This is a new format for members to discuss issues they have with the Postal Service or to send general messages to other members.

This message is for whomever has created this website. I've had a website for the Montgomery, AL local for about 2 years and I've received no help from my local at all. Face it friend, if you don't have younger blood in your local than an idea like a website scares away the long timers. The USPS is still stuck in the 20th Century. It's a cause of a lot of our problems.

Edited by author 10-24-2004 09:38 AM
I read the item about bush and co. accusing the USPS not delivering the mail. He needs to produce some evidence before making an allegation like that.
As for NALC President Young waiting for an apology, he will be waiting a long time. Bush never apologizes nor does he ever acknowledge mistakes.

Edited by author 10-24-2004 11:47 AM
We need to change the bias on this bulletin board.

Former Vice President Al Gore joined the Yankees organization today in the wake of the "Stolen Championship." "The Yankees had 45 runs and the Red Sox only had 41 runs! How can they be the champs!" he said.
The New York Times will be putting a consortium of news outlets to recount the hits, runs and errors with emphasis of reading the "scorekeepers intent."
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton announced they will be organizing a boycott for the "million black runs that were supressed."
Boston star player, Manny Ortez, John Kerry's sports advisor said in a statement: "Even though John Kerry is a big fan of the Boston Red Sox, surely he must agree that the team with the most runs should win the series."
There are also allegations about "Hanging Pitches" and "stolen bases" that could have led to the miscount.
More on this grim story as details develop.

Michael May, MavcTm19@aol.com Jackson Area Local 1207

John Kerry
 may you go the way of:
BetaMax video tapes
 New Coke
Joan River's talk show
 Pauly Shore's career
The Chevy Vega
 the Ford Pinto
and Michael Moore's arteries.....

Are you gargling with bong water, Mr. May?

Vote!
The job you save may be your own. Privatization is a real threat. John Kerry opposes privatization, the Shrub supports it.

Vote!
The overtime you save may be your own. The Shrub is working towars removing overtime pay for federal workers. John Kerry opposes it, the Shrub supports it.

Vote!
The COLA of $624 you received in September is in jeopardy by Postal Reform. John Kerry opposes any changes to COLA, the Shrub supports it.

Vote!
Postal Reform wants to change collective bargaining over wages. This places in jeopardy the 1.3% wage increase you will receive on November 24, 2004. John Kerry opposes this changes, the Shrub supports it.

This November 2, I will be counteracting your vote

Yours in Solidary,
Randy Sutton DVR13@NEXBAND.COM Tampa Area Local

Edited by author 10-24-2004 02:39 PM
Another response to Michael May. Read the Top Ten Bush Flip-Flops on the link I am providing. Yes, Mr. Bush "flip-flops" too. http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/top10_flipflops/

Josh Weinberg weinberg1959@hotmail.com New York Metro Local

Edited by author 10-24-2004 02:59 PM
Another response to Michael May.
If you are curious why many of us don't want to join the Shrubbies and Dittoheads in the next election, here is my take.
Mr. Bush has hit the the debt ceiling and he is now screwing with our G Fund. The G-Fund has been shut down temporarily so the can raise the debt ceiling AGAIN!!
Read this article at the link: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1004/101404cdpm1.htm

Dick Haefner haefmeister@att.net Rochester, MN Local 897

Thank Edwards for your high health costs:
Lawsuit abuse affects all Americans on different levels.

80% of Americans say personal injury attorneys take too much of their clients’ winnings.

76% of Americans believe medical liability lawsuits threaten access to quality healthcare for families.

74% of Americans describe medical liability issue as crisis or major problem.

By 61% to 22% margin, Americans say lawsuits against doctors result in wealthy lawyers rather than improved quality of care for patients.

Lawsuit costs passed on to consumers add up to nearly $809 per year for every person in America today.
Because of litigation fears, 79% of doctors said they had ordered more tests than they would based only on professional judgment of what is medically needed.
It takes at least a year to resolve most lawsuits, and delays of three to five years are not uncommon. Unfortunately, injured people with legitimate claims can wait years before their cases go to trial.

An estimated $50 billion per year is spent on unnecessary test procedures designed only to guard doctors and hospitals against malpractice claims.
Almost half of the money spent by physician insurers goes towards defending cases that ultimately are closed without compensation paid to the claimant.

VOTE NO TO KERRY/EDWARDS!!!

Edited by author 10-25-2004 10:41 AM
Let's all vote for Kerry!
There won't be any terrorist attacks! They'll be sending us Christmas presents!

Everyone will have free health care and never paid a penny!

Gasoline will be 69 cents a gallon!

Everyone will have jobs, if you want to work; but if you don't, the Department of Labor will carry all of you "light-duty" freeloaders that dump all of your work on the rest of us!!

Hey! and no taxes if you don't make over $200,000 a year! I can stay under $200,000 a year, no problem!

Oops! And then I woke up...it was only a dream! When are the rest of you lock-step, goose-stepping, money-grubbing, self-centered, union-using liberals going to wake up!! Or is it all about YOU!! and never mind all the co-workers you screw over to increase your personal portfolio and drive over our corpses in your Lexus's and quarter million dollar homes that we can't afford while your screwing us up the butt!!!

Not the union!! Not Management!! It's YOU!, the EEO-filing, self-centered user that you are while sitting in your church pews laughing at your dying co-workers!

Trevor Patrick http://www.tpatrick@aol.com Boston Area Local and Irishman proud NOT to vote for Kerry.

Someone got up on the wrong side of the crib today...

you may not agree with my politics, but you gotta love this cartoon

I'll use that one at work, Michael. I've got one for you

"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I have no idea and I really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority." - George W. Bush, March 13, 2002.

"As people do better they start voting like Republicans, unless they have too much education and vote Democratic - which proves there can be too much of a good thing." - Karl Rove

Would you rather have a university run its janitor or its President?
Would you watch a football game if it were played by people with no athletic ability?
Would you listen to "La Traviatta" if I sang it in my shower?
When it's time for your brain surgery, would you mind if a proctologist's assistant performed the operation?
Is COMPENTENCY the least bit relevant to you?
If you don't vote for John Kerry - then at least write-in McCain. Why would anyone vote for continued incompentence?

That's my .000278 farthings worth.
John Cahill http://www.jccage@yahoo.com Phoenix Area Local

This is the best TV ad of the year: http://www.clubforgrowth.net/video/zucker.wmv. This ought to stir up the pot.

I like your website. Question; it's called Littleton APWU, but you nothing on here about Littleton?

RE: Romero1965.
The original intent of this website was supposed to be about Littleton, please click on the tab "Littleton APWU News" for details. Recently, a couple of national-read postal websites picked up our little site and the content of the room has changed in the last two weeks.
I read your e-mail from 10-19-04 that said you are from Longmont. These Colorado sites can provide better local information that this podunk $20 website. The Colorado Postal Workers Union website at: http://www.cpwu.org. Or try the Denver Area Metro Local website at: http://www.denverapwu.com.
To answer your 10-19-04 e-mail (the e-mail address you provided could not be reached) The 10-18-04 Hot Topic on our "National APWU News" page refered to this month's The American Conservative Magazine. To see their surprise pick, click on the link: http://www.amconmag.com/2004_11_08/cover1.html
NOTE: An archives page is currently being constructed.

Edited by author 10-27-2004 10:20 AM
If anybody is interested in how their state is voting this upcoming election, click on my link: http://www.electoral-vote.com. Some of the usual Dittohead states are voting for Kerry.

Edited by author 10-28-2004 09:20 AM
Someone in here mentioned flip-flopping and lying. You want to talk about lies, check out the blatant blowmonkey bush lies caught on film. See this webpage: http://www.house.gov/appropriations_democrats/caughtonfilm.htm

I was originally responding to a post on here, but the (*BLEEP!*) just deleted his message. But for those who want to know anyway, why are "204b's" called that name.
It comes from this pertinent section 204.(b) from Public Law 68 June 10, 1955 titled Dual Employment and Extra Duties:
"Sec. 204.(b) As the needs of the service require, an employee may be assigned from time to time to perform, without change in compensation, duties and responsibilities other than those set forth in their position description; however, if any employee is assigned for more than 30 days in any calendar year to duties and responsibilities of a salary level which is higher than the salary level of their current position, except to perform in a relief capacity for a supervisor granted compensatory time pursuant to section 603, they shall be paid for the period of their assignment in excess of 30 days of basic salary computed in accordance with provisions of section 502."

And that's the name of that tune.

Rosa Flores http:www.rflores@hotmail.com Chief Steward El Paso Texas Local.

I read your "Hot Topic" 10-27-04; Bush/Cheney accuse P.O. of destroying their political mail.
Personally, it makes perfect sense to me. Since Bush couldn't get what he wanted from Postal Reform (paycuts, etc.) he blames the Postal Service for losing his mail and the election problems become our fault. This strengthens his push to privatize the P.O. What a satanic world we live in!

Edited by author 10-29-2004 09:53 AM
I have here the official statement from Azeezaly S. Jaffer, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communication for the Postal Service concerning the missing Florida ballots. Click on the provided link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail....04/0002315987&EDATE=

Randy Zelznick, Philadelphia Area Local #89 http://www.RZelznick@21cpw.com

Most Bible and/or Talmud believers revere the words of Joshua, “Choose you this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The one thing that sets all mortals apart is the ability to make choices. Most importantly, we have the power to choose the relationships we develop.

Recently, I visited my former “prison”, Rivermont Elementary School in Chattanooga. As I first stepped out of the car, I remembered how I had loathed every day coming to school here. I never would have imagined as a boy coming here again just to visit. I remembered my first “love” as a first-grader for a pretty blonde girl named Marilynn. It was harmless, for we just stood and talked as we broke pine needles together. But there was a time a few years later when I made a particularly bad choice. In the school cafeteria, a girl slipped on some food someone had dropped and fell hard on her backside. Her dress flew up as she fell and her plastic plate and bowl went bouncing across the hard tile floor. Soup had spilled onto her blouse. As a boy, I thought that was the funniest thing I ever saw. I laughed out loud, jeered, and pointed a finger for others to see, as I chose to try to be “in” with the boys, for girls were always considered to be the “enemy”.
So, you ask, “What has all this to do with the APWU?” Simply this: You have the power today to choose the course for your relationships with other APWU members. You can jeer and point a finger at Union leaders or your fellow clerks, you can scoff at someone’s mistake, you can try to be “in” with those who criticize, you can even choose to just stick your head in the sand and let others do what needs to be done by themselves – Or, you can choose to offer help, to involve yourself, and to comfort those who know the sting of criticism. You have the awesome power to develop relationships and memories to last forever – you have the power of choice!

Larry Simon http://www.LSimonsMCN@aol.com Nashville Local #5

Has anyone been following the Bill O'Reilly scandal? No wonder it costs $3.99 a minute to call "The Factor!"

The Maximum Terrorist has returned to the airwaves. Just a little reminder for those who may have forgotten he's still on the loose three years after President Bush promised to bring him in "dead or alive."

And an 'Amen' to brother Larry Simon!

Dan Sullivan http://www.dan_sullivan9026@hotmail.com Southwest Michigan Area Local

Click here to get a sneak peak at the newest Postal Game Show. (not available on Game Show Network.) http://www.postalemployeenetwork.com/stump-the-chump.html

Just a Halloween reminder, a Postal Worker voting for John Kerry is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.

Here is an educational filmstrip for Michael May and others that support the "Bush/Jesus" ticket this year. Watch this link: http://www.filmstripinternational.com/. You may learn something. Johnny Trujillo San Diego Local http://jtrujillo1954@aol.com.

I understand your concept of the "Bush/Jesus" ticket, but may I clarify this misconcept. I am a Bush supporter of my free will and free choice.
Personally, this Bush supporter hates being told that it is a SIN to vote for John Kerry.
I am a proud Protestant who attends church regularly, but I have a message for these televangelists who tell us how to vote.
SHUT UP!!
I mean it, no joke! It's your job to lead us into worship not how to tell us whom to vote for.
Yes, John Kerry is "pro-choice" which contradicts the churches teaches teachings that abortion is murder, however; the Bible supports the sanctity of life so should it be a SIN to vote for George W. Bush because he supports capital punishment?
It is simply the nature of politics.
Remember Mr. Potato Head, the toy of our childhood? You can add a hat or hair or earrings or customize him into an image of your liking.
That was then before we eventually grew up and became Postal Workers or journalists or evangelists and voters.
This is now, when we know we can't fashion people - including politicians - to our own self-centered liking.

Frankly, only a child could fail to see the difference.

Enough about politics! It's our own personal decision and may the best man win.
I wanted to share this article from our local paper, the Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/i...109913781049470.xml There's always a rumor spreader at a station that thinks they know everything about everybody. We didn't know this about our carrier, Kengo Duffy.

Julie Haas Portland Area Local #18 http://www.julhaas@eartlink.com

Postal Workers and its unions are in some big trouble.
Bush will more than likely select four Supreme Court justices during his last term. Bush's model for Supreme Court justices are Anthony Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

I recall reading this quote: "The penalty one must pay for failing to participate in politics and the election process is, they may have to settle being governed by their inferiors." - PLATO

God help us since Bush will definitely will NOT!!

Vern Davidson Cape Area Local #4088, MO. http:www.bean_OEFV@sbcglobal.net

The first four years it was called "compassionate conservatism." These next four years will be called "facism!"

Dick Haefner Rochester MN Local http:www.haefmeister@att.net

Vern and Dick, you're both wrong. It's a great day for America! Go G.W.! Fight those terrorist.....reform the postal service.....put clear minded people in the Supreme Court. Don't listen to the crybabies of the APWU and NALC. Anyway, you have Burrass the Messiah to bail your lazy butt out of trouble (I am referring to the small 5% of the crybaby backstabbers that file 95% of the APWU/NALC grievances.)
Thank you, Bush for seeing the BIG PICTURE!

I wonder if Michael May is a light-duty clerk that is in a cushy grievance-won tailor-made job and he is using a Postal computer to write his posts.
How can he oppress gays and give 10% to his church after they privatize the P.O. and he makes $8.00 an hour. He'll be more worried about saving his house in the suburbs than ranting and raving online while he sshould be doing some work.

Edited by author 11-04-2004 12:09 PM
Michael, the "Bush/Jesus" concept comes from a misconception. Unfortunately, there are some Christians that believe if you are not Republican then you are not a true Christian.
However, you rarely meet Christians who want to help the poor, endure slander with grace, show mercy on those "beneath their social standing", turn the other cheek, forgiveness, turning the other cheek, serving God versus Overtime, loving their neighbors or things involving peace instead of war.
This is why some of us turn toward the more socialistic Democratic Party, and YES! we are Christians, even if you do condemn us like the Third Reich would have.
In the King James Version, I have not read any scripture stating that you will burn in Hell because of Party affiliation. True, Christians tend to be more conservative. Democrats vary in degrees of liberalism and Republicans vary in degrees of conservatism. So, are the such things as Democrats that are conservative and the answer is yes, no matter what "Limbaugh the Messiah" would tell you.
What Would Jesus Do?
Act like Rush Limbaugh and sneer at others who don't live in the same bubble as he does? Think about it.

Damon Kinchloe http://www.kinchloe1963@hotmail.com

I can't resist! I just gotta post something about this "bible thumping" issue.

This is not a quote from a "liberal-biased journalist" but from a reverend on a daily Christian show heard on the radio. His program follows Focus on the Family on my Christian station in Helena, Montana. His name is Rev. Charles Stanley:
"Democrats did not connect well enough with the American people. Certainly Democrats are faith-filled. Certainly we love our country, and we're very patriotic, but somehow or other that did not come across when 61% of those who are regular churchgoers voted Republican -- voted for President Bush, and when 22% of Americans gave its highest number to what determined their vote to issues relating to morality, more than the economy, more than terrorism. So I believe that we have it within us. I know that many of the people who are in politics on the Democratic side do so according to the -- the gospel of Matthew and indeed the Bible, but we don't demonstrate it clearly enough and faith is such an important part of the lives of most people in our country. They want to know that we identify with that."

Hopefully, these same people don't believe that the Rev. Charles Stanley is going to burn in Hell because of his party affiliation. I pray to God these same born-again believers aren't just another group of ignorant bigots.

One thing the majority of the American people detest more than lack of morality, is the hypocrisy of bible-thumping for votes.

Teresa Sheffield http://www.sheffield31@aol.com Montana Postal Workers Union

To Theresa, Damon aand Vern:
I read your posts and noticed the theme of "all Democrats are going to burn in Hell..."
Personally, I have never stated that in any of my posts or even thought that way. I have said that Republicans represent my ideology closer than the Democrats. I do believe that gay marriages should not legal. I do believe that abortion is murder (the taking of an INNOCENT live is grotesque.) And, yes, I do support capital punishment. (this is taking the life of a GUILTY person not an INNOCENT person.)
If there is someone in your workplace that believes that all Democrats are going to burn in Hell, than I would be in absolute agreement that they are an "ignorant bigot." If you hear this person slandering, backstabbing or putting down certain groups like African-Americans, Latinos, Muslims or Koreans; you are dealing with a Pharisee and not a true Christian believer.

There's my two-cents worth for today.

Two more cents worth....to Gen-Exer. I am not a light-duty clerk using a computer at work. That was a cheap shot on your part. I am a Sales and Service Associate with distribution relief. I sort parcels my first four hours and work window my last four hours. No need for light-duty here. I'm not a broken-down fool who just answers phones and kisses the Postmaster's rosy-red, thank you very much....

Here is what the British think of our election. See the front page at: http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/docs/Mirror/...E4F80C328EC0000.pdf

Mark Cohen Greater New York Metro Local http://www.psychojew@earthlink.net

you think you had a bad day...here in Jersey, one of fellow carriers was caught in that windstorm today. read this sad link: http://www.wnbc.com/weather/3895762/detail.html

Nick Morrone Trenton Metro Area Local http://www.nmorrone2@hotmail.com

Edited by author 11-05-2004 05:20 PM
I was going to respond to the "bible-thumping" posts on this board, but my response would be too lenghthy. I've sent my opinion to the "Commentaries" section of this website. Please read: http://www.littletonapwu.org/_wsn/page12.html

Steve Morris http://www.spm1953@aol.com Central Florida Area Local

Some of you need to chill out. The poor libs are in deep mourning. Let ‘em weep a while. Besides, do you really believe these libs here will ever reach across the aisle? Not likely.
A snake is a snake and it will still bite your extended hand.
So, I say lets have some fun with them for a while.
“WHO’S IN THE WHITE HOUSE?” – “BUSH! BUSH! BUSH! BUSH!”
Every time you libs hear the song “Who Let The Dogs Out?” you will think of President Bush and the trouncing you just received.
Gosh, just think of how many times that song is played during football season!

This room is getting too dry. Too much religion and politics.

If you think automation and computers is killing the clerk craft, click on this link http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=m...ead&order=0&thold=0 to see what the Postal Inspection Gestapo is doing to our Postal Police.

Edited by author 11-10-2004 04:15 PM
I read today's hot topic via Postalmag.com, Mark.
CHARLIE BRAVO?? You think these liars could've been a little more creative with making up names. How about Mickey Mouse? Snoop Dogg? Is the USPS last to use cell phones for safety? Will it have a 911 button on it?
Try this on tommorrow. Turn on your portable radio if you have one near you. Now turn on your scanner. Put your scanner on your portable radio and see what happens? Now tell me they are safe for you to carry in your pocket.
Will these Postal Nazis stop at nothing!!

Joshua Adams http://www.josh1978@aol.com Winston/Salem NC Local #523

Birds of a feather flock together. Potter and Burrass trying to keep the Titanic afloat! What a joke!! It's like my local Union president and the postmaster...they are so far in bed together you don't know whose ass sticking up higher in bed. The Union's or Management.

http://www.ajsmith1981@hotmail.com EX-MEMBER of the South Alabama #715 Local.
I hope to Hell I got you long-time corrupt Union presidents mad at me! Fix that fact in your minds!! Just because we were born after you reap all the the benefits from the Greatest Generation, you spoiled baby-boomers get to run amuck over the rest us born after 1965. I'm going to buy some Pampers for our Union officers and the crybabies that file all the grievances in our Local because they don't get their own self-centered way!

Take some Zoloft, Bedfellows. Our Union does things I don't agree on either, but they are the only ones giving us a fighting chance. I'm 23 and I can relate to your "Boomer" issues; but you are going way overboard on your post.

Edited by author 11-10-2004 05:31 PM
Make a protest about how the Republicans stole the election!!! Tell America how sick you are of the right wing conspiracy, and the repression of our Gay Community! Walk it like you talk it! Canada needs progressive thinkers like you! APPLY NOW! Show the Right wing hatemongers , and exclusionists you mean business! Canada is a melting pot of progressive open minded cultures and we will welcome the intelligent liberals whose votes were NOT counted! You crybabies from the United States with a limp wad, we welcome you with open arms! Canada a free and open minded progressive society!
To quote; "A person whose beliefs, and words which are not expressed by their actions is forever imprisoned in a life of hopeless self pity! Jacque Le Itch, Canadian Gay Archbishop, Church of Le Tender
Rectum, Nov. 10th , 2004.
Canada we welcome you! Viva La Differance!!

 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/
southbelle 6508

Because your website has APWU in the title, I'm assuming I can post an open question to the union-members reading this site.
Question-I worked in a 2 person unit. I was the senior bid clerk. Our bids were identical. I was told by my supervisor one day that I had to work in another unit. And he required me to do so for over 1 year. Nothing was in writing. I did file a grievance because I felt that I was displaced and that since I was the senior bid person in that unit, I was unfairly removed. Is there something in the CBA that directly confirms my grievance? Also is there anything in the CBA that deals with "job preference" concerning bids where duties are similar or identical?

