Negotiations Update
APWU Web News Article #51-06, Sept. 8, 2006
Negotiations between the USPS and the APWU over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement resumed Sept. 7 and 8, with preliminary discussions of non-economic issues. Discussion of economic issues, including upgrades, will take place later in the negotiation process.
Specific contract language on the non-economic issues was not suggested or addressed; instead, each party identified problems to be solved and suggested a general approach for doing so.
The APWU presented several proposals, gave a brief explanation of the concerns surrounding each one, and responded to USPS questions about the issues on Sept. 7. The USPS made presentations on issues and answered APWU questions about them on Sept. 8. Further discussion may take place on these items, and additional non-economic issues may be introduced.
The union’s topics included workforce categories, job security, and issues involving the implementation of technological changes. The USPS issues included the expansion of “management rights” and the movement of employees. “In these early stages of negotiations,” APWU President William Burrus said, “it is not productive to elaborate publicly on specific proposals. As contract talks progress more information will be made available.” Negotiations are scheduled to continue on Sept. 14.
Largest COLA Increase in 25
Years Takes Effect September 2nd
APWU News Service
The final Cost-of-Living Adjustment under the 2000 – 2006 National Agreement will give APWU craft employees an annual raise of $812.
The raise is a result of an increase in the Consumer Price Index in July, the last month of the latest six-month Cost-Of-Living Adjustment measuring period. Taking effect September 2nd, the raise will be seen in the September 22nd paychecks (Pay Period 19-06). The adjustment will amount to a 39 cents per hour increase, or $31.20 per pay period.
“The second September paycheck will reflect the largest COLA in more than 25 years,” said President William Burrus. “COLA raises have made important contributions to our members’ wages. This further shows the value of a union contract and strengthens our resolve to negotiate a strong new agreement.”
Good News! More PTF Conversions
by Dennis Enderson, President
Field Coordinator Tina Desautels reports that, effective September 2, 2006, the final three part time flexible clerks in the Englewood Post Office will be converted to full time regular status. Many thanks go to Englewood steward Prentice Butler whose excellent efforts on behalf of these employees led to their making regular.
Field Coordinator Joe Quintana reports that he has successfully negotiated an agreement to convert the two senior part time flexible clerks in the Arvada Post Office to full time regular status effective September 30, 2006. Joe also reports that he has negotiated to convert the senior part time flexible clerk in the Wheatridge Post Office to full time status as well. Way to go, Joe, for your continued success on PTF conversions!
Field Coordinator Steve Claeson reports that the union and management have successfully negotiated an agreement to convert the senior part time flexible clerk in the Castle Rock Post Office to full time regular status. Many thanks go to Horst Pettenati, Steve and Director of Industrial Relations Paul Pearman for their efforts on behalf of this employee that resulted in this excellent settlement agreement.
As promised, we will continue to pursue this issue until every PTF under our jurisdiction makes regular. Congratulations to our newest full time regular employees! It pays to have a strong union!
Finally: The Polo Shirt Arrives
by Brian Thomason, Clerk Craft Director
While at the APWU National Convention and Clerk Craft Conference in Phildelphia, I was able to see for the first time the new polo shirt for our window clerks. The shirt has been a topic of many discussions, debates, reviews and tests at the local and national levels since its inception in 2003. The Denver Metro APWU participated in pilot sites at some of our stations and gave input to national officers to help get these polo shirts approved for our Sales and Associate clerks.
As of October 1, 2006, window clerks will be allowed to place an order for the new polo shirts through the vendors. You will be allowed to use your uniform allotment to purchase these shirts. The cost is expected to be in the neighborhood of $30 to $35 per shirt. November 18, 2006 is the agreed date set by both the APWU and management to start wearing the new polo shirts. We believe these shirts will be more comfortable and a great alternative to the old outdated shirts and ties.
Postal Overhaul
Languishing Despite Compromise Offer
by Jessica Brady, Congress Daily
Progress on legislation to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service, a project that is now 12 years in the making, continues to shuffle along slowly as House and Senate negotiators mull a recently proposed compromise measure.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, sent the proposal to House negotiators just before the August recess. It essentially mirrors the Senate-approved bill and is the result of talks between the Senate committee and House government Reform committee staffs.
Members from both chambers have worked to smooth out differences between their bills while also attempting to write an agreement that would meet White House approval. The Collins proposal upholds the Senate’s stricter rate cap provision, requiring that postal rate increases not exceed the rate of inflation.
