Management plans are moving forward to close the Denver Air Mail Center (AMC) by the end of summer 2007. The APWU has done everything possible, within the confines of Article 12 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), to minimize any adverse impact caused by this move on the 21 craft members we represent. The Transfer Desk operation is scheduled to be moved to the MPA by Monday, August 8, 2007. The ramp operation is slated to be moved to the GMF by Saturday, September 1, 2007. The clerk assigned to the ‘Scan Where You Band’ operation is scheduled to move to the MPA effective August 27, 2007. Regretfully, two (2) remaining General Expeditors are scheduled to be abolished effective August 27^th. Additional discussions will need to occur concerning the clerk work done in the Transportation Office. Although this work has always been performed under the job title of Expeditor, the duties of this position are something all together different. Management has informed us that unless they can find a need for the Tour 3 General Office Clerk, this position will also be abolished. 

On June 28, 2007, the DMAL Scholarship Committee met to discuss and finalize this year’s scholarship awards. The Scholarship Committee consisted of three of the most distinguished retired members this local has ever produced. John Kelly, retired National Business Agent (a.k.a. “The Legend”), Ron Gorman, retired former Motor Vehicle Craft Director, and James Deden, retired Sales Service Associate and the proclaimed “Mayor” of Adams City. These three honored retirees are to be commended for continuing to serve the members and not resting on their laurels.

At the Denver Regional Assembly held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on June 7^th – 10^th , 2007, the National APWU presented the DMAL with a Honor Award for being one of the ‘Best Organized Locals’ in Colorado. We are proud of our success in reaching an 82% membership rate during the APWU’s 2007, ‘Help Us, Help You – One on One’ organizing campaign. However, we feel that much more needs to be done to strengthen our ranks. We are committed to achieving unheard of levels of membership in our local. It is imperative to our survival as Postal Workers that all APWU members become involved by signing up the non-member working next to them. Stay tuned for our new and improved organizing drive coming to your pay location soon!

Three of the most influential labor organizations in the Postal Service have agreed to combine our efforts on lobbying legislation that is beneficial to our collective membership. Never before has this occurred locally and I am proud to be a part of such a collaboration. United, our message will be, any legislation supporting any form of ‘no junk mail’ proposal will spark us into action. Efforts are already being pursued to start discussions with any legislator interested in pursuing this very dangerous path. I want to thank NPMHU President Mike Hora and NAPS Representative Gary Roll for taking the steps necessary to solidify our efforts.

Join the Fun! The Denver Social and Recreation Committee sponsors this annual event. Elitch Gardens is under new ownership and is back, better and bigger than ever. A ticket includes unlimited use of all areas of the park – all rides, the water park, and all entertainment throughout! This year there will also be balloons, face painting, toys to be raffled and a scavenger hunt for the kids.

• All day unlimited ride ticket and meal - $24
• All you can eat food buffet from 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• Meal ticket only $7. (Does not include admission to park so need season ticket or other way to enter the park)
• Maroon Bells Pavilion reserved for us 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Receive a ticket for a return visit any time in September or October
• Payment for tickets: cash or check payable to Social and Recreation Committee
• Kids three years old and under are admitted free
• Senior citizens 70 and over are admitted free (can purchase food only ticket for $7)
• Coupon for $5.00 off for parking at Elitch Gardens ($15 without coupon)

At the June 27, 2007 membership meeting, the membership voted unanimously to endorse current Colorado State Senate President Joan Fitzgerald in her bid for Congressional District 2. Joan has already been endorsed by the Colorado AFL-CIO in her primary bid to represent Congressional District 2. CD 2 is comprised of Eagle, Summit, Grand, Clear Creek and Boulder Counties (minus Longmont). Although the other counties make up the majority of the land area of this District, Boulder County carries the majority of the votes. For this reason, a number of Democratic candidates will be vying for this seat, making CD 2 probably the most expensive race ever. I applaud the membership for jumping out so soon. We know a winner when we see one.

Notice has been given to the union that the Job Bid Module of the Shared Services process, is due to be implemented in September 2007. The Job Bid Module supports the activities involved with the placement of bargaining unit employees into bid positions. There is good news and bad news about this process. The good news is that employees may submit bids for posted positions, through any of the available automated bidding options, twenty-fours hours a day for the entire bidding period of a posting. Unfortunately, because the automated process encompasses all phases of the bidding and award process, it requires multiple layers of commitment and input from management. Time lines are inflexible and one hiccup on management’s part can ruin a posting. This system, as it currently stands, has disaster written all over it. In the past, the bidding process has been low on management’s list of priorities, and the union is not inclined to believe that this will change. 

The Denver Metro Area Local (DMAL) holds nine (9) General Membership Meetings a year. At these meetings, the officers of your union give reports, answer questions from the floor and conduct the general necessary business of the local. On the lighter side, we serve a meal, give out door prizes and hold a random drawing of 20 names pulled from our membership list. This drawing is for a cash award starting at $200 that increases by $25 each meeting until it is won. To win the cash drawing, the member must be in attendance at the meeting. The DMAL has approximately 2200 members and on average 50 to 60 attend each meeting. Remarkably, I’ve never seen this prize go unclaimed for more than five (5) meetings. Forget the Lottery, come to a union meeting! The odds are you will be better informed of issues that affect your job and future with the Postal Service and you just might leave with a little more than you expected.

Please mark August 12^th on your calendar and plan on attending your Membership Appreciation Picnic. This year’s picnic plans are mirroring the very successful effort that occurred last year to include the same location. Lowry Park, located at 1100 Dayton is in close proximity to the major processing facilities and a number of smaller offices. One change that you all will love, less burgers and more brisket! Come out and help us put on the picnic of the summer. See you on Sunday August 12^th from 11 AM to 6 PM !

Calls have been coming into the office in regards to the National Day of Observance for former President Gerald Ford. Some are being told that the time line to receive one (1) day of Administrative Leave has expired. The truth is, regardless of what happened in your office, all APWU employees are entitled to receive one day of Administrative Leave either on the actual day of observance, January 2, 2007, or within the next six (6) months or by the end of the current fiscal year, which ever is later. Keep in mind that employees are required to schedule their “make up” day of Administrative Leave in the future under normal procedures. It is not granted on demand. If you have any questions on this matter, please contact your union steward.