2006 NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, WASH., D.C.!

Jack Gose, President, and Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, join 600 other Retiree Delegate activists from all over the United States in the Park below Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. to hear Nancy Pelosi dressed in a white suit at the dais, future Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and 25 other Congress members on the podium, encourage the National Alliance for Retired Americans demonstrators attending on Thur., Sept. 7, 2006 to keep fighting to oppose the efforts of the Bush Administration and Right Wing Conservatives of all parties for privatization of Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, and the U.S. Postal Service. After the rally concluded on a beautiful sunny day, hundreds of Delegates including thirty (30) from the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans walked up the Hill to keep their appointments with their Representatives and Senators! Jack and Dave were two of only three APWU members from the entire 50 states registered for the 4-day conclave in the Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Av. NW, Washington, D.C.

RETIREE CHAPTER SENDS 3 DELEGATES TO NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONVENTION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPT. 5-8, 2006

The APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting in Gainesville, FL on March 29, 2006 authorized roundtrip travel with vouched expenses paid from APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds for up to three (3) Retiree Delegates to attend the Constitutional Convention of the National Alliance for Retired Americans (NARA) in Washington, D.C. and lobby our Congress on Capitol Hill on Retiree, Senior, and Postal Reform issues. The APWU Delegates are President Jack Gose, Secretary-Treasurer Mario Miceli, and Legislative Director Dave Bernstein who will represent 3,000 APWU Retirees in the State of Florida who pay $24.00 year union dues to the National APWU Retirees Department. The State Retiree Chapter pays full membership dues to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Inc., a 501 C (3) charitable and educational organization.

The Convention is to be held Tuesday, September 5 thru Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 at the Hilton Washington and Towers Union Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. The Hilton is located near DuPont Circle and Embassy Row. Hotel room rates are $146.00 night plus 14.5 % taxes, and are guaranteed until July 20, 2006. Check-in time is 3 pm, and check-out time is 12 noon. Hotel reservations should be made by calling the Hilton Washington and Towers directly toll-free at 1-888-324-4586. I have attended the first annual NARA National Legislative Conferences held in Washington, D.C. in 2002, 2003 and 2005, and the NARA Southern Region Leadership Conference held in Jacksonville, FL in 2004. This is every active and retired Postal Worker’s opportunity to step up to the plate, and become active in legislative lobbying at the highest levels!

The Conference registration early bird fee is $80.00, if received by July 20, 2006. After that date, the registration fee is $95.00. A Banquet featuring a noted personality is set for Thurs., Sept. 7 at 6 pm. Banquet tickets are $70.00 person and should be ordered with the registration form. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive your tickets when you arrive at the Conference. To register, phone toll-free 1-888-373-6497 and ask for Joni Jones at Registration Desk, or E-mail to jjones@retiredamericans.org or visit our ARA national website at www.retiredamericans.org for more information.

The opening session is to begin at 3 pm on Tues., Sept. 5, and the last event will conclude by 3 pm on Fri., Sept. 8, 2005. You will be in Washington, D.C. only 3 nights! NARA President and Secretary-Treasurer National elections are one of the scheduled events. The Alliance has grown to over 3.2 million members in 26 chartered states since formed by the National AFL-CIO in 2001, and the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) has increased to over 203,000 dues paying members in the State of Florida from 22 different international unions and over 90 community based groups since 2002 being the 2nd state to be chartered by NARA, a 501 C (4) organization which is issues oriented.

The National Alliance’s aims are to mobilize retired union members and other activists in a grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda. One of the purposes of the Alliance is to Fight for Retirement Security by educating our members about government policies affecting Retirement Security. The major focus of the speakers, workshops, and training sessions will be on our work growing State Alliances that educate, and Lobby Day in Washington will highlight the mid-term 2006 Election year meetings. Retirees will not forget the Election of 2004 and will battle against Social Security, Medicare, and Postal Service privatization efforts.

Jack Gose as 2nd Vice President of FLARA cast a ballot for FLARA representing over 200,000 FLARA members for the creation of NEW ALLIANCE NEW STRENGTH AFL-CIO State Body and Central Labor Councils organizations at the Florida AFL-CIO COPE Endorsing Convention held at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel in Tampa, FL on May 21, 2006. Legislation and Political Action Should Be at the Top of Everyone’s List!

If you need more information, phone Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 or E-mail jak.gose@excite.com for a prompt reply. Hope to see you in Washington Sep. 5-8, 2006!

FLARA EB & LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE TO BE IN ST. PETE BCH SEPT. 10-11

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a quarterly Executive Board meeting and FLARA Legislative Conference to be held in St. Petersburg Beach, FL. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at the Dolphin Beach Resort, 4900 Gulf Blvd, St. Petersburg Beach, FL 33706. Directions to the hotel from I-275 are to use Bayway Exit to 34th Ave (Don Cesar Hotel) and make a right turn to go north on Gulf Blvd, turn left at the hotel on left hand side of roadway on shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

The conclave has been called to discuss and layout plans for action in the State of Florida and in the Fall/Winter session of Congress. The meetings will be held on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m. provided by FLARA. Many invited guests and well-known political figures will speak. Go online to www.flara.org to see our history!

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members including 3000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, and invited family/guests are welcome at this exciting gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union active members, retirees, and seniors. Contact FLARA in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments. Phone Jack Gose, FLARA 2nd Vice President, at 727-343-2998 for more information!

Dolphin Beach Resort standard room rate is $85.00, plus 12 % taxes per night, for FLARA members and guests. Standard room has two double beds, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and house up to four people. A Publix Supermarket is close in a shopping mall across the Boulevard. Call the Dolphin Beach Resort at 1-800-237-8916 to make room reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. You are to arrive on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006 and check in at the hotel after 4 pm and checkout time is 11 am on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006. All roads lead to St. Pete Beach for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity as We Continue to Fight for all of our Future!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREES CHAPTER FREE LUNCHEON SET FOR HOLIDAY INN SELECT RESTAURANT IN FT. MYERS, FL ON OCT. 25, 2006

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon for each Retiree Chapter member paying Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Dept. of $24.00 year and one guest, limit of two per family, attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held at the Holiday Inn Select Restaurant, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33907 from 12 NOON to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, the day before the APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins on Thurs., Oct. 26 thru Sat., Oct. 28, 2006 at the same Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is held for educational classes for active and retiree APWU members.

Retiree Happy folders will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! Up to five (5) $25.00 Cash Door Prizes will be awarded to the first five APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members signing in and attending the Retirees Luncheon.

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting will be held in the Restaurant Private Dining Area (PDR) following the Luncheon and everyone is invited to listen and participate in the discussion on motions brought before the Executive Board. The Holiday Inn Select Hotel is only 15 minutes from the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Island. The Hotel telephone number is 239-482-2900, and APWU of Florida special group room rates are published elsewhere in the Florida Postal Worker. See Ya in Fort Myers, Baby! We Love You!

CONGRATULATIONS TO TAMPA AREA LOCAL RETIREE CHAPTER JOINING FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS AT FLARA CONVENTION HELD AT HILTON HOTEL IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL JUNE 5-6, 2006!