by Gary Scott, President                                                                                                      

The MPA changes are somewhat unsettled at this time and hopefully, we will be able to report soon what the impact will be there. We will share with you as soon as we receive solid information and have had the time to analyze.

 I hope to be able to confirm the status of the mail flow bid regulars soon, as well. The news doesn’t appear to be good for a number of our brothers and sisters holding jobs in that section. Once again, as soon as we know, we will let you know.

by Gary Scott, President

On April 1, 2008 I met with the Denver Postmaster and his staff on issues of concern in the Denver stations. The Denver Postmaster seemed very concerned that good communication hasn’t been occurring and indicated his desire to improve those communications. The Postmaster stated he has no master plan to destroy the lives of members working in the Denver stations but he is being tasked to cut expenses and increase revenue just like any other business. The staffing changes you have been hearing about are being minimized and we continue to work on minimizing even more the adverse impact while achieving the goals of the company. Realignment of staffing is occurring in the Bear Valley, University Park, Capitol Hill, Lakewood, North Pecos, Thornton and GMF Finance Stations. The re-staffing of stations on the east side of the city is underway and our hope is that the CBA will be respected while we move forward.

I understand how important job location, scheduled days off and hours of work are to DMAL members. These three things have become the staples of our employment with the Postal Service. Our CBA gives us protections from layoffs and reduced work hours and management has always had rights to ensure the well being of the business to include reassignments and repositioning of the work force. We have never had times like these in the Postal Service, but other industries have never had times like these either! I believe if we continue to communicate and work together, we will survive these times we are experiencing with the down turn economy and reduced mail volumes.

26^th Colorado AFL - CIO Constitution Convention Concludes With a Bang 

by Gary Scott, President    

On Friday, March 28, 2008, the Denver Metro Area Local was represented by six delegates to the Special Call Constitution Convention of the Colorado AFL-CIO. This special convention was called to present Constitution and By-Laws changes to be considered and voted on by all the affiliates of the State Federation. After discussion, the vote occurred and a ‘new look’ Colorado State AFL-CIO arose from the ashes of trusteeship. A new officer structure along with new financial policies were recommended by an audit team after a two year review. The ‘new look’ structure will have an Executive Director as the voice and face of Colorado labor and the President and Secretary Treasurer positions now become non-paid positions. The affiliates present unanimously felt the new structure deserves an opportunity to succeed as we move into this most important election cycle. 

by Gary Scott, President

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, organized labor reconvened at the IBEW Local #68 Union Hall to kick off Labor 2008. The emotional rally got kick started by National AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka challenging each and every one of us to do our part and educate our memberships on working families’ issues. Colorado labor was congratulated for the work of the last six years that has seen the Colorado State Legislature switch parties, two additional seats gained in the House of Representatives and now a chance to elect a warrior for labor to the Senate. A number of state elected leaders were in attendance and signed on to the Pledge for Changes to help ensure working families are respected and given the opportunity to organize without fear of reprisals from their employers.

The APWU was recognized for our commitment to organized labor in the nation and for its efforts to organize the organized. The APWU has been conducting an affiliation drive nationwide to encourage APWU locals to become affiliates of their respective State AFL-CIOs’. Not only are APWU locals affiliating, we are getting involved in our communities. All but one Colorado Local APWU has reconnected with the State Federation and we will work hard to defeat the Right to Work for Less initiative that is being circulated. So-called ‘Right to Work’ would make it harder for unions to organize and allow freeloaders to piggyback on the gains of dues paying members. If that sounds familiar, it should. It is the world we live in as postal workers. It is no secret, working families do better when more people are in unions.

by Gary Scott, President

I have instructed DMAL Political Director Tina Desautels to put together a work plan with a budget to be reviewed by myself and the Executive Board for the 2008 Political Program. The 2008 political season promises to be the most important in our lifetime and failure is not an option. I urge everyone in the union to get involved during this crucial election cycle. As United States Postal Service employees, you can participate in the process as long as you are off the clock, out of uniform and off postal property. Registering people to vote, working on phone banks, speaking to potential voters in person and working on behalf of the candidates of your choice, are all permitted activities. It is important that APWU members have a voice in the decision about the nominees this November. The 2008 Political Plan will include our annual efforts to get as many of our members as possible to register to vote and to register for vote by mail, new to the state of Colorado, thanks to the DMAL efforts at the State House last year.  If any of you wish to serve as volunteers on the DMAL Political Team please call me at 303-365-1524 ext. 19.