An exit clause that would allow the agency to break that rate cap only in times of major emergencies is included in the conference agreement proposal. Both the strict rate cap and exit clause provisions are favored by mass mailers, who want a bill that ensures the lowest possible prices, but are opposed by unions seeking more flexibility in rate setting.
Despite the Collins proposal – the most recent movement on the overhaul bill – the outlook for final passage remains uncertain. White House officials oppose key sections of the House and Senate bills that would allow the agency to use some of its $3 billion escrow account to pay for those pensions, which total about $27 billion.
Although Collins and House Government Reform Chairman Rep. Tom Davis, R-VA, met with White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten in June to attempt to reach a compromise, the conference proposal maintains the approved Senate language on both issues.
The White House also has demanded that the Postal Service continue paying the military pensions of its employees, which House and Senate members oppose. The bills passed overwhelmingly in both chambers would require the Treasury Department to pay for those pensions, which total about $27 billion.
A spokeswoman for Collins said House and Senate members have not discussed the proposal since returning from the August recess, but a spokesman for Davis said the Republican and others “continue to work on consensus language on a daily basis. We are closer than ever to reaching agreement, getting through conference, and moving legislation to the floor.”
Davis’ most recent prediction, made just before the House adjourned for the August recess, was that a conference committee would meet to approve the bill before October. The Senate named conferees shortly after approving its bill last February, while the House, which voted on its measure in July 2005, has yet to appoint conferees.
Denver GMF Tour 3
Automation Re-Staffing Imminent
by Dennis Enderson, President
Management has notified union officials of its intention to realign start times in the Tour 3 Automation section at the Denver GMF. The reason given for this action is that operational changes and plans to beef up Tour 1 Automation staffing render most of the Tour 3 later start times unnecessary. Currently, there are five Tour 3 Automation report times: 1350, 1450, 1650, 1800 and 1900. Management’s plan is to eliminate all the 1800 and 1900 report times.
The Denver Local Memoranda of Understanding allows the local parties to negotiate “incumbency” rights for employees whose start times change by more than one hour. In effect, this allows impacted employees to either accept the new report time or choose to become unencumbered. Historically, our local has always favored protecting incumbency over forcing employees to become unassigned regulars. Keep in mind that this situation does not involve excessing and abolishing because no job eliminations are being proposed – only report time changes.
With this in mind, the parties have agreed to allow impacted employees to exercise their contractual right to either accept or reject the new 1350 report time. Those who elect to accept the change will retain their current duty assignments with their current scheduled days off. Those who chose to reject the change will instead become unencumbered (unassigned) and will receive a temporary FLSA schedule to be determined by management in accordance with operational needs. Such unencumbered employees are subject to involuntary assignment to any residual vacancy, and should make every effort to secure a new duty assignment as soon as possible. Impacted employees will receive their option letters from management in the near future, and any changes to their schedules will take effect on Saturday, October 28, 2006.
In any event, the most important fact potentially impacted employees need to consider is that there will be a very large posting of vacant duty assignments on this month’s Denver Personnel Memorandum (DPM). Employees concerned about being forced to go to less desirable report times should carefully review this DPM and consider bidding to a new duty assignment.
We will do everything possible to minimize adverse impacts, but there is no way to avoid the reality that some employees will be forced to go to earlier report times. Please review this DPM carefully and think about your options. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
November 7, 2006 – A Date to Remember
by Dennis Enderson, President
Please remember that this is an election year at the federal and state level. Election day is Tuesday, November 7, 2006. The Colorado AFL-CIO and the Denver Metro Area Local have endorsed a number of candidates who will best represent and support the interests of our members. These endorsements include the following:
GUBERNATORIAL
Governor - Bill Ritter (D)
STATE-WIDE RACES
Secretary of State – Ken Gordon (D)
State Treasurer – Cary Kennedy (D)
Attorney General – Fern O’Brien (D)
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
CD 1 – Diana Degette (D)
CD 2 – Mark Udall (D)
CD 3 – John Salazar (D)
CD 4 – Angie Paccione (D)
CD 5 – Jay Fawcett (D)
CD 6 – Bill Winter (D)
CD 7 – Ed Perlmutter (D)
Please help us elect these outstanding individuals who will work to protect our rights. The future depends on your active participation in the political process. Remember to VOTE on November 7th!
Union Meeting Reminder –
Saturday, September 23rd
by Dennis Enderson, President
The next regular membership meeting is scheduled to begin at the union office at 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2006. One item of important business is the first reading of proposed amendments to the Denver Metro APWU Constitution and By-Laws. Tour 1 stewards from the Denver GMF have generously offered to cook and serve breakfast to those in attendance. Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend!
/rb
opeiu #5
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