Clerk Division Resolutions - St Louis Gateway District Area Local

Transcription

APWU_Resolutions-3:APWU Resolutions
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Table of Contents
Res. No.
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Screening Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Screening Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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LABOR-MANAGEMENT RESOLUTIONS
Labor-Management Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Article 1
Members-at-Large (MAL) Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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Article 6
PTFs Who Have Completed Six Years of Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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Article 7
Full Time Duty Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Casuals to the Detriment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Assigning PTF Employees at Straight Time Rate
Prior to Use of Casuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PTF Conversion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PTF Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PTF Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
200 Man-Year Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Casual Caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Elimination of Casuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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Article 8
Mandatory Overtime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Overtime Hours for ODL and PTFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Labor Management Hours Between Shifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The Eight Hour Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Overtime Notification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PTF Hours By Seniority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Break Time Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
On Leave and Overtime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Work Schedules for PTF Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Elimination of Penalty Overtime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Split Work Schedules for PTF Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Overtime Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Union LWOP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Overtime Desired List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
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Article 9
Custodial Labor PS-3 and PS-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sales and Service Associates Upgrade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
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Article 10
Transitional Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Barring Employees Detailed to EAS Positions
From Vacation Leave Selection Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Online Internet Access for Leave Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Union LWOP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Las Vegas, Nevada • August 18-22, 2008
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Remote Encoding Center
Transitional Employees Annual Leave Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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Article 11
Holiday Schedule Premium
For Entire Holiday Scheduling Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Remedy for Holiday Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Holiday Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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Article 12
Postal Wide Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
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Article 13
National Hardship Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Career Prior to Casuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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Article 14
Rest Breaks for All Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
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Article 15
Accountability on Grievance Settlements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Grievance Payment Processing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Separate Ladders of Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Web Based Grievance Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
District Level Arbitration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Unclaimed Grievance Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Grievance Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
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Article 16
204Bs Not Issuing Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Suspensions of 14 Days or Less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Weingarten Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Review of Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
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Article 17
Appointment of Stewards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Steward Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
District Reps Performing Steward Duties on the Clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
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Article 19
Re-Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Holiday Schedule Premium
For Entire Holiday Scheduling Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Family Medical Leave Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Compensation for All Annual Leave at Time of Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Locating Employees Due Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Sunday Premium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Shared Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Human Resources Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
APWU to Acquire Access to eRMS-47
and Other Postal Online Maintenance Staffing Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
VOE Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
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Norman Oklahoma Technical Training Center Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Sick Leave for Annual Leave Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
LWOP for Union Officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Pay Anomaly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
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Article 21
Health Care Benefits for TEs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Open Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
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Article 26
Sales and Service Associate Uniforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Window Clerks to Wear Shorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Increase in Uniform Allowance Maintenance Craft Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
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Article 28
Time Limits on Issuing a Letter of Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
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Article 31
APWU Access to Electronic Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
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Article 32
Real Notification & Input Before Subcontracting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Leveling the Playing Field With Subcontractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
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Article 36
Travel Away From Station/Installation/Bid Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
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Memorandums of Understanding
Bereavement Leave MOU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Bereavement Leave MOU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Sick Leave for Dependent Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Sick Leave for Dependent Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Change Formula for Day of Mourning Leave for PTFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
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CLERK DIVISION RESOLUTIONS
Clerk Division Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Article 37
Reversions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Duty Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Craft Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Deferment Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Details to Non-Bargaining Unit Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Non-Bargaining Unit Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Non-Bargaining Unit Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Equalization of the 120 Day Break for 204Bs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Form 1723 Assignment Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Higher Level Pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Information on Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Information on Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Information on Job Postings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Clothing/Uniform Allowances Included on Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
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Exception to Ninety-Day Bidding Restriction for Displaced Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Time Limits for Placement of 2nd/Next Senior Bidder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Part Time Regular Bidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Unrestricted Bidding
Between Full-Time Regulars and Part-Time Regulars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Live Bidder Provision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Assignment of Unencumbered Clerk Craft Employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Phone Bidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Upgrade Level 7 BMEU Technicians and
Mailing Requirement Clerks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Residual Vacancies to be Available for National Bid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Credit Card/Debit Card Liability for SSA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
APWU Presence in Function 4 Reviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Work Standards and Staffing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Housing Arrangements While Attending Training
at NCED Norman, Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Travel of Spouse and Children to USPS Training Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
MAINTENANCE DIVISION RESOLUTIONS
Maintenance Division Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 38
Order for Filling Vacant Maintenance Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Promotions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Filling Vacant Maintenance Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Equalization of the 120 Day Break for 204Bs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Information on Job Postings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Reversions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Timeframes for Filling of Residual Maintenance Vacancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Preserving Non-Custodial Workhours When
Building Maintenance Custodians Are Eliminated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
PTR Eligibility to Bid on Exam Specialist and VOMA Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Craft Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Phone Bidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Form 1723 Assignment Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Union Input Prior to Reversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Seniority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES DIVISION RESOLUTIONS
Motor Vehicle Services Division Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 39
Seniority Provisions for PTFs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
MVS Typing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
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Casuals With 2 Years of US Postal Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Craft Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Time Period for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees
Returning to Bargaining Unit Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Phone Bidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Bidding on Vacant VOMA Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
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SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION RESOLUTIONS
Article 41
Craft Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Phone Bidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
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66
FORMAL RESOLUTIONS
Formal Resolutions Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Endorse Barack Obama for President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Nationally Sponsored Training in Non Union Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
67
68
68
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS
Legislative Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
Fairness for Part-Time Union Officers Participating in FERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Consolidations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Closed Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Social Security Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Representation for Non-Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Sick Leave Incentive Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Pre-Tax Health Care Premiums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Anti-Sweatshop Bill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Support for Health Care Reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Improved USPS Recycling and Waste Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
FERS Sick Leave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Fair Trade Not Free Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Defend The BMCs Fight Privatization of Parcel Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Expanding Veterans Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Continuance of Pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Health Insurance in the Private Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
70
70
70
71
71
71
72
72
73
74
74
75
75
76
76
76
SAFETY AND HEALTH RESOLUTIONS
Safety and Health Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77
Window Clerk Ergonomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
78
HEALTH PLAN RESOLUTIONS
Health Plan Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
Health Plan Rebate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Each One Help One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
80
81
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HUMAN RELATIONS RESOLUTIONS
Human Relations Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Human Relations Veteran’s Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
82
83
Constitution Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constitution Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84
85
CONSTITUTIONAL RESOLUTIONS
CONCURRENCE RESOLUTIONS
Article 3, Section 1
Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
86
Member’s Good Standing Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
87
Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
87
Article 5, Section 1 (a)
National Convention Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
88
Article 5, Section 1 (b)
National Convention Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
88
Article 8, Section 2 (a) 2 (b)
Legislative Department Title Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Resolution 6A-Indiana Postal Workers Union
89
Support Services Division Representation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
89
Article 9
Local Right to Have Input to Appeal Grievances to Arbitration……. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
90
Article 16, Section 4 and Section 5
Restructuring of Local Chapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
91
Article 21, (a)
President’s Authority to Approve/Disapprove the Filling
of all Elected Positions After Attrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
92
NON CONCURRED RESOLUTIONS
Article 3, Section 4 (e)
Increase Retiree Per Capita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Resolution 11A-Minnesota Postal Workers Union
Article 3, Section 4 (e)
Retiree Delegate to the National Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
vi
93
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Res. No.
