USPS to Implement New IVR Call-In System
by Dennis Enderson, President
The union has been notified that the Postal Service will soon implement the Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) system in the Denver District. The new system could be activated as early as May 1, 2004. IVR is designed to replace existing attendance control personnel with an automated system. Once implemented, employees who call in to report an absence will be routed through a computerized system that requires them to respond to a series of automated prompts. Employees will be required to complete the entire series of prompts and wait to receive a confirmation number in order for the absence notification to be properly recorded. If the call is prematurely terminated, the confirmation number is not given and the call in notification is considered invalid.
Needless to say, the union strongly objects to this new system and has filed a national level grievance objecting to its implementation. However, postal management is pushing forward with rapid deployment of the new system. You may soon receive a stand-up talk relative to IVR and be issued instructions to begin using the new system. The union advises that you cooperate with these instructions for the time being while the national grievance runs its course. Please report any problems with the IVR to your union steward as they arise. We will vigilantly pursue any contractual violations arising from this radical new attendance control system.
Automated Package and Parcel Sorter (APPS) Update
by Dennis Enderson, President
It appears that the new Automated Package Processing System (APPS) machine implementation will occur no sooner than early next year. Once installed, APPS will probably eliminate the need for at least two Small Parcel and Bundle Sorter (SPBS) machines. This will probably cause the abolishment of at least eighty SPBS clerk positions in a very short time. In the meantime, there is still a need to staff the SPBS operation, particularly through this year's Christmas mailing season. In addition, there is no guarantee that APPS implementation will not slip even further into the future. All this means that bids will continue to be posted in the SPBS operation for the time being. All current and future SPBS clerks need to be aware that there is no guarantee how long SPBS jobs will last in the future. If SPBS staffing contracts significantly, the union will attempt to negotiate a process to allow former SPBS clerks to voluntarily return to the operation on an as needed basis, perhaps with financial incentives.
We will keep you informed on this issue as information becomes available. The union will work to protect the contractual rights of all impacted employees to the maximum extent possible.
2004 Union Meetings and Executive Board Meetings Scheduled
by Dennis Enderson, President
In accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws, the remaining union meetings for 2004 are scheduled as follows:
Wednesdays at 5:00 PM | Saturdays at 9:00 AM |
April 28th June 23rd October 27th | May 15th September 25th November 27th |
Executive Board Meetings are scheduled in the odd numbered months on Fridays at 10:00 AM as follows: May 14th July 23rd September 24th November 26th
The May union meeting was moved to the 15th to avoid a conflict with the Colorado Postal Workers Union Convention scheduled from May 20-23, 2004.
The next union meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, 2004 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Part-Time Officers Appointed at the Executive Board Meeting on April 2, 2004
by Dennis Enderson, President
The following part-time officers were appointed and unanimously approved at the Executive Board Meeting on Friday, April 2, 2004:
Sergeants at Arms (2):
Charlie Garcia & Jim Elliott
APWU Health Plan Reps. (2):
Ric Lopez & Miguel Salazar
Associate Editor: Steve Claeson
Organizing Director: Chris Arellano
Political Director: Tina Desautels
Human Relations Director: Phil Desautels
The elected position of Motor Vehicle Craft Director remains vacant pending a run-off election between Buzz Knopp and Fred Morin. The elected position of MVS Trustee remains vacant pending an Executive Board appointment. I thank all of the above named individuals for their willingness to serve in these positions and I look forward to working with them over the next three years.
Contribute to the Mountaineer!
by Steve Claeson, Associate Editor
Is something happening on your tour at your facility, in your work area, something relevant to Denver Metro APWU members? Tell us about it in a contribution to the Mountaineer! We will consider everything from rough drafts to polished stories, including photos, charts, drawings, graphics and cartoons. All APWU members may submit to the Mountaineer and are subject to space, legal and editing concerns. We want to use your contribution. This in an ongoing invitation, be we would especially like your input for the next issue, which has a submission deadline of May 7, 2004. Send your submissions to “Mountaineer”, Denver Metro APWU, 15677 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80011, or leave a message for Steve Claeson, Associate Editor, at 303-365-01524 ext. 303.
