This is the thirteenth 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. Since the last publication, I have
begun to publish an FYI review which is intended to allow for
review of upcoming changes and various Union positions. The
FYI Review can be found around your office and in your
newsletter. If you have any questions or suggestions
don’t hesitate to convey them to the Local at 455-6400.
Since the last FYI, the Executive Board
has met on 7 occasions. During these meetings the following
issues were discussed:
Contract Status
As most of you know, we are awaiting
any new information which might indicate we are moving closer
to a contract. Currently the National Arbitration Association
should be generating a list of Arbitrator names from which
the arbitrator will be selected. This is done through a
striking of names until only one remains. The remaining name
will hear our case. Once the name is selected they then have
to go to the arbitrator for available dates and then a
hearing will begin. Under the National Agreement we should
have a decision within 45 days of the date the hearings
begin. If we are lucky we will have a decision before the end
of February. Update, on 11/21/95 we received information that
an arbitrator should be selected by the 11/22/95.
Local Elections
Some initial discussions have been held
on next year’s election of Officers. A tentative
itinerary should be finalized by January 1st,
1996. Shortly after the first of the year the process should
begin, with elections being held somewhere around May of
1996. Information will be forthcoming as it is available on
this issue.
National Convention
Some initial discussions have been held
on next years National Convention. The convention will be
held in New Orleans, Louisiana the week of August 19 through
August 23. As required by our Constitution the Council will
determine the amount of Delegates to be sent to the
Convention. Once National assigns the dates to the election
process for delegates, we will begin that process. Details
will be forthcoming on this issue, presumably right after the
first of the year.
Union Products
Discussions have been held on various
products for the membership. It is anticipated that shortly
after the first of the year we will again be looking into
obtaining aprons for the membership. Jackets were put on the
back burner for awhile, however, we are beginning to work on
this issue again. It is currently intended to set up a
company where members can go and order jackets (possibly
other items) with the Local’s Logo. The Union will have
no other involvement than the initial setup of the die’s
or screen prints for these jackets. The Local will be making
no money from your orders under this process. Pocket
calendars for 1996 should be available through your steward
in the next couple of weeks.
Office Equipment
A second computer has been added to the
steward’s room at the GMF. A word-processor has also
been added to the Boulder office. Typewriters and other
essential supplies have been purchased upon request of the
various offices.
Insurance Issues
As you are probably aware, open season
for health insurance is here again. As always, the Mail
Handlers Union suggests that everyone give serious
consideration to our plan. For the dollar, it is probably the
best plan around. It currently appears that open season will
get extended this year because of the Federal employee’s
being laid off.
Recently all of you should have
received information about a new dental plan (500). This is
being provided to the membership as it has always been a
major concern that we don’t have good dental coverage
available. Now whether you are enrolled or not in the Mail
Handlers Plan, you can have some added benefit in the area of
dental insurance.
Christmas Activities
At the next Executive Board Meeting, a
decision will be made as to what, if anything is going to be
done for Christmas this year. By all indications we are
financially stable enough to be able to do something this
year. Suggestions have been made from money order to having a
dinner party, these will all be considered during our
meeting. Update, Money Orders will be issued to all members:
Boulder, Colorado
Springs, Pueblo = $12.50
All Other = $7.50
The reason for the difference is that,
Boulder, Springs and Pueblo held no function during the
summer, as the other areas did.
Contractual Issues
Discussions have been held on the newly
revised 3971’s. It has been confirmed with our National
Office that these forms are proper.
The step 3 rep for the Postal Service
has been changed. It will take a little time to get a feel
for how the new rep will handle various issues. It is hoped
that thing will improve as the previous rep was beginning to
get reluctant to settle what he himself knew should have been
settled.
Representation Issues
Some research has been done in the way
of replacing the service which we receive from Mike Watson
and Associates. This service is to provide assistance to our
membership on OWCP claims. Rates have changed which prompted
this research. This change is beneficial to the Local, but
not to the members. Previously members paid $100.00 per year.
Now that figure is $600.00 for the first year and $100.00
each year thereafter. Research has found costs which are
prohibitive and there are very few legal firms which will
handle Federal Workers Comp claims.
Arbitration
Currently, this Local has 19 cases
scheduled for arbitration. This is considerably higher than
in years past. This is possibly triggered by two factors; one
of which is the Postal Service’s positions and the other
being we can now afford to arbitrate more of the cases which
come through the system unsettled. Currently, I am the only
advocate this Local has so arrangements and training have
begun to eliminate this problem. It is hoped to have between
two to four more advocates trained by summer. This will allow
for more prep time as well as some versatility.
Finances
As indicated previously, finances are
looking pretty good, especially for this time of year when
funds are normally low. The financial outlook for the
remainder of this year are positive to say the least.
Also on file at the hall is the
Financial year end report for National if any one is
interested in reviewing it. The National Office has made
great strides in the area of financial security for our
National Office. Specifics will not be provided in this
publication.
As some of you may have already heard,
the Postal Service has finally broken ground on the new
Centennial Facility. This is intended to be a downsized GMF
and will supposedly eliminate the Terminal Annex. The
completion date is about 2 years for this facility. This new
facility should offer many new Mail Handler Positions here in
Colorado. It is unknown as to exactly what effects this will
have on the various offices, however, it will effect the GMF,
T.A., Littleton and Englewood. As more information becomes
available, it will be passed along to the membership.
The expansion of Local 321 to cover the
Wyoming area looks hopeless at this point as we are not
getting the necessary support. If there are any changes on
this issue you will be updated.