Article 5, Section 1 (a) and 1 (b)
Shorten National Convention to 4 Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Resolution 13A-Des Moines Iowa Area Local
Division Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Resolution 14A-Michigan Postal Workers Union
Resolution 14B-Minnesota Postal Workers Union
Page
94
95
Article 5, Section 4 and 8
Division Meetings and BMC Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
97
Article 7, Section 1 (b) 1 (c)
APWU Headquarters’ Staffing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
97
Article 8, Section 3 and 4
Restructuring of National Officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Resolution 19A-North Dakota Postal Workers Union
Resolution 19A-Des Moines Iowa Area Local
Article 8, Section 4 and 6 (a)
Restructuring of National Officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Elimination of Regional Coordinators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Resolution 21A-Iowa Postal Workers Union
Article 8, Section 11 (New Section B)
Payment for Retiree National Convention Delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Resolution 22A-Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union
Resolution 22B-California Postal Workers Union
Resolution 22B-Oregon Postal Workers Union
Resolution 22C-Minnesota Postal Workers Union
Resolution 22C-Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local
98
98
99
100
Article 8 (New Section)
Veterans Directors’ Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
103
Article 9, Section 1 (b) (c) (d) and Section 3 (b) (c) (d)
Elimination of Junior Assistant Craft Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
104
Article 9, Section 1, Clerk Division, Section 2, MVS Division,
Section 3, Maintenance Division
Division Council Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Resolution 25A-Arizona Postal Workers Union
Resolution 25A-Colorado Postal Workers Union
Resolution 25B-Wisconsin Postal Workers Union
Resolution 25C-Wyoming Postal Workers Union
Resolution 25D-Sarasota Local
Resolution 25D-Tampa Area Local
Resolution 25E-Alabama Postal Workers Union
Resolution 25E-Tennessee Postal Workers Union
Resolution 25E-Washington Postal Workers Union
105
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Article 9, Section 1 (e) Clerks, Section 2 (c) MVS
Section 3 (e) Maintenance
More NBAs Nationwide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
108
Article 9, Section 3 (c) (d) (e) (f)
Maintenance Division NBAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
109
Article 9, Section 4 (a) (b)
Support Services Division Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Resolution 28A-North Dakota Postal Workers Union
Resolution 28A-Wisconsin Postal Workers Union
Resolution 28B-Oregon Postal Workers Union
Resolution 28B-East Bay Area Local
Article 10 (New Section 3)
Eligibility to Run and Hold National, State or Local Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Article 11, Section 5 (New)
Campaign Finance Reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Resolution 30A-Iowa Postal Workers Union
Resolution 30B-Colorado Postal Workers Union
Resolution 30C-Washington Postal Workers Union
Vote Tally National Elections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Resolution 31A-Montana Postal Workers Union
109
111
112
114
Election of National Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
115
Retiree Delegates as National Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
116
Rename Retiree National Convention Delegate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
116
Article 12
Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
117
Support Services/National Executive Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Resolution 36A-Idaho Postal Workers Union
Resolution 36A-Minnesota Postal Workers Union
Resolution 36B-Iowa Postal Workers Union
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117
Article 14
Recall of Elected Officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
119
Article 15, Section 3 (b) (New Language)
National Pay Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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Dues Increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
120
100% Membership in State AFL-CIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
121
Pro-Rated Dues for Part-Time Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
121
Article 16, Section 2 (i)
Local Retiree Chapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
122
Collection of Dues for States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Resolution 47A-Wisconsin Postal Workers Union
Resolution 47B-Southwest Coastal Area Local
Resolution 47C-Iowa Postal Workers Union
Resolution 47C-Minnesota Postal Workers Union
Resolution 47C-North Dakota Postal Workers Union
123
Rebate to Local Unions for State Per Capita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
124
Article 21
Filling Officer Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
124
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Page 1
Screening Committee
Seated, left to right: Diana North, Broward County (FL) Area Local; Mark Case, Asheville
(NC) Area Local; Rachel Walthall, Committee Chair, Baltimore (MD) Francis “Stu” Filbey
Area Local; Tracey Thorns, Detroit (MI) District Area Local; Darol Stewart, Stockton (CA)
Local. Standing, left to right: Glenn Hayes, Manasota (FL) Area Local; Edgar Wallace, Birmingham (AL) Area Local; Lora Ammons, Greater Kansas City Metro (M0) Area Local;
Dwight Slaikeu, Waterloo (IA) Local; Regina Butler, North Carolina Council; Liz Powell, Advisor/Northeast Regional Coordinator; Fred Wolfmeyer, St. Louis (MO) Gateway District
Area Local; and Helmer Semjonovs, Springfield (OH) Area Local.