Barbara: You need to reference Article 37.3.F.10 of the National Agreement, and the MOU on Principle Assignment Area. Read together OR separately, these state clearly that you are moved from your principle assignment by JUNIORITY.

Edited by author 11-14-2004 05:17 AM
NOTICE FOR THE BULLETIN BOARD: We had to delete our first post due to plagiarism. Please do not "copy and paste" ideas and partial articles from other websites on the bulletin board. This board is for YOUR own opinions and ideas. Thank you.

I was reading today's (11-15-04) USPS press release on LiteBlue from Jack Potter. "Postal Transformation will light a match to the darkness of the current financial situation of the U.S. Postal Service."

And if Jack Potter lights a match to light the darkness where his head is inserted - there will be a major gas explosion!
Watch out for flying body parts and fragments!

Our supervisor's hero "Anal Man" has his own cartoon strip on this groovy link: http://www.postalemployeenetwork.com/anal-man.html
Have a nice day!

"Private industry has a ratio of managers to workers of approximately 38:1." (Source: Wall Street Journal October 15, 2004).
The postal service doesn't manufacture anything. It does not design anything. It does not produce anything. Nothing really changes from day-to-day. The DBCS Maachines are the same. The routes are the same. The logistics are the same.
In private industry, the focus is on TODAY, and TOMMORROW. The USPS focus's on what happened yesterday. Who left late? Who "extended their road time"? How much "V" time did we use? Does any manager ever look at a calendar? (Any holiday's coming up?) Do they ever look at the weather forcast? WHAT FOR???? Do they ever realize the the "Marriage Mail" is due this week? NOPE! The ratio of managers to workers in the USPS is presently 8.9 to 1. In an "industry" that does nothing but COLLECT THE MAIL, SORT THE MAIL, and DELIVER THE MAIL. Since this is not "rocket science", why do we need so many "scientists"?
CASE CLOSED.

This story appeared in our morning newspaper. Link: http://www.detnews.com/2004/nnbirmingham/0411/17/x04-6513.htm

Some problems, however, with this story that are mentioned and unmentioned.
As you can see in the article, Peter only has 387 stops on a mounted 10-hour route. Most of our carriers average 600 stops. Also, NO CELL PHONES are allowed at our office except for supervisors, the postmaster and apparently Peter Chandler.
Not stated in the article, Peter Chandler's wife, Linda, is the District Manager for the Detroit area.
My point: carefully consider the source and motivation for some the feelgood stories about the Postal Service.

Jerome Morris http://www.jerome411@att.net Detroit Metro Local

I read your story about the NASCAR sponsorship. A USPS sponsored vehicle on the NASCAR circuit will not work. It would have to stop on each lap at the Scan Point.

Edited by author 11-19-2004 05:43 PM
While I'm on here, the next time your supervisor says, "If you don't like your job - then quit..." Tell them if they like it here so much; then why they do some hard work like the rest of us.
Those former ineffective craft employees turned Postal Paper Tigers piss me off.

People say the economy has improved for postal workers. Read about a 78-year old retired postal worker forced to go back to work (Story: http://www.wtvo.com/Global/story.asp?S=2587233&nav=0RePTJMk ).

Edited by author 11-21-2004 05:48 AM
Someone sent me a picture of John Ashcroft in his retirement. http://images.ucomics.com/comics/tmssa/2004/tmssa041111.gif

I read the story about the stamp price increase and three things come to mind.
Mainly, I had hoped for a "buy out". I read that Bush didn't want to give the USPS back their money in escrow or pay the portion of Vet pension it does for all other government entities, because of budget problems. (In an unrelated story - THERE'S A WAR GOING ON IN IRAQ.)
Secondly, does the Postal Service really NEED an Assistant Senior Vice President of Goverment Relations?
And last but least, after this year's Clerk Genocide of downsizing our craft by 20000 - they would have saved some money

Extra Christmas volume and no Christmas Casuals, who cares! Anyhow, people don't send their gifts through the mail, Santa Claus brings all the Christmas stuff down the chimney. That's what mommy and daddy told me. Now get back to work you slaves and don't bother me during my two-hour lunch break.
BAH! HUMBUG!!

Edited by author 11-30-2004 06:55 PM
"The Postal Service is on track to meet and perhaps even exceed its $5 billion savings commitment made in the 2002 Transformation Plan. Through 2004, the estimated incremental annual savings totals $4.3 billion. Cumulatively, that equates to $8.8 billion for the first three years of the Transformation Plan. In addition the USPS has reduced its outstanding debt from $11.3 billion at the end of FY 2001 to $1.8 billion at the end of FY 2004. The fact is, the USPS has done its part to reduce costs and increase postal productivity -- now we must look to Capitol Hill to return some of our escrowed postal rate revenues so that we may mitigate the size of the coming rate case."
Information is on the link: http://www.nonprofitmailers.org

Yours in Solidarity, John Kramer http://www.jkramer1@aol.com San Antonio Metro Local

Has anyone noticed that we have 27 pay periods this year? Do we earn additional annual or sick leave during the 27th pay period? Is this more "Postal Math" whereby 27 equals 26? Go figure....
Kevin Fraser http://www.vp7138@aol.com Mid-Florida Local #7138

This is a general message for all Sales and Service Associates working in a facility with an Automated Postal Center. Please read my link: http://www.postalworkersonline.com/ppapc.htm
Bill Lewis - Trenton Metro Area Local - http://www.bllewis@hotmail.com

My super(hero)visor says that APC Machines never call in sick. Oh yeah, he's fricking hilarious... I'm sure, however, they do break down like most machines do. Do they qualify for FMLA?

Bush wants the USPS to pay for military pensions (which no other agency does) and refuses to pay back the CSRS overcharge. This is his way of killing the P.O. He knows that rates will skyrocket and speed up the demise of the organization. Any Federal employee who voted for this Son of a Bush gets what they deserve.
PS: Bush has also sent a proposal to reduce the Jan 2005 raise from 3.5% to 2.5% for GS employees. "National Emergency"

I'm surprised that many of you STILL don't "get it". First: Republicans are for SMALLER Gov't. Since Bush 2000, there has been a DRASTIC reduction in hiring. (Across the myriad of Gov't Agencies). Kerry would have hired back to fill all 500,000 presently vacant positions. Bush only hired in two: Border Patrol and Air Traffic/Port screeners. Of these vacancies 51,000 are USPS positions, hence forced OT. The APWU supported Kerry, but they only care about UNION DUES, and they get the same dues if you make 42 Grand or 70 Grand. Plus, your taxes would have gone up with Kerry. Higher taxes on a smaller paycheck. Yeah, sure...
Second: We ARE the Government, so UNLIKE a private company that pays a worker from THEIR BANK BALANCE, and THE TAXES THAT GO WITH IT, We just take the money out of one Gov't Agency, and pay the payroll taxes on that OT back into another Gov't Agency's account. (USPS to IRS). I submit to you that THE DAY an hour of overtime counts toward your pension, it's the last hour of OT you'll ever see. I'M LOVING IT!!! Looking forward to 80 Grand in 2005!!!!

Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat......but a drunk postmaster might.Click my link

To Bandanna: You forgot to provide the link.

SHOW US THE MONEY!
This should be the slogan of Burrass and Co. when we negotiate the next contract. I read the 2004 budget on: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apw...g=Postal%20Finances
What will USPS's excuse be for this year?
SHOW US THE MONEY! is based on the 3.1 billion dollar surplus!
Bob Dempsey http://www.DempseyBob@hotmail.com Boston Metro Local

USPS's financial woes can simply be traced to not knowing where the real waste of money(management bonuses for craft work) is going.
It's the same reason why we have an oil shortage. Nobody knows where the oil is:
The oil is in: Alaska, California, Texas and Colorado.
But the dipsticks are in Washington D.C.
Josh Cleese http://www.jacleese58@aol.com Denver Metro Area Local

You don't show up to the Indy 500 in a Yugo. Simply put, management does not have the brain power to run the Postal Service. If the government wasn't propping us up, we'd have to file Chapter 13.
FedEx's Stock - $96.79
U.S. Postal Circus Stock - $0.00
FedEx and UPS have a Board of Directors and stockholders to watch out for ineffective supervisors and managers.
Somebody needs to watch the hen house, the Postal Board of Governors are clueless-political hacks. Have Congress bring the Postal Service back under their supervision, bring back testing, merit promotions and education, stop the bureaucrats from thinking they are in Donald Trump's league-and run the place as a SERVICE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.PAY THEM A SALARY-NO BONUS!!!
Until then "Going Postal" "Snail Mail" and other unsavory epithets will continue and service will continue to go down and the public will vote with their feet for the nearest exit.
Mike Armstrong Dallas/Ft. Worth Local http://www.mha1965@hotmail.com

Some sickos hacked into the Supervisor's NAPS website. There is an article saying that Vincent Pallidino was murdered. Read it on the link: http://www.naps.org. It's a group called WebWorm Generation 17.
Someone should call the FBI on them.

Edited by author 01-08-2005 11:03 AM
Well, I guess I just have to post once again the list of Republican cowards who profess their love for America while they run away from their past when America, yes, their beloved America asked them to serve.

George W. Bush - His Dad got him a position in the Texas Air National Guard. The closest George W. got to Vietnam was El Paso, TX.

Dick Cheney- Avoided the draft- got a college deferment from military service (3 times). Too smart to die.

Jerry Falwell- Avoided the draft. "couldn't move right arm related to 'work' injury.". To sick to die.

Jack Potter- Avoide the draft. "bad" back. Too sick to die.

Pat Buchanan- Avoided the draft "bad" knee.Too sick to die.

Karl Rove- Avoided the draft- "bad" shoulder and "corns". Too sick to die.

Rush Limbaugh- Avoided the draft. Sought deferment for "thyroid condition" and "bad" back. Too fat to die.

Rev. Pat Robertson- Good old Dad got him out of Korea just as soon as the shooting started.

Kenneth Starr- Avoided the draft- medical reasons (psoriasis). Too sick to die.

Jack Kemp- Avoided the draft. Medical deferment while quarterbacking for the Buffalo Bills. Yes, to sick to die.

If there is anything that so preeminently displays the moral bankruptcy of the current Bush Administration and the rest of the GOP leadership, it is their failure to serve our country in Vietnam while fostering attacks on Democrats, many of them who actually served our country in that war.

Worse for these major league cowards is that they scammed their way out of Vietnam because they were just looking to save their a$$es.Now we see these same "patriots" waving the American flag and telling American mothers and fathers to send their boys and girls to war. What a shame. What a damn shame.

John Baker APWU Local 739, Waco Texas http://www.annexwaco@aol.com

After reading the January, 2005 OIG Report, I've realized you can't believe everything in print. It's about as credible as The National Enquirer, Weekly World News and the Swift Boat Veterans for "Truth".
In fact, I have an idea for a new TV show:
CSI: USPS.
Face it, they are a group of former clerks that have to take their orders from the bureaucrats even if it is unethical or criminal behavior. They will never get an award for profiles in courage.
In my opinion, they are just a bunch of jerks who dont have the balls to turn in criminal managers - no better than department store security guards.They are lackeys and take bonus money - in a word they are postal puppets. Management pulls their strings!
Dave Hansen Gulfport(MS) Local, http://dshansen2@aol.com

Actually, I voted for Postal Reform, before I voted against it!

After reading the latest APWU Postal Bulletin, I saw something curious...Workers supervising themselves? This would never work in the PO where the rallying cry is, "The longer I take, the more I make!" You may make a set hourly wage but, let's face it, you dictate your salary with your obstructive and recalcitrant nature. There are no standards and there is no definition of what constitutes one unit of work. Is the workload equally distributed? Hardly! Is there any integrity, honesty, and dedication? Never! 10% of the people are doing 90% of the work. Those 10% are tired of lining the pockets of the 90% with their hard work.
Sitting on your ass, doing nothing and getting money from the government.....isn't that called "welfare?"
Go, James Miller and George-Boy, we need Postal Reform

Postal Syndrome: are you in management? You sound like one of those arrogant morons that contribute nothing to their station and view their job as "babysitting." Looking down from their self-made postal pedestals and viewing craft workers as "postal children."
James Miller is from the Reagan era! That makes him what....80 years old? Oh well, he must have some new fresh ideas.....
Postal reform, sounds like the makings of the Haliburton Postal Service. I hear the FAT LADY singing.
John Baker APWU Local 739 Waco Texas http://www.annexwaco@aol.com

John Baker: I am NOT in management. I'm a window/distribution clerk and a disgruntled APWUseless member who is merely expressing an opinion. I like to read other APWU local websites for opinions and facts when I can find them. Here is another opinion you can wrestle with.
I believe when rumors replace information as a form of communication in an organization, you can be certain the organization is in trouble. If so, the USPS and the APWU are in dire straits.
In the last year the APWU has cut back on the publication of the American Postal Worker magazine from 12 to 6 issues a year as a cost-cutting measure. With that, it has reduced the amount of information going out to the field to a trickle since the contract extension was approved.
The Postal Service on its own is plotting to eliminate tens of thousands of clerk craft jobs under a plant closing and consolidation plan its keeping under wraps.
The APWU should be increasing, not cutting back on the information it disseminates to the membership. Meanwhile a storm of rumors is swirling around the workroom floor.
I'm for more impartial local websites and less national right-wing bashing websites.
Postal employees deserve more accurate and timely information from the Postal Service and less propaganda and cheer-leading. And union members deserve the same from the APWU. But don't hold your breath waiting for it.

To Littleton APWU Webmaster: Please check your e-mail more often!! There is an article in this month's Diabetes Forecast concerning the legality of the ELM Manual's section 865. As described, it would violate federal disability law. The only way the policy would be legal is if it was applied to all employees for all leave situations.As a fellow diabetic, I thought you would be interested.

Lucille Caldwell Greater Los Angeles Metro http://www.lunewsviews@nospamatt.net>;

Thank you for the information, Lucille. I just received my magazine in the mail today. If anyone else is interested in that topic click on the American Diabetes Association link: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-forecast....Promo=CORP_forecast for more information.

First, Mr. Burrass asks for your COPA money to funnel it all in one basket to John Fonda Kerry. When Mr. Burrass doesn't get his way, he decides to take your moneu anyway by raising union dues to include the COPA "donation." For those of you who want to support a loser - discuss it with Aunitie Pinko. Click: http://www.democraticunderground.com/auntie/04/153.html to have your say.

Just read your article on the new "pay for performance" for management. Did anyone catch this--80,000 managers and superPUPPETS for 600,000 craft employees. what is that 1 for 7.5 craft. PO made money this year, best part about these "pay for performance" bonuses, they will get them even if the PO loses 500 million, you can take that to the bank. Also if labor got performance pay, it would NOT be 2.5-3.5% of $60,000, it would be 1% of %40,000! Harassing the worker bees is full time, our superPUPPETS want the honey and the money!

Paul Saunders Scottsbluff Area Local #485 http://www.ps85@aol.com

A moment before leaving work:
(Standing at the electronic time clock, waiting for that magic number: 08:50)

08:46
A group of us are gathered around the time clock waiting for the last few clicks to slip by before leaving the USPS Circus for the day. A cute Asian clerk asks me what I'm doing after work. I say, "Not much, run some errands and get some sleep..." She says, "Me too, maybe I'll read a book."
(CLICK)

08:47
I'm in my own thoughts, thinking about what I need to do after work. Our small group is half awake after putting in a long night's work. The silence of cacaphony is deafening.
(CLICK)

08:48
I just realized, I need to brush off last night's snowfall off the car. Probably a good layer of ice to scrap off the windshield. Winter snowfalls are nice to look at, but driving can be a pain in the neck.
(CLICK)

08:49
My supervisor approaches me with a panicked look as if she were a doe caught in my headlights. "I just remembered," she said, "I need you to stay two hours over today! We have no one to do the hot case!" I tell her that she should have asked me earlier - now it's too late." You see, I just made plans. I turned to the cute little Asian clerk and asked her if she'd like some breakfast before going home. After she agreed, I told my supervisor to find someone else because now it's too late.
(CLICK)

08:50

THE END

Well, folks, my post office is in the news. The small branch of Rancho Santa Margarita. A national evangelist group "The Bible Answer Man" in Orange County (CA) says several months of donations were thrown away because of a post office error, but officials dispute the ministry's claims. According to the evangelist "lazy postal employees in Rancho Santa Margarita accidentally routed Christian Research Institute envelopes with contributions and requests for materials to the wrong P.O. box." Read the story here: http://ktla.trb.com/news/local/la-me-bible...ll=ktla-newslocal-1
I'm surprised the Postal Inspectors have not been called on these jokers. Check out some of CRI's background
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/008/6.19.html
It is so easy to blame clerks and carriers for everything.
Notice how the evangelist said he usually receives 17% of his donations in Oct-Dec. Well, either he said that to 1) reduce amount reported to IRS or submit a claim to USPS for payment. Let's see 17% of 8 million..
Mike Pomeranz High Desert Local (CA) #6074 http:www.pomeranz1967@att.net

I say we privatize Congress and the Bush Administration! Send their jobs overseas!

Did you read today's APWU Bulletin Board on postal reform. Here's the link: http://www.apwu.org. What's going here, BurrASS? The only thing missing from your statement is "Once Upon A Time..." and, "They Lived Happily Ever After..."

When I first worked at the post office, a large part of the mail was sorted manually. Now it seems that the bigger that automation becomes in our craft, the bigger the curtain of secrecy becomes in the top level of management.
The 1978 award by arbitrator Healy, which gave us “lifetime” job protection after seven years, was rolled into the national agreement under article 6, and many recent memoranda of understandings expanded that to all employees for the term of a particular contract.
One big difference between the past and present, which I believe explains the secrecy that has been imposed on current and future plans is the fact that in the past, job reduction has been accomplished through attrition.
They do not propose to accomplish the remainder of their job cuts in that manner and are trying to keep their plans for just how bad it will be a secret for as long as possible.
In order to accomplish their ultimate goal of serious job elimination I believe that they have reached the point where they will enter contract negotiations and refuse to agree to any more no-layoff language, including article 6 (the Healy award).
Many believe that the Healy award is ‘lifetime” in nature. That is not true. Each contract has a beginning and an end. When it comes up for re-negotiation, everything is on the table, including article 6.
Rumor has it that the Postal Service plans major change to the BMC system. Stories are being floated that the parcel sorters and singulators will be stripped from the BMCs and APP sorters installed to process the mail. If true, this will have a major impact on BMC locals and the clerk and maintenance crafts. Other locals will no doubt face equally serious job losses.
Having shown such low regard for their employees thus far we can expect no better with the current situation. Our new Chairman of Board of Governors James C. Miller III said “we can get people to do this work for less” and the feeling seems to be “why give them money to go when a good kick in the ass will do the trick just as well.”
Food for thought. Any comments?

Cary Strum Wichita Local #735 http://cstrum@earthlink.net

Very well written, Cary. The atmosphere in the Postal Service has changed significantly since I was hired in 1975. There was a time when management was always willing to sit down with the Union and explain their plans and give the Unions input in them. They were very often anxious for the Union to become involved in the local implementation of this change as a perceived way of lessening the trauma on the employees. Very often the Houston Local, of which I am a representative, were able to point out problems with their plans of implementation and avoid unnecessary adverse impact on our members.
With the "secrecy" of their downsizing plans, no information is being diseminated to the workforce giving them a false sense of security. An opiate, so to speak. At least this is my take, due to the fact that everybody is more worried about a two-year contract extension.
The struggle continues....

Chris Sanchez Houston Local #185 http://www.chismo1@aol.com

Above is a picture of my old "mailster" when I first started with the post office back in 1974. I, too, have seen a lot of changes. I started out as a carrier, then served as a 204b. I have served as a carrier supervisor, then as an OIC. But for last 17 years I have been a clerk.
I must tell you that it makes me sick to my stomach to see what 'may' happen in the very near future of postal employees. I say this because I have an extremely deep abiding respect for the institution of the Post Office Department of days gone by. It is my personal belief that postal services to this nations public and business community is something that should be protected by the US Government and provided to our people at any cost just as the government provides military protection for this nation.
It is sickening to me to reduce the postal services of this nation to a bickering over how many "head of cattle" are in the fold or costs related to continuing free and responsible mail acceptance and delivery to our citizens...but, that is exactly where we have landed.

Greg Owens Bangor Local #536 http://www.gko45@juno.com

My old "mailster" from 1974.

HI! EVERYONE! I'M BACK!!

What happened to the "Downloads" section of this website? I downloaded a program called "Scheme Machine" in my old computer which eventually crashed. So now I have a new computer, but cannot transfer files from my old computer into the new one. Will the "Downloads" page return?

Edited by author 01-28-2005 07:43 PM
Once again, as a reminder to all posters on this message board: Please DO NOT "copy and paste" articles or ideas from other websites and place them on the message board as your own. If you like someone elses opinion, please provide a link to their website. This board is for YOUR own ideas and opinions. Thank you. To message 102: Yes, we will be bringing back the downloads sections to this website.

Hello, I'm doing research for a book I'm writing about the postal service. I am looking for stories of interesting and/or unusual postal workers. People who are unique either professionally or privately....tell me about yourself or people you know. Thanks!

Dear Suzie Q, I work with a couple of interesting guys. One is named Cliff. He lives with his Mother and hangs around in this bar that I go to once in awhile. The bar is owned by this ex-baseball player. He's quite a character. This other guy, we call Newman, he doesn't work when it rains and he eats quite a bit. Theres a lot more to say about them if you need any more info. Hope this helps.

