to my wife Joyce, for all the hours she put in.
Thanks again to all you Local, Area and Assistant State Stewards for the good job you have done for the TRLCA in the past. Keep up the good work. May God bless all of you.

John Peck, Assistant State Steward

To President Dale Miller, National Guest Frances Raimer and the officers, delegates and members of the 97th Annual State Convention assembled at the Atrium Plaza Holiday Inn Beaumont, Texas June 23-27, 2001. This is my 6th or 7th year as Assistant State Steward and my 3rd annual report since being asked to do one in 1999.
I would like to express my thanks to State Steward Freddy Griffin for all his help and support over the years. he is the magnet that pulled the Steward system together several years ago, under less than ideal conditions and made it what it is today. I'm sure he will miss all the calls starting at 5 or 6 in the A.M. and stopping about 11 P.M. Freddy, you will be missed.
The Houston area and local stewards have done a great job in preparing and handling grievances at Step one and appealing them to Step 2. They did so good this year we had 11 contractual grievances, 25 discipline cases and 5 removals, 3 being settled at Step 2.
This is about 40 more than we had last year and about 49% more than 1999. Apporximately 38 stewards including the 5 area stewards, Carol Graham, Shirley Weaver, Dart Stoddard, Breanda Stoddard, and Helen Stautmeister, handled all this at Step 1 in the Houston area. They have all been a big help. We are still looking for more offices to elect their own local stewards. We have had 4 training sessions so far this year and plan on having at least one more. In closing I wish to thank my wife Judy for mowing the yar, bringing supper to my desk, and other things too numerous to list. Thanks, Judy for all the support.

Wilford Penny, Texas Carrier Editor

State President Dale Miller, State Board members, Delegates and Guests assembled in Beaumont, Texas for this 97th Annual State Convention of The Texas Rural Letter Carriers Association.
This past year has brought several changes in The Texas Carrier. Many you can see in the paper itself, but some have come about in the preparation and printing. We are no longer dealing with Bob's Printing. Kate Sullivan is doing this work on her computer at home. This arrangement has worked very well for us but with changes there are usually errors. For these we apologize. We have saved the Association on mileage since Kate lives only 9 miles from my house rather than 12 as was Bob's Printing.
I acquired my on-line Compac Ipaq and am now able to receive and send e-mail. This has been an experience for me and very slowly I am learning how to work this thing. I also finally got a printer which helps me keep up with the articles and reports sent to me each month. I hope to get a scanner soon which will also enhance my job and the paper.
My thanks to everyone who contributes to the Carrier both monthly and just occasionally. We do appreciate your input.
Thanks for the great job Kate does each month. Without her I would be lost.
Again thanks to Billy Powell for the great photography work he does. Pictures help make our paper something besides just words. Laura and I are so thankful for our wonderful Rural Letter Carrier friends all over our great state. Again thank you President Miller and the state Board for allowing me to be your Editor of The Texas Carrier.

Shirley Weaver, GMAC Insurance Rep.

This is my second year to serve this association as the GMAC Representative.
I contributed 12 informational articles to the Texas Carrier.
I set up an informational table at the state booster meeting. There were drawings for three door prizes.
GMAC furnished ditty bag stuffers for the booster meeting and again for this state convention.
I promote GMAC at all local meetings striving to present any new changes or benefits that GMAC has to offer to the membership. As of 5/19/00 there was 1,376 policies in force in Texas. As of 5/18/01 there is 1,371. This shows a decrease of 5 policyholders.
There is an informational table set up in the hall at this convention. There will be door prize drawings this week for policyholders. If I can help you in any way please contact me.

Shirley Weaver, Legislative Rep.

I appreciate the opportunity I have had to serve you the past two years' as Legislative Representative for the Texas Rural Letter Carriers'.
I have approximately 75 members' that are contact people through out this great state. Each one has been willing to write letters' and make personal contact with Congressmen/and or Senator's within their respective areas. I do thank each of you for your dedication and support.
I attended my second President's Legislative Seminar in Washington D.C. May 20-May 23,2001. This was a very successful trip. President Miller, Vice-President Jackson and myself worked together to see that every Congressman and Senator from Texas was visited. I visited 9, President Miller visited 8 and Vice-President Jackson visited 9. We visited the Senator's together. We again had a great response and greetings from Senator Hutchison. The contacts made were very beneficial not only to the rural craft but other postal and federal employees.
I have contributed up-dated Legislative information in the Texas Carrier as I have received it from National Vice-President of Governmental Affairs Ken Parmelee's office.

Chester Pfiester, Political Action Committee

The TRLCA has a credit of $14,485.80 contributed to the NRLCA Political Action Committee fund as of June 7, 2001. The Auxiliary of the TRLCA has raised a total of $10,397.80 of the 14,485.80.
The total amount of TRLCA PAC contributions to the NRLCA PAC fund wil lbe given at the National Convention. A sincere thank you to all who have participated in any manner, in this endeavor. Following is an itemized list of contributions:
Booster Auction $5,630.50; Bingo Party $432.00; Pre-Convention Raffle Sales on PAC 2 - Auxiliary $1,120.00, Chairman $101.00. For a total of $7,283.50. Gifts given to be auctioned total $3,114.30, for a total PAC credit of $10,397.80.

