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MVS Wheels and Wrenches
by Robert Helmig, Director MVS Craft
I have become aware that some drivers are going to other drivers for contractual advice. My advice is to go to your steward or contact me. The union only has 14 days from date of incident or when you reasonably became aware of the issue, to file a grievance. If you delay finding out if you have a grievance, and it is after the 14 days, there is absolutely nothing anyone can do for you. If you file an EEO and the settlement violates the contract, it will be voided. It’s in our contract that an EEO settlement can't override our Collective Bargaining Agreement.
If you are going to vacate any of your bid annual, please let a supervisor know and put it in writing. If you gave two weeks or more notice, it needs to be reposted for someone else to bid. Grievances will be filed if you gave a written two week notice and it hasn’t been reposted.
Holddowns: The union will be monitoring the holddowns and filing grievances if they are not properly posted and filled. If you are on a holddown, you must work it for its entirety. Management has 72 hours to post and fill a holddown.
Len Chavez has resigned as a steward. I wish Len the best and thank him for stepping up and helping the union. He did an excellent job. I will be posting a letter seeking a steward for PVS on Tour 3.
As always, if you have any questions, please see your steward, or contact me at 303-396-5371 ext. 15.
"Compliance"
by Monica Lipscomb, Asst. Director Clerk Craft
What is it? Compliance is obedience, agreement, submission, and passivity. When in doubt comply with management next time they want you to do something, instead of arguing, do exactly what they say. If you have to repeat the instruction back to them, do so. Just to be clear.
Of course, do not blindly follow a "jump off the building" instruction, but the day to day instructions they give you...by all means follow them.
You are all professional clerks, mail processing, distribution, window, box section, passports, etc. These are your areas of expertise. You've seen it all, done it all, better and longer than your supervisors and probably your managers.
Sometimes when you stand there and disagree with their decisions, you are actually TEACHING them. If you respect your supervisor that's wonderful, a harmonious workplace can and does exist. By all means, teach and share your knowledge, make each other strong, make your station the best!
If you have an arrogant know-it-all supervisor, you may just want to calmly follow the instructions they bark out. Who knows better than the professional managers we work for? I said it before and I'll say it again, it's great to have a journal you can jot down info daily in, or at least try to have people around you that aren't afraid of being witnesses.
Remember that management cannot start interviewing you, especially if you reasonably believe you may be disciplined, without a steward present. Always be firm when insisting that a steward be present.
Compliance is a wonderful thing. You are following management's instructions. You are held blameless if things go array. Managers have to learn how to do their jobs. If they want to learn from us, they must treat us better, with the respect we deserve.
We are professionals. We have a Union. We are strong.
We got you!
Dope Show The Train Keeps A Rollin'
by Ron Malunat, Administrative Aide
Well, I'll get this out of the way and then you can go on to the good news I have later I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but the incompetency train keeps rolling on at the GMF and stations. As any of us know, who have been around for awhile, it's worse than ever. I'll make it simple; management is trying to destroy the USPS from within. Stupid rules and policies, nit picking and disrespect are at an all time high for our members.
Most managers and supervisors won't speak up due to fear of retribution or they are just plain ignorant. "Hey if we can't get the mail out on time, let's just cut jobs" seems to be Plant Manager Karen Padden's belief. The stations mantra seems to be just roll the mail till the next day since delivery standards have been cut back anyway. In my 36 years at the USPS I have never seen First Class mail rolled, until now. Simply put, the ones in charge at higher levels have no clue or are chicken so the destruction of the USPS continues.
Enough of this. I just want to say that we will continue to expose this and call out the appropriate management person on this. Also, in the next Mountaineer, editor Ron Gorman is having us ask different members how the USPS has changed during your time at the USPS. I can’t wait to see these answers. They will be published in our next Mountaineer issue.
APWU Gets TACS Work Back
by Ron Malunat, Administrative Aide
I recently won a grievance at Step 3 giving TACS (Time and Attendance Control System) and AMS (Address Management System) work at the stations to the Lead Clerks at stations. Those of you who have been around awhile, remember when clerks did the TACS work but management took the work away. Now through the Lead Clerk position we are getting the work back. If you are a Lead Clerk at a Denver station, you will be getting a letter from me asking you to contact me regarding the amount of time supervisors spend doing TACS and AMS work at your station, so we can get you the right amount of back pay for supervisors doing your work. You also must be trained on how to do TACS and AMS by August 25, 2017. If not trained by August 25th, please contact me at 303-365-1524 ext. 24 and let me know.
