FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. This is the twelfth FYI to be released to the membership. As usual it is hoped that this FYI will provide you with pertinent information on the Local’s activities. If you have any suggestions, feel free to convey them to the Local at 455-6400.

2. Since the last FYI the Executive Board has met on 8 occasions. During these meetings, the following issues were discussed:

A. Contract Status

The contract has made no movement since your last update. The NALC has completed their arbitration and are awaiting a decision. This decision should definitely set the tone for the other decisions. The APWU goes back to the arbitration table the second week in August. It is unknown how long they will be in arbitration, but technically the decision has to come out within 45 days of when the arbitration begins. Once the APWU is finished our case will begin. As of right now, no arbitrator has been assigned to our case.

B. Modified Work Week (10/4s)

We are still waiting for a start date from the Postal Service. As you are aware the Postal Service at the National Level at the last minute decided that they needed to hold additional meetings to determine the evaluation criteria prior to beginning the test period. This was done despite the fact that a criteria had already been established by a different department than the one that decided they need to discuss the issue further. Hopefully this will all be worked out soon. Apparently the hold up is the fact that the committee consists of about 11 individuals, all of who all spend considerable time traveling and it is hard to assemble the whole group at once. We are inquiring on a weekly basis as to the status of their meetings and a possible start date for the program.

C. 1995 Annual Picnic (Denver Area)

This year’s picnic was a big success, and had one of the largest turnouts yet. Once again we were able to acquire the services of Children’s World to help offer entertainment for the kids. For a few dollars more than last year, they provided considerably more activities than last year. As for the renowned ball game between the BMC and the GMF, what can I say? The BMC got the @#%& beat out of them this year. I would like to thank all of those who attended and give a special thanks to those who helped out. For a more detailed rundown on the picnic watch for your next newsletter, due out in mid- September.

(Outlying Offices)

Grand Junction was the only request we received from the outlying areas. This request was approved with minor modifications. If you are in outlying (meaning outside of the Denver area ) areas keep in mind all offices do not hold a picnic, some wait until Christmas to hold their functions.

D. By-Law Revisions

Our By-Law revisions from the April Council Meeting have been approved and signed by the National President and are available through your steward if you want a copy.

E. Union Products

We have begun to research where to obtain aprons for the membership as the last ones did not seem to be exactly what we were looking for. Once we come up with some options, we will begin to discuss the issue. It is possible that we may have to hold off till the beginning of next year as money may be tight in the latter part of this year, only time will tell.

F. Finances

Our regular membership is still growing, and has finally toped 1100 for the State. This is an increase of about 250 members in the last two years. Finances were getting pretty tight as we looked toward the end of the year, at least until last Friday. We received a call from the state notifying us that our protest on the back taxes for 1978 through 1992 was approved and that they would waive the interest on the money owed, the interest is approximately $31,250.00. Things may still get a little tight but it would appear that we now will make years end in reasonably good shape. Next year we will be looking to save some money and get a reasonable account balance started as our debts seem to be going down.

G. Possible Expansion of Local 321

We currently are in the process of sending a formal request to National requesting to have Local 319, Wyoming amalgamated with our Local. Local 319 has a grand total of 32 members in Cheyenne and Casper. There are numerous reasons for this request which range from we feel we have a lot to offer to the members in Wyoming to the fact that this amalgamation would offer approximately $70,000.00 in added revenue to the Local. If it appears that National will approve such a request, additional information will be disseminated to you on the issue and a vote will probably take place. This amalgamation would also require a majority vote of the current members of Local 319. Right now this is a "pie in the sky" type of request It is unclear if this has been done in recent history or even if the request will be given any consideration. As this issue progresses you will be updated.

H. Casual Violations

Currently management is still under the casual ceiling by almost 30 casuals, so for now the cash cow is dry.

Also, we are still pursuing a possible violation for Christmas in 1993 and 1994. This grievance is still sitting at step 2 as management has failed repeatedly to reduce their position to writing. Meetings will be held with upper management on the issue of no response. It is fairly important to the grievance that management take a position. It appears the grievance on this violation will end up in National as an Interpretive issue.