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Screening Committee Report
President William Burrus appointed the Screening Committee for the 19th
Biennial National Convention of the American Postal Workers Union in accordance with the provisions of Article 5, Section 3 of the National Constitution and Bylaws of the American Postal Workers Union.
The Screening Committee met in Washington DC from June 9 to June 12,
2008 to review all the available resolutions. A total of 362 resolutions were
submitted for the committee to review during the time they were in Washington DC. All resolutions not appearing in this book were forwarded to either the Constitution Committee or the National Executive Board. Only one
resolution was returned to the respective sponsor due to being submitted in
error to the Screening Committee.
The Screening Committee was composed of former and new screening
committee members. We used this to our advantage and formed small
groups with one former screening committee member in each group. This
helped the Screening Committee get right down to business. The small
groups allowed the committee to complete a variety of tasks. The format
that the National developed and made available online was very helpful.
The committee received a few resolutions using the format provided online.
The committee recommends that all resolutions be submitted in the format
that was developed by the National and submitted electronically.
The Committee would like to thank President William Burrus, Secretary-Treasurer Terry Stapleton and his staff for working so hard to facilitate our task
in Washington DC. We would also like to thank all the staff at headquarters
for their help and hospitality. Big thanks go to our advisor Liz Powell, Northeast Region Coordinator, for all her help and support.
It is with great honor, that we the committee members have been selected
to serve you the membership and to contribute to one of the important
processes of our 19th Biennial National Convention.
In Solidarity,
Rachel Walthall
Chairperson, Screening Committee
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Labor Management Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. McKinnon, Tony, Chairperson
2. Benson, Larry
3. Breaux, Steve
4. Briscoe, Dena
Fayetteville Area Local, NC
Midnight Sun Area Local, AK
New Iberia Area Local, LA
Nation’s Capital Southern
Maryland Area Local, MD
Northeast Louisiana Area Local, LA
Boston Metro Area Local, MA
Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local, CT
South Alabama Area Local, AL
Manchester Area Local, NH
Tri Parish Area Local, LA
San Fernando Valley Area Local, CA
Philadelphia BMC Local, PA
Chicago Local, IL
Phoenix Metro Area Local, AZ
Denver Metro Area Local, CO
Boise Local, ID
Cleveland Area Local, OH
5. Clark, Alonzo
6. Dempsey, Bob
7. Dennehy, Michael
8. George, Ken
9. Howe, Chris
10. Jackson, Gregory
11. Maynard, Tim
12. McGugan, Joseph
13. Myles, Mike
14. Occhiline, Vickie
15. Pearman, Paul
16. Thompson, Bryan
17. Ward, Violetta
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Labor Management Resolutions
ARTICLE 1
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE (MAL) ISSUES
Washington Postal Workers Union
-1WHEREAS, part time flexible hours are being cut due to cross craft, and
WHEREAS, Postmasters and Postmaster Reliefs are performing clerk duties, therefore be it
Resolved, that the national shall negotiate an attempt to obtain language in Article 37 and/or
Local Memorandums of Understanding (LMOUs) language, for management to cease and desist
cross craft in Members-at-Large (MAL) offices.
Previously Adopted ___ Concurrence ____ Nonconcurrence ____ Referred ___ Other ___
ARTICLE 6
PTFs WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX YEARS OF SERVICE
Arizona Postal Workers Union
-2WHEREAS, part time flexibles in offices of 200 or more man hours have been awarded full-time positions,
while part time flexibles in smaller facilities spend upward of ten years serving the company without the security of a guaranteed 40 hour week, therefore be it
Resolved, that part time flexibles, upon completion of six (6) years of service afforded protection against involuntary layoff or force reduction, also be afforded the security of being converted
to a regular position, even if it is a full time flexible – regular bid job.
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ARTICLE 7
FULL TIME DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
Michigan Postal Workers Union
-3WHEREAS, the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) gave many benefits to an office of 200 manyears, and
WHEREAS, one of the most notable of those benefits is an all full-time workforce, and
WHEREAS, the trade off for that agreement was basically to allow the casual workforce to take the role of the part time
flexible, and
WHEREAS, casuals are still part of the supplemental workforce, and
WHEREAS, Article 7.3.C has language demonstrating the definition of the need to make an assignment full
time, and
WHEREAS, the union has interest in obtaining preferred duties for its members, and
WHEREAS, in 200 man-year offices, the casual workforce is still considered supplemental, and
WHEREAS, a casual who works eight (8) hours within ten (10) (or 9) on the same five (5) days each week, for
six (6) months, goes beyond being supplemental, and
WHEREAS, there is no existing language in the National Agreement that a casual working the eight (8) hours
within ten (10) (or 9) on the same five (5) days each week and the same assignment for a period of six (6) months
will demonstrate the need to convert the assignment to full time, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we go on record as requesting that
language be incorporated into Article 7 of the 2010 agreement, that a casual working the same
assignment for eight (8) hours a day within ten (10) (or 9), will demonstrate the need to convert
the assignment to a full-time duty assignment in an office of any size.