If you are a Lead Clerk at an Associate office and are not doing TACS work, contact your Steward or Coordinator immediately. We need to get you trained and get you the money for supervisors doing your bargaining unit work.
2017 Moe Biller Scholarship
by Rita Burns, Office Manager
The Moe Biller Scholarship awards $2500 each year to eligible applicants, sponsored by the Denver Metro Area Local. There were five applicants this year. The Scholarship Committee consists of three APWU retirees: John Kelly (former NBA for clerks), Jim Deden (former Window Clerk) and Ron Gorman (former MVS member). The Committee met on July 10, 2017 to review the scholarship applications and determine the applicants placing. First Place was awarded to Lyric Clark, daughter of Laviena Vargas, Director Clerk Craft. Second Place was awarded to Jami Helmig, daughter of Robert Helmig, Director MVS Craft. There were three Third Place winners. Third Place was awarded to Marissa Montiel and Miranda Montiel, daughters of Jolene Montiel, Coordinator/Steward for the DMAL and Haley Gordy, daughter of David Gordy, a Clerk member at the GMF. I want to congratulate all of these applicants and wish them the best in their future.
First Aid Boxes Under Lock and Key
by Dave Suwalski, Director Maintenance Craft
Once again, the silliness continues. Now we must contend with the warden locking up the first aid boxes. I have had many calls on this and I have noticed it myself when I went to the GMF. After researching this with OSHA, here is their take on it. Title 29 CFR 1910.15 Section b states: In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees. A person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available. So, can they lock the first aid boxes? According to OSHA, yes, but the main question is are they adequately available? I would say NO. We do not even know who has the key! If management has the key, are they around all the time? NO. Should everybody have access to the boxes for injuries? YES. What is the purpose of locking them now as they have been unlocked for many years now. First it was the toilet paper, now it’s the first aid boxes; WHEN WILL THE SILLINESS STOP? I encourage each and every one of you to call OSHA and complain about this issue. If we do not start standing up to this kind of silliness it will continue. Stay Strong My Brother and Sisters.
Help Us Save Our Jobs!
by Laviena Vargas, Director Clerk Craft
It seems like every week there is another job being reverted by management. Every clerk at the plant and at every station knows how short staffed we really are, yet, management insists on reverting any and all vacant jobs.
The Union needs your help in assisting us in the fight to save and keep our jobs. Attention all clerks; every SINGLE time you witness a supervisor or a manager doing our clerk work, please write a statement and turn it in to your union steward. Every SINGLE time management has one clerk working a DBCS machine ALONE, write a statement! As we go up against management on all these uncalled for reversions it is very important that we have grievances filed to show and prove that we need each and every job. I know every clerk is over worked and already doing more of their fair share, but please take five minutes out of your busy day to write a statement so that we can properly document these issues.
Along with the above grievance issues, if any other craft is performing clerk work be it a mailhandler or a carrier, write that up as well. We need to file these grievances on the violations! Thank You so much for helping Us save Our jobs!
A Friendly reminder that the APWU MEMBERSHIP PICNIC is being held August 13, 2017! Tickets can be purchased and picked up at the Union Hall. I look forward to seeing everyone there! Stay Strong and United out there!
Heritage Square Union Picnic
by Rita Burns, Office Manager
The DMAL Heritage Square Picnic is quickly approaching. This is a great way to beat the heat and share a day of fun with your fellow union brothers and sisters. The deadline has been extended to August 7th to purchase wristbands at the discounted price. Don't miss out on the fun! Wristbands can be purchased at the Union office located at 15677 E. 17th Ave. in Aurora, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday and on Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Prices are as follows:
1 - 4 wristbands = $5.00 each
5 - 12 wristbands = $10.00 each
13 + wristbands = $35.00 each
DMAL/APWU MEMBERS ONLY!!
/rb
opeiu #30
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