As we reported in the last Union News Express bulletin, management appears poised to push forward with the so-called “National Reassessment Program” (NRP). The NRP is a nationwide effort to reevaluate employees with permanent medical restrictions based upon a job related illness or injury to determine whether they will continue to be accommodated with limited duty assignments. Based upon the reaction to our last report, it is clear that many of our members are concerned and anxious about management’s plans. We understand and share your concerns, and we are doing everything possible to prepare for the arrival of this program.

The Denver office continues to lose clerks at an alarming and unsustainable rate. The same is true in many of our surrounding Associate Offices. There is no doubt that service is suffering in many areas as a result of our critically low clerk staffing levels. As we continue to experience normal attrition and watch more and more clerks go away without being replaced, we are perplexed by what we see happening all around the country. Many large offices have come to grips with reality and are hiring new clerks. These offices include Madison, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, San Antonio, Texas, Toledo, Ohio, Mankato, Minnesota, the state of Montana, and most puzzling of all, Colorado Springs, Colorado. How is it possible that, while hiring is needed nearly everywhere else (including in our sister office to the south), Denver can afford to continue hemorrhaging clerks indefinitely? It just doesn’t make sense.

In a recent Labor Management meeting, we began to formulate a timeline and a process relative to deployment of the Automated Tray Handling System and the Automatic Induction retrofits to our AFSM 100s at the General Mail Facility. If the schedule holds, all of the retrofits will be fully installed and operational by no later than Saturday, September 2, 2006. As you may recall, the Postal Service has awarded primary jurisdiction of the modified AFSM 100s to the Mail handler craft, a decision that will result in the abolishment of a significant majority of the current Clerk craft AFSM 100 duty assignments. (A national APWU grievance has been filed protesting management’s jurisdictional assignment.)

Millions of Americans are gearing up for another season of spring-cleaning, yet many may not realize that some chores around the house can increase the risk of injury. According to the Home Safety Council, unintentional home related injuries cause 21 million medical visits and nearly 20,000 deaths on average, each year – many resulting from the kinds of activities conducted while spring-cleaning. “Whether it’s climbing, cleaning or carrying heavy loads, household chores can be risky,” says Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council president. “Learning about the risks and taking the time to avoid them are smart ways to kick off this annual ritual.” In an effort to help families avoid the added risks associated with spring-cleaning, HSC also suggests that families use the opportunity to evaluate the safety of their homes and find and fix home dangers before an injury occurs.

• When cleaning out closets or reorganizing, keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear.
• Carry loads you can see over, and keep one hand free to hold banisters and railings.
• Remember to reduce clutter and safely tuck telephone and electrical cords away from walkways. In homes with children, make sure toys and other items are always safely put away when not in use.
• If you need to climb, us a stepladder or ladder. When using a ladder, stand at or below the highest safe standing level. For a stepladder, the safe standing level is the second rung from the top, and for an extension ladder, it’s the fourth rung from the top. Before using, make sure the rungs are dry.
• Follow safety recommendations when using harsh products, such as wearing gloves and masks. Do not mix products together because the contents could react, causing dangerous results.
• Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent and never use or store gasoline in your home, even in tiny quantities. Because its vapors can readily ignite, it is too dangerous to use gasoline for any purpose other than as a motor fuel.
• When cleaning out cabinets, separate dangerous products and medications and lock them up and out of the reach of young children.
• Five gallon buckets that are often used while cleaning present a serious drowning danger to young children. Never leave a bucket or any standing water unattended, and store buckets empty and upside down.