I thought I would share this story to all the unnoticed postal workers out there. One of my co-workers, Harry Billings, was out on his route and found a small child wandering out in the rain. The story's link: http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=2871258&nav=KACdVj4o
I submit this to all the APWU Websites on the postalworkersonline.com link to also share this story. Our local TV station in Richmond, Virginia (WTVR Ch. 6) went into great length about the toddler on the evening news, but gave zero credit to the postal worker who found the poor kid. The website gives him credit and so do I.

Lamont Morris Richmond VA Local APWU http://www.lamont1964@hotmail.com

Harry Billings, my co-worker in Richmond, VA (read below)

Repeat after me:

"Here I sit on the Throne, giving birth to a [ insert your favorite management name here ] Clone.
Repeat daily, while on the clock, proving that we Postal Clerks REALLY DO GIVE A SH**!

I'm sick of the Post Office! They keep sending their employees to me to get paperwork filled out. If they don't like the way it's worded, they send the employees back again. They're wasting my valuable time when I'm trying to take care of patients.
They have hired new anal-retentive supervisors at the local post office. They're asking some of their employees for doctor's notes every time they miss work. Don't they know that if you have a bad cold, it might be a good idea to rest it and get better, but you don't need to go to a doctor?
So here's what happens. I have a full schedule of appointments, 15 minutes apart. Even when things run smoothly I tend to fall a little behind. Then I get a mother rushing in here with a small child running a fever of 102. And I get an elderly gentleman coming in by cab with a severe muscle spasm; he can barely turn his neck. I put aside my scheduled appointments to take care of these emergencies.
Now I'm running 45 minutes behind. And in walks Joe Clerk with a cold, and he needs a note for work! He says if he doesn't get the note they're going to mark him AWOL and suspend him. I put my other patients aside again, and examine Joe quickly. Yes, he's sneezing, he's all congested, and it would be a good idea for him to stay home and rest. But he didn't need to see me; he could have bought over the counter cold remedies at any drug store. He's wasting my time, and making the people I really need to see wait even longer. I'm losing patience, and if this keeps up, I'll be losing patients who don't like waiting over an hour when they have an appointment.
So last week when Molly Mailsorter called and said she needed a note for work, I said I don't have time to see her. So she went to the hospital emergency room. And she waited and waited and waited. They took everyone with a real emergency ahead of her. She was there for four hours before she obtained her note to keep her from being AWOL. All this time, she was sitting among a bunch of sick people, when she should have been home resting. It's insane.
I don't know what's wrong with the people who run the Post Office. Don't they know my job is to heal the sick? My job isn't filling out paperwork constantly to satisfy some postal bureaucrat.
I would like to know the name of whatever postal manager keeps sending all these employees back to me for more paperwork. I would refer that manager for a mandatory psychiatric Fitness-for-Duty exam with my colleague, Doctor Headshrinkt. Once we cure whatever mental illness that manager has, I'll be able to go back to healing the sick without the constant parade of postal workers with ridiculous requests for documentation

DR. ED QUACK III

/m105
 Suzie Q: I've got one for you. One of my co-workers who was arguably the slowest performing distribution clerk in our station had been fired twice for "zero tolerance." The first time he hired back because the postmaster who filed the charges was transferred to another station. (Apparently, witnesses are irrelevant.) The second time, this guy hired an outside lawyer who filed discrimination charges against the USPS and won. The guy received full back pay both times he was reinstated. Today, he is our 204b.
Add that to your collection, Suzie Q

I would love to have a steward like Charlie Withers in Royal Oaks, Michigan. Management has thrown their very best at him and he hangs tough and fights for his workers.
It is amazing how management will attempt to justify the current conditions. History is usually one of the best teachers. It sure appears that Mr. Withers is doing the job that those people, who elected him, expect him to do. If 200 other employees signed the petition, he is hardly a self-serving man, and it is his right to solicit assistance from his elected officials. Are there offices that have reverted back to the conditions that existed in 1991? Absolutely there are. Are all offices as bad as Royal Oaks, in 1991? Of course not. Some people don't learn their lessons well. Obviously, people were not doing their jobs in 1991, and people are not doing their jobs now. Mr. Withers is trying to do his, like it or not.

Edited by author 02-06-2005 07:45 AM
Thank you, Arbitrator Das! The postal attendance terrorists have been causing too much grief for too long. However, this award does not change anything contained in Article 10 or originally contained in ELM 510. What it does do is keep management from using FMLA to get a leg up on the craft. However, newer laws have placed restrictions on who and how much medical information management may obtain. Each district and area now have a position that is permitted to obtain protected medical information. Local management may not and are now subject to prosecution. The award only maintains the status quo.
It also should alleviate some of time taken away from poster /m110. I know you are not a real doctor, Dr. Quack III; but I'm sure there are real doctors out there that feel the same way that you do.

Adam Kitay Tampa Area Local #259 http://www.ajkitay@aol.com

On another level, the Das Award could be another valuable tool. Upper management may think about suggesting a reduction in their contribution towards the FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program) when they get to Article 21. we better throw a copy of the Das award at them. I cannot believe that the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) has allowed USPS management to drive up the FEHBP health care costs over the years. The USPS policy on second and third medical opinions and medical documentation for absences of three days or less has hurt the entire FEHBP.
Management complains about the raising health insurance premiums (their contribution) but they have brought these escalating costs upon themselves and should be prepared to pay for that. These unnecessary office visits they have required were down right foolish and nothing more than a form of harassment to our members.
This is where the FEHBP problem occurs. These unnecessary office visits caused by USPS management were artificially increasing our incident rates. This unjustified increase in our utilization of benefits when projected out raises our "group factor". We better use this award for more than just stopping the unnecessary office visits and be prepared to defend our Health Benefits (Employer‘s contribution) under Article 21.

Sisters and Brothers,
WE ARE THE UNION, A GREAT BIG UNION! Because we are, it takes employees to run our organization. Pick up the phone, call your representatives, all their phone numbers are listed on http://www.apwu.org . These are the folks you just elected to represent you, do not doubt for a moment that how the employees of APWU are treated does not affect you. The negotiations with OPEIU affects you more than you know, who do you think keeps track of your grievances, who do you think answers the phone, who do you think makes sure your representatives know where they are supposed to be tommorow! We ask....no, DEMAND: dignity and respect! Tell your representatives to show our employees the same. No one says to give away the farm, but dog gone it, give them real negotiations.

Joe Frega Central New York Area Local http://www.joefrega@att.net

Edited by author 02-07-2005 12:42 PM
A little known story about how a former postal clerk, Jack Potter, transitioned into the job as Postmaster General.
William Henderson, who was stepping down met with Potter privately and presented him with three numbered envelopes. "Open these if you run up against a problem you don't think you can solve," he said.
Well, things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, the grievances became overbearing and he was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit's end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, "Blame your predecessor."
So Jack Potter calls a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of former PMG Henderson. Satisfied with his comments, the press and the APWU -- responded positively, things began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.
About a year later, the Postal Service was again experiencing a slight dip in popularity, combined with "'Brown' vs. 'Blue' issues. Having learned from his previous experience, Potter quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, "Transformation Plan." This he proposed, and the Postal Service was rolling along again.
After several consecutive profitable quarters, the USPS once again fell on difficult times. Potter goes to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope.
The message said, "Prepare three envelopes....."

Edited by author 02-09-2005 11:44 AM
To Steve who posted message /m118:
Your point is well taken (however you really need to clean up your language....ouch!) State and National APWU officers are retired postal workers. If you are an active postal worker, you would have to resign or retire from your job in order to work for State or National Apwu. USPS does not offer leaves of absence so you can perform your job at State or National APWU. We are stuck having retired officers at State and National levels. These officers may not listen to the active duty USPS APWU employees. But we can make them listen. We can vote them in or out of office. It was unfortunate that the membership did not vote in large numbers for qualified candidates. We also have a dearth of good leaders. Some who do lead and give up personal time for the Union, they ought to be applauded.

Rodney Navratil http://www.rod_navra@comcast.net
Inland Empire Area Local, WA

Rodney,
You really should check your facts before you post. In the state of Colorado, ALL CPWU officers are current postal employees. The statement that you must be retired to be a state or national officer is just plain wrong.
Yes, many of the National Officers are not retired. Please read Article 24 sec. 1 of the National Agreement (pg. 130). It will tell you that persons on LWOP because they are a full part-time service, continue to build benefits and step increases. I may be in the minority on this website, but I think that the National APWU and its Officers have done a good job for us. That does not mean that you or anyone else should be stifled for expressing your opinion.

Greg Kirby Denver Metro Local http://www.harley1958@hotmail.com

Edited by author 02-13-2005 07:06 AM
All of the talk of the flu on this website lately makes me sick. I say go into work with your nausea, diarrhea and upset stomach! Infect all of management! Then they will all call in sick! Hey, it is your right to improve the P.O.... If you really are sick, please report to the message poster: /m110.

You put your weenie in
 you pull your weenie out
You put your weenie in
 and ya shake it all about
You poke the postmaster
 and ya dance and scream and shout
That's what its all about!

CHA! CHA! CHA!

Are the kids of postal clerks taking over this room? The intelligence of the posters in here is embarassing. And to respond to the last message /m123:
If I remember my history, the terms left and right wings originated from the seating of Congress in the Capital. The Democrats were seated on the left side and the Republicans on the right. Since that time, biased journalists have exploited these terms.
Jefferson said it best: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
Americans have seemingly forgotten our Constitutional heritage. Isn't it time to re-learn the political spectrum of our Founder's and reject the misleading left/right spectrum? We are neither left nor right. We're in the balanced center of the political spectrum!

Gary Tautz http://www.gdude@comcast.net Greater Cincinatti Ohio Local

The Democrats are on the left, the Republicans are on the right. And I am seated in the back row throwing rotten eggs at the current party in power.

I have recited Lord Acton's phrase to the English Parliament for others in various conversations: "Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Lord Burrus has for years shown disdain for the office workers of the APWU. He only has a few select few that he wishes to protect.
There's only one difference between the activists of the 19th Century and Burrus. In those days people were sincere. Today, guys like Burrus are opportunists.
Burrus never had the "huevos" to run against Moe - it was not out of respect for Moe, it was that he was afraid to be humiliated.
It is probable that Burrus will once again make EBONY Magazine's Top 100 influential Blacks, but he will never make Labor's Top 100 Leaders.

Gil Santana http://www.santana0730@cs.com Miami Area Local

This is an open question to all locals:
I am at a level 22 office with several DBCS machines but as yet no flat sorter. During the past 2 years our city scheme has almost doubled in size. On new jobs going up, scheme knowledge is no longer required, they just list an "Alpha-Numeric Scheme" which is looking up the sortation on big sheets they post in the cases. The supervisors say they can put anyone in these jobs, even one of the casuals if they want to.
Should we file to protect this for clerks in these jobs or is this something being done everywhere?

David Willmon Lufkin (TX) APWU #2945 http://www.dwillmo@consolidated.net

The name "U.S." represents a republic treating its citizens with respect and dignity. USPS management does not treat its employees with such respect and dignity tarnishing the image of our country. I say we simply change the name of the U.S. Postal service to simply "The Postal Service."

A Postal Prayer

God, our Father, may everything we do be First Class. Imprint your own living Zip Code upon our hearts so that we may never go astray. Provide in your gracious providence Special Handling for those of us who are Fragile and keep us in one piece. We have been Signed, Sealed, Stamped and Delivered in you image and likeness and we beg you to keep us in your care as we go about our Appointed Rounds. And when our days draw to a close and we are marked Return to Sender, be there to greet us at Heaven's door so that nobody May ever say Unknown at this Address.

Amen

Are USPS and FedEx involved in some kind of cover-up deal? I'm interested in some data facts. Exactly what was the lucrative deal?
Read the FedEx Contract here: http://www.trafficworld.com/Focus/FedExLetter1.pdf
Read the list of USPS' top suppliers here: http://www.wickwire.com/postal/2003%20USPS%20Top%20Suppliers.pdf
We should demand that Fedex and USPS post the details of their contract, shouldn't we? I think a further examination of the USPS financial records will show that the USPS is rapidly expanding contracting to 'only non-union' companies and withdrawing work once given to any union organized business. If any type of an industrial postal union is going to survive, we must become hunters again and follow and expose the money. Just "telling each other" is not going to work. This has to be published and you have to deliver the message to your neighborhood. We are all about to be 'Enron-ized', including the retired.
If I recall correctly, we exposed the scandalous Emery contract. We should expose the coverup that FedEx and USPS are engaging in. Will the contract details embarrass USPS? Why don't we find out and have APWU National's lawyers file a freedom of information act request? We can expose yet another scandal. Yes we need to find out where the money trail is going. It's time we find out the truth about the coverup.

Scott Simpson Springfield (OH) Local #3972 http://www.57Chevy01@att.net

When Democratic Senator Robert Byrd rose on the floor Tuesday to compare the tactics of his Republican colleagues in the battles over judicial nominees to those employed by Hitler in building the Reich, some people couldn't figure out where he came up with such an idea.

But just for kicks, let's review what sort of things went on in 1933-1945 (fascist) Germany:

1.) Ultra-nationalistic or patriotic fever sweeping the masses.
2.) Scapegoating of a shadowy "enemy" which threatens the (*ahem*) homeland.
3.) Increased government control over the media.
4.) Clamping down on civil rights in the name of "security".
5.) Beating down of unions and worker organizations.
6.) Favoritism lent to pro-government leaning corporations.
7.) Demonization of foreigners, homosexuals, and university-educated intellectuals.

Hmmmm. I can't understand WHERE Senator Byrd would draw such crazy conclusions. Everyone knows fascism couldn't happen here, right?

Keith Witherspoon Jacksonville(FL) BMC Local http://www.kwitherspoon@aol.com

I used to enjoy reading your website but you have not updated often enough lately.
Anyhow, I wanted to post this memo from the APWU site concerning the 2005 Contract Negotiations.
William Burrus has announced the names of members who will serve on the Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee. In accordance with Article 13.9 of the APWU Constitution, each member of the National Executive Board names one person to the committee; a 13th member, appointed by the president, is a representative from the APWU Deaf/Hard of Hearing Task Force.
Contract negotiations are set to begin on Aug. 29. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Nov. 20, 2005.
P.S.: Update your site more often and people will start coming back again.

Dave Ferguson http://www.fergie476@att.net Greater Miami Metro APWU

On April 19, 2005, Postmaster General Jack Potter told a Senate committee that the Postal Service was "self-supporting," and that it has "broken even over its 34-year history." The Postal Service’s last annual report claims that "we receive no tax dollars," and that it has "not received a public service appropriation since 1982." None of this comes through in the Treasury’s version of postal history. They seem to be grasping at straws to construct a disingenuous argument in support of the Administration’s position on military pensions. If ratepayers are being subsidized by taxpayers, why shouldn’t they pay for military pensions? I stand with Daniel Patrick Moynihan who wrote "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts."
Jerry Weintraub Greater Metro New York Local http://www.jerry3@aol.com

Edited by author 04-21-2005 03:19 PM
This is a reply to message /m132. For a 3-week period, the website was not updated on a regular basis. For that we apologize. Essentially, my information comes from the National level and I receive no support on the Local level. The other response to the poster was that there was no link provided in his message. This is the link here: http://www.21cpw.com/neg.html. We are updated our website on a daily basis now.

Burrus has been doing all lot of complaining , but I have not read where he has offered one solution to the direct mailer problem. Here's a couple of easy ones: raise the price of postage to direct mailers. Charge them for every piece that has an undeliverable address. Charge them more to return it. Charge them still more if they don't want it returned and we have to get rid of it.
Volume discounts bring in more business, but when it starts costing us money to hold up our end of the bargain, it stops being a good idea. I'll never, ever understand postal corporate culture where dumb ideas are applauded and obvious solutions are ignored. Is the incompetence directly proportional to the pay grade?
Dan Hass Greater Northland Area Local 142 (Duluth, MN)http://www.unklscrufy@hotmail.com

Are you scratching your head and asking yourself what the heck is worksharing? What are corporate welfare and volume discounts? Found an interesting link: http://www.treas.gov and it is a must read to understand why USPS is doing what it is doing giving discounts. Why it is not working and is very costly is something to think about and question. Burrus is on the right track when he is "complaining" that worksharing is not working and is causing USPS to lose money. While I am not a fan of our National APWU President, I do support his complaint about worksharing. The link opens a *.doc file. Sixteen pages of interesting reading.

David Nava California Area Local http://www.mrdirector@netzero.com

Edited by author 05-04-2005 09:09 AM
I was reading your little local website on Postcom.org today. I am surprised your article on the "Karaoke Queen" has been getting more response than the more serious article on the "Worksharing" issue. All I read in your story is that it's a story about a clerk who doesn't want to work the window. Many postal clerks don't like the window because they feel trapped. They have to work all the way through because customers keep coming. And they can't just walk away and go to the break room or their supervisor's office to rat out other clerks for their own self-centered interests. So they get a doctor's note carefully crafted so they can't work the window or distribute mail or work the box section or work automation or even do NOVM. An "ad hoc job classification developed by the USPS management to help reduce customer wait time." To reduce "wait time" or a "frivolous lawsuit" by a self-centered clerk. Put more clerks to work to shorten the wait time. All I can see in the picture is a wrist splint on her right hand. Is that a microphone in her injured hand or a penis. Because I cannot sing, I will go ask my supervisor if I can set up a table and sell crafts in the lobby.

Jon Silvers Central New York Local #257 http://www.jesilvers1@att.net

Edited by author 05-08-2005 04:33 PM
How about trying to get some sort of "Locality Pay" rates established, especially for those of us living in major metropolitan areas.
Every postal employee uses the same rate schedule regardless of where you live (except for maybe Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.)
Other branches of Federal government are availed to locality pay rates. Even though this is a Littleton, CO message board; people like us in NEW YORK CITY (like me), or California or Connecticut think about these important issues.

Tyler Goldberg Greater New York Metro http://www.golden11@aol.com

IS THIS YOUR OFFICE?? THIS COULD BE MINE!

Cliff Guffey is right, express mail service is a shadow of its former self. Some people have called for USPS and Fedex to disclose details of their "secret" relationship. It should be mandated even if takes a federal law. There is a better article than the one on "National APWU News" off of this website. Go to Postal Reporter.com. Here is the story link: http://www.lunewsviews.com/apwuvp.htm.

The Postal Service has historically made decisions that have lost business or have cost millions of dollars, and they continue with the same business model. Everything from electronic mail to excessive discounts have been venture capitalist attempts or inadequate management, while the Postal Service continues to lose customers and revenue.
Many public and private companies have huge advertising expenses to establish the type of name recognition that the Postal Service has. Yet, the Postal Service continues to lose customers and revenue.
Many companies, especially very large companies, go the extra mile to provide serice to customers. By capitalizing on established products and services, these companies create repeat business that often expands to other products and/or services. Instead, the Postal Service often provides for less operational expenses at the expense of service, and the Postal Service continues to lose customers.
As a former sales rep., for a medical device company that my had started after coming to America, hospitals would usually accept price increases, granted that we provide them with good service. Service gave us an edge over our competition. Loyalty is a very effective maketing tool. About twenty five percent of my own customer moved to competitors, when I left to join the Postal Service. The Postal Service just can't seem to grasp the concept.
Not only should one ask, who received the bonuses, but why are those decision-makers still there and still performing the same inadequate jobs? For that matter, why are the administration and congress still there and still performing the same inadequate jobs, while padding their own pockets and the pockets of their friends? Why does the public allow it? Each of thess questions could be transformed into statements that answer each of the questions. These blunders belong to the Postal Service, the Administrations, the various congresses and the public, for allowing them to continue, and they do continue. However, exposing these blunders won't get anyone elected or sell news papers or make anyone any money. There is no incentive, and they continue.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR DUBYA!

This is for message /m138, Tyler Goldberg. The members attending National Conventions have repeatedly rejected the idea of locality pay. The feeling of those in areas with lower cost of living has been that locality pay would be a drag on their wages, more than an aid to us. Living in California, I am certainly on your side as I watch other government workers receive 18% increases for California locality pay every few years while we postal workers lose ground with our nationally averaged COLAs.
 - As a whole, the APWU has maintained that "a day in the Post Office is a day in the Post Office." Unless you are trying to transfer, of course. But that's another story for another day.
In Solidarity

This is a general message for local APWU websites: Has National APWU or any local ever compiled a factsheet (similar to those on postal privatization) in regards to the VOE surveys and how they hurt us in contract negotiations?
I think that testimony from those who have directly engaged in National contract negotiations on how these surveys have been used to undermine our efforts would be a valuable tool for posting on our union boards.
A graphic with line by a line comparison of the questions on the survey and how they relate to arguments raised by the USPS during contract negotiations could go a long way in convincing skeptics.
If anyone has this kind of knowledge please e-mail me at: http://groups.msn.com/APWULocal4088/local4088.msnw
We are updating our website to inform all members of the VOE Survey deception.

Sean Knupp Cape Girardeau (MO) APWU Local #4088

Looking at your new "Article 37" page, I was hoping to find an answer to my question: Article 37.4.c.3.b states that Unencumbered clerks who are detailed to nonbargaining positions are considered to be unavailable for assignment.... We have a situation where 1 PTF will be converted into a residual vacancy, but the PTF is in a EAS detail. The lanaguage above refers to unencumbered employees. According to the contract, unencumbered employees are unassigned regulars and full-time flexible employees. Does a PTF in a EAS detail qualify to be converted to a residual vacancy? Any takers to this question?

Karen Chernack Reno Nevada Local #936, Steward

Karen, (/m147)
The PTF is being Converted (per Art 37.5) and not assigned nor were they ever considered an unencumbered clerk. The PTF gets the residual vacancy.
Sometimes in life, the truth stings....

