Members’ Rights in
Investigatory Interviews
Gary Scott, President
In March 2005, the Postal Service informed the APWU that the responsibility for investigating certain types of employee misconduct (internal crimes) was being shifted from the Postal Inspection Service to the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Regardless of whether it is a Postal Inspector or the OIG, these law enforcement officers are investigating criminal matters.
I cannot emphasize enough, employees should request the presence of a steward any time they believe criminal charges can result from any meeting with management. It doesn’t matter if it’s your supervisor questioning you or the Postal Inspectors or the OIG. Employees also are reminded to remain silent until they have consulted with an APWU representative or attorney, as appropriate. It is important for employees to ask that they be advised whether or not they are a suspect in a criminal matter. Even if you are told whatever you say will not be used against you in a criminal proceeding, if it is a criminal matter that is being investigated, you should advise management that you wish to contact an attorney. Under no circumstances should you sign any forms or make any statements until you have consulted with an attorney. The fact of the matter is, even if a statement may not be used against you for postal discipline, it may be used to charge you in a criminal proceeding.
It is important that you understand your rights and obligations when confronted by management or law enforcement agents. All postal employees are required to cooperate in postal investigations. All law enforcement officers are required to give persons under investigation an explanation of their constitutional rights. When the investigation of a violation of criminal law has reached the accusatory state, the employee must be informed of his constitutional rights against self incrimination. You have the right to have both an attorney and a steward present. Protect yourself and protect your job. Some of you have already talked to management and the OIG concerning criminal matters without union representation. Please stop that practice and let us help you.
Centralized Attendance Control Arrives
By Gary Scott, President
On Thursday, August 16th, the local was made aware that the Centralized Attendance Control procedures would begin on August 18th at the Denver installation. Exactly what this means is still unclear. Years ago something like this came at us and it appeared to be border line attendance terrorism. Meetings were conducted in early summer with management and input was given as to what we believe could be the frame work of a workable outcome that would not destroy the supervisor/employee relationship needed to create respect on the workroom floor. Consideration also needs to be given to communicating any changes to the enforcement rules that have been in place for decades.
I would advise all of you to protect yourself and your job by doing what you can to ensure that you are regular in attendance and to pursue FMLA if your situation warrants.
APWU Internet Talk Radio Show
By Gary Scott, President
Kudos to Colorado State APWU President George Prusak for achieving a goal he has talked about for some time, an APWU Internet Talk Radio Show. Listening in will be like going to a union meeting. Talk union and ask questions. This will be a monthly show that will discuss union topics in our state and region. Don’t worry if you missed the first show (August 20th), you will be able to stream the taped broadcast for later listening. National Business Agent (Clerk) Mo Merow was the first guest and upcoming topics to include OWCP, FMLA and other topics with special guests and national officers.
Just go to
www.blogtalkradio.com/CPWU. When the show starts you will see a prompt that says click to listen. To listen to an archived show, just click on the archive link or click it from the CPWU website at
www.cpwu.org.
Easter Seals Softball Marathon
By Gary Scott, President
On August 25th the DMAL sponsored a Easter Seals Softball Marathon in Aurora. The event raised over $2000 for Easter Seals and continued our decade old tradition of contributing to this very worthy cause. GMF Steward Lawanda Davis deserves a lot of credit for organizing and recruiting over 25 postal employees from the metro area to participate in the game, which was won by the team captained by Aurora APWU President Shelly Alvarado. Next year the DMAL will be out for revenge and will put our A-Team on the field to bring the trophy back from where it belongs. Thanks to all who participated and for your donations.
New Hires in MVS
By Gary Scott, President
MVS Director Robert Helmig has reported that six (6) new TTO drivers have been hired and have begun their 90 day probation period. We are expecting to see even more drivers hired in the near future. I want to congratulate all and wish them well as they begin their new career with the United States Postal Service. Please take a moment and welcome these new faces into our union
Didn’t See You at the Picnic
By Gary Scott, President
Every year when the budget is presented, ideas are reviewed and discussed on what membership appreciation event captures the most support from the members. In a more honest moment I would support almost anything other than a picnic. If you never worked a picnic, you wouldn’t have appreciated my previous statement. Those of us that do work the picnic, do so primarily because we enjoy serving the members. Some will tell you ‘we serve the membership all year and also deserve to enjoy the picnic with our families’. These people are right as well. Our picnics have mellowed as we have aged, but its still a party! This years picnic had it all. We had the politics, Colorado is on the political map like never before. In attendance were candidates for U. S. Congress and Senate, National APWU candidates, local APWU officers from most of the metro area including Colorado Springs and NALC members.
