SPECIAL NOTICE FOR PART TIME FLEXIBLE EMPLOYEES

On Thursday, October 6, 2005, we have seen a document that has not been utilized in the Minneapolis Installation (the Minneapolis P&DC, Twin Cities Metro Hub, and 554 Stations are facilities that comprise the “Installation”) for several years due to area withholding notices. This document we are referring to is called the “BLUE SHEET” and comes out simultaneously with the “WHITE SHEET” when there are jobs in the installation that can and should be used for the purpose of converting PTF’s to Full-Time and/or some PTR bidding rights. These along with the term “job postings” are names many people use to describe what are technically called vacancy announcements. Vacancy announcements come out every 28 days and the most recent was posted on October 6th.

Due to the previous area withholding notice(s), jobs that would have been appropriately used in the conversion process have been held in a “withholding pool” in the event senior employees from another post office would have been excessed out of their installation. These jobs would have then been used to provide continued USPS employment for those affected senior Postal Employees. This was not necessary and after approximately 4 years the projected impact to area employees has dissipated resulting in lifting the withholding order.

After several months of ongoing discussions with management regarding numerous staffing projections that deal with all aspects of mail processing we have aggressively pursued and pointed out management’s obligation(s) to contractual compliance for all employees. Specifically in this instance, PTF conversion opportunity must be available when it exists and subsequently the BLUE SHEET will once again be the locally accepted vehicle management will use to satisfy conversion rights of PTF’s.

Article 37 (Clerk Craft) describes the proper method and sequence of conversion and can be quite complex. It has long been the subject of evolving interpretation and questions related to job placement under Article 37 should always bee referred to your Steward and/or an Officer. We especially understand that our PTF’s will have many questions in this area and invite, and recommend our PTF members to discuss these with their APWU Representation.

However, this flash is intended to give basic advice for PTF’s to follow pertaining to the October 6, 2005, BLUE SHEET posting. If you are qualified (a job a job posted on the BLUE SHEET with no schemes or other qualification requirements) on a job YOU MUST STATE what is called a “preference” on the jobs ranking them by choice. If for instance there are 10 jobs on the BLUE SHEET, all with no qualifications, and you are one of the 10 senior PTF’s in the installation, you must state a preference on the jobs. If you fail to do so, you WILL still get one of the 10 jobs, it just may not be your preferred job out of the list. The jobs will be awarded by preference according to seniority. A senior PTF can not avoid conversion by choosing not to preference and in this example if the 11th senior PTF preferences one of the jobs, they will show up as ineligible when the senior bidders list comes after the posting closes.

There you go! This information has been supplied to you courtesy of the posting and bidding Swami….All efforts to locate the Swami for clarification must go through the appropriate “medium” and that would be your Stewards and/or Officers. Questions from our members are always welcomed by your Officers and Stewards!

Federal Employee Health Benefits OPEN SEASON
November 14, 2005 - December 12, 2005

Now is the time to look ahead to the Open Season for your Federal Health Insurance. Federal & Postal Employees have the outstanding benefit of many Health Insurance choices with your employer paying about 70% of your premium. Under current law you can continue with your Federal Health Insurance on into retirement for the rest of you life when you meet the basic requirements.

Choosing a Health Plan that is right for your family depends on many individual factors. We recommend you review your current health situation, past usage costs, any changes expected for your family and of course how the benefits of each plan would meet your needs. 2006 Health Benefit Brochures will be available as we get closer to Open Season and several plans will be represented at the Post Office Health Fairs.

DURING OPEN SEASON YOU CAN:

** Change from one federal health plan to another federal health plan--

** Join a federal health plan if you do not have one--

** Change from one option to another--

** Change from self to family or family to self coverage--

Changes are made on PostalEase during Open Season.

If you do nothing, you will continue with the same health plan you had in 2005 but will change to the 2006 benefits as outlined in that plan’s 2006 brochure.

APWU HEALTH PLAN PREMIUMS FOR
POSTAL EMPLOYEES FOR 2006:

High Option SINGLE BIWEEKLY : $ 24.59 Consumer Driven SINGLE BIWEEKLY: $ 18.40

High Option FAMILY BIWEEKLY: $ 53.96 Consumer Driven FAMILY BIWEEKLY: $ 41.40

The Post Office Health Fairs will be:

Minneapolis Main Post Office - Wednesday, November 30 from 7-10 AM and 2-5 PM
TCMH -Thursday, December 1 from 7-10 AM and 2-5 PM
Mpls/St. Paul Bulk Mail Center - Friday, December 2 from 7-10 AM and 2-5 PM

THE 5 YEAR RULE

Remember, in order to carry your Federal Health Insurance out with you into retirement, you must participate in the FEHBA system for the 5 years prior to your retirement. This means you can switch from one plan to another each Open Season, just be sure to carry some FEHBA coverage. So, even if your spouse does have good coverage, it is worthwhile to ensure you and your spouse the lifelong option of Federal Health Insurance by participating in one of your benefits.