Last year, Rob Strunk spoke about a national level arbitration that we were waiting a decision on regarding rehab carriers coming into the clerk craft. The main issue in this case was that if the carrier came into the clerk craft, they would have to come as a PTF at the bottom of the seniority list, or if they came in as a FTR, all PTF's in the clerk craft would have to be converted to full-time ahead of the rehab carrier. What ever happened to that case? If we got a decision on it, I must have missed it. If you have any info on it, please let me know as we have 4 light-duty carrier ready to "steal" 4 clerk craft positions.

Gary Desmond Citrus Center Area Local, Lakeland Florida http://www.garjoy@verizon.net

FYI: Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Update
For Employees Covered by the National Agreement and the Operating Services Agreement:
May 18, 2005) - In April, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) rose to 566.4. After the third month of the six-month measuring period, the eighth Cost-Of-Living Adjustment under the extended 2000 National Agreement would give employees an annual raise of $603. The adjustment, which is subject to fluctuation in the next three months, would amount to a 29-cents-per-hour increase, which works out to $23.20 per pay period. The eighth COLA will be based on the July 2005 index and will take effect Sept. 3, 2005 (pay period 19-2005, pay date Sept. 23, 2005). I thought I would pass this along to other interested local websites.

The Postal Service gives its executives moving expenses of $10,000 to $25,000. It may sound like a lot, but it takes something like 20 trips to move a family with one of those little mail trucks.

A real conversation with my supervisor:
This took place while I was rushing to finish the hot case before the carriers went out on the street.
SUPERVISOR: "Are you done yet?"
ME: "Sure, I'm done sorting the mail, just practicing now."
HEEEEERE'S YOUR SIGN....

An American Is:
A newspaper in Pakistan published an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. I am writing the following so that everyone would know what an American is, so they would know, when they found one:
An American is, English, or French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Mexican, African, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, An American may also be Cherokee, Lakota, Navaho, Apache, or one of the many tribes known as Native Americans.
An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or atheist or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan or even Iraq. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.
An American is from the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God-given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.
The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America. Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, earning a better life for their families. I've been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 other countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and every bloodthirsty tyrant in the history of the modern world. But, in doing so, you would be just killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere is an American. Amen!"
Thanks Troops of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, Active and Reserves. You are second to none and this Veteran is proud of You.
John Kupilik http://www.kupilik01@aol.com Reno, Nevada

FYI!!: ELM Revision
Effective May 26, 2005, Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 865, Return to Duty After Absence for Medical Reasons, is revised to more accurately reflect current policy and practices regarding requests for return-to- work documentation. Click this link: http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2005.../pb22155/empl8.html
Hello, Mark! Thank you for the HTML advice on our website.

Karen Kopatich San Antonio TX Local #195 http://www.webmaster@saaal-apwu.org

'Brown' is looking 'redfaced' right about now.
But I blame Citi Financial because the package should have been sent Registered Mail.
I did not like the New York Times comparing USPS in this mess. "The U.S. Postal Service surely could do just as well losing these tapes. It ought to be actively competing for the business." Actual article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/business...tner=rssnyt&emc=rss
You can take this to the bank. If UPS can trace this mistake to one of their management employees - they will be fired! Not just shuffled around like the toads who mismanage the Postal Service. If it were the USPS, I wonder where they would transfer that supervisor?

To answer "night clerk", a hypothetical transfer is in the works. The government is doing research to see if there is life on Uranus.

Remember the day you were hired by the USPS? The personnel director swore you in to uphold the sanctity of mail. You were told about the inspection service and how they would be watching you! You were warned about deliberately mishandling or misdirecting the mail. Yes, it is indeed the worker that is always under the scrutiny of “Big Brother”. Isn’t it odd that the camera is never pointed in the opposite direction? Zeich Heil!!
So, let us consider one chronic problem that never gets fixed: What happens to the mail every time it rains? Yep! It gets wet! Soaked! What happens to wet letters that end up in automation? Yep! They get shredded! Does Management care? If they did, something would have been done years ago. Their usual answer goes something like this: “Well, this is not a plant problem, therefore nothing can be done from here.” Oh yes, there’s a thousand Pass the Buck solutions Management offers. That is why that when it rains, you can be sure of one thing – soaking wet letters! Whatever happened to the respect and sanctity of your letter? You guessed it. The year-end bonus is more important.
So, to avoid “spreading a negative attitude” as some in Management would say in response to criticism, let us consider a positive solution: Why not pull some of those “Big Brothers” from behind the cameras and let them find out where and why our customers’ letters are getting soaked? Soaked and shredded mail is just as much a crime whether done by chronic neglect as it is when done deliberately. Let our “crime-fighters” earn their keep and run this thing down and fix it! It’s a crime to continue to allow customer letters to be destroyed by water and machine, especially when it is preventable! Let’s show a little dignity and respect for our customers!

Mark Shapiro New Orleans Local #83 http://www.ms67@aol.com

Edited by author 06-15-2005 09:26 AM
On: "After 111 Years, Postage Stamps Go Private." it states: "The cost saved in potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in counterfeit postage?" I do not see any indication this move will produce an asset, only a liability. The Inspectors are short staffed and have their hands full as it is, and the FBI could not catch a cold.
A decision to no longer treat stamps like currency? This is a big mistake! Next they will decide to no longer treat employees like people! Ooops, silly me....Next?...
Bend over Rover, Big Daddy's going to give you a bone in the coming months.

General message to postal internet readers: I just read a message on the 21CPW.com website ( http://www.21cpw.com/neg.html ) It says Greg Bell confirmed that the USPS did contact the APWU about a contract extension. Greg Bell said the USPS was interested in a one year contract extension so that all postal unions would be negotiating at the same time in 2006. If this is true, we are realistically looking at the same thing as last year. Management will not give the store away with Postal Reform on the front burner. What do you think?
Brent Logan Wichita (KS) Local #735 http://www.bjlogan75@aol.com

After reading APWU's website this morning about the "Contract Extension", I think that the USPS is really seeking a mostly, if not all, part time multi- craft work force. Witness the proliferation of clerks doing mailhandling work. The service wants employees that will do it all... come in early to do the custodian work, unload the trucks, sort and then deliver. and all for ten bucks an hour!
I thinkthat it is time to hire "Professional Labor Negotiators" rather than having our leadership do it.
Burrus' and the rank and file members may have some negotiation skills but... Professional Labor Negotiators are way better for us in the anti-labor atmosphere of the current White House Administration. It is time we got some people to cover bases for us. The APWU was once a powerful and influential union. Much of our power base has been eroded by the current inefficient leaders. It's time to seek outside negotiators to help us. Is anyone in agreement of the idea of hiring Professional Labor Negotiators?

Tony Jaramillo Tucson Area Local #255 http://www.taj1969@att.net

Another contract extension??
Our members do not deserve this from Burrus. We, the members, have fought throughout the years too hard, with the USPS, and now just to sit back and be "Management's Puppets" hanging on extension after extension. NO WAY!
I respect Burrus for what he has accomplished, but Burrus has to know who will be the victim of "Postal Sodomy" with another extension. Our members would be getting the short end of the deal here. USPS Management has been attacking our benefits for many years, what has changed? In the past we had a leader that would know how to stand up to the USPS. He has gone to that great Union in the sky! If Burrus does not want to negotiate, then our members need to get a leader that will. Our members need to throw our support in the direction of a leader that will, LEAD!

Lou Campas Flagstaff(AZ) Local #648 http://www.APWUflag@aol.com

ANOTHER CONTRACT EXTENSION SUCKS TOO!!

I missed that particular episode of Family Feud. Nice picture, Vandal.

THANK YOU SANDY! I LOVE A GOOD WEBSITE!

We are all entitled to our opinions, but look at today's APWU Bulletin http://www.apwu.org/index2.htm. It says, "...union and management representatives were notified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that such an arrangement could not be approved. We are going to continue to explore other methods to increase the number of Retail Sales positions,” Burrus said. “In any event, we would have to have absolute protection against any erosion in the number of such positions at postal facilities.”
Looks like the OPM says, "Not approved."
On the surface, at least, these are early leanings toward outsourcing, not "multi-tasking" as Mr. Jaramillo states in /m160.

Rita Benson Birmingham (AL) Local #303 http://www.rab31@aol.com

I hope our union will fight strongly to restore our night differential to 10%! All members must unite and demand the return of our night differential that was stolen from us at the last arbitrartion.

Bobby Moller Northern VA Local 6803 http://www.bjm79@att.net

Being with the Postal Service for 29 years, I have seen a lot of stupid management tricks.
I have been a clerk and union member since September 3, 1975. I cannot remember any other negotiations where the USPS was straight-forward with the Unions during negotiations, except for the wildcat 1970 strike in the major cities around the country.We had a lot of support from the public and the press at the time.
The USPS doesn't give two farts as to whether we all have our contract end at the same time or not. They were probably happy to see us negotiating separately.
The carriers are not going to engage in joint bargaining as long as they have anyone leading them who was connected to the Sombrotto time period.
USPS has no good motivations in suggesting a one year delay in the start of talks. They have something up their sleeve and it will be more advantageous to them at the time they are suggesting.
When is the last time they have been honest with us? Lying is a way of doing business to them, at all levels.
Go for the 3 or 4 year contract and do not settle for anything less with increase of 3% in salary and continuation of COLA and increased level wages for Sales and Service Associates, Mail Processing Clerks, ET's, Maintanence..etc..
The time to fight is NOW!

Edited by author 07-03-2005 06:22 AM
I personally feel that USPS wants this extension for reasons that are apparent to me if not others. I have reason to believe that our national officers have already become aware of what management's plans are for closings and consolidations and it is a shame that the APWU elite do not wish to discuss this with us. If they want it bad enough they will come back with another offer if the current one is rejected.
Supporting this one-year extension will not make our organization stronger, as some have argued.
Being a loyal and good member of the union does not demand supporting something because the APWU tells you to do it. There would be no reason for a ratification vote if that were the case. Being President of this or any Union does not make one infallible. Getting elected by a large majority does not make one an apostle. I'm sure that Bill Burrus does not believe that.
Years ago, the membership rejected the initial 1978 proposed contract and got a better one.
You can vote “NO” on this agreement and not be afraid. You should be afraid if you vote in favor of it.

Greg Sumrall Indianapolis Area Local #130 gslesea@hotmail.com

Edited by author 07-03-2005 07:17 AM
What we are all missing is why is mgt will to extend a contract, well if you look at postal reform if they get the no bargining added to the reform well all the unions would be hit at the same time like jack the giant killer they would have our number.

.

If you Burrus Bashers know anything about the history of our contract negotiations then you know that a lot of our current contract language was written by Bill Burrus. Those who write and say he can't, won't or is afraid to negotiate simply do not know the truth. Moe was great, but Mr. Burrus knows the contract and what should go in it.

Edited by author 07-09-2005 02:58 PM
For those of you who are interested, here is link to the official "Rank and File Committee statement" concerning the contract extension: http://apwu.org/news/nsb/2005/nsb09-070805.htm#statement

Yours in Solidarity,
Linda Cordova
http://www.lindac1973@aol.com

IS YOUR PHONE POLICY LIKE MINE?

TENTATIVE CONTRACT EXTENSION
I am sending this message to all the local websites who have support the memberships ideals. This post is lenghty, so bear with me:

As a member of the Rank and File Committee I was tasked, along with the other twelve brothers and sisters of this Committee, to study the tentative contract extension proposal between American Postal Workers Union and the United States Postal Service.
I came to work with an open mind. After extensive discussions with the Committee and asking serious questions of President Burrus, the craft officers and national officers, I voted against this extension. I did so for the following reasons.
We have not discussed non-economic craft issues in five years. There are major changes needed in the clerk craft, maintenance craft, and M.V.S. craft. These changes are not just technical, but rather in depth on a myriad of issues affecting every brother and sister in this great union.
The Craft Conference resolutions become almost non-existent if we are not able to negotiate for change. I believe upgrades are divisive among the crafts. We should negotiate for wage increases for all A.P.W.U. members to avoid this continued division.
I believed at the outset of discussions there would not be pilot programs for the four day work week; now the reality is there are pilot sites.
Initially the framework of this extension was to be an absolute right to transfer when excessing occurs. The U.S.P.S. now says those seeking a transfer will receive priority consideration. My fear is that this language will be interpreted by some managers as a way to deny such transfers.
The U.S.P.S. is now going to allow those brothers and sisters who put in for VERA to retire when they petition OPM. This was agreed to on the last extension, and the U.S.P.S. reneged and forced us to file in Federal Court. They know they can’t win and part of the agreement is to have A.P.W.U. withdraw that case if the extension is approved. I don’t trust the employer. They renege on agreements before the ink is dry.
Brothers and sisters, I don’t see the urgency to extend rather than negotiate. I realize there will be a raise and two COLAs, and we risk losing a COLA if we must arbitrate, but that risk always takes place when we are forced to arbitrate. The U.S.P.S., in my opinion, will not now or next year negotiate a contract; they will force us to arbitrate.
The U.S.P.S. is in very good shape financially. I’m not confident this will be the case next year, especially if we absorb the CSRS payments rather than shift them to the Treasury Dept.
I realize President Burrus is trying to secure more for A.P.W.U. in the months after the expiration of this contract, however it is my belief we can negotiate and arbitrate, if necessary, and put forth a strong case for a good contract for several years.
If this extension is approved, all four unions’ contracts will end on November 20, 2006. All in all, there isn’t the urgency for an extension now compared to the last extension. I voted in favor of that extension due to the tenor of the times.
I realize unions in America are taking hits and the climate is not ideal to negotiate, but the climate is never good to negotiate, but we must jump in and address all issues now.
I believe the U.S.P.S. wants this extension more than A.P.W.U. If this extension is not passed by the membership, we will enter into negotiations. They will be hard pressed to back off on monetary gains after offering a raise and COLAs now.
In closing, the membership - the highest ruling body in American Postal Workers Union - will decide whether we agree to this extension or not. In my humble opinion, I would like to forego this extension and enter into full blown contract negotiations as the largest Post Office union in the world.

Yours in Union Solidarity,

Moe Lepore, General President
Boston Metro Area Local 100

http:www.moelepore@aol.com

Thanks to Brother Moe Lepore for telling it like it is. Vote NO on the contract extension!!!

Why I will vote "no" on the contract extension, is that excessive "work-sharing" discounts needs to be negotiated in our next contract. The postal service is subsidizing a lot of these companies that presort mail for us. We still do it cheaper that they can (presort). Most of our problems are related to that. USPS is quickly buying automation and they've given so much work away through excessive "work sharing" discounts that the automation is becoming more and more idle.

I thought I would pass this along to those who are interested:
NEW from apwu.org: "Ask President Burrus" It says: "Do you have a question that you would like me to respond to on the APWU Web site? If so, write to me at: http://www.askthepresident@att.net. I will periodically respond to questions from APWU members."

From this website: "...The tentative agreement to extend the contract includes the second highest wage increase in our history. Over the 34 years of contract negotiations that began in 1971, the wage increase of 1.6 percent -- or $728 for a Level 5 Step 0, employee..."
No sale, Mr. Burrus! My NO vote went into the mail stream a short while ago. Not only is the raise less than it was in 1998, but the dollar is worth a lot less, as well.
In 2006, they will have us all right where they want us. The cost to the USPS for 1.6%, two COLA's, and the status quo is insignificant to the what they will get from the recommendations of the Bush Commission being legislated in "conference" when the Republican Senate and House majority get together to iron out the differences in the Postal Reform Bills in 2006.
"Just be patient and wait your turn - there are places in the lifeboats for everyone."

Although my local favors and supports the one year contract extension, I would like to voice some concerns about Sales & Services Associates (Window Clerks). Postal Services stated that window clerks are de-skilled because everything is on the key on the POS-1 flat panel. This is not true, lots of technical question are still being answered verbally by clerks, the computers do not answer the question and solve the problems while most supervisors and managers of customer service are afraid to come out and face the complain. Window clerks are working under stressful circumstances between customers and managers on the daily basis.
Since the three Postal Unions' contract will all expire in the year of 2006 with this extension, I am not sure whether this is part of the reason of this extension, but I do urge our National leader to continue the effort of the merging of all Postal Unions, especially NALC, a union has no interest in Sunday premium, night differentials, a union that is favored by the management and have their level upgraded much easier than us.
This is the second time 90,000 window clerks are being ignored and not being upgraded. I am also expecting "One Union One Contract" in the year of 2006.

"Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate." -- John F. Kennedy 1961

David Nguyen Southwest Coastal (CA) Area Local APWU http://www.sobdavid@aol.com

While talking with most of my co-workers, I found out that almost all of them voted YES on the contract extension. I asked the reasons why they voted yes for it and it was overwhelmingly due to the enclosed material in the ballot envelopes. The general consensus was they were "scared" into voting "yes" for the extension by the information they received. Most felt the National APWU should have seen to it that the dissenting views had been part of the ballot mailings, or otherwise, just the facts (Extension Agreement) mailed with the Yes or No ballots. The national controlled the election committee and they got what they wanted, which was to steamroll any opposition to their point of view. Giving a pro and con to the membership before they vote is the last thing that they want to do. They want it to pass and will do everything they can to make it so. At the next convention in Las Vegas, I think the grassroots officers should challenge Burrus and ask him why he is shafting and steamrolling the membership? He is acting just as tyrannical as the postal management he opposes.

Attrition.
Does anyone remember when gas station attendants filled your tank, checked your oil and washed your windows? As gas stations began to offer self service pumps, they quickly realized that they no longer needed an attendant to perform those tasks. Has anyone noticed the postal kiosks popping up around the country?
When was the last time you walked into a large bank and saw a teller at every window? The allure and convenience of direct deposit and 24-hour ATM’s coupled with bank services now offered on-line has greatly reduced the need for bank tellers. Has anyone noticed that the on-line Click-N-Ship service becoming more widely accepted?
Do you remember when every piece of mail was sorted by a postal clerk or mail processor who actually looked at every address to determine its routing? Has anyone noticed the ratio of in-plant workers/machines change over the past couple of decades? Machines and employees both make errors and both breakdown (or get sick). In most cases, machines move mail faster. They don’t file grievances, they don’t need breaks or overtime pay (or any pay for that matter) and they don’t need health insurance or a new contract every few years. So in the long term, who do you think will win the battle between the APWU and the USPS?
"Attrition." That word will remain a thorn in the side of the APWU for many more years to come. We may not like it, but at least we should see it coming.

Some numbers for you:

220,000 ratification ballots sent.
78,964 sent in the ballots.
141,036 threw ballots in the garbage.
A paltry 35 percent showed interest in the ratification.
90% of the ratifiers favored the extension or 69,763.
10% opposed the extension or 9,201.

We have too many apathetic leeches in the APWU!

How many members of the Bush Administration are needed to change a light bulb?
Answer: TEN
1.) One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed,
2.) One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed,
3.) One to blame Clinton for burning out the light bulb,
4.) One to tell the nations of the world that they are either for changing the light bulb or for eternal darkness,
5.) One to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Halliburton for the new light bulb,
6.) One to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner "Bulb Accomplished",
7.) One administration insider to resign and in detail reveal how Bush was literally "in the dark" the whole time,
8.) One to viciously smear #7,
9.) One surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how George Bush has had a strong light bulb-changing policy all along,
10.) And finally, one to confuse Americans about the difference between screwing a light bulb and screwing the country.

And after all is said and done, no one will notice that they never actually managed to change the light bulb.

Does anyone have information on how to stop selfish number-hungry USPS supervisors from making one person run DBCS (or any other automation machinery) alone on both tour one?
I know we had an award stating APWU and USPS agreed to have two people man automation machines but I cannot find it.
How can a steward make idiotic and stuporously thickheaded supervisors abide by the agreement? Working slow and safely does not seem to incite the supervisor to get you a partner.
Thanks for your information!

Daniel Kim San Jose Local #73 http://www.djkim@att.net

Anyone or any Local wishing to donate money to the displaced Mississippi Coastal APWU Members may do so at this time.
Please make checks payable to:
"American Postal Workers Relief Fund"

The checks may be mailed directly to:

Linda Huggard – President
Mississippi Gulf Coast Area Local
13340 Rockies Road
Pass Christian, MS 39571

Or

P.O. Box 187
Pass Christian, MS 39571

Mark Cunningham – President
Gulfport Local 204 APWU
33 Pembrook Circle
Gulfport, MS 39503

Or

P.O. Box 2666
Gulfport, MS 39505

Presently we have approximately 30 members who have lost their entire household.
Any donations will be greatly appreciated.
Electronic Fund Transfers are not available at the present time due to extensive damage with the Hancock Bank’s headquarters office.
A routing number will be forthcoming.
The account number to make deposits to is 013770303.

Mark Cunningham Gulfport Local 204 President http://www.Mc204apwu@aol.com

According to the lastest Postal Record (http://www.nalc.org/news/precord/articles-index.html), the NALC is going after Level 7 pay for their carriers. Is the APWU going to attempt to get Level 6 pay for clerks?
Anybody out there?

Justin Kelly Portand (ME) Area Local #458 http://www.jpkelly@hotmail.com

Play the Georgie Free Fall game. You can help him along as he falls. Throw or spin him around with your mouse to amuse yourself. Fun! If you are frustrated with the current administration, click the following link for hours of fun with Georgie. (http://www.planetdan.net/pics/misc/georgie.htm)

Steven Levy Greater New York Metro Local http://www.sdlevy1974@aol.com

From "Ask President Burris":
Question: Why don’t the postal unions merge into one? Wouldn’t we (all the workers) be stronger with only one union? Why do the unions let the USPS play the divide-and-conquer game? Answer: Click his link -> http://apwu.org/dept/presvp/askthepresident.htm My opinion: We will never see one union because that would mean national officers from the 3 big unions would return to craft. How many VP's in APWU? NALC? and so on. With one union some of these bigwigs would return to craft.....think that would happen? Why don't we have one health plan? Because a national union officer would have to return to craft as only ONE administrator would be required. Been here for 30 years so I know how the game is played. National union officers think of themselves first, friends second and finally the dues paying member.
What do you think?