I. Newsletter

Our first newsletter without the troubles of B&U Publishing is out, but not without some glitches. Hopefully these glitches will be worked out as the trouble the newsletter has caused over the last two years has been excessive to say the least. The next newsletter has a deadline date for submissions of article of 9/5/95 and should be in the mail by the 15th. All members are encouraged to submit articles for (possible) publication in the newsletter. These articles may be on any issue you like.

J. Training

Advanced stewards training is still progressing well with over half of the stewards trained and the next session scheduled for next week. Once this phase is complete we will then begin training on specific contract language. As always we are also training new stewards as they come on board. Currently we have the treasurer scheduled for payroll training and the newsletter editor scheduled for training on newsletter improvements.

K. Local Union Hall

As mentioned previously we have been researching the possibilities of relocating the Union Hall closer to the BMC and the GMF. The outlook on this issue is not very positive as the quotes are very high and the buildings that are available are too large for our needs. To build a Hall is probably the most feasible approach but the costs could still reach $300,000.00 which is extremely high for property in Commerce City. We will continue to check into this issue.

Recently we had the hall painted for the incredible price of $1,700.00, this included inside and out. For this cheap price we had to spend a reasonable amount of time fighting with the company to get it right, but it is now done. We have also made minor repairs as needed and I must say your hall is looking like new.

L . Communications

This is probably the area where we have had a substantial increase in cost as we now have the following communication procedures in place:

newsletter, FYI’s, Pagers (numbers included below), Cell Phone, digital messaging service, questionnaires, on-line computer systems and more information (copies) to the various offices. The reason for this increase is directly related to the fact that we, as members, always have felt in the dark. It may not be totally light but I think you can begin to see the sun finally.

PAGER NUMBERS

DAVID ROSS (PRESIDENT) 767-8293

RON LUCERO (VICE-PRESIDENT) 855-4016

JEFF MORGAN (TREASURER) 767-2451

RICHARD LUJAN (RECORDING SEC) 855-3986

RICHARD LANFORD (STATE REP) 855-4010

EDDIE FUENTES (PUEBLO) 1-800-824-1426 584-8844

DON GONZALES (BMC) 767-6556

PHIL ARMENDAREZ (GRAND JUNCTION) 1-970 (or 303)-256-5591

SCOTT BAKER (BOULDER) not yet on line

PAUL MITCHELL (GMF&TA&AMC&EE WHSE) 767-7159

M. Injury Compensation Assistance

Mike Watson and Associates (who we have had on retainer for several years to provide assistance on injury claims), have restructured their prices. Previously we paid $2,400.00 a year retainer and service to the members was $100.00 per year per person who used the service. They have now reduced the Local portion by half, however they now charging members $600.00 per year. This seems like a drastic change that is almost unreasonable. The injured employee is normally behind on money because of the injury. Another option that is available to the Local is for us (as a Local) to pay $6.00 per member per year which entitles 12 members to get assistance for free but after that each additional person would be billed the $600.00. This again does not seem like a good offer as 12 is not very reasonable for a Local this large. We will be making no changes prior to the beginning of the year, at which point we will probably do something as the price structure is not enticing.

N. Postal Labor Council

As some of you may or may not know, we, the Postal Unions around Colorado, have joined together on certain issues, mainly legislative type items. The legislative breakfast was the first of many functions that will be sponsored by this Council. The legislative breakfast was a big success. The turn out was good, as far as whether it had any impact, who knows? As this council moves forward, you will be updated. Just to clear the air, there are members on the council who are very strong supporters of the one union concept, however, this is not the function of the council.

O. Arbitration Tracking System

Our long wait for a system that provides arbitration reference upon request is now becoming a reality. National has finally accomplished the monumental task of making arbitration access as simple as a phone call. The system should be fully operational within 60 days and appears to be far superior to any of the systems used by the other parties. The benefit is we will be able to represent cases with arbitration cites simply by making a phone call. This system also will be a major benefit in advocating cases in arbitration. This has to be the best move the Union has made in recent history regarding representational needs of the Locals and their stewards.

Thank you,

David E Ross

President Local 321

NPMHU