James Cammack, Provident Guild

TO: THE DELEGATES AND GUESTS OF THE TEXAS RURAL LETTER CARRIERS' ASSOCIATION:
THE PROVIDENT GUILD is one of the Rural Carriers" many benefits. If you are under 56 years of age, you are eligible to join. Yearly dues are between $10.00 and $50.00, depending on your age at the time that you join.
The 2000-2001 year has been one of my busiest years in all the thirteen (13) years that I have been the State Provident Guild Representative. I have almost thirty (30) new members that joined this past year. For each new member, the Carriers' Auxiliary collects $5.00.
I have attended my local meeting and have visited several other locals at no cost to the TRLCA. I attended the Winter Texan's Luncheon where Texas was the host. I was the Chairperson at the luncheon. I asked Carolyn Haynes to be my Toastmaster. We had ten (10) members of the TRLCA and spouses to attend. I also attended SWAC in Plano in February, 2001.
I plan to be a candidate for the National Provident Guild Board in Atlantic City, New Jersey in August. Those of you who come by the Provident Guild table, I hope you enjoyed the snacks. These are of NO COST to the TRLCA.

Roy Carpenter, Memorial Committee

To the officers, delegates and members of the TxRLCA assembled at Beaumont. Texas, June 23-27, 2001:
The memorial committee met prior to the observance of the memorial service on June 24th, 2001. The service began at 10AM.. Those participating in the service were Mary Ann Cruse, Pianist; Wilford Penny representing the Association; Gale Altman and Stan Waldrip, soloists; Chaplain Roy Carpenter; Fran Yandell of the Auxiliary and Paul Bernstein for the Juniors.
After solos by Gale Altman and Stan Waldrip and remarks by the Chaplain, a candle lighting ceremony was held. Names from the deceased of the Association were read by Wilford Penny and names from the Auxiliary and family members were read by Fran Yandell. A list of names received is included with this report.
A memorial book mark was distributed with the program and a copy or each is included with this report. A very good attendance was present for the service.
Those we will remember both now and forever: Eddy Battles of Whitesboro; Jane Bently of Texarkana; Janet Bradford of Conroe; Janet Eckermann Buendia of San Antonio; Jene H Chambers of Pearland; Gorman "Red" Coston of Diana; Rev. Holman Cox of San Antonio; Wilber Mac Dunn of Sawinboro, GA (nephew of Betty Williams and Polly Alexander); Larry Golden of Gordenville; Ray Grumbles of Celina; Joel H. Hamlett, Jr. of Snyder; Jack Hulet of Texarkana; Nora Locke Hunt of Victoria; William R. Jackson of Texarkana; David Kemps mother; Rachel Knight of Denison; Linda Lane of Oak Hill; Shirlee Ann Norton of Pavilion, NY (sister of Karry Reynolds); Daisy Rainwater of Aklaunion; Sarah Rogers of Maine (editor of state paper); Richard Rousseau of Austin; William Andrew Saylors of Paris; Richard Schlegel of Olney; Glenda Fay "Sue" Smith of Beaumont; Weldon Smith of Spingtown; Benard "Ben" Stailey of McKinney; Floy Starr of Odessa; Thomas A. Swan; Burl Glenn Thompson of McKinney; Jerry Thomson of Houston; Victor Tryner of Yoakum; L.V. "Buster" Vanderburg of Arthur City; Ima M. Shannon of Paris; Lona Powell of Linden; Jack Driver of Lubbock; Hazel Franklin of Beaumont; Danny Vanderburg of Irving; and Bill Schmidt of Halletsville.

Frieda Hartman, Historical Committee

Jackie Crist and I met Sunday, June 24, 2001 to combine and complete the TRLCA scrapbook.
We have attended state and national conventions, Booster and SWAC conferences, to take pictures and collect momentos for the 2000-2001 scrapbook.
It is located inthe hall. Please take the time to look at what has taken place in the last year.

Karry Reynolds & Will Pruitt,
Roads & Legisislative Committee

We would like to update this delegation on warning sign implementation that alerts the public of our presence on our local and state highways.
At the National Convention last year in Madison, WI, I met someone from Ohio who put me in touch with the facilitator of the QWL/EI group in Ohio who implemented a similar project in the Cleveland area. I contacted this person in April and she gave me details of the process that they went through to get signs placed along a couple of their rural routes. The Ohio group found that documentation was very important. They asked a few rural carriers to document on index cards the date, time, and location of their "near misses" (almost collisions) during their regular route. After this study, local county engineers were invited to the QWL-EI meeting to discuss the placement of a warning sign on the route with the most "near misses". The engineers agreed to post the sign. The sign was purchased by the team members and installed by the county. The carrier on this route continued to document "near misses" and the numbers went down. A second sign is now in place on another county road in the Cleveland area because of that study. This all took place over a period of 10 years. The group is continuing to work on this project and plan to include state highways.
The Ohio facilitator suggested that in order to get this process started in Texas, rural carrier union officers could send letters of support for the project to local government offices and transportation agencies. Hence, the whole process is best accomplished at the local level.
Brian Cayberry, Head of Safety, U.S. Postal Service, Rio Grande District, designed a sign that could be used in Texas (see Figure I). If any QWL-EI group wishes to share their ideas for warning sign implementation with us, we would greatly appreciate it.
Feel free to contact us at: Karry Reynolds 9605 Cheryl Lynn Dr. Austin, TX 78747 (512) 282-5647