Mike Morong St. Paul (MN) Area Local http://www.mcm71@aol.com

Edited by author 10-30-2005 05:22 PM
I watched your video from KSAT-TV about the "Supervisor who Needs To Be Returned to Sender" Fellow clerks at my station are too polite to picket our station. I saved your link. http://www.ksat.com/video/5196570/detail.html Where I work, we have one excellent supervisor and four other supervisors who use bullying and intimidation to make up for their lack of intelligence.
The four morons performance scores can't hold a candle to the decent supervisor. He gets: recduced overtime and virtually no sick calls because he allows clerk discretion to sort and spread the mail to the carriers without bullying or "sheep-herding." He knows that we all know our job. The four morons can rot in a stinkhole of lousy performance. Inflated overtime plus more sick calls. That is our form of protest. You should try it sometime.

To the Webmaster:
When are you going to update "Scheme Machine" and post it back on your download page. I got a new computer and lost a lot of my files. Just curious. E-mail me at: http://garyfromgary@hotmail.com

I thought I would pass this along for APWU members who are interested: APWU Creates ‘Message Board’ For Katrina-Impacted Members - http://apwu.org/news/webart/webart-0562-katrinamessageboard.htm
The APWU has established a new communication feature for union members impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The APWU Katrina Forum is an electronic message board where Katrina employees can locate co-workers; tell friends where they are and how they are doing, and share news and comments about their post-hurricane work lives. The Web address is: http://www.apwukatrinaforum.org.

Scott Malloy Gulfport (MS) Local #204 http://www.sjmallow204@aol.com

LIUNA, the parent "union" of the NPMHU, is no longer affiliated with the AFL-CIO and, therefore, the NPMHU is no longer affiliated with the AFL-CIO. There are no longer any quasi-controls on them and they pretty much have a free hand to do whatever it is that they want to do. They can steal members and jobs from the APWU just as the Teamsters and ther other Unions that have broken away can.
It would be "interesting" to get National's view on how we are to deal with the NPMHU under these circumstances as they are no longer affiliated with the AFL-CIO and, consequently, with the APWU.

Is it "open season" on us or is it "open season" on them?

R. Woods APWU Steward http://www.apwuontheroad@yahoo.com

Andy Kubat of the Lehigh Valley Area Local APWU, has done an excellent job on the providing information on the National 2006 APWU Convention: Lots of good information there concerning the Convention. Click this link: http://www.ppwu.org/Conv2006/index.htm Just wanted to pass this along.....

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Consolidation!! Automation does the work of 100 clerks. We no longer have 800,000 people like in 2000. We are now at 700,000, and I could see it going down to 500,000 in fifteen years.Relax....no one is getting fired. This reduction will be through attrition.
Want secure work? Try joining the 225,000 of us who CARRY the mail. Routes are getting longer, there is more mail, and over 1.5 million addresses are created a year in the US. It's hard work, and with SO many walking wounded, and light duty (both legit and con artists), it's easy to see why we (NALC) have the best job in the company, and are underpaid by about $3-5 an hour. Too bad, APWUseless....

I was reading your "Lighter Side" page and saw the "Karaoke Queen" story. Absolutely digusting. She cannot answer telephones but can hold a microphone? Or is that a microphone in her hand or a penis? She must have relatives in higher management. Unbelievable!

Sid Sakas New Orleans Local #83 http://www.sidsakas1@aol.com

Thought for yoday: Diapers and postal managers need to be changed often for the same reason.

Christ is called the Prince of Peace, yet Dubya claims to be a Christian. How does his actions in Iraq and Afghanistan square with that? General Smedley Butler said the only reasons to fight a war are to defend our homes and to defend the Bill of Rights. All other war is a racket. I see our young people being killed and maimed in Afghanistan and Iraq and it turns my stomach. They should not be in harms way, not today, never should have been there in the first place. I support our troops by wanting them back home where they belong. They are not defending America by being in Iraq or Afghanistan any more than we were defending America by being in Vietnam all those years ago. They are cannon fodder for big business and the fat cat defense contractors. Bring them home now!

The latest editorial on the Commentary page makes it sound like that party affiliation is detrimental to the usefulness of the APWU. I do not agree. I switched to the Republican party. The Democratic party has lost touched with the working class today. They have changed since the JFK era. They are now the anti-religion, anti-freedom, anti-military party supported by rich elitists, phony celebrity and porn pushers. There are many fine unionists from both parties. COPA could care less who I vote for. Postal unions are losing members with this "my party is better than your party" mentality.

What does it mean to be a Republican today? Are you a strict constitutionalist? Since The Shrub has taken office he has violated Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution by declaring war on Iraq. You denigrate the character of Kerry but completely support the cheerleader who used his daddy's influence to get him out of going to Vietnam. I am sure you are a God loving patriot and perhaps there in lies the problem. You drive anound in your SUV with Rush Limbaugh stickers (another person who used daddy's influence to get out of Vietnam) and with the yellow magnetic ribbon made in China showing your support for the troops but have done nothing for them.
Iraq? 9-11? Katrina failures? How many more people must die needlessly because of this man in order for you to change your opinion? People like you and the cult that follows this party place their political allegiance ahead of the rule of law and the good of their nation make me sick. I'm filling out a 3971.

Just wanted to pass this along to my fellow union bloggers. There has been a revision in the ELM concerning LWOP (Section 514.4d[1]):
"An employee may utilize annual and/or sick leave in conjunction with LWOP, subject to approval of the leave in accordance with normal leave approval procedures. An employee need not exhaust annual leave and/or sick leave before requesting leave without pay."
For more USPS clarification on this issue, click this link: http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2006...1/a-p4_005.html#one

P.S.: STOP POSTAL ATTENDANCE TERRORISM NOW!!
P.S.S.: For more information on P.A.T. click this link: http://www.21cpw.com/pat.html

Though the Postal Service management doesn't require anything more for craft employees than passing the test, and making it through 90 days of probation, THEY are to blame for their ignorant management hiring schemes. Postal management is made up of a large percent of veterans, many of whom are simply not qualified, just "on the take" from Uncle Sam, as they have been trained in the military. Veterans get points added to their exam scores, take a whole day of sick leave to have their blood pressure checked, double-dip, collect for bogus disablities, and milk the leave system before retiring. No patriots here, just slugs that give the company a bad name. There are also slugs in the crafts, as well, playing the same game, and yes, some of them are veterans too.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the California victims of yet another tragic postal shooting. This one claimed the lives of a reported 6 victims last night, including the female shooter who committed suicide.
Although it's still early and details are uncertain, it seems that security has been lax at too many postal facilities for too long. There's a better chance that a crime against a 7-11 clerk is caught on camera than one against a USPS window clerk, and that's pathetic.
The USPS will think of nothing at having dozens of $65,000 a year empty suits, who were former deadbeat clerks that had to bailed out every night from their laziness, walking around with ties and clipboards, but when it comes to security they suddenly "can't afford" it.
Last week's "invasion" of a postal facility by fraudulent persons only highlights these facts. Last night's tragedy underscores it even more.

God bless us all. The Post Office founded by Ben Franklin is more like company founded by Anton LeVey. Selfishness, greed, sloth and envy rule to P.O. in this day and age.

Edited by author 02-01-2006 04:59 PM
I have read many Local APWU websites concerning the California shootings and I liked the Littleton APWU response best because you did not turn it into a "Management-Labor" issue; but the true tragedy that it was.
This was a woman with psycholocal problem who was terminated for her, as you said, her disturbed non-productive behavior and an obvious racist.
My second response is, if you have a TRUE and REAL problem with your Postal Management, view it from this position:
1.) Recognize that your boss's behavior is probably due to their stupidity rather than malice (feel better already, don't you?). If you can see your supervisor as the former deadbeat clerk who is working with limited knowledge about how to manage, it may be easier to let their behavior roll off your back.
2.) For as long as you choose to stay at the station you are working at and work with your boss, do what you can to support him or her. You will be seen as a team player and may be able to advance in the organization with or without your boss. As a bonus, many employees who start supporting a boss rather than rebelling find the boss's behavior improves.
3.) Stand up for yourself. Supporting your boss is not the same as being a doormat, a SCAB or a "suck-up". Don't tolerate being yelled at or otherwise treated badly. If your boss does something you find unacceptable, as much as you'd like to let him/her have it, say so as directly and unemotionally as possible. Being assertive can often put a stop to unacceptable behavior. Some (or is it most?) bosses have no idea how they have been treating someone until that person speaks up. Unfortunately, you are dealing with former clerks who can't work automation, or learn a scheme or handle the pressures on the window and "hide" from the real Postal world to become 204B's or supervisors.
4.) If your supervisor cannot handle the first three steps, they are the same as the money-hungry, people-using, lazy and useless low-life scum of the clerk craft that they chastise.
This is where and why we need the APWU. To defend ourselves against the psychologically disturbed people that have infected the Postal Service.

Your life depends upon it!

This was the action of a mentally disturbed woman. Our prayers go out to the families of these innocent victims. However, I believe the environment aggravated the woman's mental illness.
Now is the prime time write your congressperson cocerning the hostile work environment in the Postal Service. Rare as these shootings are, the P.O. breaks many records. The Edmond, OK. P.O. shooting is the 2nd worst massacre in U.S. history. Now we have the first woman to commit a massacre. There must be a reason all of this happens at the USPS!

She shoots! She scores!!

Just wanted to pass this along:
The APWU has established a memorial fund to benefit the families of APWU members who were killed Jan. 30 in the shootings at the Santa Barbara P&DC in Goleta, CA.
Donations can be made by check or money order and mailed to: APWU Memorial Fund, Human Relations Department, 1300 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. One hundred percent of the donations will be distributed to the immediate families of the slain APWU members.

In the event of the postal shooting, I think of Ford Pinto tragedy:
Didn't Ford basically tell itself, fix the exploding gas tank possibility, at a cost of 5 billion dollars or face up to 1 billion dollars, in lawsuits, when the tanks explode and some folks, not many, will die. Ford chose the lawsuits and it showed that money was more important, towards corporate goals than safety and the lives of their customers.
Where do you think the USPS stands, on the issue of employee safety and security ?
Let's do a cost analysis on worker safety and security, shall we ? Bring back, armed postal police and, metal detectors and x-ray what employees bring into the facilities. Cost? Millions, maybe tens of millions. Money well spent. The cost of these medals of freedom,the hype and photo opps? A couple hundred bucks.. I suppose...maybe a couple thousand?
In my opinion, they will fix the lawsuits the best they can and not spend the money to protect workers. It's shameful...and it's the Ford strategy.

I have helped our local management save thousands of dollars locally and all I got was a lousy bagel.

A situation has arisen in our office and I have been asking other local websites that have other opinions on this matter. Long story short, our LMOU states that two clerks may be off on incidental leave. (Deciding exception is needs of the office.) This has not been an issue until PMG supposedly mandated to our office that no carriers are to come in later than 5pm No exceptions or jobs will be jeopardized. The acting OIC has been frantically doing all within her power to get carriers out of our office fast. A clerk in our office has a husband who is returning from IRAQ has been denied a day off to receive her husband home because another clerk is already off. The reason: needs of the office due to importance of getting carriers out and in. This despite the LMOU. Several other clerks offered to come in and cover for her, including the one who is already granted off. (was willing to give back 1/2 the day off.) To no avail. The woman's husband has been injured and she has shown up to work through all the ups and downs of him being deployed. (Including the injury.) This is the thanks she gets. She is crushed and has been told she is mandated to work the day in question. This is same as direct order right? Are there any options for helping this employee out? Please advise.

Leslie Malone http://www.ldmalone3414@hotmail.com Hobbs, NM Local #2342

I sent something to e-mail listed below, Leslie. I just wanted to let you know that the "Ture Americans" are proud of your husband's actions. I would suggest to her to take the day off anyway.
Here is how her arbitration might come out from management's point of view.
"Yes Mr. Arbitrator the LMOU does allow for 2 people off."
"Yes, Mr. Arbitrator we are insensitive jackasses who don't care that her husband was injured in Iraq."
"Yes, Mr. Arbitrator several people offered to work for her."
It is incidents like these that makes me angry at morons in management and embarassed to say that I am an employee of the USPS.
May God bless you and your family, Leslie!

I am appalled at the APWU after reading their article on the National website http://www.apwu.org. From my understanding, the APWU is compensating the family members of the Goleta postal shootings with the exception of Maleka Higgins.
Maleka was not a dues paying member of the APWU. Personally, I think she should have been, but she should not have been handed the death penalty for being a Scab.
Unfortunately, our Union focuses too much on overtime, rotation, defending the slugs that weasel out of any kind of work and the con-artists that exploit the system at the expense to the rest of us.
Unions were originally founded to provide a respectable living wage for all workers and their families. It’s simply the idea that we should all care about each other! But for the APWU implying that anybody deserves to be gunned down simply because they made a decision to not to belong to our union, is the same kind of dangerous reasoning the ends up justifying the Columbine tragedy.
She should have been at least included in the article as an innocent human being that died needlessly while working for the Postal Service. It is a shame that we work in an environment where union dues and money-grubbing takes precedents over human values and life itself.

I am sending this message to local websites cocerning people with kidney or diabetic issues. Those of you who have supervisors denying you the right to go to the bathroom to inject insulin or void urine or feces, you may be interested in the OSHA regulations quoted here:
This memorandum explains OSHA's interpretation that this standard requires employers to make toilet facilities available so that employees can use them when they need to do so. The employer may not impose unreasonable restrictions on the employee use of the facilities. Even though it may interfere with their Automation quota for their bonuses over your health and "staying alive!!" http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.sh...ETATIONS&p_id=22932
This should not be an issue, but for the bonus-hungry bastards in management; your inheredited disabilities interfere with their (*BLEEP*) bonuses!

Can anyone enlighten this new PTF clerk in New Hampshire where can I find the language for PTF's are guaranteed 40 hours a seek as long as one casual employee is in the same building working along side of the ptf's ??

To answer your question, Mike E., Article 7 Section 1 states that the "PTF Clerk must be worked a 'full week' (40 hours), before a casual is used in a principal work area or station." I hope this helps.

Edited by author 04-04-2006 07:21 PM
This my first time on this here. You have a local union website going on, I wished my local had one. I was browsing through the postings and read /m186. We have the same problem here when people call in - bonus-hungry management will not fill in the empty slots in automation. Thus, some DBCS machines have one person feeding AND sweeping. If anyone knows of this "mysterious" APWU/USPS settlement, please let me or anyone here know. Even worse, after these people finish doing the work of two, they have to bail out certain pampered slugs in the manual areas.

Missed you by five minutes, Donna, please share this link with your co-workers. http://www.apwu.org/dept/clerks/clkautomationstaffing.htm .This seems to be an ongoing problem at other P&DCs around the country.

Has anyone noticed that there has not been one mention at all of the last two postal shootings on the national news. I have only read about them on the Internet. Obviously Postal upper-management has a lot more power with the media than we give them credit for. Perhaps the American people have decided that postal shootings as just considered status quo. Have you heard of an employee being shot down in cold blood at UPS or FedEx? I have to question the brain-washing video "Going Postal Is a Myth."
I have read too many distubing comments on the Internet about whose fault it was on the tragic day in Baker City, Oregon.
Bottom line, two major issues:
1.) "Thou Shalt Not Kill"
2.) The L'Efant Plaza mentality needs to change and local management must quit caving into pressure from the slugs that threaten to file EEO's and "race and harrassment" grievances. It puts extra pressure on the craft workers that do care.
My prayers go out out to Lori Leigh Hayes-Kotter's family.
The USPS needs to change its oligarchic ways as more of its employees will be killed and no one will ever know.

I was just wondering if anyone out there has any info on this working 4 10 hr days with 3 off! They are talking about implementing this program at my place of employment, and I was just wondering if there was anyone out there that I could chat with as to how it's working in their place.

I have wisely invested my 1.2% raise on a can of Pringles

Announcing the new Postal Service Photo Blog.
Please send any photos and description to
uspsblog.gmail.com
Keep it Clean and Postal related.
Look forward to seeing your picture!!!
Dedicated to all U.S. POSTAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES.
providing the daily success of communication throughout the world.
http://postalweb.blogspot.com

It is good timing that this awesome program for "culling" out the slugs in the craft was released in the midst of our most crucial contract negotiations in our history! The union has more important things to worry about, like our futures, so IOD's (Idiots on Duty) will take a back seat. Through alleged "racial and harassment" charges, these slugs have found an avenue to cheat our system, and it has since spread like wildfire across the nation, with hordes of lazy cry babies who are afraid to work for their days pay, join the ranks of the ever growing population of the walking wounded of the Postal Service. we have carried them for years, and the burden has turned into a monster to the tune of $704,000,000 last year (source: OWCP.gov),not to mention the cost of their lack or productivity. they are counted among our rosters, they sign up for annual, they get credit for our hard work, but they are not producing! These slugs are part of the reason that we only get a 1.2% raise. If these injured slugs think that the government, or the public, will rally to their support, they are sadly mistaken..no one likes us anyway, much less lazy, dishonest, selfish slugs who want to sit around for years and years and get paid the same as us, for doing nothing!! Get rid of 'em, we will all benefit from their departure!

Edited by author 05-29-2006 04:34 PM
Would you workers please stop picking on these poor innocent people. Whenever these poor injured people are sent to doctor to update the medical file, these innocent souls come back with more restrictions, especially the ones that play the system. They seem to get worse than better. These same poor innocent souls who have hurt shoulders and backs would be the first in your break rooms for the free food, and they would "miraculously" be able to move their hurt shoulders to pick up the dollar you dropped on the floor. They laugh at you for doing their work for them while they doing absolutely nothing for a day's work.Being Satan, I love these people - they are doing my bidding. And watch when they are leaving at the end of your tour, miraculously the injured find a way to beat everyone to the lot to hop in their Lexus's and SUV's...run their second business outside of the Postal Service. Greed, sloth and envy. I love these postal satanists - they are doing my bidding (*MUAH*) It might not be a good thing, this reassessment program, less people in my home in Hell.

This being America, I am sure that even "Satan" /m225 has the right of free speech. Unfortunately, 90% of the slugs will have a miraculous recovery while the 10% of honestly-injured people will be given the bum's rush. Perhaps the OIC should investigate these slugs AFTER their amazing recovery along with their physicians who propogated this scam.
Sadly, the truly injured that are sincerely honest about their condition will pay the price while the slugs will hang on for years filing grievances, EEOs and frivolous lawsuits. Dishonesty rules in the USPS from management to craft.

The USPS' Reassessment Pilot Program is good in theory. But leave it in the hands of Postal Management to screw this one up too. There is an article on 21st Century Postal Worker's website - http://www.21cpw.com/editors.html written by Dan Sullivan explaining the disorganized methods that USPS is using. The ELM and National Agreement explain the proper procedure for this Program to work. This is from APWU's website: http://www.apwu.org/dept/human-rel/hr-inju...-wdofldandrehab.htm Whatever your opinion of IOD workers is your own, but oce again, the wrong people are going to be hurt by this "culling."

Click on the link http://jobs.aol.com/article/_a/americas-en...0060524144009990001 and look at the fourth job on the list. Non-injured regular-duty clerks are next in the Postal guilotine. Thank God I retire in 2014!!
8 yrs. 2 go!!

At my station here in California, we have very few limited duty clerks, but we have a huge amount of injuries by one and only one certain ethnic group. I will not name them because I don't want to be judged as racist even though, in reality, this is occuring at my workplace. Their mentality is like that of the KKK protecting white people and it turns my stomach. If management tells them to get back to work like everybody else, they cry prejudice and are protected. At my station, like with poster /m225, they actually do own second businesses. Not only are the cheating the USPS, but also the American people as well. Because they are so godless (although some read the Bible looking for loopholes), they only consider the real world as material and not spiritual which has retarded their conscience. Many criminals have the same mindset.
The USPS has encouraged them to use tacial manipulation to lower the rest of us to their lazy standards. Whomever controls the working standards controls the entire craft.

There is major problem with the last post on here. I do own a business outside of the Post Office. I am not on light duty. It is called the American dream. I eventually plan to quit this lousy job when my business has grown large enough for me to do so.
There are people that have worked hard for 20+ years and wind up injured. There are also those who become "permantly injured" on day 91 of their employment. It is very easy to spot the fakers, unfortunately they are coddled by postal management. I think they should remove the fakers and the management that protect them.

In your "USPS Gains Effeciency through Outsourcing" link, I noticed that "80% of costs are labor" quote. The soothsayers love to throw that one around especially during negotiations. But, how much of that 80% is non-bargaining unit? How much of that 80% is spent on employees who produce no work?
Another factor that gets lost when lobbing the 80% grenade is the fact that we are a service industry not a manufacturer of goods. The labor costs of any service industry will always be high.
Manufacturers have production costs such as raw materials, packaging, research and development, etc...all of which contribute to their costs, thus lowering the labor costs as a percentage.
The USPS has none of those costs. Our #1 "raw material" is people. So, it's only logical that those people will make up the lion's share of costs.
Nonetheless, privatization advocates always throw the 80% out there.
So what is our APWU doing to promote in media our side of the story? NOTHING! They collected a dues surcharge a short time back to promote a media program but nothing has been heard or said since. Contact national APWU communications expert Sally Davidow and ask the salient questions.

