Keynote Address

Don Cantriel was the keynote speaker at the Saturday afternoon session. I am directed by the Board of the Kansas Rural Carriers Association not to write about any part of his speech that concerns the negotiations for the rural carrier contract. Without writing about it, I will provide a link to an article written by the Washington Post and by the Seattlepi news source.

Other topics discussed by Cantriel that were of no significance to the contract: GMAC was purchased by the same group as Chrysler Financial, Cerberus. Carriers should see no change. Also, Mutual of Omaha Employer Health was sold to Coventry Health Care. Again, there should be no change for carriers insured with Mutual of Omaha. They will be able to use their same identification cards and same health care providers.

Washington DC and the “Hill” has its way of getting things done and the PAC (political action committee) funds are very important. Cantriel complimented the Kansas rural carriers for support by their financial contributions.

Safety topics including the lifting training that will be mandatory at all post offices. (If watching the group of carriers in attendance move around is an indication, this is an excellent idea) Left hand turns are also dangerous and each should be evaluated. Accidents are more likely to occur when a carrier has to cross two lanes of traffic. Delivery to mail boxes on a road which has a speed limit of 50 mph should be made as far off the driving lane as possible.

EMA- a contract negotiation issue. Should it be? I will say, as a result of the last CPIW (Consumer Price Index) there should be an increase soon. This is a huge issue with all of us driving a POV (privately owned vehicle).

Parcel Pickup Program—negotiation issue.

Twice during the two days of the convention, I heard the national officer mention that the USPS may be pushing rural carriers toward the hourly system. Was there a message there?

Finally, Mr. Cantriel urged carriers to, “ Go out and do your job and stay informed.” Good advice.