After almost two years the National parties have finally reached a global settlement on a couple of the National Level RI-399 cases (craft jurisdictional issues). Originally these settlement talks include 8 different cases but as time went on the settlement came down to focusing on two main cases 1) dock connection transfers (filed by the APWU), 2) Primary purpose (filed by the Mail Handlers). The other cases, which were not ultimately included, still remain on the National docket but it is believed that the APWU will seek to remand or withdraw these cases sometime in the near future.

1) Dock connection transfers where expeditors transfer mail rather than oversee the transfer has been settled, limiting the clerks to oversight functions and not actual transportation. The potential loss, which could have been felt by the Mail Handlers craft had this case been won by the clerks in arbitration, was estimated to be almost 5000 jobs.

2) Primary purpose is settled with language, which supports the existence of the application of primary purpose to operations 110-129 & 180-189. Meaning that the purpose of the operation dictates which portions of RI-399 apply and not the physical location of the operation. It is not believed that this language will actually result in any cases being settled but it will provide beneficial ammunition for the Mail Handlers in hearing many of the cases already in the system.

3) Language is incorporated which should reduce the amount of Article 7 referrals into RI-399. Clearly this language will not eliminate all referrals but it should reduce them to some degree.

It should be noted that this settlement (bullet #1) will only apply in locations where the issue currently has an active grievance pending which challenges the work or where future assignments are added.

Another agreement has been signed which mandates that the LDRC & RDRC will meet within 60 days of August 3, 2000 to address any additional cases relating to spreading of mail which remain open.

An agreement has also been signed on how National RI-399 awards will be implemented in the future.

Lastly the parties have agreed that the new RI-399 Arbitrators (two per region) will be appointed no later than September 30^th of this year. This will be a drastic improvement as our Region (covering 11 states) up to this point in time has been primarily limited to one arbitrator and currently none. Obviously two arbitrators won’t solve our problems overnight but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Our local currently has 33 cases in need of RI-399 arbitration hearings and not one has been scheduled for us since 1994. It is important to note that we also have a considerable amount of cases held at either the Regional or Local levels. This settlement will free up quite a few cases so we can move them onto the docket for hearing as well. And as the clerks decide what they are going to do with their remaining National RI-399 cases, more of our cases will finally be allowed to move forward.

The bottom line is this settlement has avoided us from having to defend against the potential loss of several thousand jobs. This settlement is also the first real movement on any of the jurisdictional issues we have seen in many years.

Thank you,

David E Ross

President Local 321

NPMHU

8/4/00