Update on Ronald Reagan National Day of Mourning
by Dennis Enderson, President
The President of the United States has issued an Executive Order ordering all “executive departments, independent establishments, and other governmental agencies “ to be closed on Friday, June 11, 2004 as a mark of respect for Ronald Reagan, the fortieth President of the United States. Executive Order excludes those agencies whose “heads thereof determine should remain open for reasons of national security or defense or other essential public business.” Postmaster General Potter has indicated that the Postal Service will observe this Executive Order. There is a national memorandum of understanding between management and the APWU relative to the regulations pertaining to administrative leave for employees represented by our union. (A copy of this memorandum is on the reverse of this bulletin.) All full and part-time employees will receive administrative leave for the hours they would normally have been scheduled to work on June 11th. Those employees for whom June 11th is a non-scheduled day will receive appropriate administrative leave at a future date. Employees who are scheduled to work on June 11th will be paid for the hours actually worked and will also receive administrative leave at a future date. There are a few exceptions relative to employees in a non-pay status for various reasons. Some facilities will solicit volunteers who wish to work on June 11th. Please be alert for these volunteer opportunities. We will keep you informed as this issue develops.
What’s Ahead for Postal Reform
by William Burrus, National APWU President
As previously reported, the House Government Reform Committee has approved a postal reform bill. The next step would be a vote by the full House of Representatives. The timing of that vote is uncertain, but it is expected to take place sometime during the month of July. In an important victory for workers, consumers and small businesses, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee voted June 2nd to amend a postal reform bill so that it would limit excessive work sharing discounts. Panel members voted 9-8 in favor of an amendment offered by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) before approving the bill unanimously. The amendment included provisions sought by the APWU and consumer organizations. The Senate bill also includes significant changes to the rights of postal workers when they are injured on the job. It would reduce an injured worker’s compensation when the employee reached retirement eligibility to 50 percent of monthly pay. This is in comparison to the current rate, which is 66 percent of pay, or 75 percent if the worker has dependents. These changes would legalize the application of different standards for postal employees – they would be the only federal employees penalized in this manner for suffering on-the-job injuries. The concern we felt over double standards during the anthrax attack of 2001 would become engrained in the law. In the future, one standard would apply to postal employees, while another would cover all other federal employees, including members of Congress and their staffs. “If postal reform legislation passes this year, it will have the strong imprint of the American Postal Workers Union,” said President William Burrus. “We have worked long and hard to expose these unjustified giveaways to corporate mailers. We are pleased that a majority of senators on the committee stood up for the best interests of postal workers, the Postal Service, and the American people.
”The coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service, composed of more than 150 business mailers and two postal unions, were formidable opponents on the issue of corporate giveaways,” Burrus said. “APWU’s position was the right position for postal workers and the American public. We are pleased it carried the day.” “However, the union remains concerned about provisions of the Senate bill that would restrict the rights of injured postal workers. We object to any legal disparity between postal employees and other federal workers,” union president said. “We will urge lawmakers to adopt the House model on this issue.” “The fight is not over,” Burrus cautioned. “The bill is subject to amendment when it is considered by the full Senate, and we must ensure that our position on corporate subsidies remains clear as the bills move through the legislative process.”
Denver GMF Implements Integrated Voice Response Call-In System
by Dennis Enderson, President
Management has now implemented the new automated absence notification system called “Integrated Voice Response” or IVR. As previously reported, affected employees are now required to call in to an
automated voice response system rather that speaking to an attendance control supervisor. The APWU has filed a national level grievance protesting the new system as a violation of numerous legal and contractual provisions. However, in the meantime, we advise you to do your best to cooperate with the new system while this grievance runs its course. Please report any issues or problems to your union steward as soon as possible. We will vigorously defend the rights of our members relative to this new system. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process.
Using Your Personal Vehicle for Official Postal Business – Know Your Rights!
by Dennis Enderson, President
We are aware that some employees are voluntarily using their personal vehicles for official postal business. Such employees should be aware of the risks associated with this activity. There are several areas of risk. First of all, you could suffer personal injury to yourself. If this happens, there is no question that the employee is protected by the Postal Service’s version of OWCP, the Federal Employees Compensation Act, or FECA. It would be necessary to file an on-the-job injury claim to receive benefits. Secondly, you might have an accident and cause damage to someone else’s property, or perhaps injure or kill someone. The Federal Tort Claims Act prohibits the filing of a claim against an individual who is driving a vehicle while on official postal business. Such a claim must instead be filed against the Postal Service itself. This protection applies whether the employee is driving a postal vehicle, or a personally owned or leased vehicle. The third area of risk is damage to your own personal vehicle. The Postal Service will not pay for such damage or loss. Neither the law nor the contract offer such protection. Employees should discuss this matter with their personal insurance agents. Some companies may not cover your vehicle when it is being used for official business, and others may provide such coverage for an additional charge. Please carefully consider whether using your personal vehicle for official postal business is a good idea. Our contract prohibits the Postal Service from requiring you to do so. Know your rights and choose wisely!
MSDP Update
by Miguel Salazar, Maintenance Craft Director
The Maintenance Skills Development Program is on for the 28th of June. We are now contacting employees and their supervisors to see if they are still interested in the program. We are not going to retest for the 922; we are going to exhaust the current list for the upcoming June 28th class of fifteen. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 303-365-1524 ext. 120. I will be out of town from June 6th until July 9th for training and annual. If you have any issues or grievances please see your certified union steward first. Dave Villalva will be filling in for me while I am out for training. You may also contact the union hall at 303-365-1524.
Please Be Aware
by Dennis Enderson, President
- Our 2004 Membership Organizing Drive is underway. Please help to sign up non-members. You will help us strengthen our union, and could win valuable prizes.
- Voter registration is vital to our future. If you are not registered to vote, please ask your steward for a form. Get registered to vote and help us to protect your future!
- The next union meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, 2004, beginning at 5:00 PM. We expect some very important candidates for federal office to attend this meeting. Please be there!
- The union is attempting to negotiate the right for certain maintenance craft employees to wear shorts to work. We will keep you advised of our progress.
- We are making significant progress on our efforts to settle a grievance relative to administrative leave pertaining to the March 2003 blizzard. We are optimistic about reaching settlement in the near future.
Mountaineer Deadline
by Steve Claeson, Associate Editor
The deadline for articles, photos, letters or other submissions for the next edition of the Mountaineer is Wednesday, June 30. Send submissions to: Denver Metro APWU, Associate Editor, 15677 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80011.
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