FMLA RELATED ILLNESSES & CALL INS

On September 8th the Union received a letter dated September 2, 2005, from the Northland District’s Manager of Labor Relations regarding FMLA call in procedures for employees who presently use the eRMS/IVR call in number 1-877-477-3273. In the Minneapolis Area Local this would be employees who work in the Minneapolis P&DC, the TCMH and the BMC with the exception of employees assigned to Customer Service units such as CFS, Pool, and the BMEU.

Service talks were to be given regarding the details of this letter advising employees who requested “new” FMLA absences that they would be sent an FMLA information packet from the “eRMS/IVR FMLA Fulfillment Center in Topeka, KS. This new method of distributing FMLA related forms is scheduled to begin as of September 20, 2005.

Because the letter we received notifying us of this change raised many questions about FMLA rights and procedures for employees and management, we requested a meeting with Labor Relations and the FMLA Coordinators. This meeting took place on September 15th during which a number of issues were clarified.

Management stated that their only intention is to notify employees that the method of supplying FMLA documents to employees requesting an FMLA related absence will change. There is no intention to create additional procedures or “hurdles” one has to comply with in order to be covered under FMLA.

Supervisors will continue to have the same obligations toward the administration of the FMLA. In addition, the presently accepted procedures used to make sure FMLA related documentation get to the FMLA Coordinator(s) will continue to be utilized. If someone has an existing FMLA certification and related case number, in most cases they will not be sent this packet of documents.

We will continue to monitor this new procedure to ensure that there is contractual compliance. We are also continuing to investigate certain aspects of this new procedure that may result in a possible breach of employee rights. We will take all necessary action to make sure all rights are protected, managerial obligations are satisfied, and the intended ability to secure certification of FMLA related illnesses is not compromised. Members are encouraged to seek advice from an APWU Officer or Steward whenever their rights may be affected, particularly in FMLA related situations….

MINNEAPOLIS AREA LOCAL, APWU
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
10:00 am

NEW LOCATION:
IBEW LOCAL 160 BUILDING
2522 MARSHALL ST NE

AMERICA’S WALK FOR DIABETES
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
A GREAT TIME FOR A GREAT CAUSE

It’s time to make plans to participate in the American Diabetes Association’s Walk for Diabetes 2005. The Minneapolis Area Local will again sponsor a team. This year the walk will be held on Sunday November 13 at the Minneapolis Metrodome. There will be Free Parking. Registration will start at 11:00 AM with the walk beginning at Noon inside the Metrodome; participants can either walk or rollerblade.

Each Minneapolis APWU participant will receive an APWU cap and is invited to a pizza party after the walk. You will also be eligible to win prizes.

To join in, all you have to do is call Team Captain Marilyn Miller at (612) 349-4971 and request a registration form. If you reach her voice mail, please leave your name, address, phone number and the hours when it is best to call you. When you receive the form, fill it out and send it in. Then start soliciting donations from your family, friends, and co-workers.

For those of you have already registered directly with the American Diabetes Association, please call Marilyn at the above number and let her know you will be part of the team.

This is the ninth year in a row that the Minneapolis Area Local has sponsored a team of walkers. Each year we have increased the number of participants and the amount of money collected. We would like to continue that tradition this year.

Please join us in the enjoyable event -- our participants have a really great time.