ARTICLE 7
CASUALS TO THE DETRIMENT
New York Postal Workers Union
-4WHEREAS, we have to battle with management with regard to keeping casuals away from positions that require training, and
WHEREAS, casuals do not have stringent background checks, which can put our employees at greater risk, and
WHEREAS, casuals are normally management’s relatives and nepotism runs wild, and
WHEREAS, casuals usually work two (2) or more jobs and when they come to work are a safety hazard to
themselves and others, and
WHEREAS, management continues to attempt to utilize only one (1) casual to run DBCS, not only creating a
safety and health issue but adversely affecting employee jobs, and
WHEREAS, management continues to expand on the hiring of casuals going over the 11% complement without concern, and
WHEREAS, casuals have no incentive to provide quality service which then downgrades our service to the public, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union re-negotiate to lower the percentage on casuals from 11% to 5% of the total number of clerk craft employees within an installation.
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ARTICLE 7
ASSIGNING PTF EMPLOYEES AT STRAIGHT TIME RATE
PRIOR TO USE OF CASUALS
-5WHEREAS, the current language in Article 8, Section 3, paragraph 2, is management’s crutch to utilize casual
employees prior to using part-time flexible employees for eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours in a service week,
and
WHEREAS, Article 7, Section 1.B.2, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement has language against such action
when the utilization of casual employees is involved, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: we go on record as mandating
our national union to add new language to Article 8, Section 3, paragraph 2, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, to read: Part time employees will be scheduled in accordance with the above
rules, except they may be scheduled for less than eight (8) hours per service day and less than forty
(40) hours per normal work week provided that this does not violate Article 7, Section 1.B.2, and
be it further
Resolved, that our national union negotiate to strike in part the current language in Article 7,
Section 1.B.2 that reads: “Make every effort to”.
ARTICLE 7
PTF CONVERSION
California Postal Workers Union
-6WHEREAS, many part time flexibles in small offices never are converted and remain part time flexibles forever, therefore be it
Resolved, convert all part time flexibles after four (4) years in the same installation to full-time
regular.
ARTICLE 7
PTF CONVERSIONS
-7WHEREAS, part time flexible conversion to full time per Article 7.3, in smaller officers of less than 125 man
years, was not addressed in the current National Agreement or the Hub Office Reassignment of part time flexibles
to Smaller Officers MOU, (which provides for the practice of part time flexibles being “loaned” or “directed” to
other offices), therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: The part time flexible loaner
hours be calculated in the work hours of the gaining offices for the purpose of part time flexible
conversion to full time.
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Page 7
ARTICLE 7
PTF CONVERSIONS
-8WHEREAS, Article 7.3.B of the National Agreement, states that the employer shall maximize the full time workforce in all installations, and
WHEREAS, the agreement also provides for conversion of part time flexible employees to full time flexible status in installations with 125 or more man years, and
WHEREAS, part time flexibles are experiencing the most serious problems with conversion in smaller officers of
less than 125 man years, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: The existing language in Article 7.3.B, shall be changed to permit conversion to full time flexible in offices with less than 125
man years, subject to the existing conversion criteria and operational requirements. The new language shall read: “When a part time flexible has performed the duties within his/her craft and
occupational group, within an installation, at least forty (40) hours per week (8 within 9 or 8
within 10) five (5) days per week, over a period of six (6) months, the senior part time flexible
shall be converted to full time status.”
ARTICLE 7
200 MAN-YEAR OFFICES
-9WHEREAS, the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), gave many benefits to an office of 200
man-years, and
WHEREAS, one of the most notable of those benefits is an all full-time workforce, and
WHEREAS, the trade off for that agreement was basically to allow the casual workforce to take the role of
the part time flexible, and
WHEREAS, part time flexibles would count towards the work hours needed to achieve the status of a 200 manyear office, and
WHEREAS, offices that barely made the status in 2006 Agreement, may not make it in 2010 without counting the casual hours, and
WHEREAS, suddenly returning to the provisions of being under 200 man-years will cause many grievances, as
the casuals who are on board at the time, will suddenly be in lieu of, and
WHEREAS, it would take a substantial amount of time to resolve those grievances, and would involve retraining management, again, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan we go on record as requesting that
language be incorporated into the 2010 Agreement that once an office achieves the status of
being a 200 man-year office, that status cannot be lost in subsequent agreements.
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Page 8
ARTICLE 7
CASUAL CAPS
Iowa Postal Workers Union • Michigan Postal Workers Union
Minnesota Postal Workers Union • North Dakota Postal Workers Union
Wisconsin Postal Workers Union
- 10 WHEREAS, casual employees may be utilized as a limited term supplemental work force, and
WHEREAS, in offices without duty assignments in all crafts, clerks routinely perform various duties normally performed by other crafts (e.g., mailhandler, maintenance, etc.), therefore be it
Resolved, that all such incidental limited term supplemental work performed by non-career employees (whether casuals, contractors, temporary employees, etc.) be counted toward the applicable American Postal Workers Union and clerk casual caps.
ARTICLE 7
ELIMINATION OF CASUALS
Iowa Postal Workers Union • Minnesota Postal Workers Union
North Dakota Postal Workers Union • Wisconsin Postal Workers Union
- 11 WHEREAS, the National Agreement has provisions for Transitional Employees (TEs), and
WHEREAS, the National Agreement does not bargain on behalf of casual employees, therefore be it
Resolved, that all casual employees be changed to transitional employees with guaranteed contractual benefits, and be it further
Resolved, that all future supplemental hires be transitional employees.
ARTICLE 8
MANDATORY OVERTIME
Iowa Postal Workers Union
- 12 WHEREAS, employees not on the overtime desired list usually do not want to work overtime, and
WHEREAS, unless it is an emergency, there is no reason to call mandatory overtime, therefore be it
Resolved, that when mandatory overtime is called on an employee, that employee will receive
quadruple pay for all time mandated to work.
