I would like to thank all the members who encouraged me to take the lead. The urgency in your voice ultimately convinced me to take on this obligation. The fact that so many people care enough to participate in the decisions that affect their future is a powerful motivator. Your confidence in me is reason enough to take on this challenge. Without your insistence and motivation I may not have made this decision. I share your concerns and see much needed change for our local. Thus our guiding principle United for Change. This theme came easily as I knew that moving forward together, in a new direction, is the only way we can succeed. We must not allow complacency and lack of leadership continue in our local. We deserve CHANGE NOW.

A commitment of this magnitude cannot be accomplished alone. After many years of serving our local I have been privileged to work with many talented and knowledgeable CWA members; without whose knowledge and ability I would find it difficult to successfully institute the needed changes. As we all know one person does not a union make. Enter TEAM ICE.

I have called upon this team, representing dozens of years of experience (100 years Bell/AT&T and over 75 years of Union affiliation) to answer the challenges of the future. TEAM ICE consists of my most dedicated unionists and reliable colleagues. The importance of an experienced Executive Board is an absolute. With contract negotiations around the corner it is imperative that we work together putting our members first, to insure information is relayed in a timely manner and to set the course of change. As previous members of the Bargaining Team, we can rely heavily on JEANNE SCOTT (for Secretary) and PETER COSTA (for Executive Vice President) for their expertise in contract negotiation issues. KATHLEEN FONTANA (for Treasurer) will play an important role with her 6 years experience as Assistant to the Treasurer. Her extensive training, especially in the Members Relief Strike Fund, will be most needed and beneficial should there be a strike. Eager to serve in all endeavors, I will need the assistance of DIANNE EDWARDS, DANNY ZUENO and CASEY DAIGLE (for Delegates). Their contributions to the members of our local have been instrumental, especially in the grievance arena.

You came to me, and now I come to you, for the support necessary to make us UNITED FOR CHANGE. Only together can we make the difference.

In order to form a more PERFECT UNION, PLEASE VOTE TEAM ICE.

In Unity,

Loretta