Michael O. Foster

September 10, 2022 

The 44th Annual MVS Directors Conference was held on August 13-14 in National Harbor, MD, followed by the APWU’s 26th Biennial National Convention.  MVS members throughout the country received training on MVS issues and were provided Step 4 reports.

The Motor Vehicle Service Division received 10 contractual resolutions that were reviewed by the MVS Resolutions Committee. The delegates discussed, debated, and referred the resolutions to the national convention and the resolutions were adopted “in toto”. The MVS Committee consisted of the following members: Darryl Gause, Atlanta Metro Area Local Chairperson; Cassandra Black, NY Metro Area Local Vice Chairperson; Michael Crum, Keystone PA Area Local; Steven Clinton, Portland Oregon Area Local; Luis Millan, Houston Area Local; Ross Rahman, Greater LA Area Local; Faron Williamson, Omaha Area Local.

The MVS Committee made either a Concurrence or Non-Concurrence recommendation to the MVS Craft Conference. The conference adopted six of the nine resolutions to be proposals for contract negotiations in 2024. The adopted resolutions consist of the following:  

• Article 39.2.A.1, posting or reverting a position be changed from 28 days to 14 days.
• Employee’s bid position will be posted for bid if in a 204B detail for more than 120 days in a 12-month period.        
• Article 39.1.B.7.e, PTFs will be converted to FTR within one pay period.
• Article 39.2.A.7, when requested by the Union all FTR VMF duty assignments shall be posted once each calendar year.
• MVS CDL holders be given the option to return to work after completing a tour without having no-less-than 10 hours off duty.
• Driver Safety Instructors with a CDL “A” be upgraded to level 10.

Peterbilt Cargo Van First Article Testing

The APWU received notice that the Postal Service would be taking an option to purchase 447 additional Peterbilt Cargo Vans, model 548.

The First Article Testing was held on July 19, 2022 in Marshall, MI. The following APWU members participated:  Shana Parker MVS Craft Director, Philadelphia PA; Peggy Wilcox, MVS Craft Director, Phoenix AZ; Tony Brooks, MVS Craft Director, Michigan; and Ken Prinz, Assistant Director, MVS Division.

There appears to have been noticeable safety improvements over the 2019 Peterbilt model 348.  The cab area has more room, spanning nearly 82-incheswide, including a floor space lowered by 4 inches. The 6-inches lower grille crown and increased hood slope provides a 63 percent larger windshield for better visibility. There is also a larger door window and lower beltline. a 2-inch lowered dash shows a digital display of pop-up notifications that communicate warnings and suggested actions. Night-mode produces a subtle color change which improves night vision and reduces window glare.

The model 548 will provide navigation and a backup camera. The automatic light sequence for pre-checks was a big hit with the First Article members.

Pursuant to Article 39.3.B the APWU submitted the following issues on the model 548:

• The safety chain on the lift gate needs to be larger, to make it easier to fasten.
• The lift gate handle needs to be larger to allow a hand through.
• The yellow grab handle for the cab would be a beneficial option so that drivers do not have to use the steering wheel.
• Handles on the back of the truck should be larger. This would help with safety when raising the lift gate with large equipment.
• Height clearance decals inside and outside of truck were missing.

We will provide the Postal Service’s response when it becomes available.

July 21, 2022

Truck drivers for 10 Roads Express in Harrisburg, PA have voted to form a union with the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO. The 100 professional drivers in Harrisburg join nearly 1,000 10 Roads Express drivers who are already part the APWU.

The drivers, whose company is now the largest USPS trucking contractor, worked hard for their win. They stood strong in solidarity against a concerted anti-union campaign based on lies, illegal threats, and retaliation. However, the 10 Roads Express organizing committee stood strong and did the difficult collective work necessary to win!

A NEW DAY HAS DAWNED!

With the win, the Harrisburg-based drivers have a real voice and power to bargain with Management over everything to do with wages, hours, and working conditions.