This picnic had great music. DJ Mark Martinez kept us all entertained and Chief Steward Dave Coker’s band, Ragged Edge, performed even better than last year. This year the food was better than ever! What can I say! The grills were going all day and I heard no one complain about the brisket.
This picnic had kids! Where did all those kids come from? A lot more grandparents out there is my guess, since the average age of a postal worker is 49. Assistant Clerk Director Chris Arellano did a wonderful job harnessing all that energy in the organized competition for the young ones. I hope you noticed the ‘young’ staff on duty throughout the day keeping the park clean and doing whatever was needed. This picnic had it all! When the time comes in January to vote for a membership event, it’ll be hard to argue with success.
Thanks to all who approved and supported us putting this party on and much thanks to the Executive Board and all those who do what you do so well. The names are too many to list and I’m sure to miss some if I tried. You know who you are and whenever this local needs someone to step up, you always answer the call. You are what separate us from other locals.
Postal People Phase II
By Gary Scott, President
Be advised that the USPS will begin the second roll-out of the Postal People Phase II Migration on September 15, 2007. Employees within the western area will be migrated into the Human Capital Enterprise System (HCES). To accommodate required data migration, there will be no job posting or bidding beginning September 1, 2007, and will resume no later than September 29, 2007. Employees will not be able to use the automated bidding systems during this period. The APWU was notified in June 2007, that no violations of the CBA would occur during this migration period. The APWU understood this to include any requirements for posting and bidding. After talking to locals around the country, it appears violations of the CBA are occurring and if that happens here, grievances will be filed on the delay of posting of assignments outside the 28 days allowed by the CBA. Please contact your steward if you have questions on this issue.
Celebrate Labor Day!
By Sonda Goss, Executive Vice-President
Each Labor Day, the Boulder Area Labor Council coordinates the Louisville Labor Day Parade. The DMAL acts as one of the sponsors of this parade and invite all of our members to attend. All those wishing to be in the parade are asked to meet at the Old Louisville Post Office at Front Street and Pine, at 8:30 AM, with the parade starting at 10:00 AM. Afterwards, DMAL Quadrant Coordinator and Boulder Area Labor Council President, Tina Desautels, will be hosting a barbecue for the participants at her home at 801 W. Lucerne Dr. in Lafayette. Call Tina for more information at 303-440-1309.
COPA Drive a Success!
By Sonda Goss, Executive Vice-President
I have learned from COPA Committee Chairman, Tina Desautels, that the latest COPA Drive brought in $1001. This money will be sent to Washington, DC and be used to protect the interests of our members. The prize drawing was held at our Annual Membership Picnic on August 12, 2007. The winners are as follows:
Sonda Goss – Gift Basket
Gail Kirby – DVD Player
Rose Montoya - IPOD Shuffle
The COPA Committee will be holding more fund raising drives in the future. It is very important that we support labor friendly issues and candidates, and let’s face it, money talks. Enter often for a chance to win great prizes and by doing so protect your jobs.
September Executive Board and Membership Meeting Dates Changed
By Gary Scott, President
Please mark your calendars of the following changes:
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. As always, these meetings are held here at our headquarters building located at 15677 E. 17th Ave. in Aurora.
High Mar Post Office to Reopen
by Sonda Goss, Executive Vice-President
In February, the Boulder High Mar Office was closed after tile work on the floor caused asbestos fibers to become air-born. All personnel and operations were promptly moved to other facilities and every effort was made to minimize and evaluate any exposure to the asbestos.
We have been informed that after many months of reconstruction activities, the High Mar Office is now ready for occupancy. Management has scheduled the relocation move over the weekend of September 15th – 16th. I’m sure that everyone will be happy to be back at their home office.
Dates to Remember
by Gary Scott, President
- September 12, 2007: National APWU Ballots mailed from Washington, DC
- September 29, 2007: Membership Meeting at 9:00 AM
- September 2007: National Deaf Awareness Month
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