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ARTICLE 8
OVERTIME HOURS FOR ODL AND PTFs
- 13 WHEREAS, the overtime desired list (ODL) employees would have priority for overtime, and
WHEREAS, part time flexibles are currently being considered volunteers by management, and
WHEREAS, part time flexibles are being forced to work overtime prior to the overtime desired list (ODL), therefore be it
Resolved, national propose language that the overtime desired list (ODL) are volunteers and
part time flexibles are not volunteers.
ARTICLE 8
LABOR MANAGEMENT HOURS BETWEEN SHIFTS
- 14 WHEREAS, there are times when an employee will have less than eight (8) hours between shifts, because of bid
changes, schedule changes, and work schedules, and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the employee, the employer and the public that employees get rest to help
them be safe at work and in public, therefore be it
Resolved, that there be a minimum of eight (8) hours between an employee’s end tour and that
employee’s next begin tour, except for part time flexibles within their twelve (12)-hour work
window.
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ARTICLE 8
THE EIGHT HOUR DAY
First Area Local, PA
- 15 WHEREAS, the history of the American labor movement has been built upon the fight for the eight (8)-hour
workday, and
WHEREAS, the goal of the American labor movement has always been to establish a thirty-five (35)-hour workweek that includes a paid hour lunch break each workday, and
WHEREAS, historically, overtime and penalty overtime rates were established as a means to discourage management from extending the eight (8)-hour workday, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service management has made continued attempts to erode the eight (8)hour workday, whether it is excessive use of overtime due to understaffing, or the use of overtime to avoid hiring
new employees and having to pay them benefits, or the repeated attempt to eliminate or shorten break time and
wash-up time, and
WHEREAS, at the present time the United States Postal Service has experienced an alleged drop in mail volume
and revenue, causing management to attempt to eliminate overtime without hiring new employees and therefore seek other ways to extend the eight hour day, such as the use of Article 8, Section 1, “eight (8) hours per day
within ten (10) consecutive hours…” and is now attempting to unilaterally change regular clerk bidded schedules to include a two-hour lunch in offices with less than “100 full-time employees in the bargaining unit” based
on Article 8, Section 1, and
WHEREAS, many employees do not live near the post office where they work and therefore can make little use
of a two (2)-hour lunch, and
WHEREAS, very few if any employees would choose a two (2)-hour lunch on a daily basis, and therefore the
benefit of a two (2)-hour lunch is only to the United States Postal Service management seeking flexibility and coverage without payment of overtime, therefore be it
Resolved, Article 8, Section 1, “Work Week” be amended to read: “The work week for full-time
regulars in all offices shall be forty (40) hours per week, eight (8) hours per day within nine (9)
consecutive hours. Part-time flexible employees in all offices will not be assigned an unpaid lunch
break longer than two hours.
ARTICLE 8
OVERTIME NOTIFICATION
Central Kentucky Area Local, KY
- 16 WHEREAS, the present situation of management requiring employees to work mandatory overtime with little
or no advance notification poses extreme hardships on many employees, and
WHEREAS, management should know well in advance of their needs for overtime and could notify employees
in time for them to make other arrangements, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union Negotiating Committee make every effort to
negotiate a thirty (30) minute advance notification to employees being required to work mandatory overtime.
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ARTICLE 8
PTF HOURS BY SENIORITY
- 17 WHEREAS, junior part time flexibles work more hours than senior part time flexibles, therefore be it
Resolved, that there be equal or more hours for part time flexibles by seniority.
ARTICLE 8
BREAK TIME LANGUAGE
- 18 WHEREAS, there should be equitable break times for all clerks and not different break times for different clerks
in different work areas, therefore be it
Resolved, propose language in the national for standard break time for all clerks of at least two
(2) fifteen (15) minute breaks in an eight (8) hour work day.
ARTICLE 8
ON LEAVE AND OVERTIME
- 19 WHEREAS, just because an employee is on leave, does not mean they are not willing and able to work overtime, and
WHEREAS, it will not be any more work for management to contact those on leave for an overtime opportunity, therefore be it
Resolved, that new language be added to Article 8, Section 5.C.1, b…, “unless the employee
makes management aware, in writing, they are available for any and all overtime opportunities”.
ARTICLE 8
WORK SCHEDULES FOR PTF EMPLOYEES
- 20 WHEREAS, part-time flexible employees are now randomly scheduled on a day-to-day basis, and
WHEREAS, this can cause personal hardship and outside scheduling conflicts, and
WHEREAS, part-time flexible employees can remain part-time employees for many years, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan we go on record as mandating our
National Union to add new language to Article 8, Section 2, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, that reads: “D. Part-Time Flexible employee schedules will be posted by the Wednesday
prior to the beginning of the service week”.
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ARTICLE 8
ELIMINATION OF PENALTY OVERTIME
Hartford Local, CT
- 21 WHEREAS, Article 8, Section C of the National Agreement gives the American Postal Workers Union the right
to penalty overtime to be paid at the rate of two (2) times the basic pay hourly straight time rate, and
WHEREAS, Article 8, Section C of the National Agreement giving American Postal Workers Union the right to
penalty overtime should be deleted, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 8, Section A should read “that overtime pay is to be paid at the rate of one
and one-half (1 _) times of all hours worked after eight (8) hours on duty in any service day or
forty (40) hours in any service week”.
ARTICLE 8
SPLIT WORK SCHEDULES FOR PTF EMPLOYEES
- 22 WHEREAS, part-time flexible employees are required to work split shifts, and
WHEREAS, the split between these work schedules have no contractual language limiting the amount the
amount of time between the split, and
WHEREAS, management abuses these part-time flexible employees by scheduling splits that encompass up to
three quarter of their day, and
WHEREAS, this abuse can cause health problems and interrupts family life, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan we go on record as mandating our
national union to negotiate new language into Article 8 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
to include “the part-time flexible employees work hours will not exceed a twelve (12) hour time
frame, split included, within a twenty-four (24) hour time period, with a limit of only one split
per day.”