DMAL Membership Overturns Executive Board Recommendation to Cancel 2008 Membership Picnic  

by Gary Scott, President    

In a close vote, the membership at the March 22^nd union meeting voted to overturn the Executive Board recommendation to cancel the 2008 Membership Picnic. The Executive Board explained the rationale for the recommendation, which was, with 2008 being such a big year politically with APWU Colorado State Convention in early May, the Denver Regional Conference in June, the Democratic National Convention being held in Denver in August and the APWU National Convention also in August, it appears that an early or late fall picnic is the only available time period. 

To Scan or Not to Scan    

by Robert Helmig, Director MVS Craft

Last week Plant Manager Roland Fuentes and I met to discuss an issue that has been of great concern to both of us. The Denver MVS scanning percentage had been hovering in the 26% - 30% and management felt this was totally unacceptable. After listening to Roland’s concerns, he reciprocated and listened to concerns from the craft that have not been accurately relayed to him as to the reasons MVO’s scanning performance has been sub par. It was at this meeting we agreed to work together to communicate to our craft people the necessity of the SV scanning. In less than a week, the scanning is now being done at a 95% rate. It is amazing how far a little communication can go. Faulty equipment has been a factor in some of the non-compliance and we appear to be on the right track. SV scanning is here to stay and the MVS craft will accept this new duty and be better for it as it will secure more jobs for the craft. If you experience problems with the scanners, please let your supervisor or your union representative know so the issue can be addressed.

by Dave Coker, GMF Tour 3 Steward   

At the Denver P&DC there is a war going on in Automation. I write this to explain the background and inform you of your rights, so that ALL clerks can band together for mutual aid and protection. First, although Denver is not last in country for on-time or accurate delivery, Kirk Bateman (T-3 Lead MDO) has informed me that we ARE last or near last in the NATION for machine productivity numbers. You can see how this might lead to the unprecedented events in Automation.

Secondly, and most importantly, this should tell you that everything that is happening in Automation is because of PRODUCTIVITY NUMBERS. I want to make this clear, management has decided to split up the bottom producers, and that clerks will be disciplined for failure to follow instructions for not keeping their ledge loaded or the machine running; but not for any set number per hour goal, at least according to them. BULL! Line Supervisors are telling employees that they are not  "working up to (management's) standard. When asked what that "standard" is, Supervisors are telling clerks that they must run an average of 20 thousand pieces per hour to be "safe". IT IS CLEAR THAT MANAGEMENT IS TRYING TO SNEAK WORK OR TIME STANDARDS IN THE BACKDOOR! There is a process at the National Level for implementing standards, which HAS NOT been done here. Here is the problem: Management has not issued any discipline (discussions are not discipline), nor officially acknowledged their "standard". When they do, it will be grieved. In the meantime, STAND TOGETHER as workers. Just like in a court, in Grievance Arbitration we need proof. When you see a Supervisor harassing your partner, the person on the next machine, whatever; just get yourself close enough to hear what is going on. Be a witness, support your co-worker so they'll be around to support you. Witness for your friends and co-workers, and bring us the PROOF that we need to win this fight. We will need that proof to file a grievance as soon as the first person is disciplined, or they acknowledge the truth of their actions. In closing, I'm not kidding when I say that the amount of honest statements we receive from you the members, will determine how successful we are at stopping these Strong Arm tactics from management. Don't let us "go to court" without the proof we need to win. Support each other.

by Greg Bell, Director Industrial Relations

Address Information System Specialist – The APWU appealed to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from the decision of the district court dismissing the APWU’s lawsuit to enforce the Snow Award, that gave the AMS work to the APWU Bargaining Unit. The Postal Service filed a motion for summary affirmance (that is, to dispense with briefs, oral argument, etc.), contending that the district court’s decision was so obviously correct that summary action was warranted. The APWU filed a cross-motion for summary reversal, pointing out the district court’s obvious errors. Briefing closed on January 2, 2008. Both motions are still pending.

by Gary Scott, President

The DMAL is currently accepting applications for our five $500 Moe Biller Scholarship Awards. Application forms and the rules for the scholarship contest can be received from the DMAL office.  Applications consist of a simple form and an essay prepared by the applicant based upon the rules of the contest. Please, please, please don’t wait until the last moment to apply. Submit your application today! The deadline for submission is May 31, 2008.