Volunteers Needed to Serve on Union Committees
by Dennis Enderson, President
Volunteers are needed to serve on a number of committees as follows:
Organizing – Help us to come up with and implement plans to sign up non-members
Constitution & By-Laws – Screen proposed changes to the local constitution and make recommendations to the membership
Budget – Work with the Executive Vice-President to develop our financial plans for the future
Human Relations – Work with the Human Relations Director to develop our plans relative to a broad range of diverse activities such as charitable events, sports, membership picnics, EAP, EEOC and much more
Please contact President Dennis Enderson at 303-365-1524 ext. 114 if you are interested in serving on these or any other committees.
KIOSK Staffing Issues Being Discussed at Denver GMF
by Dennis Enderson, President
The union and management are discussing a number of issues relating to staffing the KIOSKS at the various entrances to the Denver GMF. Employees at the GMF need to be aware that the KIOSKS need to be staffed one way or another. Many issues have already been resolved, such as the need to provide a system for break relief. We are still discussing items such as craft jurisdiction and using limited duty employees to staff the KIOSKS. We hope to resolve these issues soon.
Please Be Aware!
by Dennis Enderson, President
Unencumbered (unassigned) employees should actively bid on available vacancies. You could be involuntarily assigned to a residual vacancy at any time. Also your schedule may be changed by management every six months.
Part-time flexible employees should be aware that their schedules are subject to change at any time. Management has the right to schedule PTF employees in accordance with the needs of the service.
- Postal Reform legislation will be introduced in the House and Senate at any time. Please be ready to contact your legislators and tell how you feel about any such legislation. The union will keep you informed as soon as specific information becomes available.
Function 4 staffing analysis are coming soon to customer service operations. Employees are being instructed to keep records with regard to mail volume and productivity. These numbers will be used to help determine the staffing needs of your office. Protect your job security! Please make sure never to underreport or underestimate mail volume!
New Steward Apprentices
by Brian Thomason, Clerk Craft Director
The Denver Metro APWU would like to welcome three new stewards. Two of the stewards will serve at the GMF on Tour 3. They are David Coker and Paul Blackburn. They will work closely with the new Tour 3 Chief Steward Susan Kaminitz. Terryle Martinez will serve at the Boulder Valmont Station on Tour 2 and will be trained by Chief Steward Tina Desautels. Welcome aboard!
News From the Political Front
by Tina Desautels, Political Director
As the newly appointed Political Director, I thought I’d introduce myself. I’ve been a postal worker for 17 years and became active in politics about ten years ago. I have served on the Steering Committee for two national elections. Through this process, I have learned that we cannot prevail without the support of our members. I will be asking for help from our membership to accomplish the daunting task of getting labor friendly candidates elected in this upcoming election cycle. So…get some rest, I’ll be calling on you to get involved. Why? Because our jobs depend on it!
Staffing Crisis for GMF Tour 1 Automation
by Gary Scott, Executive Vice-President
Overtime volunteers are getting off the Tour 1 Over Time Desired List because of burn out. Management has projected most volunteers can expect to work seven (7) days through the fall vacation season. Non-volunteers can expect to work six (6) days through the same period. For those of you who sign the ODL, a word of caution, volunteers can be required to work a seventh day in a service week prior to mandate of a non-volunteer for a sixth day, providing the total work hours in that service week remains below 60 hours. Only when the volunteer reaches 60 hours can a non-volunteer be mandated to work a full tour of overtime. Our LMOU also requires volunteers from other sections to be utilized in non-skill or non-qualifying sections prior to mandating non-volunteers. Volunteers should not be able to consistently refuse overtime in sections they have no desire to work in. The union intends to send a consistent message to the craft so we can attempt to develop effective strategies to ensure non-volunteers are not required to work their scheduled day off.
Please contact your steward if you believe you were mandated improperly for overtime work.
/rb
opeiu #5
afl-cio
