Being one of the Branch 3 "babies" (as far as my age ) on the Executive board, I believe it is now more important than ever for the younger generation of this branch to step forward. It is very important that, we the younger generation, learn as much as possible to protect ourselves and the Postal Service to make it a viable entity in the future.

We are faced with some massive tasks at this point, Postal Reform, short staffing and important contract negotiations in 2006. In the next few short years our future will be shaped and we must step forward, listen and learn from the leadership we now have, in order to better prepare us to continue the long, rich tradition of the National Association of Letter Carriers. If this is not accomplished by us, the younger generation, then in the long run we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.

I know that today people are as busy as ever, family, friends, work, job, religion, it seems to never end. But we have to make the time, muster the energy and continue to prepare for the future. Just look around at the local economy and nationally the good paying jobs. They are in re-treat and if we sit back and do nothing, eventually it will catch us and the next thing you know we will be fighting for our employment lives. Lives that will be in danger of making a living wage. Nothing is taken for granted, the employer will not just give us what we ask for, we are going to have to EARN it.

The point I'm trying to make is that many of our Brothers and Sisters paved the way in the strike years. Put themselves and there families at great risk by striking. We have to be prepared to do the same in the future if necessary and it would be nice to see the younger members leading the way. Let's not let the efforts of the people in the Strike years be in vain, younger people prepare to defend those that came before you and those that will serve after you.

In Solidarity,

David J Grosskopf Jr