FOR YOUR INFORMATION

FYI: December 7, 2002

Local Memorandum of Understanding

 As you are probably aware, the Local concluded negotiations on all LMOU’s without the need for impasse resolution. We did reprint LMOU’s for all branches and offices where LMOU’s were opened and changed. If you have not done so, please see your respective Branch President or steward for a copy of your new LMOU’s.

Bid Annual

It is that time of the year. Do not forget to submit your requests for 2003’s bid annual. You would be surprised at the amount of people that forget to participate or miss the deadline for bid annual submissions and end up picking through leftover weeks. Your respective LMOU dictates the prime choice vacation period, the percentage minimums and number of consecutive weeks permitted per choice. If you have questions about the process, please ask a Union steward for assistance.  

Anti-Radiation Pills

It irritates me when information so important is delivered to us by way of the media. The distribution of Potassium Iodide tablets is information that should have been presented to the Unions and employees in stand-up talks long before the Rocky Mountain News had a chance to sensationalize the story.

The Union has been assured that the postal service has not received a threat. The decision to distribute potassium iodide has been presented as the agencies’ proactive approach, erring on the side of caution. You will be receiving a stand-up talk on the subject very shortly. The pills are distributed on a VOLUNTARY basis. If you want them, you will receive an acceptance form to read and sign. Before responding, you will be encouraged to discuss the matter with your physician. In the event of a radiation emergency, the potassium iodide tablets will be distributed to those that completed the forms.

In a nutshell, potassium iodide is the only medication for internal radiation exposure. The tablets will prevent thyroid cancer by blocking the thyroid from taking up radioactive iodine. The medication does come with risks of allergic reaction, nausea and rashes. Please consult your physician for guidance. The Local will keep you abreast of additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Powered Industrial Equipment

Safety: not the most glamorous subject to write about, but probably the most important. Management has expressed concerns about accidents, advising the Union that the number of accidents involving powered industrial equipment is on the rise. It has been made clear to me that management intends to focus on this situation.

Several recent accidents have been attributed to (among other factors) speed. Therefore, management is modifying the tow motor high-speed rabbit switches and gearboxes to reduce the top-end speed for tow motors. This may sound redundant, but management is making the tow motors slower so you’ll drive slower. The speed limit is that of a brisk –walk, and management’s impending modifications will guarantee it.

Management’s commitment to “focusing on tow motor accidents” should send the message that they are about to get aggressive towards safety. I don’t know how many more stand-ups they’ll do, but it is clear that they are taking aim on powered industrial safety. Please protect yourself and those around you.

As it stands now, if you are involved in a powered industrial accident, your license will be pulled until you complete remedial training, and other case-by-case factors may generate medical fitness for duty examinations, and even disciplinary action. I fear that management’s tool of safety enforcement will be discipline. Obviously, the Local Union will vigorously defend you, but please – avoid accidents, operate the vehicle in a safe manner and steer clear of all the headaches that will come with anything less.

Your supervisor may look the other way when you stretch the rules to save time, but rest assured — if you have an accident, it will be held against you and the supervisor that looked the other way will now discipline you for it. It is easier to operate the vehicle safely then deal with the consequences of an accident. If you operate a piece of powered industrial equipment, please look out for number one, everyone else will fall in line behind you.

Staffing 

We have all read stories about employee compliment reductions, excessing, abolishing, facility consolidation, and even plant closures. It seems fair to say that we in Colorado have already taken the majority of our hit. From a logistical standpoint, the Denver P&DC and BMC are already too small. Denver is not even in the top 20 when ranking metropolitan populace, yet the GMF consistently ranks number 1 or 2 nationwide for Christmas cancellations. We are too large and we do not have facilities to consolidate.

The MPA is in the second of a 5-year lease. The decision to renew the lease or make facility changes will be tackled in the coming years, but USPS headquarters has been tasked to evaluate and scrutinize temporary facilities. The BMC has been expanded in recent years and temporary fixes have been made in southern stations where growth is out of control. We don’t need more consolidations. Colorado needs more floor-space.

Management is rolling out a “Labor Scheduler Program” in early 2003. The program is management’s computer based, data-driven tool to manipulate the work force. In their words, it will “optimize the workforce compliment.” The details remain to be seen, but the result will be more move movement between operations. We will obviously monitor the changes and challenge all violations. One thing is clear, no matter what the labor scheduler figures show, management realizes that we are short staffed. The Denver P&DC, Denver Bulk Mail Center, Golden and Grand Junction are on the Western Area transfer rosters. There are very few cities accepting mail handler transfers. It may be hard to notice, but transfers are trickling in. Please make them feel welcome.

Christmas 

The Executive Board has voted to purchase Christmas gift certificates from King Soopers for the membership this year. The certificates will be mailed in mid-December. In addition to the certificates, the Local has purchased 2003 calendars, which will be distributed very shortly.

The Christmas items are a small token of appreciation for your support to the Union. Without the backing of the membership we have nothing. Thank you for your continued support. On behalf of Local 321’s Executive Board, have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

In Unity,

Michael J Hora

Local 321