Proposed Constitution and
By-Law Changes First Reading
By Sonda Goss, Exec. Vice-President
At the November 17, 2007 membership meeting, a first reading of three Constitution and By-Law proposed changes were read to the members. These three proposals will be read a second time at the January 24, 2008 meeting, after which a discussion and vote will occur to decide whether to make these proposals permanent. A summary of the proposed changes are as follows:
Proposal #1. To correct an inequity that will occur with the full-time officers pay as a result of the Feb, 8, 2008 contractual upgrade.
Proposal #2. Update language to current dues amount and to correct Building Corporation deposits to more accurately reflect the amount needed for monthly operations.
Proposal #3. Modify the standing committees of the DMAL.
Please attend the January 24, 2008 membership meeting so your voice can be heard.
2007 Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period
By Paul Pearman, Director Industrial Relations
This year the “Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period” begins on pay period 25, week 2 (December 1, 2007) and ends pay period 1-08, week 1 (December 28, 2007). Article 8.4.C of the Collective Bargaining Agreement reads: “Penalty overtime pay will not be paid for any hours worked in the month of December”.
Q. Why is the Penalty Overtime exclusion not covering December 29th – 31st?
A. As a result of a mutual agreement dated November 14, 1985, the Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period
consists of four consecutive service weeks.
DMAL Membership Approves E-Board Recommendation to Send Four Additional Delegates to 2008 National Convention
By Gary Scott, President
At the November 17, 2007 membership meeting, the membership approved unanimously the Executive Board’s recommendation to send four additional delegates to the 2008 National Convention. The DMAL Constitution and By-Laws required the Executive Board to determine by November of the calendar year preceding the National Convention whether it would be financially feasible to send up to five (5) additional general delegates (from no specific craft), who will be elected by the members of all crafts to attend the National Convention for that year. Such determination by the DMAL Executive Board served as a recommendation to the general membership meeting, at which the membership retained the final authority to determine the number of additional delegates. Please attend all meetings of the local as important decisions are made regularly that effect the entire membership.
Hazmat Incident in GMF Botched Again!
By Gary Scott, President
On November 11, 2007, a potential hazardous incident occurred in the GMF that was not handled properly and if the hazard had been confirmed, many members would have been placed needlessly in harms way. I received information that mistakes had occurred in the handling of the situation. The information the union provided was the most accurate information available and the plant manager, after verifying the accuracy, has committed to reviewing the Hazmat process in place in the entire installation and additional training is to occur as well. I expect to receive a written report soon and we will continue to discuss and practice a method that provides confidence and protection to everyone. I will keep you informed as we proceed through this process.
Human Relations
by Phil Desautels, Human Relations Director
This serves as a correction to a Union News Express article, issue 2007-15. The phone number for Shared Services was incorrect. The correct number is 1-877-477-3273, option 5.
Since the Postal Service has implemented Shared Services, things have really been backed up. Not only with Shared Services, but also with the Office of Personnel Management, especially with disability retirements. Think about it, all the Human Resource Departments spread all across the country, to one office in Greensboro, N.C.
The APWU at the National Level has established a very good working relationship with Shared Services. If you have a problem, please contact your steward or myself. If you are retiring soon and want a private counseling session over the phone, they will do that. On that note, I am just trying to find out if anyone would be interested in having a retirement seminar given by the APWU Retirees Department here in Denver. This is just fact finding at this point. Please call me at extension 339. If there is enough interest, and the Executive Board agrees, please consider giving up some time for this.
Additionally, we are also looking for volunteers to assist us in becoming a possible host site for Share Colorado. Share Colorado is a non-profit organization that sells food to anyone for discounted prices. Volunteers would be required to give one Saturday morning per month. Please call me at extension 339 if you would like more information and/or wish to volunteer. The union desires to reach out to the community, and we can’t do it without you.
USPS Instructs Managers to Comply
With Collective Bargaining Agreement
By Paul Pearman, Director Industrial Relations
In response to criticism by APWU President Burrus, the Postal Service has officially notified its managers that efficiency improvement strategies must be in full compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements.
“Strategic programs designed to increase efficiency will always prove to be more successful when accomplished by adhering to the contractual requirements in our respective Collective Bargaining Agreements.”, wrote the Postal Service’s highest ranking Labor Relations Executive in a letter sent to Postal managers and executives nationwide.
Locally I commend Senior Plant Manager Steven Amos who sent a memo dated October 4, 2007 to all managers and supervisors of Distribution Operations pertaining to Bargaining Unit Work Performed by Supervisors. He pointed out that the only exceptions are:
1. In an emergency which is defined to mean an unforeseen
circumstance or a combination of circumstances which calls
for immediate action in a situation which is not expected to
be of a recurring nature. Plan failure, heavy mail volume,
and machine downtimes are not emergency situations.
There situations happened on a recurring basis.
