This is the thirtieth FYI to be released to the membership. As always, I hope this FYI will provide you with relevant information on the Local’s activities. If you have any questions, feel free to convey them to the Local at 303-455-6400.

The NPMHU continues to meet with representatives of the Postal Service in an effort to resolve their dispute over the terms of the 2000 National Agreement. Although these off-the-record talks continue, the parties are also considering and discussing other dispute resolution mechanisms, including binding arbitration. Should the parties be unable to reach an agreement, binding arbitration will be the final step in reaching a new agreement. Any substantial developments will be reported as soon as they are available.

Recently applications were disseminated to the various steward offices around the state for the National Mail Handlers Union Scholarship (deadline 1/31/01) and the FEEA scholarship (deadline 3/30/01). Additionally it has been determined to once again hold our Local’s own scholarship application process. The applications for our Local program should be available through your Local Union steward within a couple of weeks. The Local will be awarding five scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each.

1. For the last 6 months or so the National parties have been participating in National Level Arbitration on the intent of the term "Casuals In Lieu of". The Postal Service has maintained that the term only relates to casuals over the allowable casual cap for an installation. On the other hand the Union maintains that the term refers to the utilization of casuals, above or below the cap, and prohibits their employment in lieu of full or part-time workers ever. Hearings have finally concluded on this subject and the decision is now in the hands of the arbitrator. It is hoped that this decision will be released in the next month or two. Once that decision is rendered we will be able to move forward on cases that have been held pending the outcome of this National case for almost a year. Further it is hoped that the decision will help eliminate the improper use of casuals.

2. As many of you already know casuals are allowed to be used across craft lines. However this movement across craft lines must be properly recorded and made known to the Union upon request. If any employee’s are aware of clerk casuals being assigned to perform Mail Handler work you need to notify your Union steward. That will allow us to ensure that the hours they are utilized in our craft is properly credited toward our casual cap. Frequently these added hours put management over the allowable cap for a given installation. When this occurs we normally are successful in getting time and a half for all hours that management exceeded the cap.

1. Over the last 4 or 5 months we have begun to roll out computer training to the stewards from the various offices in which we utilize computers. This training is proving to be quite valuable for a couple of reasons. (1) Stewards are able to produce more professional looking grievances that include specific cites or contract references, (2) Stewards are able to spend less time writing and more time investigating.

2. Beginning in March this year we will begin rolling out a safety-training program for our stewards. This program should offer much insight on the safety aspect of our contract as well as some insight into OSHA complaints and regulations.

3. Additionally we are evaluating already existing training programs to determine which ones need to be rolled out to bring our newer stewards up to speed.

Anyone who is considered to be veteran preference eligible needs to be aware that management may not put you out of work without pay for more than 14 days without first extending to you your right to file with the Merit System Protection Board. In the event that a veteran is denied work and pay for more than 14 days without appeal rights you need to contact the Local Union hall. It has become more and more common for management to take such actions without extending appeal rights and we need to eliminate this problem.

As always, your full time officers can be contacted as follows:

David E Ross

President Local 321

NPMHU