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....

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.

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.

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

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....

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

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

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

LET'S HEAR IT FOR DUBYA!

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.

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.

IS THIS YOUR OFFICE?? THIS COULD BE MINE!

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

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