2. For the purpose of training or instruction of employees.
3. To assure the proper operation of equipment.
4. To protect the safety of employees or
5. To protect the property of the USPS.
He ended his letter: “If supervisors continue to perform bargaining unit work, disciplinary action may be taken. Acting supervisors may be returned to the craft. This is an issue that I want corrected now. We cannot afford to continue wasting money on this type of needless expense and supervisors need to do the functions that they are responsible for. Bargaining unit work is not one of them.”
The DMAL is not aware of any written notification to managers in other installations that supervisors are prohibited from performing bargaining unit work, and the violations are multiplying in all offices. It is very obvious by the grievance activity in the GMF and MPA that managers and supervisors in Denver Distribution Operations are ignoring or failing to follow instructions mandated by Steven Amos’ letter. If you witness management at any postal facility performing APWU craft work, please write your steward a statement specifying when, where, who, what and for how long. These violations will result in financial payment to craft members.
Applications for 2008
APWU Scholarships Available
By Gary Scott, President
Applications for the 2008 APWU Scholarships are available and must be received by March 15, 2008. Applications may be obtained from the APWU website www.APWU.org or by telephoning APWU Secretary-Treasurer’s office at 202-842-4215. You must use the official application form or a photo copy of the form dated 2008 at the top of the form. There are two different scholarships available through the National APWU. The E. C. Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship awards $1000 for four consecutive years of college to at least one recipient from each of the five postal regions. The second scholarship established by the APWU National Executive Board is the Vocational Scholarship to help students interested in programs of study leading to trade, technical, industrial or vocational occupations. At least one recipient from each of the five postal regions will receive $1000 for nine months up to three consecutive years of school.
The DMAL sponsors the Moe Biller Scholarship Awards Program. Applications for this scholarship is available by contacting the DMAL office at 303-365-1524 or by dropping by the office during business hours at 15677 E. 17th Ave. in Aurora. Get your application forms now so you don’t miss out. Last year several applicants submitted applications on the last day which is May 31st of each year.
In addition to our APWU Scholarships, you may obtain scholarship applications by contacting Union Plus. You may obtain details from
www.unionplus.org, which is not part of the National APWU’s Scholarship Program.
Casual in Lieu Settlement
By Paul Pearman, Director Industrial Relations
Recently it was brought to our attention that no one has received their payment for the Casuals in Lieu grievance filed at the MPA and CFS units. I contacted the appropriate Labor Representative and have been given assurance that the financial settlements will appear on the November 30th or December 14th checks.
I would like to remind our members that when a settlement involving money is achieved, allow two pay periods for it to appear. If not received within that time, see your steward.
The union has been filing a large number of grievances on Supervisors Doing Bargaining Unit Work and Overtime Issues, and only you can tell us if management has finalized their agreement by submitting your pay adjustment.
APWU-Backed Bill Introduced
In Congress Legislation Would
Require BargainingOver Subcontracting
APWU Web News Article #107-07, Nov. 16 2007
The APWU won a significant victory on Nov. 15, when Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced legislation that would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before making a commitment to significant subcontracting. H.R. 4236 would require the USPS to submit to arbitration if management and the affected unions were unable to reach agreement. The APWU has been strenuously advocating such legislation for several months.
The bill would apply to any private contract involving mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation of mail, provided that over a 12-month period the contract involved the equivalent of $5 million or 50 work-years.
Social Security Numbers
of MVS Members Exposed
by Gary Scott, President
On Friday, November 9, 2007, I became aware that a seniority list of MVS Craft employees that included social security numbers was found on the employee bulletin board at the main VMF on South Logan Street. Management was made aware of this serious breach and the erroneous posting was removed immediately. After further investigation, it was discovered that the list had been posted for several months.
This administrative error was identified and the union is satisfied that no other postings exist. I am awaiting confirmation that social security numbers will be removed from the computer program so this can not happen again. The APWU has secured language in our contract that eliminates the use of social security numbers in all bid-related forms and any other postal form where the social security number is not necessary to the forms processing. In all such cases, the employee identification number will be substituted.
The DMAL is not satisfied with the response from management and will continue to hold management accountable for harm that results to members. As we work to achieve this task, it would be wise for all to take whatever action necessary to protect confidential information.
Final Health Plan Reminder!
By Gary Scott, President
This is the last time you will reminded prior to the conclusion of open season for the FEHB program. The results are starting to roll in and a number of members agree that this product does make sense. I caution you! The consumer driven plan offered by the APWU is not a plan for everyone. So do your research and make an informed decision. Consider the Health Plan that comes with a pay raise.
Happy Thanksgiving
By Gary Scott, President
The DMAL officers and staff want to wish all the members a Happy Thanksgiving and to assure you we are doing all we can to alleviate the holiday mandates imposed by management in the Denver installation. The good news is mail volume is up and our jobs are more secure. The bad news is we need more career members or at the very least, more casuals to allow as many full time regulars to be off for the holidays. Be patient as we move into the new year.
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