One of the may hats that I wear is that of Legislative Director for my Local of the
American Postal Worker's Union. Yesterday I brought an idea to my Local President to provide aid for the disaster victims in the South. I began to think about the many people who would like to donate to the victims of the still unfolding disaster across the South. My Local President has th courage to try to make it happen and has contacted management about it. It remains to be seen if management has the courage. This idea can be done in any business and I hope that others will run with the idea. Here's the pitch:
I have asked my Union leadership to sign a Letter of Understanding to allow for a one-time and non-precedent setting arrangement where employees who cannot afford to donate cash be allowed to turn in to their supervisors a form authorizing a one-time payroll deduction to donate to the American Red Cross an amount equal to up to two hours of overtime pay. The supervisor would then guarantee the worker the opportunity and the obligation to work that time within the next three months at the convenience of management. The monies generated would be donated directly to the American Red Cross. Participation is strictly voluntary.
This would be a PR coup for any participating organization. It would also allow those who cannot afford to write a check but who can donate two hours of their lives to help change the fortunes of those in misery in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Management doesn't really lose anything and niether does the employee. In short, everybody wins.
I hope that others will take this idea to their managers and employers. Within the USPS alone, there is the potential to raise tens of millions of dollars of relief in just a few days. If other Federal agencies participate, as well as private sector industries, we could raise hundreds of millions of dollars. With this kind of effort, WE DELIVER THEM. Who else is on board?
Sorceress Sarah