The Denver Metro Area Local APWU was well represented by your ten Executive Board officers at the recently completed Colorado Postal Workers Union Convention held in Grand Junction, Colorado from April 28^th – April 30^th. About 50 delegates representing locals throughout the state gathered to conduct the necessary business of our state organization. Our activities included consideration and approval of an operating budget, processing proposed amendments to the CPWU Constitution and Bylaws, dealing with resolutions pertaining to the upcoming contract negotiations, and electing state officers to serve for the next two years. We also received reports from several national officers, including National APWU Legislative Director Myke Reid and a number of National Business Agents. Among other vital functions, the CPWU facilitates educational opportunities, and provides representation to employees domiciled in offices that are not part of existing locals. Our active participation in the CPWU remains vital to the future of our union.

We are pleased to report that two of our own local union officials have been elected to two year terms as officers of the Colorado Postal Workers Union. Chief Steward and Field Coordinator Sonda Goss was reelected as Secretary Treasurer, and Recording Secretary and Chief Steward Gail Kirby was elected as a Trustee. We offer our congratulations and appreciation to these two individuals for stepping up to serve our members. We also congratulate CPWU President George Prusak and Vice-President Gil Trujillo who were reelected as well. We are confident that our state organization is in good hands for the next two years.

As many of you are aware, smoking in postal vehicles is against postal regulations. I want you to be aware that if management catches you smoking in the postal vehicle it could lead to corrective action. As always, my stewards and I will defend the contract to make sure your rights are not violated. Smoke before you get in or when you get to the station. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.

The APWU filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on April 21, charging that the Postal Service violated the Postal Reorganization Act in implementing its “network realignment” plan, known as Evolutionary Network Development (END). The complaint seeks a judgment that management violated the 1970 law, as well as an injunction against future violations.

Eligible members attending the April 26^th union meeting voted by secret ballot to merge with the at-large APWU members from the Erie Post Office. The 100% organized members from Erie will now become part of our local, under the provisions of our Constitution and By-Laws. Every eligible member in attendance at the meeting turned in a ballot, and every ballot was marked “yes”. To the three clerks from Erie – a unanimous welcome to the Denver Metro Area Local!

Chief Steward and Field Coordinator Joe Quintana reports that he has successfully negotiated to convert the senior PTF Clerk in the Broomfield Post Office to full time regular status effective April 15, 2006. Congratulations to our newest full time regular clerk, and many thanks to Joe Quintana for his excellent work to achieve this conversion! We will continue to pursue this issue until every PTF employee makes regular.

Our membership level remains steady at a healthy 82%, which is exemplary for a large local of our size. Our best organized craft is MVS at 85%, followed by the Clerk Craft at 82% and the Maintenance Craft at 81%. The Denver Metro Area Local APWU continues to offer a $100 payment to any member who signs up a fellow employee as a new member. Please see your steward or contact the union office to request a list of non-members and/or blank forms needed to sign up new members. Help us to remain union strong while you put a little extra cash in your pocket! Sign up a new member today!

Contrary to clear instructions provided by the APWU that the special dues assessment was to be deducted only in Pay Periods 07-06 and 08-06 in $2.50 increments, the USPS Data Center has processed a third $2.50 deduction in Pay Period 09-06, which is reflected in paychecks dated May 5. This third deduction is beyond what was approved by the APWU National Executive Board, and will be rebated to union members in Pay Period 10-06.

The U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has reversed its earlier decision to prohibit the Postal Service from requiring employees returning from absences of more than 21 days to submit detailed medical information as opposed to honoring the less stringent requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act which requires only a simple statement from an employee’s treating physician. The court found that the FMLA allows an employer to enforce its more stringent return to work requirements if they are part of a negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is the case with the Postal Service. It is unknown at this time if this unfortunate decision will be appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court.

The Denver Metro Area Local APWU has posted two reports prepared by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the local’s website at www.denverapwu.com. These reports contain findings by NIOSH relative to the ergonomic consequences of the Postal Service’s usage of Delivery Bar Code Sorters (DBCS machines) to process mail, along with recommendations as to how the safety and health risks to employees may be minimized through the adoption of sensible operational procedures. We are providing these reports to help educate our members about these safety and health issues.

We will be hosting our Membership Appreciation Picnic on Sunday, June 25^th at Lowry Park from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM. The park is located at the intersection of 11^th and Dayton in Denver. For over a decade, we have experimented with many alternative membership events, using professional caterers and event planners. This time, we are returning to the concept of an “internal” picnic, at which volunteers will cook the food and host the games and entertainment. 

Motor Vehicle Craft Director Robert Helmig has successfully negotiated a very successful resolution to issues arising from the previously reported acid spill at Northglenn Station during which several employees were needlessly exposed to hazardous working conditions. Robert achieved a “make whole” remedy for impacted employees, and an agreement to install safeguards to ensure no repeat incidents in the future. Our thanks to Robert for his outstanding work on behalf of our members!        

Our next regular Membership Meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at the union office. Food will be served. Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend!

An estimated 30 million people face hunger every day in America – including more than 12 million children. On Saturday, May 13^th, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands – will collect non-perishable food items donated by customers. They will be participating in the 14^th annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the largest annual one day food drive in the world. USPS employees everywhere will collect food and deliver it to local community food banks, pantries and shelters