• Install grab bars and non-slip decals in all bathtubs and showers.
• Make sure all porches, hallways and stairwells are well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures. 
• Place nightlights in guestrooms, bathrooms and walkways to help light the way during nighttime hours.
• Those living with young children in the home should install window guards to keep children from climbing up and falling out of open upper windows. Make sure window guards also have a quick release mechanism so an adult can open the window easily in case of fire.
• Keep outdoor walkways and porches clean and in good repair. All steps should have a handrail. Repair broken or chipped bricks, cracks in cement and other hazards that could cause a fall.
• Make sure medications, caustic cleaning products (example: drain openers, toilet and oven cleaners, rust removers, etc.), automotive fluids (example: windshield washing solution and antifreeze), pesticides, fertilizer and other household chemicals are in their original containers an din a locked cabinet.
• Make sure all dangerous products have child resistant caps, including cleaning products and chemicals.
• As medicines age, the chemicals inside them can change. For information on disposing unwanted medication, go to: 
• http://epa.gov/esd/chemistry/pharma/faq.htm#disposal
• Put the poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) near every phone in the home and make sure guests are aware of the number. Call the poison center immediately in case of possible poisoning. From anywhere in the country, a call to 1-800-222-1222 puts you in touch with local poison center experts.
• Check to be sure flammable and combustible liquids are stored outside in a locking shed or the garage. Gasoline must never be stored or used in your home, even in small quantities.
• Store matches, lighters and candles in a locked cabinet, out of children’s reach.
• Have you replaced your smoke alarms’ batteries this year? If not, insert new batteries in every smoke alarm.
• If you have a fire extinguisher, learn how to use it and install it properly; children should not be permitted to handle a fire extinguisher.
• Use safety covers in electrical outlets and anti-scald devices in faucets in homes with young children.
• Do you know the temperature of your hot water? Temperatures more than 120 degrees F. can burn a child’s skin in seconds. Test your hot water at the faucet and have the water heater temperature adjusted to no higher than 120 degrees F. Some models can be adjusted by the homeowner. Contact your utility company with questions.
• Practice pool safety. If your house has a backyard pool, make sure that the pool is protected with four-sided isolation fencing (five foot high fencing on all four sides of the pool area – with no access directly from your house), and with a self-latching gate. Never prop open the gate.

In a stunning reversal from the dire warnings that “diminished rate of mail volume growth” was certain without an overhaul of the USPS business model, Postmaster General Potter announced to the National Postal Forum on April 3 that “the forecast for the Postal Service and the mailing industry is very good.” In congressional hearings over the past three years, witness after witness from the postal community has asserted that only “reform” could save the USPS from imminent demise. David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, began each appearance with theatrical demonstrations designed to show that the advent of cell phones and e-mail signaled the death of hard-copy communication and that “reform” was essential for a healthy future for the Postal Service. PMG Potter repeatedly warned that a decline in mail volume threatened the existence of the USPS. Speaking at the first public hearing of the President’s Commission on the U.S. Postal Service on Jan. 8, 2003, he said, “The potential significant diversion of letters to electronic medium challenges our business model.” We disagreed. It was the view of the American Postal Workers Union that the volume downturn in 2001, 2002, and 2003 were aberrations caused by 9/11, the anthrax attacks, and an economic recession. But this view was ignored in the rush to embrace “reform.”

Our next regular membership meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the union office. On the agenda is a secret ballot vote to accept a proposal to merge the Denver Metro Area Local with the members of the Erie, Colorado Post Office. Also scheduled is the annual report on the local’s finances prepared by the elected Trustees. Please plan to attend this important meeting so you can stay informed and stay involved!

Our condolences go to long time Maintenance Craft steward and Sergeant at Arms Charlie Garcia, whose granddaughter, Trinity, recently passed away. Please keep Brother Garcia and his family in your thoughts as they deal with their very sad loss.

Our plans for hosting the five state 2006 Denver Regional Conference continue to move forward. We are anticipating an outstanding event. The Denver Regional Assembly is an annual gathering of APWU officials from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah at which we have reports from national officers, excellent training opportunities, and the ability to compare notes with union officials throughout our region to help us better formulate unified strategies to deal with our mutual issues. We are hosting this year’s event from June 9 – 11, 2006 at the Denver West Marriott hotel in Golden, Colorado. We anticipate as many as 150 – 200 attendees. Many Denver Metro Area Local APWU officials have volunteered to assist with our hosting chores. Many prominent national APWU officers have committed to attend, including APWU President William Burrus. We look forward to an outstanding conference this year, and we are very grateful for all of the volunteers who have stepped up to ensure a successful event!