The Credibility Gap – Promised one thing, but reality presents another. The credibility gap refers to a lack of confidence in the promises made by entities, or public figures. It references a discrepancy between official statements and what really happens. It deals with expectations and why those expectations exist and the dynamic of unfulfilled expectations.
Why does a credibility gap exist? Typically, failure to accomplish standards can be grouped into one of two categories. It is either a performance problem or a training problem. In other words, either a duty is incomplete by choice, or the doer lacks the skill or knowledge to complete it.
Within the USPS, we recognize the organization’s goal to be safe, even an example to all regarding safety. There are those who are doing well at this quest, indeed, both management and labor. To them, continue your valued vigilance, application and growth!
But where the Safety Program of the USPS fails, let us apply the perspective that either we have a performance problem or a training problem. This will require a ‘long game’ strategy to remedy.
We have all likely heard that ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’. In those installations that the USPS Safety Program is not effectively working, we must recognize that a different approach is necessary to change the focus to where it needs to be. The listing ship needs righted and extended effort is necessary to do so.
The overall APWU Local 232 Safety Plan – The following is an installment of the how to accomplish change from both management and labor to embrace a refreshed attitude toward safety. It is the beginning step of the ‘long game’ strategy.
Part 1 – The Power of You, The Power of YOUnion – You have heard or read this from myself before, “You are of great value”. Your contributions, your insights, your voice, all are of importance as you serve ‘We the people’ of the United States of America. All are of importance as you strengthen the American Postal Workers Union Local 232. And all are of importance as you function in this nation and represent your household. We must recognize that others deserve the same respect as we hope the same unto ourselves. It is important that we establish esteem and honor for each of our brothers and sisters. Every voice has relevance. We gratefully acknowledge those that have served, those that do, and those who are yet preparing, everyone! Your voice has great power, You. We must start with the recognition of the power of individual voice.
Your voice combined with others provides incredible strength. You + union = Younion. This does not mean individual voice is now ignored. Rather, it is the individual perspective combined with the perspective from others that will forge our group personality. As we discover our group personality, our group character, and purpose (i.e. APWU Local 232) we can communicate in a manner which affords even greater respect. But equally, we can find empowerment, even a comfort as we recognize that we are not alone in our cause. The world has need of willing men and women who wear the workers’ seal. And there are worthy causes to push along. History has proven that strength can be derived from numbers of like sentiments, of like voices. We must recognize the importance of unifying our forged efforts to one voice.
And so I share an historical true account to illustrate the point.
Many centuries ago on this continent, there existed a great nation, the Haudenosaunee, or the Iroquois. They are considered by Native Americans to be among the grandfathers of this land. At a point in history, they fell into a dark, bloody conflict amongst themselves. Five different clans (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca) were engaged in war with each other with tremendous, pointless loss of life. It was not until Ayenwatha (Hiawatha) lost his entire family and lastly his beloved young daughter that the fruitlessness of the conflict began to be realized. Soon all would be destroyed. Ayenwatha, in his grief, wandered in the land hoping for resolve. It was then that Deganawidah, the peacemaker, made his appearance. Deganawidah teaches and encourages Ayenwatha to council at all the fires of the clans and invite the end of the long conflict. Ayenwatha and Deganawidah traveled to each of the longhouses and promoted peace. One by one, each of the clans embraced the effort. With work, the clans reunited and met at the central fire in the land of the Onondaga. It was then that Deganawidah, the Peacemaker, delivered The Great Law of Peace unifying the five clans into a confederacy like in purpose. All their weapons of war were buried at the base of a great pine tree. Then Deganawidah called upon the gathering of the five clans saying, “Send forth runners with an arrow to represent each of your clans”. And as they did so, Deganawidah held the five arrows together in a bundle and said, “Together, these arrows will not bend or break. So as you remain united in the Great Law of Peace neither shall you bend or break.” He then stated, “I place an eagle at the top of this tree as a watch cry to warn you of approaching danger.”
The Haudenosaunee continued as a great nation. The clans collectively formed a confederacy and government wherein they retained their individual voice as it was shared by a representative at the central fire. Their individual voices formed the singular voice of one of the greatest nations of this land.
Fast forward a few centuries. In 1744, Canassatego, a Haudenosaunee, Onondaga Clan, advised the colonies (which later became our country) to unite for strength. Repeating his heritage, he used the cluster of 5 arrows representative of his Nation to make his point.
In 1782, Charles Thomson, the designer of the Great Seal of the United States, used 13 arrows as a reminder of the united strength of our individually voiced states. Those arrows are clutched by an eagle, the watch cry for a nation. In the other claw of the eagle is an olive branch, a Greek symbol of peace.
Additionally, The Great Seal of the State of Ohio has the same arrow symbol with 17 arrows signifying that it was the 17th state admitted to the union. (Ohio is the only state to have that symbolism on its seal). Ohio was once land of the Haudenosaunee. The word Ohio derives from their word Oyo, meaning beautiful river.
Each of you is important. Your voice given individually will effectively strengthen the whole as we forge our union, American Postal Workers Union Local 232. You are needed.
As we unite and use our collective voice for the benefit of all, we must wield that voice with responsibility.
-Tony George