APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER 

CHAPTER HISTORY

September, 2001, Orlando, Fl. APWU of Florida Executive Board, chaired by President Martha Shunn-King, votes to sponsor formation of an APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter after a presentation on the benefits of a State Retiree Chapter organization by Jack Gose, President, Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter. 

March 15, 2002, Jacksonville, Fl. A scheduled luncheon meeting occurred to organize an APWU State Retiree Chapter under the authority given in the National APWU Constitution & By-Laws.  A proposed State Retiree Chapter Constitution & By-Laws and a list of interim Chapter officers was approved by the APWU Retirees present, and then they were delivered personally to John R. Smith, National Retiree Director, as approved by President Martha Shunn-King.

May 8, 2002, Orlando, Fl. Twenty-three (23) new generation APWU Retirees, officers, Auxiliary, and guests attended the first Founders APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention held with a luncheon (Dutch treat) and 3-hour business session.  John R. Smith, invited guest speaker, then installed the new State Retiree Chapter officers, which was preceded by the presentation of a Natl. APWU Retirees Dept. Charter to the Chapter President, Jack Gose.  Eight (8) Retiree Chapter resolutions and constitutional changes were adopted unanimously by the Chapter delegates.

June 7-9, 2002, Lake Buena Vista, Fl. The   APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter affiliates with the Florida Alliance of Retired Americans (FLARA), and a Charter was presented to our State Chapter at the first FLARA Convention.  The mission of the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is to involve legislation, public affairs, communications, member education, and mobilization on paramount retiree and union issues.  Jack Gose, State Chapter Delegate representing the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter,               was elected to the FLARA Executive Board which meets quarterly around the State of Florida.

Sept. 3-5, 2002, Washington, D.C.   Our Chapter sends a State Chapter Delegate to the first National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) Convention to kick off National and State Retiree and 2002 election issues.  Rally and lobby day occurred with a mammoth march of hundreds in the streets to protest high prescription drug prices.  Social Security and Medicare protection were top agenda issues dealt with by the Delegates and addressed by numerous Congressional guest speakers.

September 27, 2002, Fort Myers, Fl.:                State Chapter schedules a Retirees Luncheon (Dutch treat) at the APWU of Florida fall seminar hotel with thirty (30) attending.  Similar luncheons are planned for future spring and fall seminars in Florida.  APWU of Florida State Executive Board, chaired by Martha Shunn-King, approves the mailing of Florida Postal Worker to all 2376 State Retiree Chapter $24.00 year dues paying members.

March 17-18, 2003, Tallahassee, Fl.:                          President of State Chapter attends FLARA Executive Board meeting and first FLARA Legislative Conference to lobby legislators on Retiree and union issues affecting our active and retired members. 

March 21, 2003, Lakeland, Fl.:                Sue Carney, National APWU Human Relations Director, our invited guest speaker, gave a glowing tribute at the Retirees luncheon (Dutch treat) with forty (40) in attendance, to all the APWU Retiree members living in Florida who have paid union dues all of their working lives and continue to do so. 

515 new Retiree Chapter members have signed up on APWU Retired Member Form 1187 during the Chapter organization drive from Nov. 1, 2002 thru April 30, 2003 to make Florida  #1 in APWU Retiree organization in the nation.  We now have 2765 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members.  

CHAPTER HISTORY PREPARED BY

JOHN SARDIN, JR., SECRETARY-TREASURER