FOR YOUR INFORMATION

August 12, 2002

I intend to continue with this Local’s past practice of publishing periodic FYI’s.  I will disseminate current and relevant information on the Local’s activities to the membership as events and schedules warrant.  In addition, I will be posting periodic grievance updates to give everyone a feel for current issues.  Good news or bad, it is imperative to keep the membership abreast of changes and developments.  Please feel free to direct any questions to me at the Local, 303-455-6400.

Transition/ Training

Our transition is going smoothly.  It does take time to become comfortable and work one’s self into a new position.  This Local had changes in five council positions and all changes are progressing well.  The first agenda of this transition is training. New Branch Presidents in the BMC and GMF came with a flurry of new stewards. On August 14, 2002 Don Gonzales and myself will conduct new steward training for about 12 new stewards.  I commend their decision to become Union stewards.  Please be patient with our new representatives as they learn the ropes. In addition, if you are interested in joining the fight and becoming a steward, please contact your Branch President, Gonzo or myself.

Local Memorandum of Understanding (LMOU) Negotiations

The Union and management have a mutual 30-day negotiations window within the period of September 1, 2002 > October 31, 2002 to open and discuss our LMOU.  Gozno and myself attended negotiations strategy training in Washington D.C. on July 29 & 30, 2002.  This training will be repeated locally for Branch Presidents and respective negotiating teams as appropriate.  The largest issues for our LMOU’s will address overtime and annual leave procedures. Other hot-button items include reserved light-duty assignments and section identification.

Now is the time to draft your suggestions for change, but remember — your proposals are limited to the 20 enumerated items listed in article 30.2. Other issues may be discussed, however neither party is required to entertain such talks. The most important thing to remember is your proposal cannot conflict or be inconsistent with the National Agreement. When formulating proposal, be prepared to show improvement and/ or elimination of a problem. In Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Grand Junction, submit your proposals to your respective Branch President. Please submit all station proposals to Gonzo or myself at the hall. Each submission will receive appropriate considerations.

Picnics

This year, we had Local Union picnics in Denver and Colorado Springs, not to mention Grand Junction’s shindig on August 11, 2002.  The logistics of time and travel made several picnics more feasible. Our southern brothers and sisters could not make the trek to Denver. All picnics were an overwhelming success. The weather was perfect, and everyone seemed to have a great time.  The logistics of two picnics on back-to-back weekends was a handful. Without the help of many, we could not have pulled it off, hats off to all.

AMC Arbitration

We have one current/ pending arbitration.  The rumors on this case are wild so I will attempt to clarify what has happened to date. In late-May of 2002, the union presented our AMC case in the arbitration arena.  The Union challenged management’s decision to force air-taxi grounds to perform the mail handler tasks of non-scheme separation, containerization and transportation of inbound mail.  The violations resulted in lost or reduced overtime and overall reductions in AMC mail handler compliment.  The case is large and complex, insomuch as it resulted in a two-day hearing.

The second (and final) date of the hearing was July 11, 2002.  The evening before this hearing, management notified the Union that they intended to forgo discussions on merit and admit culpability.  Moreover, management intended to only challenge the remedy, believing the Union’s case did not accurately represent damages, then they threw us a curve.

Management took it upon themselves to determine harm.  Fifteen hours before the start of the (July 11, 02) hearing, management unilaterally distributed $50,200.00 to 28 OTDL (AMC) mail handlers.  This action came without Union or Arbitrator concurrence.  This action created more questions then answers. The Local immediately filed a grievance challenging this unilateral payment. In addition, we sought legal advice from the National office. We also sought guidance from the National Labor Relations Board.  In the Union’s opinion, any distribution would first satisfy the AMC OTDL mail handlers. Secondary payments would go to non-AMC overtime volunteers with obvious considerations to those that lost bids, regardless of their OTDL status. In our closing brief, we championed a position that the $50,200.00 should be considered a penalty to the agency offering no regard or consideration in a potential remedy. This payment should be considered insulting to the arbitrator.