I think you have published a non-typical story of a light duty clerk on your website. Your article says that Barbara Brzozowski has 21 years seniority. The only job Barb can get is the flatsorter?? After 21 years , the typical faker would become a "lobby director" or become a manual clerk sorting only letters and dumping off as much of their work as possible or better yet, a level 6 Nixie clerk letting the customer's mail pile up at her work area thus becoming another overtime whore. Working as flat-sorter, Barbara is not your typical IOD self-centered money-grubber. Nor does she have the typical cycle of being hurt, then "miraculous recovery", hurt again, "miraculous recovery" again......

I read your cute little Raider jokes on your Lighter Side page. Too bad the Raiders are going to sweep the AFC West. I've got one for you - Q. What do you do for a drowning Broncos player?
A. Nothing. You could drag him to the top, but he'll choke anyway. :-)

Kudos to Roland Petit! The Labor Day Message on the Commentary page was very well written and sooooo true. I also explains why we are infected with the imbeciles that have slithered on into management. At my station in Florida, we have a 25-year old clerk supervisor whose father is the Postmaster and who still lives at home with him. By her own admission, she took an ASP course and landed her very first job EVER as a clerk supervisor. She has never even had a job before this one. Never mind, nepotism - she has no work experience AT ALL! Not even McDonald's. Living in her bubble, you can imagine how much respect she receives. Qualifications should outrule cronyism - but not in the USPS.

The term "God Bless America" is a patriotic symbol. It is not an endorsement for or against religion. Can a clerk get suspended for say "G-d Bless You" after a customer sneezes? The most heart felt moment that I have witnessed in history, was when our leaders gathered on the Capitol steps and sang "God Bless America" shortly after 9-11. That was the only time they portrayed themselves as leaders and not as self-centered lobbyists funneling political funds. Does that particular postmaster have trouble collecting all those $100 bills inscribed with "In God We Trust?" Perhaps when I buy stamps at that post office in California, the Postmaster will come ourside to remove the "God Bless Our Troops" sticker off of my car.
It is the trend of Postal Management to cave into the whims of one spoiled troublemaker. The Lompoc (CA) Post Office removed a long-standing poster for one spoiled atheist who did not get his way. We clerks have to do the work of the spoiled troublemaking IOD slug who cries "Harrassment!" and "Racism!" and management supports it because they too were once former craft slugs who only know the easy way out.

Those are horrific pics of hurricane damage. Your parents are in my thoughts and prayers. My parents live in the Lakeview subdivision of New Orleans and they are still rebuilding. They are still lacking basic services: power, gas, water. They would love to have a sewer that doesn't back up into their house either.
So far, New Orleans has collected only $117 million to start the repair work in what has been billed as the largest urban restoration in U.S. history. The Bush administration spend $177 million DAILY in Iraq. Do the math: In one year, New Orleans has received from the federal government what Bush spends in 16 measly hours in Iraq.
I visited my parents last month. A lot of New Orleans looks like Katrina happened last week.
I hope that this issue is fresh in the minds of voters in November 2008.

Just a reminder, this room is designed to discuss postal issues. Racial slurs and extreme profanity are not tolerated in here. Poster /m237 has been deleted and their IP address has been blocked. Thanks to the other visitors for sharing your opinions, info and links.

Welcome back! I haven't posted on here because I figured you quit updating your website. Whomever does this website, I hope you aren't another lazy union steward.
If the APWU wants more union members they need to provide an incentive. I AM a dues-paying member but I have been tempted to fill out an 1188. The current union is either a training ground for management (how many EAS employees were once your stewards) or use their "steward time" to get out of work. When your Union President LIES worse than management - it is easy to consider filling out the 1188. A lot of members aren't satisfied with the 1.3% diet COLA we received either.
In my 18 yrs. with the USPS, I have only approached the Union ONCE! My local Union prez told me that I had a legitiate grievance but when it came time to meet with management - I quickly observed him kissing their ass. I dropped the grievance and retained a laywer who had Federal Court experience and that practices Labor Law. It was more expensive but less stressful.
Most postal workers wouldn't mind paying for what they get - but no one wants to pay for poor service. I hope Littleton's APWU is better than mine because if not the APWU will be DEAD within 10 years. It is slowly losing members because it fails to represent the interest of its members and is in some ways worse than mgnt. When mgnt. blows smoke up your ass you don't have to pay them monthly dues.
Give us more incentive to join and you will attract more members.
This is just my opinion - but it is also fact.

In response to the last post, the Union can be a double-edge sword in some cases. I am sorry about your misfortunes, Label 200. However, the APWU is our best tool for keeping our decent wages and benefits.
Some APWU winnings have already been “cast in stone”. For example, they have won the 40 hour workweek, instead of the 60 plus hour workweek. They have won a decent standard of living, better than most of the world’s. But “the struggle continues” with job security, where the eroding forces of mismanagement, technological advances, profiteering by privatization, and Congressional “reformation” are ever-present foes. It requires talent, and money to hire the talent, to combat Congressional craziness. It also requires money to hire the lawyers to protect your rights and to secure decent contracts. If you do fill out that 1188, the rest of us face dues increases to pay your share. Do you think this is right? “Divided we fall” is just as true as “United we stand”. If you have left us, you have weakened us.
If your local president is a bigger liar than your management - you are doing your local more harm by quitting because you have taken your voice out. Next election, run against him/her. A lot of locals need new blood and fresh ideas.
That is my opinion too - and it is just as much fact.

The Lord has told me that there will be many light-duty scammers receiving a miraculous recovery! Hallelujah!!
But before I heal can thee, the USPS must define what is "productive work."
Someone working NOVM or Nixie is performing productive work. But someone answering phones and sitting next to the APC Machine may not be doing "productive work" The real challenge will be what is considered "productive work"
But for the IOD slugs and leeches, please send away for my miracle water, my green cloth and any other point of contact you desire. Amen! Praise the Lord! A lot of IODs will be miraculous healed on this glorious day.

First off, thank you for deleting those last two posts by someone who is "disgruntled in Littleton" I would surmise that management is the problem and not just that specific ethnic group that the poster suggested. If that particular ethnic group is actually being coddled by management than a "reverse discrimination class action" would be in order. Discrimination is discrimination no matter the color. I am a retired African-American window clerk and early in my career I did experience racial bias, but to the Postal Service's credit I was accepted like everyone else and prejudice would not be my biggest complaint.
Secondly, I read the "80% of USPS cost is labor." Did you notice that the author skewed his words to convey the impression that the craft gets this 80% while management gets none of this "80% money." The author wrote "labor costs" and not "employee costs." It is well-known that the craft is highly over-managed. 100,000 EAS employees to 700,000 PS grade employees (source: www.gao.gov) That is a 7 to 1 ratio. What other corporation allows its managers to lose 100's of millions of dollars on greivance settlements without anyone being responsible for the loss of capital?
When we hold these so called managers responsible for their actions you will see results. But as the management representative said at the bargaining table, "how can we manage if we are responsible?"

Does anyone know of where you can find a hardcopy version of the 2006-2010 National Agreement contract? I can't find one in existence!!!

Robyn,
According to APWU's website, the National Agreement is still in the proof-reading stage and is scheduled to be released mid to late June.

Edited by author 05-28-2007 07:53 AM
Like all of the USPS' selectively enforced policies, this sex offender one will be no different. They are trying to clean house by removing the perverts like they tried to remove the scamming light-duty slugs. Luckily, the slug removal program has failed - we would only have 4 clerks left to sort and process the mail at my office. But with all of these programs - craft employees will be FIRED, EAS employees will get promoted and nothing will change.
My error, scamming light-duty slugs do not fall under the definition of sex offenders. I apologize to the perverts out there. LOL

I don't like or dislike Burrus. However, I think Burrus has a valid point concerning Congressional oversight on postal matters. Originally postal reform was passed in 1970 because some postal workers actually qualified for food stamps due to the fact that Congress was dictating rates and salaries. The NALC and NAPUS backed the new Postal Reform law with a CPI price cap on 90% of all postal revenue. Unless NALC is willing to make structural changes in the cost of delivery (i.e. new employees start at a lower rate), their action to outlaw contracting delivery is a temporary step to postpone a demise for all of us in the USPS.

There are two sides to every story. This is a good read - http://apwudictatorship.blogspot.com/

Greetings! There is a big controversy here in Cheyenne over the union not filing the "casuals in lieu of" suit in time. People are angry here and there's a lot of finger pointing going on? Has anyone run into a similar situation with their local? Please respond: http://www.sacameron@aol.com

One comment/quote on the Harkin bill:

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress...
But I’m repeating myself."
--Mark Twain

Our office hasn't received an APWU News Bulletin since last February. First, no bulletins and now no National Agreement.
If the APWU needs a printer - I have one for sale - dirt cheap =)

The latest Postal News magazine is full of praises about how automated the USPS is becoming. But don't forget - automation began with Frankenstein. Automation has opened up whole new doors for skilled workers to join the unemployment line. Have a nice day!

There once was a boss named Dave
who took dead whores to his cave
"I'd be the first to admit,
I'm a bit of a twit,
But look at the money I save!"

And the point is, why can't we all just get along?

Edited by author 07-03-2007 07:18 AM
Being that Independence Day comes tomorrow, my patriotism wains this year, I am an American. My nation was founded on land theft and countless broken treaties, on the suppression, exclusion, ethnic cleansing, and near eradication of the people who inhabited this land [Native Peoples]. And having stolen the land, my forefathers prospered on the subjugation and enslavement of another people [African slaves]. Now, my country dominates the world and sees American self-interest as its "prime directive." Everything I know of God tells me that God was outraged by the atrocities of my European ancestors and brokenhearted for the victims, and that God remains outraged by American arrogance today. But what is God to do? Forever curse Americans, refusing to assist them, refusing to respond when we sing "God Bless America"? Should God forsake American children and grandchildren to a hundred generations because of the original American holocaust? Wouldn't God's blessing of a nation so conceived imply an endorsement of the atrocities that were and are committed? Send our troops home from the unnecessary Iraqi war.

i stumbled upon this room by accident this morning during a google search.
a few commments here:
 To /m256 - America!!! Love it or leave it!
 To /m255 - What does a childish limerick have to do with us getting along?
 To /m110 - To Dr. Ed Quack the 3rd - That is a classic!! I love it!! I have copied and pasted that one in my wordpad as a keeper!!
 To the dozens upon dozens of the insulting messages I have read about people on light duty or injured on the job I have this. I am lucky it isn't me and am glad its not you. I don't know if the comments were made in arrogance or ignorance.
 Most of us take health for granted but it can happen to anyone. My buddy who is a 19 year postal worker wound up injured on the job last year. His 2 worst problems are dealing with insults from the brown-nosing co-workers but worse his dealings with OWCP. From what he tells me they are an abusive, evasive Nazi-like entity. In my friend's case, OWCP deliberately delayed their paperwork and his documentaion and then cut him off after 7 weeks and now he has waited 10 months for the appeals process to finish.
From what I have been reading OWCP has no accountability and the same amount of scruples as the "IOD-bashers" that post in here. OWCP is wrecking people's lives and it downright criminal.
We are all one injury away from having out family's future placed in the hands of OWCP. Everyone should contact the Congressperson to call for an investigation of OWCP.
I will get off my soapbox now.

while searching for new contestants i found this clerk that stole 8000 movies. i want him on 'jeopardy' - just so i can hear him say, ' i'll take movies for $1000. alex" :)

Edited by author 07-09-2007 03:31 AM
most of these postal websites bash IOD employees because there are those among us who abuse the system for their own self gain. unfortunately, those who have been sincerely hurt on the job become lumped in the same group.
i agree with poster /m257 that owcp needs to be investigated. if we lost as much paperwork as they did - we would be terminated. people have lost their jobs and homes because of their games.
to those who are fighting owcp - don't give up. i found a link http://www.fedworkerscomp.net/barb2.htm this is to an article entitled "don't give up" it's an inspiring article for those fighting owcp

"Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.
Judas sold his Savior for thirty pieces of silver.
Benedict Arnold sold his country for a promise of a commision in the British army.
The Scab sells his birthright, country, his wife, his children and his fellowmen for an unfulfilled promise from his employer.
Esau was a traitor to himself; Judas was a traitor to his God; Benedict Arnold was a traitor to his country.
A Scab is a traitor to his God, his country, his family and his class."

- Jack London (1876-1916)

Since the 1990s there has been a rule in place that said you couldn’t mail a package that weighed more than 16 ounces if you used stamps unless you took it to a Post Office and handed it to a clerk. The new rule modifies that to bring the size down to 13 ounces.
The weight rule alone flies in the face of rational thinking. If you could make a 16-ounce bomb, who is to say you couldn’t make a 12-ounce one? It might be slightly less powerful, but a bomb is still a bomb. Some local postal officials, speaking off the record, question the logic too. No U.S. aircraft has ever been brought down by a terrorist bomb hidden in U.S. mail. It simply hasn’t happened, and it hasn’t happened without the benefit of these new rules that are going into effect. The Postal Service is quick to say there are options to make it easier on customers. You can still mail a larger package from home, you just have to go on-line and use the Postal Service’s computer program and print the postage label out yourself.
On the surface, that’s great. The problem is what if you are among the millions of Americans who don’t have a computer or on-line access? Picture a grandmother in upper Deer Creek Canyon who wants to send a Christmas present. She had enough stamps to cover the cost of sending it, but instead she’s got to get in the car, drive to Columbine or Ken Caryl (during regular post office hours) and hand it to a clerk.
The logic of printing a postage label, either on-line at home or from a leased postal machine, will give the Postal Service a way to find out where the package originated. Or at least that’s the logic the postal system is using. But let’s think about that for a second. If you are so intent on sending a bomb through the postal system wouldn’t you be able to find a way around having your name associated with it?
Leave it up to the Government and the USPS to find a TON of prevention for an OUNCE of cure

Does anyone know where I could find the postal regulations on the proper handling instructions for the processing of undeliverable bulk business mail (UBBM)? Please respond or e-mail me at http://www.FAD61@MSN.com

Fred,
To answer your question, the procedures for UBBM mail can be found in Section 458 of the POM (Postal Operations Manual). The POM is in our "Downloads" section on this website.

From what I read on the commentary page, I have mixed emotions about you Mark. I have been a union steward for 2 years and I wished more union members would become stewards for AT LEAST for ONE YEAR. You see what management is all about and the true personalities of your co-workers.
Your comment sounded nice about "being there" for someone, but you sound to me like most of brothers and sisters of the union that don't want to get involved. It's a shame that your local won't help you out with information on your website because I like what you have put together on the internet. You have created an excellent website. Our local could use a good website (please check your e-mail.) Perhaps because, as you say, you are a "non-officer" they assume you don't care. Besides this website, what have YOU done for your local. Are YOU just another clerk/maintenance workers hiding behind the bushes while others do the fighting for you?
Good luck with your career as a Veterinarian, but I question your sincerity with the Union as you have never been a steward.

I have 3 questions?
1) When everyone gets upgraded a level does this include the Level 6 clerks with saved grade or are they going to stay a level 6 while the 5's are upgraded?
2) Can a preference eligible level 6 bump a junior level non preference from their job if the preference eligible level 6's job is abolished? I have read ART 37.4.
3) Does the preference eligible level 6 have to pass any window training to get the job, what happens if he does not pass the training?
Thanks

Dolores,
1.) This is a difficult question to answer because there doesn't appear to be anything in writing. But the understanding is that Level 6 saved grade will be made Level 7 saved grade in February 2008 at the time of the upgrade. To the best of my knowledge, this is something that has never been fully negotiated. (others reading this post - if you have more info - please share with the rest of us.) There is nothing in the National Agreement or the JCIM about this subject. Hopefully, your local has its own memo of understanding on this - it gives management too much room for manipulation.
2.) The answer is "YES" - although the National Agreement doesn't call it "bumping"
3.) Yes, they need to pass window training or they will not be awarded the job.

Edited by author 09-11-2007 09:51 AM
Osama Bin Laden, your time is short;
We'd rather you die, than come to court.
Why are you hiding if it was in God's name?
Your just a punk with a turban; a pathetic shame.
I have a question, about your theory and laws;
"How come YOU never die for the cause?"
Is it because you're a coward who counts on others?
Well, here in America, we stand by our brothers.
What you tried to kill, doesn't live in our walls;
It's not in buildings or shopping malls.
If all of our structures came crashing down;
It would still be there, safe and sound.
Because pride and courage can't be destroyed;
Even if the towers leave a deep void.
We'll band together and fill the holes
We'll bury our dead and bless their souls.
But then our energy will focus on you;
And you'll feel the wrath of the Red, White and Blue.
So slither and hide like a snake in the grass;
Because America's coming to KICK YOUR ASS!!!

This Jena Six thing is too much! it is obvious that APWU President William Burrus is bent on defending African Americans outside his jurisdiction as Union President. You APWU Paying Members should not stand for it, and speak out against the use of hard earned membership money to fund chartering buses for a protest for NON-MEMBERS, but rather President Burrus should channel that energy to battle Postal Management for which he was elected to do, and organize informational pickets. Perhaps Mr. Burrus should resign and join the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, and allow someone else to stand-up for the rights of it's members! Mr. Burrus has clearly lost sight of his responsibilities! You White and Asian APWU members don't stand a chance for true representation as long as Mr. Burrus is President.

I'm not sure what the initial home page shown at http://www.williamburrus.com is trying to tell us...
It's like the author is boasting about how rich, how much affluence, and how good life is for him. It sounds like a waste of union money. The author is epitomizing how good it is to be the APWU president and how good it is to "earn" union monies to live the good life. Sounds like the author spends very little time on union matters and more time living the good life. The author is afraid of losing the election and losing the "hard earned union monies" to maintain his extravagant lifestyle.
That is my perspective from browsing the website. But I also notice your old link - http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=37365511 - increased the price of his house to $914,000.

An old Moe Biller quote, "You elected me to make decisions and that’s what I’ll do. If you disagree with my decisions, you can say so at the next election.”
I sent my ballot in the mail with a vote for William Burrus. President Burrus certainly has done more for postal workers than these cry-babies sitting in the "cheap seats" grumbling about their National and Local presidents.
To: "Randy S." /m269 - The impression I got from President Burrus' personal website was that he has a large caring family and a group of friends that he enjoys being with. Perhaps, he has nice possessions because he has earned them.
To: Littleton APWU: I'm not clear as to your intentions on posting President Burrus' website on your home page. Are you trying to turn people against him because he has a nice home? Some of my co-workers have nice homes too and I don't think they are bad people.

All that was done is that we posted a link to our Union President's personal web site. No "Burrus bashing" occured. We simply thought that other APWU members would be interested in their/our President's web page.
He has apparently done well for himself and by that I mean not just the apparent wealth of his home but the apparent wealth of many friends and family members. Good for him! We have received more negative e-mails from this link than ANY other in the 3 1/2 years that we've been online.
Why do you feel it necessary to put a negative spin on what was truly a post of informative nature. If President Burrus wanted this information private he would not have created a public access web site.

Edited by author 09-28-2007 04:35 PM
This $5.4 Billion defecit is partly due to the "protected slug clerks" stealing our hours - (regular and overtime) - because they are overly financed and the only "real work" they might possibly do is at their minority-owned businesses outside of the P.O.
WAAAHHH!!! I have too much mail! WAAHHHH!!! I don't have a white slave to bail me out! WAAHH! fricking WAAHHH!!!!
This is actually a great organization to work for thanks to the APWU negotiated benefits. You lazy satanic slugs are screwing it up for the rest of us!
FACT: Management does not get "BONUSES" anymore - they have been on the Pay for Performance Program for years.
FACT: The USPS is allowed to make money now. They don't have to break even anymore.
FACT: Too much money spent on frivolous grievances on the minority workers so they can file discrimination lawsuits and the legitimate grievances take a backseat to these money-grubbing slugs.
You cannot lie, cheat and steal your way into Heaven.

I just read "FACT: Management does not get "BONUSES" anymore - they have been on the Pay for Performance Program for years."
Let's see you get paid a salary. Then the USPS performs an annual evaluation of your "performace" and gives you additional money based on the outcome. Additional monies above and beyond my salary. If that's not a bonus I don't know what is! You can call it PFP all day, but it's still a bonus!
Your other "fact" about "minority generated grievances" - oddly enough, we have White slugs at my office too. Too much racism and too much management spin Joe.
With FACTS like yours - who needs ENEMAS.

1.> Our management is so stupid that they interpret Weingarten Rights as the right of a clerk to be taken to a "wine garden" by the inspectors for interrogation!
2.> I am glad you put Bill Burrus' website on your homepage. The man truly cares about his family and his friends.

I work at a Level 18 with no ptf clerks. My question is: Can the Station Manager borrow a clerk from another office to avoid having to pay overtime?

After reading your article "Kyong Sook Kim vs. USPS" I was ready to back her. Because I always read the other side of the story - I found the case on www.oig.gov. Miss Kim is a 7-year distribution clerk who is working in a tailor made job just for her due to the other EIGHTEEN EEO complaints she has filed in only SEVEN years! Discrimination is wrong as is retaliation for filing a colorable EEO. But filing frivilious EEO complaints is also wrong and it is time for the law to change. If an EEO has merit, there should be no retaliation and anyone who does so should be disciplined to the fullest. But those who file EEO complaints when they have no basis, when they merely want to harass management and when they are total losers who don’t do their jobs but still want to be paid the wonderful salary and benefits that the APWU has negotiated for us, then discipline up to removal ought to be allowed.
In this case the US Supreme Court will rightly say that retaliation against someone who files an EEO claim will not be allowed. But the Court will then remand the case to the district court to determine if retaliation actually did take place, or if the alleged “retaliation” was merely management rightly trying to get a disgruntled employee to do their job. That is a question of fact that must be decided based on the evidence, not some pronouncement by a union or management official that a wrong has taken place.

