My name is Rocky Sprowles; I am running for President of the Louisville Area Local #4. By the very definition of Leadership, one is out in front. My running partner Bill Yore and myself have been out in front from the beginning of this campaign. We haven’t waited to see who else is going to run for what office. We haven’t stooped to wearing buttons with someone else’s name crossed out. We have provided the only real leadership this campaign has seen to date.
Bill and I have tried to tell you and show you what we want to do as your elected officials. We have talked about the problems not only between the labor and management, but also within our own local. Disagreements between management and labor aren’t anything new and will continue no matter who is elected as your President and Executive Vice-President. The real problems are with-in the local itself. Our Constitution is out-dated and needs to be updated. Our members need to be provided with information on a regular basis, not just when it fits the needs of the E-Board. We need a budget for our local so the members will know whom, what, when and where our money is being spent.
I believe we can still accomplish great things in our local, but it won’t be an easy task. We certainly can’t continue to sit on our hands and do nothing like we have for the past 3 years and I don’t believe yelling, screaming, getting red in the face and using foul language is the answer either. If you want real leadership, if you want real change in the way things are run in the Louisville Area Local, vote Rocky Sprowles and Bill Yore.
Next April, when the new officers take over, those elected should be the officers of the membership not those of factions. Help build a strong, viable local. Elect Rocky Sprowles, President and Bill Yore, Executive Vice-President.
Field competent stewards on the workroom floor – I will do this through training right here at the Local along with Tri-State steward’s school.
Disseminate information to the membership by way of “The Fed,” the Local’s website, postings on our union bulletin boards and through weekly updates when needed.
I will make sure the newspaper is actually a “newspaper,” not just a publication full of articles written by stewards and officers from outside the Local. Our officers will write articles so that the membership here in Louisville knows what is going on here in Louisville.
I will start on Local Constitutional changes that are long over due. Such as revamping offices like the Admin Aide and turning into what it should be, a Legislative/Veterans Affairs Officer. Taking two of the Assistant Clerk Craft positions and turning one into a Director of Industrial Relations and the other a Director of Human Relations.
Hire a full time office secretary to help run our office efficiently.
I will keep regular office hours so that the membership knows where to find the President when they need him.
I will make regular visits to the stations and branches, not just when there is a problem, but also before problems arise.
I will make regular visits to all three tours at the GMF and the AMF. This will include actually visiting the Encoding Center.
I will use every resource available to the Local to enforce the Collective Bargaining Agreement. That will include calling on OSHA for health and safety issues. Calling on the Department of Labor for unruly management and using the lawyer we currently have on retainer if we can’t get satisfaction any other way.
I will try cultivating interest in family events like a yearly picnic and the Easter egg hunt for our member’s children. I will seek out ideas from the rank-and-file members on what you want and what you need from your Local.
Every member will be welcome to stop by their Office Building, to look around, to ask questions of their officers or just to have a cup of coffee.
The Louisville Area Local will once again be a member’s local.
I truly believe we can make our union a strong viable local once again. It won’t be over night and it will take dedication and hard work. Let me prove I can do the job. In February, elect Rocky Sprowles, President, of the Louisville Area Local #4. I work tour 3, 2pm-10:30pm, Mon-Tues off. AFSM 100’s. If you have questions – stop by and ask.
ELECTION INFORMATION
Members should receive their ballots for the local election no later than FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2003. Ballots MUST be returned by THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2003.
LOCAL UNION MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2003
January 21 Tuesday 8:00 am
February 19 Wednesday 12 noon
March 17 Monday 7:00 pm
April 22 Tuesday 8:00 am
May 21 Wednesday 12 noon
June No Meeting – State Convention
July 21 Monday 7:00 pm
August 19 Tuesday 8:00 am
September 24 Wednesday 12 noon
October 20 Monday 7:00 pm
November 18 Tuesday 8:00 am
December No Meeting
All materials and labor donated to the campaign to elect Rocky Sprowles.