As it stands now, we are sitting tight – pending the arbitrator’s ruling.  The grievance challenging said payment has been held at Step 2 pending the arbitrator’s ruling. Management’s decision to disburse funds directly to mail handlers in the middle of the hearing, circumvented Union representation and the grievance/ arbitration process and seems highly improper. In the Union’s opinion, this direct payment to employees is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. Our action regarding any future charge(s) in the NLRB arena will be determined by the arbitrator’s ruling. The deadline for submitting closing briefs was August 9, 2002. The case is now in the hands of the arbitrator.  Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Mail Handler Staffing

This is a concern that will not go away anytime soon. In the bigger picture, the impact of priority mail volume and the AFSM100’s are the two driving forces behind our staffing concerns.

Management’s plan to pull flats into a centralized location has been arduous at best.  In theory, management wanted to pull flat prep and processing into the GMF reducing mail prep and people in stations. The AFSM100 operations goals and the logistics of flat preparations were not realistically assessed. As a result, flats are now being prepped in a remote location, away from the AFSM100’s, (the way it was when stations prep flats). A reasonable person might question what was gained by the change. I do not have this answer.

Another significant factor in staffing is priority volume and processing. The BMC is faced with a dilemma while running 2 ½ tours. They either need more priority to go to three full tours, or management is looking at a 2-tour operation.  Mail volume trends are being evaluated with consideration to recent rate case peaks. As management’s position becomes clear, you will be updated.

Finally, the GMF has an automated tray movement system on the drawing board. Due to the high costs of this system, Denver has been forced to pitch the proposal to the board of governors. The agency has not received a decision on this project, therefore they are reluctant to hire new mail handlers. Denver officials believe the system will reduce the need for mail handlers. This remains to be seen.

FMLA

Sometime ago our Local was contacted, requesting joint participation in a class action lawsuit against the agency regarding FMLA irregularities and procedures. Many of you signed releases and provided case information to us. It seems the attorneys have keyed in on a few cases from our Local and in conjunction with others throughout the state, are moving forward. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

September 11^th Quilt Project

On August 8^th, 2002, there was a joint press conference at the GMF involving postal officials, Union officials and representatives of the September 11 Quilt Project.  The national project is an opportunity to contribute a personal 8” X  8” square recognizing America’s determination to rebuild and never forget. The quilt resembles an American flag and measures 60’ X 120’. The postal service, APWU and NPMHU Local 321 recognized a contribution honoring postal employees. You may have seen the submission as it was aired locally on channels 4 & 7. In addition, the quilt was displayed in Denver’s City Park on August 17 & 18, 2002.

If you would like more information on the September 11 Quilt Project, visit www.september11quiltproject.org or see a union steward. Informational pamphlets were made available to all facilities.  The union was presented with a Heroes 2001 plaque at the ceremony, which is on display at the Union hall.

Timecard Control

In the GMF, your ability to secure a timecard and get on the clock continues to be a matter of concern. There are many grievances filed on this complaint. So many in fact, that our regional director has identified 10 representative cases on the issue for further application in the grievance/ arbitration process. A step 3 denial on these 10 cases is forthcoming. When this decision arrives, the executive board will explore the options of arbitration. It is a shame that the simplest task of punching in has become a headache with arbitration potential.

Badge Control

While on the subject of headaches it seems that the company under contract for GMF security is failing miserably – so bad in fact that the agency is terminating their contract. One problem (as many of you know) is the deactivation of employee ID badges. The computer program is RANDOMLY deactivating badges. I have been assured that there are no concerted efforts behind this action. It is random. I have also been assured that it is not occurring to collect information. Management rescinded their decision to collect personal (and non-relevant) information.

If your badge is deactivated, please contact the badge office. If the office is closed, please leave your name on the recording. I have been assured that you will be reactivated ASAP. Moreover, we have been assured that no disciplinary action will come as a result of these badge deactivations and subsequent lateness’s. If you cannot get your badge activated, or you have a lateness as a result, please contact a Union steward for appropriate action.

Step 3’s

When our national office split the Western region office, it created a huge backlog of step 3 cases. This reorganization and creation of the Denver/ Western Region office has brought it’s own bumps that will have to be worked out. The problem that most effects us is delayed step 3 answers. Many have queried me on that status of a given case. I am optimistic that the backlog will go away soon. This is simply a matter of getting a brand-new office up and running. The Western Regional Director, David Ross had to set up everything from A to Z. If the backlog continues, other measures will be broached.

In Unity,

Michael J Hora

President, Local 321