ARTICLE 8
OVERTIME CALLS
- 23 WHEREAS, Management has shown that they are not capable of administering overtime correctly, and
WHEREAS, many employees not on the overtime desired list (ODL) are improperly required to work overtime,
therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: language shall be added to Article 8.5.D requiring that any non-ODL employee who is improperly required to work overtime
shall, in addition to being compensated at the appropriate overtime rate, shall in addition be
given leave of choice/day of choice equal to the number of hours of improperly required overtime
work.
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ARTICLE 8
UNION LWOP
- 24 WHEREAS, union officials often need to use Code 84 (Union) leave without pay (LWOP) to perform union business, and
WHEREAS, union officials who would otherwise have reached the penalty overtime rate during the service week
are penalized for having used Code 84, since Code 84, leave without pay (LWOP) hours are not counted as “paid
hours” and fail to trigger the penalty rate per Article 8.4, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Code 84 hours be considered as
“paid hours” for the purposes of Article 8.4 and the penalty overtime rate provisions.
ARTICLE 8
OVERTIME DESIRED LIST
Idaho Postal Workers Union
- 25 WHEREAS, under Article 8 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the language states that the overtime desired list be posted for “each calendar quarter”, and
WHEREAS, full time employees have to live with their decision for three (3) months or be allowed to take their
name off one portion of the overtime desired list, therefore be it
Resolved, that existing language be stricken where there is mention of “quarterly” overtime
desired lists and add the language of “monthly” overtime desired lists.
ARTICLE 9
CUSTODIAL LABOR PS-3 AND PS-4
Alabama Postal Workers Union
- 26 WHEREAS, Resolution requiring the national American Postal Workers Union to negotiate change for Custodial
Labor PS-3 and PS-4, to a correspondingly less time between steps is being addressed, and
WHEREAS, Custodial Laborer PS-3 and PS-4 requires forty-four (44) weeks, Maintenance Mechanic PS-8 requires thirty-six (36) weeks, and Electronic Technicians PS-11 requires thirty (30) weeks, from one step to increase
to the next, and
WHEREAS, the Custodial Laborer PS-3 and PS-4 is seeking less time between steps forty-four (44) weeks to
thirty (30) weeks, from one step increase to the next, therefore be it
Resolved, the North Alabama Area Local shall introduce at the Alabama State Convention the
following resolution, requiring the state body of the American Postal Workers Union to introduce at the American Postal Workers Union National Convention this resolution. “The American
Postal Workers Union shall negotiate for a thirty (30) week time frame for all Custodial Laborers
between step increases”.
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ARTICLE 9
SALES AND SERVICE ASSOCIATES UPGRADE
- 27 WHEREAS, the language that obtained a level increase for all employees in the 2006-2010 contract was obtained
in exchange for contractual raises in 2007 and 2008, and
WHEREAS, the upgrade did not resolve the disparity in the clerk craft between the skills needed, and the responsibilities of Sales and Service Associates, as they compare to other position descriptions in the clerk craft, for
the same wage level, and
WHEREAS, it has been a long time goal of members of this union to address this disparity, and
WHEREAS, the disparity should not be placed on the back burner simply because our National leaders are of
the opinion that we got everyone a level increase (again in lieu of two pay raises), therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: we go on record as requesting
that language be negotiated upgrading employees with Sales and Service Associate duties to
Level 7, and employees with Lead Sales and Service Associate duties to level 8.
ARTICLE 10
TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYEES
West Virginia Postal Workers Union
- 28 WHEREAS, transitional employees work side-by-side with other career employees and cannot carry over annual
leave from one appointment period to another, and
WHEREAS, transitional employees do not receive sick leave, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union will strive to achieve sick leave pay for transitional employees at a rate no more than equal to the rate at which transitional employees accrue annual leave.
ARTICLE 10
BARRING EMPLOYEES DETAILED TO EAS POSITIONS
FROM VACATION LEAVE SELECTION PROCESS
Minnesota Postal Workers Union
- 29 WHEREAS, employees detailed to EAS positions can currently be granted leave in the bargaining unit, tying up
available leave slots otherwise available to the bargaining unit, therefore be it
Resolved, that any employee detailed to an EAS position (204B, OIC, etc.), must come back to
the bargaining unit during the entirety of the first two (2) rounds of the bidding cycle, and be it
further
Resolved, if said 204B, OIC, etc. is in an EAS detail two (2) weeks prior to the vacation bid, he/she
must forfeit the time to the next eligible craft employee(s)..
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ARTICLE 10
ONLINE INTERNET ACCESS FOR LEAVE REQUESTS
North Dakota Postal Workers Union
- 30 WHEREAS, employees are required to utilize the national 1-877 phone number, and
WHEREAS, there are employees that are having difficulties with operating the system, therefore be it
Resolved, that these employees will have the option of utilizing online or internet access to submit unscheduled leave requests (3971s).
ARTICLE 10
UNION LWOP
- 31 WHEREAS, under the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) and the leave provision of Article 10, employees can lose earned sick and annual leave if they are in a leave without pay (LWOP) status for increments of
eighty (80) hours during the leave year, and
WHEREAS, union officials often must use Code 84 Union leave without pay (LWOP) to perform union business,
therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Code 84 will be considered “paid
hours” rather than “leave without pay (LWOP) hours” for purposes of earning sick and annual
leave under the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) and Article 10.
