In a national ballot, the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) membership rejected
a tentative contract agreement the union leadership had reached with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
on Dec. 8. The rejected contract had called for wage increases of 4.8 percent over the life of the
agreement, which was to run to 2010. The contract was rejected by a slim 3.05 percent margin of the
32,945 ballots cast. The final tally was 15,927 in favor of the contract and 16,932 opposed—a
margin of 1,005 votes. Pennsylvania led all states with the largest number of ballots cast rejecting
the contract, (Yes, 410; No, 1,543), followed by Texas (Yes, 632; No, 1,537), Illinois (Yes, 321; No,
1,301) and Wisconsin (Yes, 418; No, 951). Michigan led all states with the largest number of ballots
approving the contract, (Yes, 1,022; No, 339) followed by Ohio (Yes, 921; No, 406). The parties will
now meet to decide how to proceed, USPS said Feb. 7. The NRLCA represents approximately 66,000 career
employees and 52,000 non-career employees who deliver mail to residences and businesses on rural delivery
routes. To see more, go to: www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/allnews.htm.
Three former Army colonels and two civilians were indicted Feb. 7 in an alleged plot to convert millions
of dollars meant for Iraq reconstruction into cash and expensive gifts for themselves, the Department
of Justice (DoJ) said. According to a 25-count indictment, ex-Col. Curtis G. Whiteford and ex-Lt. Cols.
Debra Harrison and Michael Wheeler helped rig the bids for $8.6 million worth of contracts awarded
by the Coalition Provisional Authority that governed Iraq in 2003 and 2004. According to the government,
the rigged contracts were meant for companies owned by an associate, Philip H. Bloom—who already
has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bribery and money-laundering charges. As part of the alleged scheme,
Bloom sent to the officers “over $1 million in cash, SUVs, sports cars, a motorcycle, jewelry,
computers, business-class airline tickets, liquor, (the) promise of future employment with Bloom and
other items of value,” said Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty. Also indicted were Michael
Morris, an American living in Romania who owns a financial services business in Cyprus, and William
Driver, Harrison’s husband. To see more, go to: www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/February/07_crm_077.html.
Internet Group Launches ‘Six Packs For Soldiers’ Effort
When they say “draft,” they don’t mean military. An Internet communications firm,
Grassroots Enterprise, on Feb. 8 launched a unique beer-based effort to support U.S. combat troops.
They want people to click onto their Web site, www.SixPacksForSoldiers.com,
and upload a photo of themselves toasting the troops with a beer or non-alcoholic alternative. For
every virtual toast received, organizers promise to deliver one real beer to one real soldier. Because
of the combat conditions in the war zones, the beer-to-soldier handoff will likely occur back in the
United States, said co-organizers John Hlinko and Bill McIntyre. The effort will last until July 4.
Hlinko, a Democrat, formerly helped lead MoveOn.org, and McIntyre, a Republican, was the chief national
spokesman for the National Rifle Association. “We've got our differences,” said Hlinko. “But
for just a moment, we are putting them aside and sending a frothy, refreshing thank-you to our fighting
men and women.” To see more, go to: www.SixPacksForSoldiers.com.
