2005/2006 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE. . .

We are pleased to announce that there were 46 applicants for the four $2000.00 Scholarships the local will award for the upcoming scholastic year! The four winners were drawn at our April 25, 2005, General Membership Meeting and they are:

Katherine Artishon, Daughter of Gene Artishon Mpls VMF MVS

Alexandra Hasti, Daughter of Wayne Hasti TCMH Clerk

Leigh Magnuson, Daughter of Mark Magnuson Mpls P&DC Clerk

Maelene Rhodes, Daughter of Deborah Rhodes Mpls P&DC Clerk

The first alternate is Heather Euteneuer, Daughter of Ron Euteneuer who is a clerk at the Mpls P&DC. Congratulations to all!! Please look in your September 2004 edition of the Northern Light for more information regarding the scholarships and our recipients of who we are so proud! Scholarship winners should refer to our scholarship rules as published in the February and March Northern Lights for further instructions.

Station & Branch News!
What’s Going On Out There?

On Tuesday, April 19, 2005, we met with Postmaster Tony Williams and his Area Managers regarding rumors that we have heard along with concerns that were brought to our attention during our March 29-31, 2005 Station visits. Our discussion was primarily on future staffing plans including extended hours, PTF staffing plans, uniform issues, training issues, the opening and staffing of new Stations at Elmwood and the Mall of America, and safety concerns.

Basically what we heard were visions of future plans that as of this date have no definite timelines established. We have been assured that the Union will be properly and officially notified prior to official staffing changes being made.

Extended Hours – The Postmaster explained that he has tasked each Station manager with devising details on how they will accomplish extended hours in their particular Stations. We will wait for details to come as the Station managers formulate them.

Uniform issues - still need to be addressed but as of the date we met the directions are that a clerk with window duties on their bid but working less than 20 hours per week at the window would be supplied with a shirt and tie and expected to wear dark blue chino pants.

Clerks who are in this situation need to discuss this further with their particular managers as we have been told they will not be expected to wear the uniform shirt each and every hour during their weekly shifts. However, they will be expected to wear these during time frames they may be scheduled to fill in at the window. The issue of uniform pants was discussed and we are still investigating what a clerk with window duties, but without a uniform allowance, is obligated to wear while at work. Station Assistant Director John Painter will be our contact source for this particular issue. We will get further clarification out as it becomes available, until then we are urging everyone to work with their managers in order to establish an interim understanding on acceptable work clothing and when it should be worn.

Training – If someone has been off the window for an extended period of time and will be expected to once again assume window duties they should be given refresher training. If you are in this type of situation and feel you need refresher training in order to satisfy widow obligations see your manager and they should be able to schedule this for you prior to your being required to fill in at a window.

PTF Staffing – Management has notified us that they intend to increase their ability to staff the windows on a flexible basis by hiring more PTF’s at the Stations. We have discussed many of the contractual concerns and possible problems that may ensue because of this; however, management is entitled to staff part time at the stations with PTF’s. They realize that the contract is very specific on work hour guarantees for our PTF’s and their obligation to maximize the full time work force.

Traditionally, because our contract requires PTF conversion to full time when certain conditions are met, and those conversions are usually associated with full time jobs that become residual at the Minneapolis Plant, we have resisted efforts to staff what are considered prime work hours with newly hired employees. Additionally, when being hired by the USPS, management does not do a good job of letting our new PTF’s know that when they are converted to regular they will in all likelihood be required to work at the Main Plant during an afternoon or evening shift.

Elmwood – Management wants to reopen sometime in May and job postings should appear soon. Station Assistant Director, John Painter will be discussing particular staffing plans with the appropriate management contact person. Watch the upcoming bid sheets closely if you are entertaining a bid to Elmwood.

Mall of America – This endeavor appears to be in limbo at this time. A consistent theme Postmaster Williams maintained throughout our discussions is that his overall goal is to increase revenue at the Stations. A retail unit at the MOA would probably help achieve that goal but internal cohesion needs to take place before plans can be moved from the drawing board to actuality.

Safety – Management has recently reintroduced safety inspections at various Stations. We expressed a need for advance notification to the Union to occur with enough time for us to make sure our Safety Committee designees can make arrangements to participate in these inspections. We also brought up concerns we have both observed and that have been reported to us where some of our Stations are not properly cleaned and maintained. This is a particular problem in Stations where the cleaning is contracted out! Management has acknowledged these concerns and evidenced by the Station safety inspections and management’s tenor during this meeting we believe they are genuinely working to improve Station safety!

Contact us – We will do our best at keeping everyone informed of any definitive plans that could affect hours, off days, or any other aspect of your job. This holds true in any of the facilities we represent. If you have any additional concerns, comments, or questions, we always encourage all members to contact your Steward…As always, watch for future flash bulletins for periodic updates and news that could affect you!

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