Election Day is right around the corner come Tuesday, November 3rd. PLEASE VOTE!! Your vote does count for something.

Couple of things to mention.  Sharon White Wheeler has volunteered to fill the Anchorage Chapter Secretary position. Thanks go to Sharon.

Finally, our Anchorage Chapter GGU membership meeting has been changed to a new date, Thursday/ November 12th.  Turns out November 11th is a holiday (Veterans Day)…hence the change in schedule.

See you at the November 12th meeting…..Your Editor.

YOUR ANCHORAGE CHAPTER PRESIDENT’S LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP

(This is the opinion of your president, Larry Rabideau, and not the policy of the chapter).

Vote. November 3rd.

I don’t want to tell you who to vote for, I would rather tell you why you should vote. Our basis for government is to elect officials that we feel represent our thoughts, our values and will enact laws that protect us and further our interests.

This is the process. You can bet that not everyone is out to elect the best candidate for the job, it would be nice if they would but let’s be adults.

In my district, my elected official made the statement that the people in her district did not want to vote on subsistence. I did want to vote on subsistence. My representative also voted to allow a fellow republican to not follow the election laws. I felt that the laws were there for everyone and this person should have been made to follow them like everyone else. I thought this was wrong. I will vote against this woman and encourage my friends to do the same. These issues are important to me.

I’m not going to beat my chest and tell you who is good or bad, that is up to you. Decide what is important to you, find the candidate that represents your issues and try to get them elected. You don’t know how that candidate feels about your issues? Call and ask.

I am a state worker. My wages and lifestyle are tied to what I do. I want a candidate that will let me do my job and not penalize me for being employed by the State.

I want to know how the candidate feels about funding and honoring state contracts. I want to know how the candidate feels about funding COLAs. Are they going in to cut state spending across the board or are they out to look for specific waste and target it? Will they work with the Governor and the members of all parties to enact  good changes to government or are they a one-party person that won’t work with the opposition.

These things are important to me, and I will seek out the best candidate to meet my needs. I will ask my friends, co-workers, the candidates themselves, listen to debates, read the paper and make a decision. I may not win but by doing all I can, I cannot lose…..Larry Rabideau.
 

SHARE SUCCEEDS

Thank you. You who make the SHARE campaign work. Most state employees did not enter state civil service with the fantasy of becoming rich. We sought out our jobs in the belief that what we do is important. Our jobs enable us to become involved  in the lives of all Alaskans. We are painfully aware that at some point any of us may need one of the services sponsored by the SHARE campaign. Most of us know someone who has used one of these services.

The Anchorage Chapter wants to recognize some of those GGU members,  who have worked to make this campaign successful. We have a hundred-dollar gift certificate for the Hilton, movie passes, and two Alaska Railroad tickets to Seward. Just turn in a copy of your pink SHARE form to your steward. We will pull the winners at a Chapter meeting. For more information contact any Chapter officer or your local always-friendly steward. Respectfully……..Gordon Glaser.

YOU ARE THE NEGOTIATOR

By now you should have received your ASEA survey on the contract. The negotiating team needs to have your input as we face the State in negotiations. If you  have not received the survey, contact your steward or Chapter officer. If your site does not have a steward, elect one NOW. This contract will affect you and your family’s life for at least the next three years. You can complain later….or do something now.

P.S. Ask your legislator before election day if he or she will fund your new contract. Then VOTE.  Respectfully…..Gordon Glaser.

HOW IMPORTANT IS ONE VOTE?

In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.
In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
In 1868, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States.
In 1923, one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
In 1941, one vote saved Selective Service- just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked.

IF YOU THINK THE WORKING CONDITIONS NOWADAYS ARE TOUGH….

Merchants and Ships Chandlers, Sydney Town, 1852: Rules for Clerical Staff:

The owners hereby recognize the generosity of the new labour laws, but will expect a great rise in the output of work to compensate for these near Utopian conditions.

1. Godliness, Cleanliness, and Punctuality are the necessities of good business.
2. On the recommendation of the Governor of this Colony, this firm has reduced the hours of work, and the Clerical Staff will now have to be present between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays.
3. Daily prayers will be held each morning in the Main Office. The Clerical Staff will be present.
4. Clothing must be of sober nature. The Clerical Staff will not disport themselves in raiment of bright colours, nor will they wear hose, unless in good repair.
5. Overshoes and Topcoats may not be worn in the office, but Neck Scarves and Headwear may be worn in inclement weather.
6. A stove is provided for the benefit of the Clerical Staff. Coal and Wood must be kept in the locker.
7. No member of the Clerical Staff may leave the room without permission from Mr. Ryder. The calls of nature are permitted, and the Clerical Staff may use the garden below the second gate. This area must be kept in good order.
8. No talking is allowed during business hours.
9. The craving of tobacco, wine, or spirits is a human weakness, and as such, is forbidden to all members of the Clerical Staff.
10. Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11:30 and noon, but, work will not, on any account, cease.
11. Members of the Clerical Staff will provide their own pens. A new sharpener is available, on application to Mr. Ryder.
12. Mr. Ryder will nominate a Senior Clerk to be responsible for the cleanliness of the Main Office and the Private Office, and all Boys and Juniors will report to him 40 minutes before Prayers, and will remain after closing hours for similar work. Brushes, Brooms, Scrubbers, and Soap are provided by the Owners.

   

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