ARTICLE 10
REMOTE ENCODING CENTER
TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYEES ANNUAL LEAVE PROVISIONS
- 32 WHEREAS, as of December 31, 2005, there were no longer any transitional employees in the postal service except at our Remote Encoding Centers (RECs) , and
WHEREAS, transitional employees are dues paying members of the American Postal Workers Union, and
WHEREAS, since the inception of the Remote Encoding Centers (REC), transitional employees have belonged
to the American Postal Workers Union, and
WHEREAS, transitional employees only earn one (1) hour of annual leave for each unit of twenty (20) hours in
a pay status in each pay period, and
WHEREAS, transitional employees do not earn any sick leave, and
WHEREAS, some transitional employees have worked at the Remote Encoding Center (REC) since October of
1995 and still only earn thirteen (13) days of annual leave, therefore be it
Resolved, the national American Postal Workers Union, will immediately negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for all transitional employees at the Remote Encoding Centers,
to accrue annual leave the same as career employees.
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ARTICLE 11
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE PREMIUM
FOR ENTIRE HOLIDAY SCHEDULING PERIOD
- 33 WHEREAS, Article 11.6.B provides the scheduling procedure for holiday assignments, the holiday schedule
“pecking order” which includes full time regular & part time regular employees on their holiday or designated holiday and their non-scheduled day, and
WHEREAS, ELM 434.53.c.1 states, “if the schedule is not posted as of Tuesday preceding the service week in
which the holiday falls”, and
WHEREAS, Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM), page 75, has remedies that when management improperly schedules employees to work on a holiday, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union seek to negotiate a change to the language
in ELM 434.53.c, so when a holiday schedule is posted after Tuesday (or is otherwise improperly
posted), that all full time regular & part time regular employees who are required to work or
who volunteer to work their holiday, designated holiday, or non-scheduled day receive holiday
scheduling premium for each hour of work, not to exceed eight hours with the premium to be in
addition to their pay, and be it further
Resolved, to change the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM), page 75 remedies, to reflect when management improperly schedules employees to work during the holiday schedule,
and be it further
Resolved, that full time regular & part time regular employees, who file a timely grievance because they were improperly assigned, (including untimely posting of the schedule) to work their
holiday, designated holiday, or non-scheduled day, will be compensated at an additional premium
of 50% of the base hourly straight time rate for all hours worked (up to 8 hours).
ARTICLE 11
REMEDY FOR HOLIDAY VIOLATIONS
- 34 WHEREAS, the parties have agreed that the remedy for an employee improperly denied work on his/her holiday or designated holiday, will be paid for the hours they would have worked, (reference: Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM), Article 11, page 3, Remedies), and
WHEREAS, that remedy is 30 years old, and
WHEREAS, new language has been negotiated into Article 11.3.A allowing employees to, at their option, have
annual leave credited to their balance in lieu of holiday leave pay, when they work their holiday or designated holiday, and
WHEREAS, the concept of a “make whole” remedy is to place an employee in the position they would have
been in, had there not been a contractual violation, therefore be it
Resolved, that the employee who should have worked the holiday or designated holiday but was
not permitted to do so because of the violation, shall be, at their option, either compensated at
the rate of pay they would have earned had they worked the holiday or designated holiday or
have their annual leave balance credited with annual leave equal to the number of guaranteed
straight time hours they would have been entitled to work had they properly worked their holiday or designated holiday
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ARTICLE 11
HOLIDAYS
- 35 WHEREAS, Article 11, of the National Agreement, recognizes ten (10) contractual holidays and
WHEREAS, Easter is traditionally an honored and respected family holiday in the U.S., therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Good Friday and Easter Sunday,
shall be recognized as the eleventh and twelfth contractual holidays.
ARTICLE 11
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
- 36 WHEREAS, many employees are required to work on a holiday when they are not actually needed to work, and
WHEREAS, management has shown that they are not capable of administering a correct holiday schedule,
therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Article 11.3.B, shall be modified
to include a new Section C ,which will read as follows: “Any non-volunteers improperly required
to work their holiday or day designated as their holiday, will be compensated at the appropriate
rate of pay and shall, in addition, be given an eight (8)-hour day of choice/leave of choice settlement”.
ARTICLE 12
POSTAL WIDE TRANSFERS
Hartford Local, CT
- 37 WHEREAS, Article 12, Section 6A, of the National Agreement reads, that installation heads will consider requests for transfers submitted by employees from other installations, and
WHEREAS, Article 12, Section 6B reads, that providing a written request for a voluntary transfer has been submitted, a written acknowledgement shall be given in a timely manner, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 12, Section 6A and B should read, that transfers should be allowed postal
service wide (nationwide) without any loss in seniority by both transferees, on a first come, first
served basis.
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ARTICLE 13
NATIONAL HARDSHIP DETAIL
Queens Area Local, NY
- 38 WHEREAS, a need exists to accommodate a fellow postal employee with a serious family medical emergency,
and
WHEREAS, said need may require an extended period of treatment, therapy or rehabilitation at an unmanageable distance from the employee’s facility, and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of this union to promote the health and welfare of its members, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union will negotiate with management to create
a “National Hardship Detail” for American Postal Workers Union employees with qualified FMLA
conditions, whose medical situation requires temporary relocation to receive medical treatment,
therapy or rehabilitation, allowing such an accommodation at the nearest facility for a period of
up to one (1) year, renewable upon review. Furthermore, be it that said detail have any or all of
the following stipulations:
1. That the detail will be for a specified tour, lay-off days (LODs) and date from beginning to
end. Any discussion or extension of this detail will require an additional agreement.
2. That the awarding of this detail will not change or impede the posting, awarding or filing
of any vacant bids, or have any impact on pending grievances with regard to posting/bidding in
the grievance/arbitration process.
3. That the additional manpower will not be used to avoid overtime during this detail or effect
employee’s seniority.
4. Concerning any issues in which seniority arises, this employee will be considered junior for
the duration of this detail.
