Flash Bulletins are paid for by members of the APWU. Information contained in these bulletins is intended for APWU members. Member questions and/or comments regarding any flash bulletin content are always encouraged. Reading of publications prepared for and financed by dues paying members by those who do not is yet one more example of non-members accepting benefits that have been paid for by others!

THE GOOD

On May 17, 2007, Northland District Manager, Tony Williams hosted what was billed as a “Northland District Leadership Midyear Meeting for Unions and Organizations.”  In addition to the Representative Organizations that were invited, many Managers in leadership positions were also on hand.

This meeting lasted for several hours and consisted of several agenda items in areas such as retail, finances, safety, diversity and equipment and program development to name a few.  Additionally, a question and answer period was set aside at the conclusion of the meeting which allowed for comments and input from all attendees.

District Manager Williams solicited for feedback from the Unions and the APWU wants to give credit where it is due!  In our opinion, constructive dialog of this type can be a huge step toward creating and then strengthening true and meaningful cooperation between local Managers and Union Representatives.

There is no doubt we will continue to have areas where we will be in dispute for a multitude of reasons.  However, areas of dispute can be minimized and areas of mutual cooperation maximized with Managerial Leadership that recognizes the value of informing the bargaining unit and accepting their input in all areas related to our work environment.  In addition to other ongoing concerns District Manager Williams has placed a new emphasis on Safety and what better issue to use as a vehicle toward renewed efforts at Labor Management cooperation.......

The APWU is always dedicated to enhancing the safety of all employees and with that we have agreed to work in partnership with Management through our Joint Labor Management Safety & Health Committee (JLMSHC), Ergonomic Risk Reduction Process (ERRP) and Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) where they are endorsed by the APWU.  The agenda of all these programs must always be enhancing employee safety.  Once any committee strays off the safety farm it will give cause for more scrutiny regarding the APWU involvement.

Presently the VPP which is a cooperative program of the USPS, APWU, NALC and OSHA is in place at our Thomas Burnett (West Bloomington) Station.  We invite feedback from all our members involved in that program and will evaluate that process as it evolves.

ERRPS – is currently active in the Minneapolis P&DC, the Twin City Metro Hub (TCMH) and the Bulk Mail Center.  This process invites and is most effective with participation from the APWU, NPMHU and demonstrated commitment from the USPS.  Our APWU committee members, along with our partners in the process, who have served and are presently serving on this committee, have been instrumental in many changes in our work environment that minimize our risk of injury!   This is a very dedicated and underrated group!

JLMSHC – The backbone of all safety initiatives the JLMSHC is the straw that stirs the drink when it comes to all safety initiatives.  In our opinion, this committee is the main and primary vehicle to all safety related issues.  The JLSHC is the longest standing committee and is recognized contractually!  Management has vowed a renewed commitment to ensure this committee serves its intended purpose of production that will identify and reduce and/or eliminate employee safety hazards!   

THE BAD

Outsourcing, contracting, work sharing, however you describe it, these are the biggest threats facing all Postal Workers.  These all have a net result of losing high quality APWU represented jobs to the private sector and it is presently the most pressing issue for your Union!  We are utilizing significant resources in order to thwart management’s insatiable appetite for reducing Postal jobs!

The Union will use whatever tools necessary to try and ensure the Postal Service continues to be staffed with employees who benefit from decent wages and benefits.  The USPS and Postal Board of Governors will use every method possible to erode those jobs and replace them by lower paid non-unionized employees.   The Minneapolis Area Local has recently announced several monetary awards due to staffing violations and it is unfortunate the USPS persists with staffing violations. Here we go again....

1n 1996 the USPS opened the “Postmark America Store” located in the Mall of America and in spite of Union objections staffed the retail unit with non-postal employees.  The Union was left no other alternative than to file a grievance on this action.  The grievance advanced to Step 4 of the grievance procedure and finally on April 9, 2007, a pre-arbitration settlement was reached.  This staffing violation was ongoing from 1996 until May 2004 when the store was closed.  As a term of the settlement $990,000.00 will be distributed to eligible Clerk Craft employees.  Management has presented the Union with a list of Minneapolis Clerk Craft employees who were on the rolls as of April 9, 2007.  From this list the Union will determine eligibility etc.  In order to reduce questions of who will be eligible to receive these funds the following are basic eligibility factors.  In order to be eligible for payment an employee represented by the Union:  Must have been a Clerk with an assignment in a 554 post office.  Must have been in that assignment during all of or a portion of PP’s 9 of 1996 through PP 10 of 2004.  Must have been on the clerk craft rolls as of April 9, 2007.  Members are encouraged to ask your Steward and/or Officer for more details.

THE UGLY

Management’s continued violations should be disturbing to everyone because they show repeated and deliberate attempts by USPS Headquarters to reduce Bargaining Unit work!  However, even more disturbing is the fact that many who have received monetary gain from settlements such as this are non-members.  By failing to fund the Union’s ability to constantly monitor and challenge these assaults they actually contribute to the problem!

Once again the Union wants these non-members to reconsider and evaluate their reasons for not participating with all dues paying members in the constant and expensive battle to hold the line on postal jobs!   If that non-member you know really has a personal and/or moral conviction for not belonging to the Union they should be unable to accept these payments without compromising their convictions.  The many who simply use excuses to give cover to greed.....are only aiding the all out assault on their AND YOUR jobs!

In many instances, such as this case, the Union is responsible for determining how these funds will be distributed.  This is notice to all non-members that we have been mandated by our dues paying members to seek relief from disbursing funds to non-members!  We will therefore seek to limit distribution of funds to dues paying members in all staffing violations which result in monetary remedies.  Non-members have no qualms showing up at the dinner table when it’s time to eat but refuse to help pay for the groceries!  Sign up today and help sustain the organization that sustains your job, benefits, and working conditions!

FORMER LOCAL PRESIDENT FORREST M. “FROSTY” NEWMAN PASSES

We are saddened to announce that Forrest M. "Frosty" Newman passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 3, 2007.  Frosty was a long time activist in the APWU serving in many various capacities.  Frosty was very involved prior to the merger which created the APWU on July 1, 1971.  After the merger he served as APWU National Director of Industrial Relations and as Local President of the Minneapolis Area Local.

Frosty's presence, friendship, and mentoring will be sorely missed by the many people he touched during his distinguished time here on earth!

A Memorial Gathering will be held for Frosty on Friday, June 15 from 1-4 PM at the Stillwater Country Club, 1421 North 4th Street, Stillwater, MN.  All who knew him are invited.

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