Local Negotiations Status Report
By Dennis Enderson, President
As you may recall, the 2005 extension of the National Collective Bargaining Agreement allowed for a 30-day period of local negotiations to occur sometime between October 3 and December 1, 2005. Local negotiations were opened for a number of offices under our jurisdiction. Several Memoranda of Understanding have been finalized. We are nearing completion of the Denver LMOU. Negotiations remain open in a few other offices.
Our goal has been to seek improvements in the existing provisions of each LMOU, as well as to anticipate and address future areas of potential conflict when full-blown negotiations are conducted upon the expiration of the one-year contract extension. We believe we have made significant progress towards both goals during this process. I thank Tina Desautels and Joe Quintana for their excellent work as chief negotiators in our Associate Offices, as well as Brian Thomason, Gary Scott, Paul Pearman and Fred Morin for their assistance with the Denver LMOU. Upon completion of Local Negotiations, copies of the new Local Memoranda of Understanding as well as explanatory information will be distributed to all necessary individuals and interested members.
Denver PTF Conversions Move Forward
by Dennis Enderson, President
As previously reported, Denver office Part-Time Flexible Clerks have been offered opportunities to “preference” residual vacancies in the CFS operation. Several additional PTFS Clerks have recently qualified on the typing requirement for these positions and have been converted to regular full time status. This highly successful process has so far resulted in the conversion to regular of almost every Denver PTFS Clerk. We are hoping that all of the remaining PTFS Clerks will qualify soon and be converted.
Congratulations to Our MSDP Graduates
by Dennis Enderson, President
Last week we celebrated the graduation of our latest group of successful employees from the Maintenance Skills Development Program (MSDP). As you may recall, the MSDP is a joint union and management on the clock developmental training program resulting from an APWU negotiated national Memorandum of Understanding. We are proud that this is our fourth group of employees to successfully complete this very intensive and challenging program. Denver has always had, by far, the best-organized and highest quality MSDP program in the country. We appreciate our excellent cooperative working relationship with postal management relative to MSDP, particularly Denver Maintenance Manager Nimrod Salazar, without whose support the program could not exist.
The success of our local program is primarily owed to the superb efforts of our APWU facilitators. Our thanks go to Tino Valle, Durwood Darbin, and, as always, Dave Villalva, for their dedication and hard work as class facilitators.
Our congratulations and best wishes go to the MSDP graduating class of Fall 2005, which included the following individuals: Mohamed N. Abdelrahman, John Adams, Donald C. Archuleta, Kenneth R. Callier, Webbie A. Hill, Michael R. Kooken, Tang Quiying, Juan G. Rios, Connie Rivera, Kevin Russell, Rodger Sherman, James Stinson, and Helen Talarico.
My New M.S.D.P. Perspective
by Tino Valle, Maintenance Steward
When I first heard about the Maintenance Skills Development Program I must admit I shared the opinion of some that this class was not in the best interest of Maintenance as a craft. I felt the M.S.D.P. students were given an unfair advantage over the prospective and current maintenance employees because they were being taught the various maintenance exams. I’m relieved to report this is not true.
During a M.S.D.P. class, students are taught basic math, electrical and mechanical theory at an accelerated pace. While this material is relevant to all maintenance positions, the M.S.D.P. curriculum does not mirror the questions on any exams nor does successful completion of the class guarantee placement in any particular maintenance job. The graduates must go through the same process everyone else does in order to advance.
Another concern I’ve heard is that our craft is being watered down by promoting individuals who lack necessary hands on experience when working with electricity and mechanical devices in an industrial environment. I agree that academic knowledge by itself will never measure up to real world experience gained by paying one’s dues, but a person has to pay those dues somewhere. Why not give our own employees a chance to do so right here? You can’t begrudge people for taking advantage of an opportunity to better themselves. It’s not the student’s fault a program like M.S.D.P. wasn’t in place when others before them were trying to advance.
I have also heard of some private sector nightmares in which more experienced personnel were laid off or let go altogether in favor of keeping more senior employees with less experience. Making the matter worse was that the more experienced employees had been gracious enough to train the senior, less experienced employees that had advanced in a process similar to the M.S.D.P. program. If we were a private sector entity, this would worry me more than it does as a postal employee. Given the collective experience of our Union leadership, I believe they would smell something this bad coming before it actually occurred. It is management’s responsibility to train the workforce not yours. That said, I would ask all maintenance employees to remember when they were the new guys on the tour and knew nothing about postal equipment. Sure, you had the basic knowledge to stay safe and not cause damage to equipment, but you didn’t know anything about the gear you were working on. Somebody showed you the ropes. Eventually, you learned to handle things on your own and so will the M.S.D.P. graduates.
