Zelner Douglas Pierce

PIERCE ZELNER DOUGLAS PIERCE, a postal employee and union activist for more than 33 years, unexpectantly passed away of a heart attack on May 6, 2002. Mr. Pierce, a Mason and Army veteran, was the Tour 3 Chief Shop Steward for Local 308, National Postal Mail Handlers Union, at the 30th Street Postal Station for more than a decade. In this capacity Mr. Pierce represented members with contracttual disputes in Step 2 Grievance Proceedings before postal management officials. According to Local 308 President Frank Phillips, Mr. Pierce enjoyed towering success in this role. 'His success at adjusting grievances with management so that arbitration was avoided was phenomenal. His integrity was such that his handshake was worth 100 signed contracts. He was just universally respected. His passing is a tremendous loss for this Local'. For 25 years Mr. Pierce was the Chief Negotiator with Postal officials for the entire mail handler craft on Local Memorandums of Understanding at the giant 30th Street mail facility. Mr. Pierce is survived by a daughter, Sunsieray Pierce, a student at the Vermont Law School, and his son, Zerick Pierce, age 14. His wife, Yvette Delores Pierce, died in 1995. A Viewing will be held this morning from 9 to 10 A.M. at Star of Hope Baptist Church, 4800 Friendship St. in Philadelphia. Services will follow between 10 A.M. and noontime. Burial Holy Sepulchre Cem.