I am pleased to report to you the ITPE Shop Steward Educational Conference for Regions I and II was acclaimed to have been a huge success by all in attendance. The conference was held in Baltimore, Maryland. One of the Shop Stewards was so impressed by the program agenda and the presenters she recruited Five (5) new members her next day back at work.

I wish to personally thank OPEIU President Mike Goodwin, OPEIU Director of Organization and Field Services Kevin Kistler and OPEIU Director of Communication, Education and Research Nicole Korkolis for all their assistance and the ITPE Staff for making the conference a huge success. A special thanks to all the Shop Stewards in attendance. Due to a medical problem I regret I was not able to be with you.

I encourage all who read this report and those having access to a computer to visit the ITPE Web Site www.itpe.org. Effective November 15^th the Web Site will have had a new design which will allow greater accessibility and will be much more user friendly. It is a great way to learn much more about your Union and the ITPE Benefit Plans, etc., than you could otherwise. The site is designed to give you a wealth of information including many of the Members Only Benefits. Example-the PerksCard, the Towing Service, the A T & T discount, the Union Plus Discounts, etc. By using these benefits as a member you can save more than you pay in monthly dues (it pays to belong). For more information on these benefits you can call the ITPE Benefits Coordinator at 912-232-6181, ext. 110.

More News - The ITPE Executive Board at its meeting on Tuesday, October 25^th, under its’ authority of Article VIII Section 3 of the Constitution named ITPE Executive Board Member Cindy Diehm as the successor to former Vice President Paul Harvey who suddenly passed on in July of this year. The appointment is until the next Union Election for 2012. Ms. Diehm has been an ITPE Representative for 24 years. Prior to that she was a Shop Steward at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

The Union has successfully completed its contract negotiations for wage and fringe benefit increases on all Contracts effective October 1, 2011. Most of the contracts negotiations included wage increases and Health and Welfare Plans hourly contribution rates. Due to medical inflation costs the Health and Welfare rates require increases each year in order to maintain the level of Benefits. We also must be ready to absorb additional cost in order to comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed by President Obama on March 23, 2010.

As you know the 2012 Republican Presidential Election campaign is underway. If you are a member of the working class and reading this report you probably are. You are probably also aware of continued attacks on the middle class, the loss of bargaining rights to public employees in some states, the threats to reduce Social Security and Medicaid Benefits earned by millions of Americans and there are even some Candidates who advocate elimination of minimum wage. Knowing this continuing attack on the middle class you should be very upset with what’s going on with those engaged in destroying our country. Are you going to sit back and allow the American Dream to be just a dream or are you ready to join the fight. If the protestors on Wall Street and around the country can endure the hardships confronting them, they need our support. I realize we all maybe unable to join the sit ins, however there are many other ways. One sure way is to be a registered Voter and Vote. This is your right. If you are a female reading this you should be first in line. Passed by Congress on June 4, 1919 and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19^th amendment guarantees all American women the right to vote. Many of your sisters endured many hardships fighting for your right to vote. Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest. Don’t let that be in vain.

If you are not a registered Voter, Register now. Cast your ballot for those candidates you know will support working Americans. Those who put the country first. Those who believe in equality for all Americans not just that one (1%) percent.

We can turn things around. Join with the number of Americans who are fed up.

VOTE______________________VOTE___________________VOTE_________________VOTE

Having said all of this, I pray you and your family are able to enjoy the Holidays.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In Solidarity,

John F. Conley, ITPE President