Bill Hamilton, an 18-year veteran mail-haul driver said, “Together, we will fight to secure things such as fair work rules, seniority rights, bidding rights, job security, and more. Most importantly, we will not accept being treated with anything less than the dignity and respect that we, as professional drivers, deserve”

APWU President Mark Dimondstein, said, “Congratulations to the workers on this important victory and welcome to the APWU Family! Their determined organizing made it happen. We all benefit when working people come together and strengthen their collective voice in a union. I salute all who supported the campaign, especially lead organizer Rich Shelley and Keystone Area Local President Kim Miller.”

In the coming days, workers will meet to decide what their bargaining priorities will be and which drivers will be on the negotiating committee. They will also work expeditiously to set up their new APWU Local Union, write their union constitution, and elect their new union officers.

Michael O. Foster

July 13, 2022 

(This article first appeared in the July/August 2022 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

The Craft had a National Arbitration hearing on May 23-24 to determine if the USPS violated Section 2 of the 2010 Contract Motor Vehicle Craft Jobs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by failing to convert 600 HCR routes to PVS routes. The Postal Service claims the MOU requires 600 duty assignments to be converted to bargaining unit positions. The Union’s position is that the MOU requires the Postal Service to convert a minimum of 600 HCR routes to PVS, which could be a larger number of duty assignments per route in the Motor Vehicle Craft.

Because of the many monetary concessions and work rule sacrifices made by the Union and its members in the 2010 contract, when the USPS was experiencing one of the most challenging times in their history, the question remains: can the USPS be trusted to live up to their negotiations and agreements?

There have been disputes filed by each craft that negotiated Craft Jobs MOU’s during the 2010 Contract negotiations, with the USPS agreeing in exchange for financial relief, that work would be brought into the bargaining unit. The 2010 Contract and the deteriorating trust between the parties caused the next two successor agreements to be decided by an interest arbitrator instead of a negotiated agreement. Future updates will be provided on the status of this issue.

The MVS Division has recently held Headquarter Labor- Management meetings with Fleet Management. Some of the discussions have included VMF staffing, MVS Training Initiative MOU, and local management’s authority to purchase the tools and equipment to make timely repairs in-house.

During the April meeting, the Postal Service informed the Union about their World Class VMF Program. The Union was invited to South Bend, Indiana VMF the week of May 23rd. The Union assigned a committee led by NBA Eastern Region Garrett Langley, William Drew, Boston VMF, Art King San Bernadino VMF, and Cedric Mingas Detroit VMF. The program consists of a commitment by postal management to properly staff the VMF’s, increase training, supply necessary tools and equipment, and improve the work environment, at VMFs. The Union submitted a request for additional information about the World Class VMF.

Suspension of Bench Test

The Postal Service will suspend the Bench Test (hands on performance test) for new hires, for the Automotive Technician position, and review other VMF jobs as they update these positions for the 21st century. The Union has long encouraged the USPS to update the bench test but the USPS declined to do so as long as the Long Life Vehicles, (LLV’s) were part of the Postal fleet.

The Union received notice about a Pilot Program to log vehicle repair tags electronically in the Retail and Delivery Application Reports (RADAR).

The RADAR program is an effort to improve the efficiency for reporting repair tags. The program was initiated in the San Diego, California VMF.

The Postal Service notified the APWU that they will be exercising the contract option and purchasing 447 additional Peterbilt’s Cargo Vans. Modifications were made from the cargo vans previously purchased. The APWU will participate in the First Article Testing (FAT) and inspection.

The Postal Service has informed the APWU of their plans to conduct a pilot regarding the use of sensors installed on Postal Service vehicles to improve visibility for Postal customers and internal data accuracy and service measurement throughout the Postal Service network.

The sensor is a device which can determine if mail is in the vehicle or trailer. It can provide engine diagnostics, such as idle times, reduce fuel consumption, provide real-time locations and accurate ETAs. The sensors will be installed in various vehicles in the PVS fleet. The Pilot is scheduled to last until the end of 2022.

Have a safe summer, see you at the National Convention, “Keep on Trucking”.