Vol. XXV, No. 17 / Jerry Sirois, President / June 24, 2004.

25/25 COPA Club Has New Winner!

Thermometer continues to climb!!

AND THE WINNER IS: We are happy to announce we have surpassed the $17,500 benchmark on our $25,000 COPA Thermometer! Therefore, as our 25/25 pursuant to our 25/25 club rules we drew names from our list of contributors and are pleased to announce that Randy Freeman of the Motor Vehicle Craft is our newest $250 winner! Congratulations Randy! Because of members like you we have been successful (Thus far) in thwarting anti worker Postal Reform legislation! Remember – Our calendar year goal is $25,000!

IS It Over? Postal Reform Up Date

For almost 2 years now, if you have been following the Flash Bulletins, National APWU News Service Bulletins, Northern Lights, and/or visiting our National and Local Web Sites you should be aware of the following: On December 11, 2002, President Bush Commissioned a nine person panel to study the USPS (PCUSPS) and render a report to him by July 31, 2003, with their recommendations on how the USPS should be reformed!

We (the APWU) immediately began an intensive campaign to make all of our members and community coalitions aware of this due to our suspicions of what this panel would recommend, as it (PCUSPS) was heavily stacked with corporate sources. On July 31, 2003, the PCUSPS rendered their report and we were not surprised with the tone of the recommendations, but we were shocked as to the severity of the anti worker proposals recommended!

Since the appointment of the PCUSP we (APWU) have collectively worked our tails off, we have devoted an enormous amount of time, resources, and effort into informing our legislators about the USPS and as to how the APWU feels Postal Reform can benefit not only USPS workers, but the American Public we are honored to serve! Without this effort we are quite sure we would be in much worse shape at this point in the venture!

Now, because of our toil, we have been rewarded with the first blooms of Postal Reform legislation that are absent almost all anti worker proposals. Are we pleased? YES! Is our work done? NO! If you are even remotely aware of how legislation is enacted you then know that all our hard work to date can turn south in a heart beat! We are hearing that many people think we are out of the woods and that the outcome of Postal Reform was never a threat to them! This is a news flash in reality to all who need it – the good luck fairy did not just fly by and drop this on us, hard work has gained this result and hard work cannot afford to take a break, a short breath yes, a break no!

APWU Faust Terwedo Golf Tourney

Mark your calendars! The 2nd Annual APWU Faust/Terwedo Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, August 13, 2004, at Sundance Golf Course. Get your foursomes together now and look in an upcoming flash bulletin for your application form explaining the cost and application procedure. . . .

Station/Associate Office Visits

On July 13 – 15, 2004, your APWU Union Representatives will be visiting the Minneapolis Stations and selected Associate Offices (AOs). We will be visiting between the hours of 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM, and time spent in each office will vary.

We will be available in the break room at each Station or AO for any questions, comments, requests, or concerns you may want to address with us. Please watch for us and let us know if you have questions or concerns you would like to address with us! See you soon. . . .

Automated Package & Parcel System (APPS)

As reported in a previous flash, USPS headquarters have notified the Union that they have determined the principal craft and level for work on the APPS should be level 4 Mailhandlers. Also, as reported, the APWU does not agree with this determination and will proceed utilizing all available resources to ensure a positive result for APWU represented employees. We will be meeting with local management the week of June 29, 2004, regarding this recent development and will continue to update all affected employees as soon as it is possible to do so. . . . .

Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS)

On Wednesday, June 23, 2004, we participated in what can be classified as our first official meeting with local management regarding PARS and its anticipated impact on employees. During this meeting we were told that PARS will be implemented in the Minneapolis P&DC as of August 16, 2004. We have also been advised that even if all dates stay consistent that no action will be taken to excess employees from the CFS unit until sometime after November 15, 2004.

There are far too many variables that have yet to be determined in order to give any conclusive advice regarding bidding, how many will remain, etc. This being the case, our best advice is to stay put unless you see a job posting that you would prefer even if there were no plans for PARS. In the meantime we will be working to minimize any possible impact as a result of PARS implementation in the Minneapolis Installation.

One Person’s Junk is Another Person’s Treasure!

This notice is in keeping with our previously detailed policy on union equipment. We presently have one Dell Dimension computer (SN-7EXA1) , one ADC 15” monitor (SN – FCSK82116352), Samsung Printer (SN-B8ATA06673K) and an Okidata Printer (SN-807A2059269) that are inoperable and/or outdated and that we deem to cost more to fix than the value of the equipment. If you would like any or all of this equipment, please call the office ASAP to leave your name and order of preference on the equipment. The equipment will be awarded or discarded one week from the date of this flash bulletin. Failure to claim equipment within one week of notification will result in the equipment being awarded to another interested party or discarded.

Local Loses Past President Eunice Ouellette

Minneapolis Area Local Past President from 1982-1984 Eunice Ouellette passed away in Florida on June 12. Her family will hold a Memorial Service in Minneapolis in July or August. We will share more details when arrangements have been made.