One last thing, if you choose to do management the favor of training their workforce you are entitled to higher level pay. Let a steward know when management asks you to train another employee. This is especially important if a detail is not posted. Document the days and times you spent as a trainer. If your next paycheck doesn’t reflect the higher-level pay request to see a steward. Programs such as the M.S.D.P. aren’t perfect but they do offer our employees a chance for advancement and a better quality of life.
Safe Winter Driving
by Rick Romero, APWU Western Area Safety & Health Coordinator
Tips: Safe Winter Driving
Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially in northern regions that get a lot of snow and ice. Additional preparations can help make a trip safer, or help motorists deal with an emergency, OSHA states.
The Three P’s of Safe Winter Driving: prepare for the trip, protect yourself and prevent crashes on the road.
Prepare – Maintain your car: check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir and check your antifreeze.
Brakes - Brakes should provide even and balanced braking. Also check that brake fluid is at the proper level.
Cooling System – Ensure a proper mixture of 50/50 antifreeze and water in the cooling system at the proper level.
Electrical System – Check that battery is fully charged and that connections are clean. Check that the alternator belt is in good condition with proper tension.
Engine – Inspect all engine systems.
Exhaust System – Check exhaust for leaks and that all clamps and hangers are snug.
Tires – Check for proper tread depth and no signs of damage or uneven wear. Check for proper tire inflation.
Oil – Check that oil is at proper level.
Visibility Systems – Inspect all exterior lights, defrosters (windshield and rear window), and wipers. Install winter windshield wipers.
Also carry an emergency kit in the vehicle with the following items:
Blankets/sleeping bags
Cellular telephone or two-way radio
Windshield scraper
Snow brush
Flashlight with fresh/extra batteries
Extra winter clothes
Shovel
Tow Chain
Matches
Traction aids (bag of sand or cat litter)
Emergency flares
Jumper cables
Snacks
Water
Road Map
On Your Route: Check the weather and leave early if necessary, be familiar with the maps/directions and let others know your route and arrival time.
Practice Cold Weather Driving
During daylight, rehearse maneuver slowly on the ice or snow in an empty lot.
Steer into a skid.
Know what your brakes will do.
Stopping distances are longer on water-covered ice and ice.
Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
Protect Yourself
Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.
Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an airbag.
Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.
Prevent Crashes
Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving.
Slow down and increase distances between cars.
Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road.
Avoid fatigue – Get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.
If you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.
What should I do if a winter storm strands me in my vehicle?
Stay in the vehicle. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and list in blowing and drifting snow. Display a trouble sign by hanging a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raising the hood. Turn on the vehicle’s engine for about 10 minutes each hour and run the heat to keep warm. Also, turn on the vehicle’s dome light when the vehicle is running as an additional signal. Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping. For warmth, huddle together. Use newspapers, maps and even the removable car mats for added insulation. Avoid overexertion since cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.
Denver Metro APWU
Endorses Ed Perlmutter for Congress
by Dennis Enderson, President
At our regular union meeting on Wednesday, October 26, 2005, the membership voted unanimously to endorse the candidacy of former State Senator Ed Perlmutter for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. Mr. Perlmutter showed great respect for our membership by attending this meeting, addressing the body and asking for our support. He also pledged to support sensible postal reform that is endorsed by the APWU. We will stand behind his candidacy in the coming year and do everything in our power to ensure his election. We are confident that Ed Perlmutter will be a good friend of the APWU as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
Lyons Part Time Flexible Clerk Makes Regular
by Dennis Enderson, President
Field Coordinator Tina Desautels reports that she has successfully negotiated the conversion to full time regular status of the senior Part Time Flexible Clerk in the Lyons, Colorado Post Office. This is part of our ongoing, dedicated efforts to pursue PTF Conversions wherever possible. Many thanks go to Tina for her excellent efforts, and congratulations to our newest full time regular clerk in Lyons!
Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period Set
APWU Web News Article #56-05, Oct. 26, 2005
There are four consecutive service weeks each year during which penalty overtime regulations do not apply. This four week period is referenced in Article 8 (Sections 4 and 5) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
For this year, the time period during which the penalty overtime regulations are not applicable begins Dec. 3, 2005, (Pay Period 25-2005, Week 2), and ends Dec. 30 (Pay Period 01-2006, Week 1).
Upcoming Dates to Remember
by Dennis Enderson, President
Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 9:00 AM – Regular Membership Meeting at the Union Office. This is the last meeting in 2005. Food will be served. Please plan to attend!
Saturday, December 10, 2005 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM – Our annual Children’s Christmas Party at the Union office. Santa Claus will be on hand. There will be gifts, games, songs and a fun time for all. Please plan to attend our traditional annual holiday party and bring your children up to 12 years old.
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