Rank and File Committee
Approves Contract Extension
APWU News Bulletin #09-05, July 8, 2005
The APWU Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee voted to approve a tentative contract extension agreement between the union and USPS on July 7th, clearing the way for a ratification vote by union members.
In accordance with Article 13.9.C of the APWU Constitution, the committee must approve a tentative agreement before members are given the opportunity to vote on it. The panel is also responsible for supervising the vote.
Ballots will be sent to members beginning on July 18th, committee members said, along with the wording of each proposed contract change. Advance copies of the tentative agreement will be sent to state and local presidents.
Ratification Ballots to be
Mailed July 18th – 20th
APWU News Bulletin #09-05, July 8, 2005
The Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee has established the schedule for voting on the tentative agreement to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreements. Ballots will be mailed to members beginning Monday, July 18th.
The returned ballots will be picked up by the outside mailing-house on Friday, August 5
th. The counting of the ballots will take place the same day. The results will be announced on the APWU web site,
www.apwu.org, as soon as they are known. A local-by-local count is expected to take approximately a week to complete, and those results will be posted as well.
The ratification mailing will include the proposed contract changes, a ballot, a return envelope, the Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee’s statement on the contract extension, a letter from APWU President William Burrus, and a summary of the agreement.
Members who do not receive a ballot by July 25th may request a duplicate by contacting APWU headquarters at 202-842-8505. Requests may also be faxed to 202-216-2650. Such requests should include the member’s name, address (including city, state and zip code), craft, and Social Security number or employee identification number.
A subcommittee of the Rank and File Committee will supervise the vote count in Washington on August 5th.
Membership Adopts Constitutional Change to National Convention Delegates
by Dennis Enderson, President
At the union meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, the membership overwhelmingly adopted a change to the Local’s Constitution and By-Laws that reduced the number of delegates the Denver Metro Area Local APWU sends to the APWU National Convention. The change eliminates seven craft delegates and converts two delegate slots formerly reserved for the Golden and Boulder offices to delegates elected from all Associate Offices within the jurisdiction of the local. (An amendment was added by the members at the union meeting that allows the membership to review any Executive Board decision pertaining to the five additional optional delegates allowed by existing provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws.) The constitutional change, which was sponsored and supported by the Executive Board, will result in savings of up to $17,500 per National Convention. We appreciate the support we received from the membership at the June 2005 union meeting. We will continue to aggressively seek ways to protect the financial vitality of the local.
Annual Employee Day at
Six Flags Elitch Gardens
by Sandy Carruthers, Administrative Aide
It’s Play Time! On Sunday, July 31, 2005 at Elitch Gardens. Your Social and Recreation Committee has organized this SUPER DEAL for ONLY $23.00 which includes:
- All day unlimited ride ticket - Includes all rides and Island Kingdom Water Park
- Park is open 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Maroon Bells Pavilion reserved for USPS 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
- All you can eat food buffet from 12:30 PM–2:30 PM (BBQ beef sandwiches, hotdogs, chips & soda)
- Each person eating at food buffet will receive a ticket good for a return visit any time in September or October
COST:
- $23.00 – All day unlimited ride ticket & food buffet
- $7.00 – All you can eat buffet only (Note: This “food only” does not include admission to the park. Should only be purchased by someone having season ticket or other means of entry to park)
- $1.00 – of the costs goes to the Social and Recreation Committee
(Big Savings: Regular costs to visit Elitch Gardens are $37.99 (admission) + $10.00 (Food estimate) or about $50.00 per person)
PAYMENT FOR TICKETS: CASH OR CHECK (Made payable to “Social and Recreation Committee”)
DEADLINE!! MUST BE PURCHASED AND PAID FOR NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2005. To get tickets contact: Sandy Carruthers at 303-853-6646 or Sue Boucher at 303-853-6938. There is also a designee at every Denver Station, the MPA and the AMC.
Delegates Selected to Attend the APWU Deaf/Hard of Hearing National Conference
by Dennis Enderson, President
At the union meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, the membership voted unanimously to adopt a motion by Denver Metro Deaf/Hard of Hearing Coordinator Saundra Calderone to send a total of three delegates to the 2005 National APWU Deaf/Hard of Hearing Conference in Reno, Nevada from October 18-20, 2005. The three delegates will be Saundra Calderone, Jolene Gralund, and Diane Whitener. We thank these members for serving as delegates to this important union conference. We are especially grateful for the superb service we have received from Saundra Calderone as our Deaf/Hard of Hearing Coordinator.
2005 Moe Biller Scholarship
Award Winners Selected
by Dennis Enderson, President
The Denver Metro APWU Scholarship Selection Committee has announced the winners of the 2005 Moe Biller Scholarship Awards. The two successful applicants selected are Jesse Hansen and James D. McSwane. Since only two successful applicants were selected, the Scholarship Selection Committee decided to apportion the total scholarship fund of $2,500 between the two winners. Jesse Hansen, who is the son of member Brenda Maes from the Denver MPA, will receive $1,000 and James D. McSwane, who is the son of member Bret Hansen from the Arvada Office, will receive $1,500. Jesse is studying psychology at the New Mexico Military Institute. James is studying Technical Journalism and English with Writing at Colorado State University.
