AMC Update
by Dennis Enderson, President
As reported in the last local news bulletin, the Postal Service is beginning to formulate specific plans to make operational changes at the Denver Air Mail Center. We have now received more specific information from AMC Manager Tom Lujan as follows:
There are plans to move the Registry operation from the AMC to the Denver GMF by June 2005. This will entail merging the AMC Registry section with the existing operation at the plant. This move is contingent upon constructing a new Registry cage on the workroom floor at the GMF behind the “blockhouse”. Some existing GMF operations will need to be moved and/or combined to make room for the new cage. The current plan is to move all existing employees in the AMC Registry section to the GMF with their current duty assignments with no changes to work schedules. (Obviously, this would be very good news for these employees if they wish to maintain their existing days off and work hours.) The merging of the two Registry operations would free up the current space occupied by the existing cage at the GMF. This floor space would be used to allow the AMC Express Mail operation to be moved to the plant shortly after the Registry move is completed. As with the first move, all employees would be moved to the plant with their current duty assignments with no changes to work hours or scheduled days off.
The Special Delivery Messenger clerks would move to the GMF along with the Express mail operation. However, they will not be domiciled in the GMF Finance Station as in the past. They will remain attached to the Express Mail section at the GMF. Ramp Clerks and Expediters will remain at the AMC indefinitely. Once the new APPS machine is installed at the MPA and SPBS machines are removed, then the AMC “Triple A” operation will be moved to the MPA.
Maintenance employees will remain at the AMC until Triple A is moved to the MPA. (We are still discussing how many custodians would remain at the AMC once Triple A is removed.) The Postal Service will retain a “presence” at the AMC, but most of the building will probably be leased to a private contractor.
Despite all of these changes, we do not anticipate a decrease in the need for Motor Vehicle Craft duty assignments. In fact, the total number of “runs” should not decrease, and may actually increase. In all cases, the union will actively and aggressively remain involved to protect the contractual rights of our members. All employees whose duty assignments are relocated to the GMF will retain incumbency rights. Those employees who wish to vacate their duty assignments and become “unencumbered” will have that option. As always, all of this information is subject to change based upon operational considerations. We will keep you informed as information becomes available.
APPS Delayed Again – Questions
Arise Over Posting SPBS Bids
by Dennis Enderson, President
The union has received notice that APPS implementation has been postponed again – this time from October 2005 until at least January 2006. As you may recall, in July 2004 the union agreed to management’s request to suspend posting vacant duty assignments in the SPBS operation based upon our understanding that APPS implementation was imminent and that SPBS duty assignments would be drastically reduced. Now we are becoming concerned that APPS might be pushed even further into the future and that it might make sense to request the resumption of posting vacancies in the SPBS operation. Some postal supervisors have asked union officials to push for such posting. We will continue to discuss this matter and keep you informed.
AFSM 100 Modifications –
More Clerk Jobs at Risk
by Dennis Enderson, President
We have received more specific information relative to two proposed modifications to the AFSM 100’s. The Automatic Induction System is scheduled to be installed sometime prior to August 2006. This modification would eliminate the need for feed operators and the need for flat mail preparation into containers. The Automated Tray Handling System (ATHS) would reduce or eliminate the need for manual sweepers. Denver is scheduled to receive the ATHS by April 2006 on all of our AFSM 100’s. As always, these timelines are subject to delays based on factors beyond the union’s control. We will do our best to keep you informed as new information becomes available.
USPS Postpones Transportation Subcontracting Proposals
by Dennis Enderson, President
The union recently received notice that postal management is postponing consideration of proposals to subcontract transportation of mail to offices in Aurora and Arvada, as well as several large vendors in the Englewood area. While this is good news for now, the battle is by no means over. The APWU strongly believes that all mail transportation should be performed by career Motor Vehicle Craft employees. Staffing must be increased to ensure there are enough drivers to perform this work. We will vigorously oppose any efforts to gut the work that rightfully belongs to APWU employees.
Another PTF Conversion –
This Time in Greeley
by Dennis Enderson, President
Field Coordinator Joe Quintana reports that he has successfully negotiated the conversion of a part time flexible employee in the Greeley office to regular full time status. Congratulations and many thanks to Joe for his excellent efforts on behalf of this employee! We will continue to aggressively pursue PTF conversions anywhere we can.
General Clerk Duty Assignment
Posted in the Denver Safety Office
by Dennis Enderson, President
Administrative Aide Sandy Carruthers reports that she has successfully negotiated to post another General Clerk duty assignment in the Denver GMF Safety Office. This will eliminate the need to detail an employee into this office and afford enhanced seniority rights to clerks in the Denver installation. Congratulations and many thanks to Sandy for her excellent efforts on behalf of our members!
Bobby Rollins Appointed
as Sergeant at Arms
by Dennis Enderson, President
The Executive Board has unanimously approved my recommendation to appoint Bobby Rollins as a Sergeant at Arms for our local. Bobby will fill the vacancy created by a recent resignation. Many thanks to Bobby for his willingness to serve the members as an officer.
Delegates Selected to Attend
Upcoming APWU Events
by Dennis Enderson, President
In accordance with the local’s Constitution and Bylaws, the Executive Board has selected delegates to attend a number of upcoming union conferences and conventions as follows:
1. The Colorado Postal Workers Union State Assembly in Pueblo, Colorado from April 29, 2005 – May 1, 2005: Brian Thomason, Fred Morin, Miguel Salazar and Gail Kirby. Charlie Garcia, Sandy Garcia and Robert Helmig have volunteered to attend the APWU Assembly at their own expense.
2. The Denver Regional Conference in Phoenix, Arizona from June 10 – 12, 2005: Dennis Enderson, Gary Scott, Paul Pearman, Fred Morin, Miguel Salazar and Brian Thomason.
3. National APWU Craft Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 10 – 12, 2005: Brian Thomason, Susan Kaminitz, Miguel Salazar and Fred Morin. Sandy Garcia and Robert Helmig have also volunteered to attend the national APWU Craft Conferences at their own expense.
4. The Executive Board also voted to send Gary Scott, Paul Pearman, Miguel Salazar and Fred Morin to an upcoming Labor Law and Arbitration Conference in Denver, Colorado on June 16, 2005.
All of these conferences will afford these union officials excellent opportunities for training and information gathering to benefit the members of our local. This will help us continue to provide the best possible representation to our membership.
National Leadership Training
for APWU Presidents
by Dennis Enderson, President
At the 2004 APWU National Convention in Los Angeles, California, President William Burrus announced the creation of National Leadership Training for APWU Presidents. This training is designed to assist APWU presidents in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to run an effective local and to meet the upcoming struggles and challenges of the future. The Executive Board has voted to send me to this training conference to be held in Detroit, Michigan from October 23 – 30, 2005. The week long curriculum will include topics relative to leadership, mobilizing members, effective communications, coalition building, time management, problem solving and much more. Classes will be taught by instructors from Wayne State University. I am deeply honored to attend this training. I hope it will help us to make our local better and stronger.
Other News Items…
by Dennis Enderson, President
- It appears local management may place a renewed emphasis on attendance related discipline. We caution everyone to fully employ your rights under the FMLA and to avoid abusing sick and annual leave to protect yourself from any adverse actions.
- The Executive Board has approved Clerk Craft Director Brian Thomason’s recommendation to appoint steward apprentices Lisa Kurcz-Gonzalez and Tyler Falduto as full stewards of the Denver Metro APWU.
- It appears the national APWU will sponsor a Human Relations Conference in Denver from September 21 – 23, 2005.
- The next regular Membership Meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 27, 2005. Please plan to attend!
/rb
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