Edited by author 10-03-2007 05:58 PM
Melissa,
To answer your question - in most cases, the answer is no and it would depend upon the circumstance. For references in writing see Article 37.1 Section L or you may check out the Article 37 page on this website and read questions 12 through 16. This section was originally the "Hub Clerk LMOU" before it was included in Article 37 of the current 2006-2010 National Agreement.

i am temporarily on light duty because i was involved in an automobile accident. i was broadsided by a drunk driver on my way to work and a suffered a cracked rib and fractured left arm. my bid job is primarily window but some days working my shift in this condition is unbearable. besides the vague language in the employee/labor manual is there are language on "reasonable accomodations." my condition is only temporary - i just need time to heal like any other human being. when i am healed, i can't wait to return to full duty - am not a slug or a user of the system. i just came on here looking for answers. please help!

Linda,
We are in the process of re-formatting this website, so responding to two people in the same day is a bittersweet feeling.
My first response is shock and disbelief at how cold-hearted and insensitive your management must be. There is no doubt in ANYONE'S mind that you are NOT a "slug or a user." If you were, you would be answering phones at this time or become the "lobby manager." Not working the window FULL TIME with a cracked rib and a broken arm. Below are two responses:
1.) If you haven't already done this, get medical documentation from your doctor and his recommended restrictions. Most definitely, any respectable physician would not recommend working full time on the window with a cracked rib and broken arm! But if your management is still guided by Mein Kampf instead of the National Agreement - tell them to use THEIR RULES!
2.) THEIR USPS RULES - The USPS has its own manual for "Reasonable Accomodations" - click this link for manual - http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/USPS_hbks...03%20(333%20KB).pdf It is the USPS Manual EL-307. Not a "union" loophole - THEIR RULES!
You are in our prayers Linda, God Bless you!
EL-307 will be added to our downloads page today!!

Hello,

I am an ET in search of a mutual exchange.I work at the Grand Junction MPA. My seniority date is: 10/21/2000. We have an MPE-8 job opening on tour 3: 1200-2050 Fri-Sat off. I desire a mutual transfer to Littleton, CO or Colorado Springs. I am 3rd of 5 in seniority - Grand Jct. is a nice little retirement gig with only 5 machines. Anyone interested? Please respond on here or e-mail me at http://www.wqtvama@yahoo.com

The ballot results are officially in as of yesterday. Out of the 292,000 APWU Members & 73,000 ballots were received. That means 75% of you couldn't even bother to vote. We really have far too many slugs in our craft. I'm sure I will see them at work tommorrow and bailing them out again. To lazy to do your job and too lazy to mail in a self addressed envelope. You people are so frustrating!!

MANAGEMENT'S BONUSES

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to acquire postmaster's and area manager's bonuses? The union used to be able to get them. Their greed is the driving force behind staff cut backs resulting in poor customer service and a hostile working environment.
How can the union hold management accountable for violating the ELM's Standards of Conduct which states, "Using the Postal Service for private gain," and "Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Postal Service.
Any feedback would be appreciated. If management "earned" (and I use the term loosely) their bonuses, what do they have to be embarrassed about? The public and postal workers are directly affected by how these bonuses are determined and have a right to this information.
Darlene Jones, Jackson, WYO Local President, http://www.dargolf@silverstar.com

I work at a station where I witness supervisors doing clerk work and the Overtime Desired List is a joke as seniority is ignored and the same group receives all the overtime. Everyone's answer is "File a Grievance!" Unfortunately, my Union President is possibly the biggest ass-kisser in the station. If my Local Prez's lips are like wine - than my Postmaster's penis is drunk.
Is there a way I can file my own grievance WITHOUT the union present?

Adam,
Below are two responses for your post:
1.) According to Article 15 you have the right to file a Step 1 grievance without union representation, but you won't be able to completely settle the grievance without the union - per Article 15.1(b).
JCIM Article 15-1 says: "A grievant has the option to exclude a steward from the discussion portion, where the merits of the grievance are discussed by the grievant and management. However, absent a waiver by the bargaining representative, Section 9(a) of the National Labor Relations Act requires that the bargaining representative be given the opportunity to be present at the adjustment portion of the grievance procedure."
2.) After reading the colorful description of your President, perhaps you should try to run against him/her in your next local union election.

Edited by author 10-18-2007 07:04 PM
As a postal worker AND a Jew, I read the article about the postal clerk requesting Saturdays off of work because of the Sabbath.
Like all postal workers, I began as a PTF meaning I worked any day they needed me. Working on your "Sabbath day" comes with working for the Postal Service.
Could a Christian file a lawsuit for working on Sunday? Could a Muslim file a lawsuit for working during Ramadan? Of course not! The article states he began his USPS career in 1980 - and NOW he realizes that he has to work on the Sabbath? I don't believe it and he gives the rest of us Jewish postal workers a bad name.
I know who you are "Webmaster Mark" and we both attend the same synagogue and I will bet the mortgage to my house that there are less than 100 Jews in the entire state of Colorado working for the USPS! I am sure you will agree with me. YOU should be on the Diversity Team.
But being Jewish and working the USPS you just deal with working on the Sabbath and the extra workload on the biggest Christian holiday in December.
No soap for our M.O.T. in his lawsuit he knew what he was getting into!

IT IS A GOOD THING THAT WE HAVE CONVENTIONS TO MEET WITH APWU OFFICIALS ACROSS AMERICA.I WONDER IF THE VICIOUS EXCESSING OF CLERK JOBS WAS A TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION.THIS EXCESSING TOOL IS BEING MIS-USED AND ABUSED BY MANAGEMENT. ITS A TOOL TO FORCE CLERKS ESPECIALLY SENIOR CLERKS INTO RETIREMENT,OR TO BE PLACED IN JOBS WHERE OTHERS WITH FAR LESS SENIORITY HAVE BETTER REPORTING TIMES AND DAYS OFF.IN SOME SECTIONAL CENTERS CLERKS ARE STANDING ON TOP OF CLERKS BECAUSE THERE ARE TO MANY AND NOT ENOUGH POSITIONS. THE EXCESSING OF EMPLOYEES AT THE SUB STATIONS TO NIGHT SHIFTS WITH WEEKDAYS OFF IS A JOKE. YOU WORK YEARS TO GET POSITIONS ONLY TO HAVE THEM EXCESSED. BETTER HOPE YOU AND MANAGEMENT LIKE EACH OTHER OR YOU'RE GONE. FUNCTION FOUR IS A JOKE. LIVES ARE BEING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, AND NO ONE CARES NOT EVEN OUR UNION. WE NEED TO WAKE UP BEFORE THERE IS NO ONE TO REPRESENT. HOPE THE CONVENTIONS WERE A LOT OF FUN.

Edited by author 12-05-2008 02:08 PM

Prettygirlone,
I have only heard about the last Convention from others that attended. The idea of excessing and how the USPS has handled it has been disasterous on more than one level. This is why some of us voted "NO" on the last Contract Extension - because there are many areas of the contract that were never fully negotiated - including Excessing. The USPS had plans dating back to 2001 concerning consolidation and large excessing. They successfully hid these intentions behind the backs of its employees and most of its mailers for FOUR YEARS! It wasn't until they were forced to tell the Postal Rate Commission that any of the knowledge was found out. The APWU, in reality, found out about Consolidation from the PRC - not the USPS.
Then the Dysfunction Four team visits your station (usually in July or August) because that is historically the slowest time of year for mail. They retreat back to USPS-paid hotel suite and punch this "data" in their laptops. Naturally, there are "too many clerks."
Because Article 12 was virtually left untouched after the contract extension - the locals are left with their hands tied behind their back.
As it stands now, there isn't much the local CAN do if excessing is happening. If the USPS is hell-bent on excessing they can try and reason with the Postal Service but at the end of the day what the contract gives us is the right to file a grievance to protest what the postal service has done.
Excessing is working its way to Littleton. With the new AFSM-100s (flat sorters) that will be operating by Fall 2008 in Denver - it is very possible that clerks will be excessed here as well.

I know about OWCP, but not much on a light duty rehab person. I have recently been diagnosxed with MS. This is documented with FMLA paperwork. I have missed 2 weeks of work and recently came back with a doctor's note saying full duty no restrictions. However, it is obvious I can't work full duty. I came in with a cane and management asked for some documentation saying I needed my cane. I made the mistake of requesting reasonable accommodations, but had no paperwork to dispute my previous documentation. I have missed several weeks of work after management "resubmitted" my paperwork. I am in a position where I am literally about to lose my home. The only way I can see myself pleasing management is to riddle my fatherless boys with bullets until they are a puddle of protoplasm - myself as well. But, of course, that would as psychotic of a thought as the management that masturbates behind their computers here. I JUST WANT HELP!!!! If you can't reply on here - email me at http://www.pattio49@hotmail.com.

Edited by author 10-22-2007 12:34 AM
CJ,
I'm sure if you contact APWU HR Director Sue Carney (for OWCP issues) and APWU IR Director Greg Bell (for FMLA issues) at HQ they can give you all the help you need.
Sue is very responsive to email though I can't say the same for Greg.

Sue Carney's contact information
SCarney@apwu.org
202-842-4271

Greg Bell's contact information:
GBell@apwu.org
202-842-4273

“PMG Jack Potter met with more than 700 USPS executives this week in Dallas to recognize FY 2007 performances and to prepare for the challenges of FY 2008.”
+ 700 sounds like a large number of people at the executive level. Having all of them at Dallas seems costly as opposed to teleconferencing.
+ Lower customer service standards by rolling back collection times in violation of the POM.
+ Contracting out services because they don't have to manage them!
Add them all together
= PCES SUCCESS and Big Bonuses!!
These clowns will never hold management accountable for anything.

On 10/19/07 Ask President Burrus' Column he answered that:
The Clerk Craft complement since 1986 has been reduce from 290,225 to 213,920 workers or a decrease of 27.3%.
That first class mail volume has increased from 76.2 billion pieces to 97.6 billion pieces or an increase of 21.9%.
That a Level 6 Step O increased from $27,974 to $49,733 or an increase of 77.8%
According to http:www.InflationData.com, the inflation rate from September 1986 to September 2007 was 89.19%. If a Grade 6 Step O wages had kept up with inflation then his/her pay would be $52,924. It would appear to me that for a substantial increase in production by postal workers over the last 21 years the employer has rewarded those same workers by giving them a very real paycut. Of course I could be wrong and would welcome any corrections.
Just a side note - President Burrus’ current salary is $132,689. If anyone knows what President Biller’s salary was in 1986 and what percentage the president's salary has increased over the 1986 to 2007 period please post it.
I have visited this website more than once - enough to know that the webmaster is not management or a brown-nosing union officer - I just want an honest answer.

Edited by author 11-02-2007 03:17 PM
I've noticed on our pay schedules the different grades and steps. I always see something on the called "RC." Does anyone know what RC is and how do you get it?

Peggy,
This is something you and I will never see in our postal careers. On our salary schedule, RC means "red circle". In the USPS and the private sector as well, a pay rate which has a red circle drawn around it means that the rate is outside of or in addition to the regular schedule of rates and applies only to incumbents in a position to which it is paid. It is a form of a "saved rate".
In November 1970, negotiations between the old U.S. Post Office Department (U.S. Postal Service effective July 1971) and the postal employee unions, scheduled to achieve the U. S. Congress' mandate that the time for employees to advance from Step 1 to Step 12 be reduced from 21 years to no more than eight years (it was reduced to eight years), each employee was automatically advanced to the next highest step if he had enough time-in-step to meet the new reduced requirement. Because employees in Step 12 had no higher step to reach, they were given a "red circle" rate, which was the equivalent of a Step 13. It continues in each pay level, because some incumbents to whom it was given are still in the Service. It will eventually be eliminated by attrition.

Is there ANY way to appeal a BAD decision by an arbitrator?
The Arbitrator ignored the facts that proved our case... and took the word of Management as gospel, even though the facts that supported the grievance were agreed to by a management witness.
How does the system work? Do the arbitrators have to decide an equal amount of cases for and against the USPS to keep their jobs?
Bend over ol' Rover, management's gonna give you a big bone - and it will hurt!!!

Edited by author 11-06-2007 05:43 AM
As you may know by now, an arbitrator's decisions is "final and binding."
 Your only option is to appeal to the court system only IF you can prove his decision was not based on the contract. Or if you can prove the relevant evidence was not accepted - but that will very hard to prove.
Yes, in my opinion, arbitrators realize that if they are leaning one way too often they will not be contracted to the panel again.

Does anyone have an update on the MS-47 remedy ruling? Also, does anyone have the changes or updates in the 2007 JCIM or the 2006-2010 CBA relative to Article 38?
We really need a website out here in Colorado Springs. Please respond or e-mail me back at - http://www.bjhescotts@yahoo.com
THANK YOU!!

Edited by author 11-07-2007 05:27 PM
Benjamin,
Your first question is tough one. After e-mailing other people who seemed more knowledgeable about the maintenance craft - all that we could find was that it has been stuck on Step 4 since July 12, 2007. If you haven't already read the APWU Page - here is the link - http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:-7RvQU...cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8.
Here is another link another concerning the updates in the 2007 JCIM and Article 38 issues - http://www.21cpw.com/art38.pps

As a side note, hopefully they hire more custodians with hazmat experience to clean up all the crap coming out of Milwaukee on this issue.

How much did "we" pay BJ Clinton for these words of wisdom? Did the money come from COPA or from dues? We all know he NEVER speaks for free. Review your history - Fedex, Emery, and the contracting out of Postal work all happen under BJ Clinton.
Although BJ Clinton is number one in some areas:
 -The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to DIE suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First 1st lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court
- Most FBI files misappropriated by the White House: 900+
- Most number of witnesses who developed medical problems at critical points in a Presidential scandal's investigation (Tucker, Hale, both McDougals, Lindsey): 5
- Most number of women involved with a President who claim to have been physically threatened (Sally Perdue, Gennifer Flowers, Kathleen Willey, Linda Tripp, Elizabeth Ward Gracen, Juantia Broaddrick): 6
- Number of men involved in a Presidential scandal who have been beaten up or claimed to have been intimidated: 10
And "Her Thighness" (Shillary) isn't any better:
- Did anyone forget that Her Thighness attempted to take over and socialize the Health Care Industry, Yes!! Industry, it is not a right it is a privilege. Look it up in the Constitution, you won't find it in there!
- Her first adulterous affair with Vince Foster "ends" in his "suicide. Her second adulterous affair former DNC Chairman, Ron Brown "ends" when his "plane exploded."
We don't need another Clinton in the Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton dictatorship that defecates on its citizens. And if I hear the Marine Corp band playing "Hail To The Chief" to Shillary's pant suit - I will have to leave the USPS and work another station in Toronto.

I have to ask the webmaster this one......how did you get a hold of the Clinton speech video before apwu,org put it on their website? Are you guys the National Enquirer of the APWU locals?

Veterans Day this year falls on a Sunday. When the Holiday list came out this morning (Tour 1) Highlands Ranch DDC is observing this on Sunday. WHY???
The contract states that if a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday that it will be observed on a Friday or Monday.

Curious George,
Hopefully, we are NEVER like the scum money-grubbers of the National Enquirer. We received the video (via e-mail)from one of the very few Union non-officers that attended. He was more than willing to share it other "non-officers" who are just "common" postal workers and shared it with us.

Tour 1 Slave,
We are in the sad position to side with management on the Veteran's Day schedule. You can read the answer to this in the ELM (Section 518) Here is the link: http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/elm/h...008.html#vnameref_1
July the 4th and Veteran's Day are only celebrated on those days the rest move.

TO ALL VETERANS - THANK ALL OF YOU!!!!

Does anyone have some good info for a grievance concerning taking away a job bid, from a newly permanently light-duty scab? She was hurt on the job, so she will get a check and she will receive more preference because she is openly dating the clerk-craft MDO. (She has a hot Korean body and a cold Korean heart.) But I want her present job bid reposted for someone without restrictions - we desperately need help on the DBCS machines. All help and ideas welcome and appreciated. Please help me out here or respond at http://www.s-kelly77@aol.com

Edited by author 11-14-2007 05:37 PM
Scott,
All of us that have worked in the Postal Service long enough have witnessed the "nerdy & single or divorced male supervisor dating a self-serving female craft employee (the self-serving reasons vary) and also the lonely female supervisor dating a self-serving male craft employee as well."
When we respond to posts on here, we try to use "Postal Rules" from Postal manuals instead of the National Agreement because those are "their" rules instead of "our" rules -
The ELM is full of examples, that hopefully, you can use:
ELM 545.31 states: "...The term 'return to work' refers to work in an employee's bid job assignment OR work in other locations and positions".
Furthermore, 545.31(a): If a specific alternative position is available ... [The Service] must advice the employee in writing of the specific duties and physical requirements of the position."
545.31(b): "If no alternative position is necessary ... [The Service] should advice the employee of any change the agency can make to the employee's permanent assignment to accommodate the employee's limitations due to injury."
Perhaps you should request an RFI with the employee's bid job and the written notice sent to the Employee per ELM 545.31. If the notice states the job is being reassigned under the criterion of 545.31(a), which would be a new position, then; it seems we would think you would have a good argument for reposting.
If the written notice indicates the employee is being designated under 545.31(b), then the language would indicate that they retain their bid assignment.
If 545.31 was blatantly violated in regards to this employee's permanent limited duty assignment, and if the new assignment differs substantially in duties form the employee’s bid assignment, a proper remedy would be requesting that the employee's new assignment be designated under 545.31(a) as an alternative position and that the employee's bid job be reposted.
You should also refrain from using that employee's ethnicity as you wrote in your post. Management will simply focus on that fact and judge you as a racist. If she wants to sleep with a postal supervisor - that is her poor judgement. Personally, there are MANY available partners OUTSIDE of the USPS - that makes that option an absolute joke. That is her lousy judgement and she will eventually pay for her mistake.
Good luck on your grievance, Scott.

Thank you for your quick response. I was still browsing your website when I got a Message AlertI am a new steward and need all the help I can get. God Bless You!!!!

Edited by author 11-16-2007 05:33 PM
As you may have noticed, the last 3 messages have been deleted. I made the mistake of reasoning with an irrational poster. If you read his foul language - I apologize to all of you. Being a WASH (white anglo saxon hebrew) instead of a WASP - I attempted to open myself to dialogue with him. My main questions were his prejudice and what good is a "diversity team?" We should be about UNITY not DIVERSITY. The deleted poster expressed that failure in his own four letter words and ethinic slurs. For 24 hours, his point was made on the uselessness of these "Diversity teams" - they only spread more hatred and brown-nosing.
Enough said! Now let's continue to discuss the more serious issues that affect us hard-working union brothers and sisters that have families to support. Also, there is a much more g-d given large world OUTSIDE of the Postal Service for all of us to contribute.
All you posters and e-mail writers that bring intelligent discussions to this website. g-d bless all of you!
Loyd Reeder - thank you for all of your input!!!!!

I read your second-hand post on 21st Century Postal Workers and thank you. But, please, don't apologize about defending your ethnicity. The Asian employees where I work in San Francisco have no qualms about that. They make big bucks off of discrmination. I thank the bonus-hungry management and the booty-smooching diversity team for the rest of us for cleaning up their mess. I am also a Jew with a Gentile name (my last name is Miller) and we just don't fit on a "diversity team" or a useless discrimation suit. I just want to work for "honest wages" and do my best.
I will disagree with you on the fact that I met my former husband AT WORK!!! He was a Letter Carrier here in S.F. and I loved him very much. He died from Pancreatic cancer last year and now I am a single mom.
You shopuld know by now that we only have argue are ethnicity with non-Jews -they are the only ones that question us versus THEIR steerotypes.

Shalom

Does anyone know whether a level 5 clerk working a position that is level 6 for part of the day is entitled to be paid level 6 for the hours worked in that position? If so, is there something in writing that I can use as support for the claim?

Edited by author 11-18-2007 11:03 AM
Grumpy,
This is a VERY winnable grievance.
Our first reference is from the Postal manual ELM. Read section 233.3 here is the link: http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/elm/h...003.html#vnameref_1
Also, please refer to Article 25, Section 2 of the National Agreement - Higher Level Pay "An employee who is detailed to higher level work shall be paid at the higher level for time actually spent on such job."
Simply put, you should be paid Level 6 pay for Level 6 work - irregardless if you are a favorite of management or your union.

Brittany,
If the last post sounded cold-hearted I apologize. There have been situations where a craft employee dates a member of MANAGEMENT for their own self-serving reasons. I work with husband and wife co-workers here in the 80123 zone. My personal preference is to meet others outside of work, but that is MY preference. The response was made to those who wish to sleep with someone to climb the management ladder. On or off the job, people who use others for their own self-serving reasons are merely pond-scum on the reservoir of life

OK, here is my dilemma. I had the audacity to be sick not one but TWO days in a row!!! Quickly now, write your Congressman on my absolute criminal act.
There is a flu travelling in Colorado and I was unfortunate enough to catch it and I missed TWO days of work.
Although I have over 1000 hours of sick leave and have only missed TWO consecutive days - the Postal Al-Queda (in English: management) commands that I shall not enter their Postal mosque until I submit sufficient documentation before their imam (my supervisor) and Allah (my Postmaster.)
My post is sarcastic - no? I am simply a 17 year postal clerk was sick 2 days in a row (first time ever in 17 years.)
The Postal Al-Queda here says that the documentation requirements have changed on September 11, 2007. (Sept. 11?).....that is what inspired the Al-Queda references.
Does anyone have one shred of evidence in writing about these changes? - I cannot find them.

