At the regular membership meeting on Saturday, January 22, 2005, the membership approved a number of important financially-based changes to the local’s Constitution & Bylaws. These changes were as follows:

Also at the regular membership meeting on Saturday, January 22, 2005, the membership adopted two additional cost cutting measures that did not require changes to the local’s Constitution and Bylaws. One resolution cancelled the 2005 Steward Appreciation event. (The local has historically sponsored a Steward Appreciation brunch representing a budget item of approximately $4,000 per year.) The second resolution suspended the Membership Picnic for the 2005 budget year. (The Membership Picnic normally represents an annual budget item of approximately $17,000.) Neither of these measures permanently cancels either of these two events. However, these membership resolutions are binding for the 2005 budget cycle so there will not be a financed Steward Appreciation event nor a Membership Picnic this year. Consideration of the full 2005 Fiscal Year Budget was postponed until the February Membership Meeting to allow for the changes adopted at the January 2005 Union Meeting to be integrated into the budget.

For those who think they would like to represent APWU in the safety field, I’m requesting applicants for MOU safety representatives for the GMF facility, one member for Tour one and one for Tour three and the MPA facility, one for Tour one.

During the week of January 10 – 14, 2005, training on the new Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) was conducted for APWU stewards and postal supervisors. The JCIM is designed to help decrease the quantity of grievances by providing a resource to help interpret and apply the terms of the National Collective Bargaining Agreement. Both the APWU and management have agreed to abide by the provisions of the JCIM. This document provides not only the appropriate interpretation of the contract, but also the appropriate remedies to apply for proven violations. The joint training for stewards and supervisors is a national project. Clerk Craft National Business Agent Mo Merow represented the APWU during our local training. Most of our stewards have now received the training. The remainder will be scheduled for a makeup class in the near future. We hope the JCIM will help to improve the quality of working life in the Postal Service in the future.

Robert Dominguez, a Tour two clerk at the Denver MPA has volunteered to help rebuild areas in Sri Lanka that were devastated by the December 26, 2004 tsunami. Robert volunteered to go to Sri Lanka from March 14 – 28, 2005, to help the thousands of orphans who were left behind. Robert is working through an international relief organization called Global Crossroad that sets up volunteers with worthy projects around the world. He is asking for our assistance to help defray the significant costs he will incur, which include $1800 in airfare and $900 for the program. I am deeply moved and greatly inspired by Brother Dominguez’s actions and I hope his brothers and sisters in the Denver Metro Area Local APWU will offer their financial and moral support. Please send any donations to:

Each year, National APWU President William Burrus appoints APWU officials to serve as national arbitration advocates. I am pleased to report that President Burrus has accepted my recommendations to appoint the following Denver Metro APWU officers as arbitration advocates for 2005: Director of Industrial Relations Paul Pearman, Executive Vice-President Gary Scott, Maintenance Craft Director Miguel Salazar, Motor Vehicle Craft Director Fred Morin and myself. These individuals will receive appropriate training prior to accepting cases for formal arbitration hearings. Arbitration advocates are responsible to represent the union whenever grievances are scheduled for formal hearings in front of impartial arbitrators. It is a significant honor to be selected for such service. Congratulations to each of these officers!

A few months ago it was discovered that whenever a 911 telephone call was made from Denver postal facilities, the 911 operator would see incorrect address and telephone number information for many offices. After much effort by local safety and health officials to coordinate the myriad of details involved, this issue has finally been corrected. Many thanks to all parties who helped make this happen. We appreciate the seriousness with which this issue was regarded by local postal officials.

The Denver Metro APWU is pursuing a number of issues relative to custodial staffing. We believe the Postal Service is not complying with its contractual obligation to meet the required complement. Maintenance Director Miguel Salazar is working closely with Executive Vice-President Gary Scott to prepare appropriate grievances. Our primary focus is on three major issues: 1.) Failure to fill authorized custodial vacancies, 2.) Over-utilization of casuals to perform custodial duties and 3.) Failure to comply with the appropriate staffing package relative to USPS Handbook MS-47. Our goal is to ensure that maintenance work is protected for career maintenance employees. We will keep you apprised as these cases progress. Please direct any questions or concerns to Maintenance Director Miguel Salazar at the union office on extension 120.

Several weeks ago we reported that there are plans to explore the possible closure of Air Mail Centers nationwide, including the one in Denver. We have been in close contact with AMC Manager Tom Lujan relative to this issue. Tom is the official coordinator of this project in Denver and has pledged to work closely with the union every step of the way. We are fully aware that the rumor mill is churning along as it always does. However, we ask everyone to totally disregard all rumors and contact the union office with any questions or concerns. We can report that the closure and/or downsizing of the AMC will probably eventually occur, but it is not imminent. No plans have been formulated. Studies have only just begun. The union will work very closely with management to hold excessing and abolishing to an absolute minimum. Our goal is to keep every single impacted member in their current duty assignment, even if these jobs are moved to new locations. There is no need to panic and make rash decisions at this time. If you respond to rumors you will only make yourself crazy!

Acting Plant Manager Roland Fuentes is working diligently to bring about improvement in the working environment of Motor Vehicle Craft employees. MVS Craft Director Fred Morin and Roland meet regularly to discuss transportation issues. One area of concern is excessive absenteeism amongst drivers. We encourage all MVO’s and TTO’s to do everything you can to maintain a regular schedule. This will help us persuade management that MVS craft employees sincerely want to retain the work that rightfully belongs within the Postal Service, and may lead to more hiring in the future. We acknowledge and applaud Roland Fuentes’ efforts to bring about a culture change within the transportation operation.

Many thanks to Clerk Craft Director Brian Thomason for his diligent efforts to coordinate the arduous annual project of completing the bid annual leave process throughout the local. As always, there were a few bumps along the way; however this project is nearly complete. We also thank our numerous rank and file volunteers who helped with the process. We couldn’t have done it without your superb assistance. While no one ever gets everything they want, we hope everyone enjoys their union-won paid vacations during 2005!

Cases are finally being scheduled for arbitration relative to work jurisdiction disputes between the APWU and the NPMHU. The APWU’s advocate for these cases is Tom Maier, a Clerk Craft National Business Agent out of Oklahoma. Tom will do everything in his power to protect work for APWU bargaining unit employees.    We will keep you apprised as to the progress of these issues.