Congratulations to these two Moe Biller Scholarship Award winners! We wish them all the best in their future academic and professional endeavors!
AFSM 100 Crew Start Times to be Restored
by Dennis Enderson, President
Several weeks ago, management changed the start times of the AFSM 100 crews on all three Tours at the Denver GMF by one-half hour. At a Labor/Management Meeting with Senior MDO Steven Amos on Friday, July 8th, a decision was made to restore the original start times on all three Tours. This change was accomplished through a series of meetings and discussions with management over the past few weeks. We listened and responded to the concerns of the impacted employees and continued to press this issue on their behalf. Executive Vice-President Gary Scott and Clerk Craft Director Brian Thomason were instrumental in achieving success relative to this issue.
Video Relay Service/Video Remote Interpreting Coming to Denver
by Dennis Enderson, President
Denver Metro APWU Deaf/Hard of Hearing Coordinator Saundra Calderone has announced that the Video Relay Service (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) will soon be implemented in the Denver office. VRS/VRI is a new system that will greatly improve interpreting services for deaf/hard of hearing employees and may lead to the eventual elimination of old fashioned TDD’s/TTY’s. VRS/VRI provides remote, video-based interpreter services that will alleviate the problems caused by a shortage of certified interpreters. VRS/VRI training will occur the week of July 11, 2005, with a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled on Thursday, July 14th. The APWU welcomes this new system and we thank Saundra Calderone for her hard work to help bring VRS/VRI to the Denver office!
Maintain a Healthy Back
by Richard Romero, APWU Western Area Safety & Health Coordinator
Tips: Ten ways to maintain a healthy back
We don’t think very much about our backs, that is, until they start to hurt. And many of us are hurting, as back pain is now one of the most common medical complaints in the United States. The good news is that, in many cases, back pain can be prevented. Here are the American Council on Exercise’s top 10 ways to maintain a healthy back.
1. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight tends to creep up slowly, so we may not be aware of how it affects us. But try carrying a 20 pound pack on your back all day and you’ll have a better idea of how extra weight takes a toll on the whole body.
2. Strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. You’ve heard it before, but strengthening the abdominals really does help protect the back. In fact, a strong core, which includes all the muscles of the trunk, is important for avoiding injury, whether you’re cleaning your house, playing tennis or sitting at a desk all day.
3. Lift items properly. Protect your back when lifting anything by standing close to the object with your feet apart to give you a stable base. Squat down while keeping the spine in proper alignment and contract your abdominals as you lift using your legs.
4. Strengthen the leg muscles. Along with the core muscles, the leg muscles play a vital role in helping you maintain good posture and body mechanics. And strong leg muscles can take much of the burden off the back when you’re lifting heavy items. (see above)
5. Stay flexible. Inflexibility in the form of tight hamstrings and a limited range of motion in the trunk can increase your risk of injury or make existing back pain worse. Some forms of exercise, such as yoga, Pilates and tai chi, may help relieve or prevent back pain by increasing flexibility and reducing tension. These exercises should not be done, however, if they are uncomfortable or place a strain on the back.
6. Maintain good posture. Correct posture and body mechanics play a vital role in preventing back pain because pressure on the discs and strain of the muscles, ligaments and back joints is aggravated by incorrect posture and body mechanics. When your posture is good and you move your body correctly, you reduce the strain on your back.
7. Buy a comfortable mattress. Most of us spend a good deal of time in bed, which is why a good mattress is such a wise investment. Do some research, test the mattress out at the store and ask for recommendations. Remember, what works for one person may not work for you, so take the time to find the mattress that suits your needs.
8. Reduce stress. Stress increases tension in all your muscles including your back. Reduce or better manage your stress and you may literally feel as if the weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
9. Warm up before activity. Beginning any activity with cold muscles and joints puts you at risk for injury. Jumping right into intense activity increases your risk of injury, so take the time to get your muscles and joints warm and limber first.
10. Support the lower back when sitting. Use a rolled towel, small pillow or specially designed seat support available at medical supply stores. Remove the support every half hour for five minutes to give your lower back a change of position. After sitting for a prolonged period, straighten your back to an upright position and, if possible, stand and walk around to give our back a break.
Muriel Ponder Appointed to
Social & Recreation Committee
by Dennis Enderson, President
Muriel Ponder has accepted an appointment to the Denver Social & Recreation Committee. Muriel replaces former APWU designee Charlie Garcia, who has stepped down after several years of excellent service. We thank Muriel for accepting this assignment. Muriel joins Administrative Aide Sandy Carruthers as an APWU designee on this vital committee.
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