Edited by author 11-21-2007 03:19 PM
Reilly,
Just out of curiousity, where did they find such a statement? And what September 11th letter?
Enclosed in this message are four links to help you out. This is in accordance with ELM Section 513.361 Three Days or Less For Periods of Absence of 3 Days or Less, " Supervisors may accept the employee’s statement explaining the absence. Medical documentation or other acceptable evidence of incapacity for work or need to care for a family member is required only when the employee is on restricted sick leave (see 513.39) or when the supervisor deems documentation desirable for the protection of the interests of the Postal Service. Substantiation of the family relationship must be provided if requested." ELM link: http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/elm/h...mc5/elm510_003.html
In our National Agreement, Article 10.5.D states "For periods of absence of three (3) days or less, a supervisor may accept an employee’s certification as reason for an absence." That means, as craft employees, we may submit certification. http://www.apuw.org/wenart/article105
On August 28, 2007 the APWU wrote a letter to the USPS concerning management demanding documentation for 3 days or less - http://www.21cpw.com/letter82707.pdf
The USPS responded back on September TENTH - maybe that is your management's reference but in this link - http://www.21cpw.com/letter91007.pdf - there is nothing in the letter that management demands documentation.
Hopefully, this helps you Reilly. Happy Thanksgiving!
To Brittany, my San Francisco sister in the USPS struggle - "Modim anachnu Lach!"

Thank you for your quick response. My problem is that my supervisor used that EXACT E.L.M. rule against me - "...when the supervisor deems documentation desirable for the protection of the interests of the Postal Service. Substantiation of the family relationship must be provided if requested."
In their damaged minds, my missing two days in a row was "deemed desirable."
They also cited the JCIM Article 10, " For absences of three days or less a supervisor may require an employee to submit documentation of the illness “when the supervisor deems documentation desirable for the protection of the interests of the Postal Service.”"
The "deems desirable" language is a wide open hole for an ignorant supervisor to play God with his employeees.

P.S. - I was told that the USPS letter was released on Sept. 11 instead of the 10th. My error! I apologize for the Islamic references. I am NOT anti-muslim - I am anti-Al-Queda and anti-mismamagement.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING BACK TO YOU LITTLETON APWU!!!

I read the "tear-jerking" or whatever jerking sensation I felt - about the limited duty slug receiving a letter from the USPS. That tore my heart out.
NOT!!!!
This Claudia Marinkovich person is pictured sitting on her fat ass watching TV with her husband and that is how I see her at work. Sitting on her fat ass! The article also mentions that her daughter is a "light-duty carrier" and her son is a "light-duty mailhandler" as well. OMFG!! There's a Red Flag! Good for the USPS to go after her.
Every single Postal worker - no matter what your ethnicity is - took the SAME PHYSICAL EXAM!!!!!!! to qualify to work for the USPS. WE ALL PASSED!!!
Unfortunately, Claudia will need to create a better lie than her children did because she is - Limited-Duty. Limited-duty is from an OFF the job injury. "Light-duty" is an ON-the-job injury.
I have worked around enough using-scamming-lying pieces of shit. Claudia will probably have a "miraculous recovery" and will have to think behind her welfare-given desk at work - "hmmmmm...........how can I get injured
at work!!..." The top 3 answers are: 1) 'I got hit by moving postal equipment,' 2)- 'the top half of a GPC hit my head and I can't do anything or LIE #3) - management told me that I to work like everyone else for my paycheck - but OUCH!!! I had to work like the Common People beneath me and I am a lazyfuck who is incapable of that function in life.
The TRUE scammers are the limited-duty people who will have a "miraculous recovery" and then will get hurt a work within a 30-day period.
The real injured will be tossed like scraps of Darfur victims- while the Scammers will stay on board.

YA GOTTA LOVE THE FACT THESE LIGHT DUTY SCAMMERS FILE 80 PERCENT OF THE FRIVOLOUS GRIEVANCES. THE APWU SPENDS SO MUCH MONEY FOR LEGAL AND ARBITRATING ISSUES ON THESE LEECHES. MOST UNIONS WOULD BE BANTRUPT BY NOW.

APWU - APATHETIC PROCRASTINATING WORKERS UNION
UAW - UNITED AGAINST WORK

did u know that the pyramids were built by APWU workers! they were originally designed as a cube - half of crew left when they filed for light duty. another part of the crew left when they filed for discrimination when they were told to do their job even if they were korean. a few more quit working and were found in the supervisor's office kissing his ass - the only real worker was left to throw a rock on top and quit for the day.

Lock the back door Mark!!! The anti-union people are taking over your message board!!!

For those of you are retired and still read local websites here is a website just for US!!! http://www.keepingposted.org/ NEWS related articles for us retired postal workers!
P.S. to whomever runs this site - tell the Nixie clerks I said, "HEY!!!!"

Edited by author 11-30-2007 06:55 PM
Obviously because PTFs were made regular - we career employees got a 1% raise. Thank you for the taking easy way out Bur-asshole!! It makes it easier for you to live in in $900,000 home - see http://www.williamburuss.com. Your maid probably makes more than I do!!!!

Knock it off Screwed!!!!!!!!1

Not only only do I like to buy Bill Burrus his shots of Hennessey!!! He says he likes the knob jobs I give him as well!!!!!

Edited by author 11-30-2007 07:36 PM
Screwed,
Things don't always work out the way we want to. You have no idea how negotiations work! No this was not a "trade off" for a 1% increase. If you'll notice the other crafts got similar increases, yet did not achieve PTF conversions.
The "trade off" (and I hesitate to mention this because so many get it wrong) was the increase in the casual cap from 5.9% to 6% (0.1% increase) AND the USPS got the ability to hire one casual for 360 days (instead of the previous limitations which permitted them to hire two casuals for 180 days each)
Also, in addition to PTF conversions we also got (via the same memorandum)
 OT for FTR before OT for casuals
-- No casuals on day shift
-- The 10% per building cap on casuals, in essence, reduced the District allowance from 15% to 10%
-- Transfer opportunities for PTFs in small offices (to go to large offices and get converted)
We also gave back the "casual in lieu of" provision (Don't agree with that one).
All in all not a bad deal for what you judge as a "trade off!!!"

Brittany,
I have no idea how the SCABs got in here - good luck on your bid for Union President. =)

supervisor who walks around with hands in pocket "feels cocky!" i love to act friendly to the craft but suck EAS cock when you aren't watching! :-)

So here is what happened back in 1970. The newly-formed APWU mafioso had Nixon by the balls. Here's how it works when you form a union. (1) The union threatens vandalism, boycotts or whatever against the company unless they sign a collective bargaining agreement. (2) The company agrees, because they can't afford the losses. (3) The first thing the union negotiates in the contract is a union shop or agency shop. (4) The employees are forced to pay dues to keep their jobs. (5) The union thereafter ignores the worker's interests, except that the union officers try to look like they care enough to get re-elected to their union jobs, all of which are overpaid.

What is your problem Bert? You wouldn't be making $20 an hour if it weren't for the APWU. Besides, we are an OPEN shop - you don't have to join and pay for the job insurance the APWU provides. I suspect you are a free-loading SCAB leech off the rest of us anyway. Your message does contain some truth but you have tainted it with half-truths also. The old Post Ofice Dept. pre-1970 was a true Hell-hole to work for. You spoiled whiny baby-boomers are clueless what the Greatest Generation went through.

Bert,
I don't know where you are getting your information - but there was no APWU back in 1970. Plus, we are an OPEN shop - you have the right to either walk in solidarity with your co-workers or you may choose to not join and complain about what your union has helped to provide. I am in the middle of writing about the Great Postal Strike of 1970 on the Commentary Page including links with documented facts.

Scott,
You are absolutely correct! I cannot tell from your post if you are from the "Greatest Generation" or a Post-baby-boomer like I am. The pendulum swings both ways. Some baby-boomers felt compelled to rebel against their parent's generation. Some of us Generation X'ers (post baby boom) sometimes rebel against the baby-boomers. Most of share the ideas of the World War 2 generation. The generation after us will rebel against us. The pendulum swings both ways.

Edited by author 12-03-2007 02:04 AM
I am from Colorado and I like your website. I am grateful for your 2005 fundraising for Katrina-affected Postal Workers although I know that (whomever you are) - you did that independently and not your Local. I am a New Orleans transplant to Colorado because of Katrina.
I am writing as the LOWEST person on my seniority list. Being the lowest Regular clerk - I have no rights but I still pay my APWU dues.
I am an automation clerk and will be for a long time because I will outbid for any other job.
I have read this blog before and have read Loyd Reeder's posts on http://www.21cpw.com
Ergonomics is NO JOKE!!! I will go out on a limb and say MOST Union Officers NEVER,,EVER worked on a DBCS machine and when we discuss our problems they simply reply "Oh, I understand....we are working on that issue right now." That is a frustrating answer and that makes it more difficult to go back to work after my own Union yanked my genitalia so hard.
One of the weakness in the USPS is that they look at machinery and automation and talk about process capability, but they fail to equate it with the human side of things. Anybody will tell you good process capability equals quality. But if you have poor ergonomics, you have poor human process capability and you're going to have poor quality.
The problem is that the engineers that design these DBCS machines don't have any hands-on experience actually performing the function they are designing for. Getting an engineer on the line goes a long way toward education but the USPS was hell-bent on cutting labor - so to hell with the human aspect. Bring a guy out there and hurt him for a while and he really starts to understand ergonomics.
If you read Kaiser Permante's website http://www.kaiserpermanente.org - you will read their physician-approved warnings of poor ergonomics.

1.) - Job activities with many repetitions

2.) - Putting the body in extreme positions ( like placing full trays from full lower pockets on the pie-cart

3.) Work that requires you frequently maintaining static postures ( especially sweeping 2nd pass from a DBCS.)

Sadly, too many Union officials are too busy defending the slugs on the window and manual units while the 'bread and butter' on automation received the Bill Burrus autographed gerbil up our ass.

APWU - this ain't your grandfather's P.O. anymore.

Edited by author 12-11-2007 03:43 AM
Brad,
You may be right about MOST Union Officers NEVER, EVER worked on a DBCS machine. But what about DBCS operators that became officers by fighting management on safety issues? That's what I had to do...
I was a PTF for 5 years because local management did not want to convert PTFs to full-time. I must have initiated 20 maximization grievances that took 3-4 years to settle in a pre-arb, converting all the PTFs in our local. I also initiated a safety grievance dealing with the DBCS staffing which was settled guaranteeing 2 operators under most circumstances the DBCS machines were running. The other officers were not PTFs or DBCS operators at the time, so I became a steward and did it myself. Now I am an officer. Go for it!
http://soal.awardspace.com Clerk Craft Director

Edited by author 12-05-2008 02:13 PM
I have neglected my own webiste and have not responded back to my e-mails and message lately - December is a stress for ALL of us.

Brad,

Loyd Reeder is an intelligent man and I have only had a brief convo with him while I was at work for 4 minutes. I totally agree that is ergonomics is NOT a joke. I agree that MOST union officers (but not ALL) have no DBCS experience. This is 2007 and most clerks in larger offices will start out in automation - this is the reality of the USPS. All of us under 40 yrs. old have all started out in that spot. Our DBCS machines are very ergonomically incorrect and will remain that way.
Craig,

I read your message and admire your spirit. I love your website, Southern Oregon Local (http://soal.awardspace.com/) - very informative. I started this website in 2004 using basic HTML Code and left it that way - so it is less eye-appealing. But I saw your website and I like it. Good luck to you!

Connie Schneider,

This is the only way I can respond back to you. If our home page did actually updated effectively - you will understand. Someone using a Postal Computer (yes, really - we have their IP address) "haxored" this website. Someone has WAY too much time on their hands as this is a VERY SMALL postal website.
Anyway, Connie, to answer your question, ADVO is on its way out but it will be awhile. "RedPlum.Com" purchased ADVO and as of yesterday it is no longer ADVO. Their future plans are to advertise only online - please read more at http://www.redplum.com.

I have been reading how Poodlehead from the NALC and Burass from the APWU believe that Hillary will save the USPS. OMFG!!!! She is as much of a liar than Postal Management.
Most especially as a woman, I have become more and more concerned that Hillary Rodham Clinton just might be elected as the first female President of the United States in 2008. And that possibility curls my hair, dangerously accelerates my heartbeat and sends shivers down my spine.
I have been following Hillary's "life" since she first made a blip on the national radar during the 1992 election. Back then, my own perception of her was that she was kind of pert, sort of pretty, and that she might even be slightly smarter than that absolutely charming husband of hers - the candidate. When I learned that she had her own Yale law degree and that they were being billed as the "two-for-one" presidency, I actually thought to myself that it might be a good deal for the taxpayers. Pay one President; get two. I do always try to give a new President - and First Lady - the benefit of the doubt, as due respect for our Republic and the electorate dictates.


But that was 15 years ago. In that time, I've read six biographies of Hillary (4 admittedly unfavorable, 1 gushingly favorable, and 1 supposedly neutral). With such a preponderance of damning evidence against her already widely disseminated, it strikes me as more than a little strange that this woman is not in prison or a mental institution. That she has managed to remain not only free, but center-stage in the Democratic Party and a Senator from an "adopted" state is an indictment of our press and her Party. If she succeeds in lying and manipulating her way into the White House, it will be an indictment of us all.
Even Carl Bernstein admits (A Woman in Charge; Knopf; 2007; p. 554) that Mrs. Clinton is the human equivalent of a chameleon, changing her colors and her story to suit her audience:
They're disgusted by the fact that, while they struggled to break through barriers in the workplace, Clinton hitched her star to her man and followed him to the top. She has become an effective of a liar as her skirt-chasing hubby BJ Clinton.

"Americans of all political persuasions are coming to the sad realization that the former First Lady (Hillary Rodham Clinton) - a woman of undoubted talents who was a role model for many in her generation - is a congenital liar. So, let it be said from my all-female mouth now and on the record: If Hillary Clinton is elected as President of the United States, it will set the cause of any sort of feminism back for at least 250 years. Whether we like it or not, she will be the "ruler" by which future female candidates are measured. And she will be judged for the woman she is - not for the man she isn't." - Oprah Winfrey, Ebony - January 2008.

So, just for a moment try to forget Travelgate (Cronyism at its vile lowest), WhiteWater (phony S&L scheme that cost taxpayers $4 million), Campcon (FBI investigation into illegal Chinese government political contributions to Clintons and DNC), MonicaGate (don't even go there), and PardonGate (the final-hour pardons granted by the Clinton "Co-Presidency," including a host of Clinton & Rodham relatives, friends and big contributors).

And besides the bald-faced lying, here's what rubs me the wrong way. Hillary Clinton's thirst for power has been so great that she has knowingly trampled the feelings and rights of all the women she called "Bimbos," enabled an out-of-control man to escape due punishment, and now dares to play the long-suffering, loving wife with no thought to the real-life consequences borne by all the "other" women that litter the roadside of Bill Clinton's life.
This one issue alone invalidates any claim she ever had to the real Women's vote. Her cadre of elite feminist loyalists can clamor all they wish for solidarity of the "sisterhood," but I don't know a single woman over the age of 18 who is buying it except for the baby-boom women who still think they are young. If Hillary Clinton gave one whit for the respectability of women, she would have trounced Billy boy a long, long, long, long time ago. Women like myself bornm after the Woodstock concert think of us Hillary as a freaking joke - most men do too. But there are more of you spoiled baby-boomers in the USPS than there are of us.
And why on earth would an educated electorate buy the simpleminded notion that a woman who cannot even stop a philandering husband from, well, philandering, could ever stop terrorists from, well, terrorizing? Surely, we are too smart to trust this woman with her little manicured finger on the "A-bomb" button.
If not, then we probably deserve what we will get from her. If you have real questions at this point about what that would be, get yourself a copy of Rules for Radicals, by the infamous Saul Alinsky, the left-wing guru of ethical relativity, an avowed means-justify-the-ends Marxist, who was the topic of Hillary's senior thesis at Wellesley. Don't bother trying to get a copy of her paper, though; it's sealed up, though a purported bootleg copy made it onto the web. I have been unable to verify if it is genuine.
I would give just about anything to be able - in good conscience - to vote for a woman for President. Just not this particular woman. She doesn't even know who she is anymore. How could she possibly know who we are? She thinks we are the means to her end. That's all her idea of "sisterhood" has ever been.
It's all about her. And only her.

I have a Level 3 Custodian at our Denver Post Office that is being told to do NDCBU lock changes. I have asked that he be paid higher level pay for his time spent changing NDCBU locks. Management is willing to pay him level 4. I am asking for Level 7 because our Level 7 Maintenance Worker is paid Level 7 and this custodian is doing the Level 7 Maintanance Worker's job because he plays golf with station manager . Are there any grievance settlements I can cite to back me up?

Edited by author 01-12-2008 04:25 PM
Larry,
Check the EL-201 for Maintenance Mechanics, Level 6. That is the lowest level for letterbox work. You actually have a chance to fight for the Level 7 Letterbox Mechanic pay. Here is a link to the EL-201 online - http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/USPS_hbks...%20(20.27%20MB).pdf

Sheila,

You are obviously and well-read and intelligent woman. I cannot disclose my personal choice for president as that would violate the APWU Press Association rules but I am not voting for Hillary either. Because you have sent 3 e-mails to this site, I will got out on a limb and say I will not vote for Ron Paul either (your choice.) Ron Paul is an inexperienced paleo-conservative libertarian who wants to abolish everything from the IRS to FEMA — that's just not practical! He and his supporters seem to be living in their own dream world impervious to the reality that that kind of libertarianism doesn't work, especially in today's modern world. You cannot just shut yourself off from everything because of some bad experiences. My parents lost their home to Katrina in 2005 and FEMA did a terrible job in the Gulf Coast, but getting rid of the organization all together is not the answer. Imagine: under Ron Paul's ridiculous vision for America there would be no federal response to something like Katrina, many more would suffer and the conditions there would be far more abysmal as they were following Katrina in 2005.
100 years ago, in 1908, Ron Paul would have won over William Taft. He wants to turn America into an isolationist, closed-off, libertarian haven — that kind of system just won't work in a culturally and economically globalized world. Isolationism isn't too much better than neoconservative interventionism. Ron Paul would work years ago, but not anymore. Under Paul, and without income tax, homeland defense and security, and social welfare, the US would be going back in time more than it has even under the Bush administration.
Ultimately, we don't need ZERO government, we need a BETTER government. Damn, my message is almost as long as yours Sheila. We all have our own point of view and that is what makes America the BEST country on Earth.

Three men: Two brown-nosing clerks and a Supervisor decide to walk up and down Chatfield Rservoir during their lunch hour. Halfway up the shoreline, they stumbled upon a lamp. As they rub the lamp a genie appears and says "Normally I would grant you 3 wishes, but since there are 3 of you, I will grant you each one wish." The first brown-noser went first. "I would like to spend the rest of my life living in a huge house in Aspen, with no money worries and surrounded by beautiful women who worship me." The genie granted him his wish and sent him on off to Aspen.
The second brown-noser went next. "I would like to spend the rest of my life living on a huge yacht cruising the Mediterranean, with no money worries and surrounded by beautiful women who worship me." The genie granted him his wish and sent him off to the Mediterranean.
Last, but not least, it was the Supervisor'sturn. "And what would your wish be?" asked the genie.
"I want them both back after lunch" replied the Supervisor.

Edited by author 02-18-2008 11:31 AM
Where the hell have you been Mark, your website looks abandoned! Please e-mail me, you know who I am. Incidentally, I saw you on Postal Prof.com - now I know what's underneath that window clerk shirt :)

I have an overtime question:
If a non-ODTL employee works 2 hours overtime and an ODTL employee works .50, in the grievance remedy, I am asking for the OTDL employee to get compensated 2 hours at the penalty overtime rate. Is that a correct remedy? Thank you for anyone that can help me.

Since there were not any particulars mentioned in your post such as: for SSA, distribution or automation, we will answer your question as it was asked.
On page 295 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement under question #2, it states that "when, for any reason, an employee on the OTDL, who was available, but is improperly passed over and another employee NOT on the list is selected for overtime work, the employee who was passed over shall be PAID for an equal number of hours at the OVERTIME RATE for the opportunity missed." The JCIM page 53 question #25 paragraph (2) states the same language.
Hope this helps you, Benita!

Edited by author 03-30-2008 10:31 AM
I need help if anyone can provide it. I have tried USPS and ELM, etc. I have been trying to find a copy of Form 3074 Request for Waiver. I can download or if someone can E Mail me one on here I would appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

Wyo Steward:

The link is on our download page, but to make it simpler for you here is the actual link : http://nji-bmc.com/ps3074.pdf. I recoginize your IP address Darlene. It must be difficult for you being the local APWU president and sole steward in your area of Wyoming. Thank you for refering Lynn of Lost Springs to our website.

Edited by author 04-11-2008 03:52 PM
Does Littleton Highlands Ranch have any mail processing jobs open? T-1?

b. charles,
Recently, one of our automation clerks retired from Highlands Ranch and his job is open. Please contact Juanita Sullivan at (303)683-4333 for more information about the status of that position.

I remember reading somewhere that there is a difference between FSM Clerks and Automation/Manual Clerks. In general one could not work in the other's area (PAA?)
Any help on this would be appreciated.

Edited by author 04-16-2008 01:56 PM
Sharon,
In the Manual EL-201, please read the Level 5 Mail Processing Clerk description and the Q & A which was made at the conception of the position. Also read the description for Level 6 MPC.
The MPC was/is a combination of the manual distribution clerk the mail processor and the OCR operator. No FSM clerk there. Where the MPC goes to the FSM, in accordance with the day to day provisions of the agreement, they only work FSM where they feed mail into an induction syetem and not use a keypad. The keypad is used by the FSM Operator.
The EL-201 can be found on our downloads page.