Longmont Converts Four PTF’s
by Paul Pearman, Director Industrial Relations
Congratulations to Longmont’s four senior PTF’s being converted May 28, 2005 to full time flexibles. Steward John Hegan has been relentless in his efforts to convert the PTF’s. John still believes the remaining PTF’s need to be converted! In the settlement to convert the four, it was agreed that the APWU would not pursue another maximization grievance for six months from date of the agreement. John has already started accumulating documentation for that grievance. Congratulations to the new full time flexibles and thank you John for your continued hard work and dedication to convert all of Longmont’s PTF’s.
USPS News Link Dated May 17, 2005
by Dennis Enderson, President
Ellis Burgoyne has been named Acting Vice President, Delivery and Retail. Ellis has served as District Manager of Colorado/Wyoming District, one of the largest in the nation, since 2003.
In his new role, Mr. Burgoyne will be responsible for retail, delivery and vehicle operations involving the nation’s more than 37,000 Post Offices, stations and branches, including retail service equipment and retail access channels.
Mr. Burgoyne joined the Postal Service in 1978 as a letter carrier in Inglewood, CA. He served as Postmaster, MSC Finance Director and Manager, Customer Services in Inglewood. Other assignments included Financial Systems Analyst in the former Southern Region and Finance Manager for Capital Metro Operations.
Congratulations to Mr. Burgoyne for his new assignment. The Denver Metro Area Local wishes him well in his future endeavors. We also welcome the new acting District Manager, Dean Granholm. We have worked with Mr. Granholm in the past as Postmaster of the Boulder office. We look forward to establishing a good working relationship with Mr. Granholm in his new position.
Heat Stress
by Rick Romero, Western Region Safety and Health Coordinator
The question is how much liquid based on body weight should an employee working in heat conditions consume?
Keeping track of the amount of weight lost during a daily work shift can become a better indicator of whether or not the employee is getting sufficient daily fluid replacement. It is important to determine the amount of fluids lost rather than base a regimen totally on initial body weight alone. If the employee begins their workday with an initial weight of 175 pounds, but then finishes by weighing at 173 pounds, then an adequate amount of fluids has not been consumed in order to keep up with their body rate of perspiration. At this rate, the employee has encountered two percent loss of their body mass due to dehydration. Even the slightest loss of body fluids will cause performance loss and sets up initial problems due to heat stress or body fatigue. Each employee is different, and therefore will have different needs based on their personal habits as well as a variety of environmental factors.
Employees should stay aware of the work environment in which they are subjected and respond to their needs accordingly. If an individual is working each day in high heat conditions, they should not only drink water, but also regularly consume fluid fortified with electrolytes before, during and after the entire work period during which they are exposed to severe conditions.
Keep in mind that thirst is not always the most correct indicator when replenishing body fluids. On average, most employees should consume a range of six to ten ounces of electrolytes every 15 to 20 minutes in very hot or fatiguing situations. Also, body sweat many times evaporates quickly, especially in dry heat environments, so employees can easily be fooled by the amount of sweat they are actually producing and subsequently have lost. Guidelines can be set, but it would be more advantageous for the individual to monitor their daily habits.
AMC Registry to be Moved by July 2, 2005
by Dennis Enderson, President
Management has given notice that the Air Mail Center’s Registry unit will be moved to the Denver General Mail Facility by no later than July 2, 2005. This move is contingent upon completion of the Registry cage at the GMF, which will result in the merger of the two currently separate operations. As previously reported, all current AMC Registry employees will be relocated to the GMF with their current duty assignments. We do not expect any reversions and/or re-postings as a result of this operational change.
There are a number of unresolved Maintenance Craft issues relative to the construction of the new Registry cage. The union is pushing hard to ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, the new cage will be constructed by Maintenance craft employees. Management is currently proposing to subcontract a significant amount of this work. We will keep you apprised of our ongoing efforts.
Englewood MPC Re-Staffing
Project Nearing Completion
by Dennis Enderson, President
Director of Industrial Relations Paul Pearman reports that the long standing proposal to eliminate Tour 1 duty assignments at the Englewood MPC is nearing final implementation. Paul has been working closely with the appropriate management officials to help protect the rights of our members to the maximum extent possible. Our goal has been to reduce the adverse impact on the employees affected by this operational change. Paul successfully negotiated to allow seniority bidding opportunities which have allowed most affected employees to secure new preferred duty assignments. While such operational changes are never pleasant, we are working hard to protect the rights of these individuals as much as we possibly can. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move forward.
APWU Western Regional Coordinator Omar Gonzalez Agrees to Help
With MVS Staffing Issues
by Dennis Enderson, President
We are continuing to press for the hiring of drivers to help alleviate critical staffing issues in transportation. In response to a request from our local, APWU Western Regional Coordinator Omar Gonzalez has agreed to bring our concerns to an Area level Labor/Management meeting. We are preparing information that Omar can use to help present our concerns to his counterparts at the Area level. As previously reported, we have learned that offices all around the country are hiring drivers, but that for some reason, the Denver office refuses to do so. We are hopeful that Omar’s intervention might help to bring some relief. Meanwhile, we will continue to push for hiring at every available opportunity.
New Facilitators Being Solicited for MSDP
by Dennis Enderson, President
Notices have been posted soliciting employees to apply to serve as facilitators for the Maintenance Skills Development Program. Two facilitators are needed for each MSDP class, and must currently serve as either a Level 8 Mail Processing Equipment Mechanic or a Level 11 Electronics Technician. In accordance with a national memorandum, facilitators are selected jointly by the union and management. Please refer any questions or concerns about this solicitation to Denver Metro APWU Maintenance Craft Director Miguel Salazar.
Union Meeting Reminder
by Dennis Enderson, President
The next regular membership meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at the union office. We will have the first reading of a proposed change to the local’s Constitution and By-Laws with respect to reducing the number of delegates to the National Convention. This proposal, which was endorsed by the Executive Board at our regular meeting on Friday, May 20, 2005, will receive a second reading and final action at our regular membership meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Please plan to attend.
Executive Board Appoints New Stewards
by Dennis Enderson, President
I am pleased to report that the Executive Board unanimously approved the appointment of two new union stewards who have been serving as steward apprentices. Mark Kirby was approved as a new Clerk Craft steward on Tour 2 at the General Mail Facility. Muriel Ponder was approved as a new Maintenance Craft steward also on Tour 2 at the Denver GMF. Congratulations to these two individuals! We are confident that they will help our union continue to provide high quality representation to all of our members.
COPA Task Force Appointed
by Dennis Enderson, President
I have appointed a committee to study ways to help our local increase its contributions to the APWU’s political action committee. The Committee on Political Action (COPA) raises money through voluntary donations from our members that is used to make political donations to candidates for office who are supportive on issues important to our members. Our local has always been relatively weak with regard to COPA contributions. This new committee will try to come up with ideas to help us persuade our members to be more generous. COPA is a vital tool that allows us to support those candidates who will help guard our future and our livelihood from unfair legislative attacks. The danger from so-called “Postal Reform” legislation is greater than ever, so there is a great need for us to be able to support our friends in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Please be prepared to help us when we call upon you for financial donations to COPA!
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