ARTICLE 13
CAREER PRIOR TO CASUALS
- 39 WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service has made it clear of its intent to attack all of the ill and injured employees working for the United States Postal Service, and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the union to represent and protect the members of the union, and
WHEREAS, casuals are a supplemental workforce, and the ill and injured employees the service is after; are career employees, therefore be it
Resolved, that all ill and injured career employees will be afforded work, within their restrictions
or pay in lieu of, prior to the use/work of casuals or other supplemental employees.
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ARTICLE 14
REST BREAKS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
- 40 WHEREAS, The United States Postal Service does not currently have a set standard for all employees to receive
rest breaks at regular intervals, and
WHEREAS, The employees who normally get abused by management of the United States Postal Service, by
not receiving air and equitable breaks, are generally our lower seniority employees who aren’t courageous enough
to take on the furor of supervision, and
WHEREAS, not receiving adequate rest breaks is not only detrimental to the production of an operation, but
can also be detrimental to the safety of employees operating mail sorting machines, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that: we go on record as mandating
our national union to negotiate new language in our Collective Bargaining Agreement ensuring
that all employees receive a rest break at least fifteen (15) minutes after every two (2) hours of
work, but no earlier or later than fifteen (15) minutes within this time.
ARTICLE 15
ACCOUNTABILITY ON GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENTS
- 41 WHEREAS, The Collective Bargaining Agreement is agreed upon and signed by both the United States Postal
Service and the American Postal Workers Union, and
WHEREAS, the members of the American Postal Workers Union are held accountable if they violate the contents
of the Collective Bargaining Agreement or any supporting manuals, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service settles grievances with every intent of not honoring or continuing
to violate the same contractual language, and
WHEREAS, the grievance/arbitration procedure is jammed with identical grievances due to the United States
Postal Service not being held accountable for contractual violations, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that: we go on record as mandating
our national union to negotiate into Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, a monetary penalty imposed upon the United States Postal Service, for continuing to violate the same
contractual language and/or grievance settlements.
ARTICLE 15
GRIEVANCE PAYMENT PROCESSING
North Carolina Council
- 42 WHEREAS, there is confusion with grievance pay, and
WHEREAS, taxes take the bulk of some grievance settlements, and
WHEREAS, the cost of the second check is minimal, therefore be it
Resolved, that the United States Postal Service pay grievance settlements on a second check
along with the employee’s regular check, stating the second check is a grievance settlement.
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ARTICLE 15
SEPARATE LADDERS OF DISCIPLINE
- 43 WHEREAS, all of our past contracts have been set up as one ladder of progressive discipline, and
WHEREAS, time and attendance is unrelated to any other discipline charge, and
WHEREAS, the combining of different types of discipline is more punitive than corrective, therefore be it
our national union to negotiate a separate ladder of discipline for time and attendance.
ARTICLE 15
WEB BASED GRIEVANCE PROCESS
Kingsport Local, TN
- 44 WHEREAS, the current grievance procedure does not permit instant web access to the grievance file by union
officers from the local level to the national level, and
WHEREAS, such a grievance procedure would be a great benefit to the members of the American Postal Workers Union, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union will create a task force to investigate the feasibility of a web based grievance process and if feasible recommend adoption of that procedure.
ARTICLE 15
DISTRICT LEVEL ARBITRATION
Suncoast Area Local, FL • Tampa Area Local, FL
- 45 WHEREAS, the parties agree that it is the intent of the grievance procedure to reach agreement at the lowest
possible level, and
WHEREAS, such intent implies that it does not benefit either party to have to continually address the same issues on a serial basis, if the parties can reach mutual agreement upon such issues, and
WHEREAS, this intent is reinforced in Article 15, which states that any settlement or withdrawal of a grievance
at Step 2…shall not be precedent for any purpose, unless the parties specifically so agree or develop an agreement
to dispose of future or related problems, and
WHEREAS, such exclusion of expedited arbitration decisions from being regarded as precedent or from being
cited in any future proceedings, results in the filing of grievances on the same issue over and over again, therefore
be it
Resolved, that Article 15.5.C.4, be amended by adding the sentence: “However, such decisions
will be regarded as precedent setting and may be cited in future proceedings to dispose of similar or related problems within the originating installation.
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ARTICLE 15
UNCLAIMED GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENTS
- 46 WHEREAS, monies due active/retired/deceased/terminated employees for any and all unpaid grievance settlements are returned to the postal service when employees whereabouts are unknown, therefore be it
Resolved, that the United States Postal Service return the unclaimed grievance settlement
monies to the American Postal Workers Union (national/state/local) at the level where the grievance originated.
ARTICLE 15
GRIEVANCE TRACKING
Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union
- 47 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is responsible for enforcing the national and local agreements
through the grievance arbitration procedure, and
WHEREAS, settlements are part of the procedure, and
WHEREAS, monetary settlements are issued on a payroll check and noted as an “adjustment”, and
WHEREAS, payroll checks are void of the local grievance number, and
WHEREAS, tracking of settlements is the inherent responsibility of the union, therefore be it
Resolved, that all payroll checks containing a grievance settlement will include the corresponding local number.
ARTICLE 16
204Bs NOT ISSUING DISCIPLINE
- 48 WHEREAS, 204Bs can go back to craft at any point in time, and
WHEREAS, craft employees do not have access to other employees personnel file, due to the privacy act, therefore be it
our national union to negotiate contractual language disallowing 204Bs to have access to employee records covered by the privacy act, and be it further
Resolved, that our national union also negotiate contractual language to disallow 204Bs from
issuing discipline, hand out, or have access to paychecks/stubs, and that a fine or penalty to be
imposed to all offices that violate this language.
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ARTICLE 16
SUSPENSIONS OF 14 DAYS OR LESS
- 49 WHEREAS, the 1998-2000 Collective Bargaining Agreement changed Article 16, and
WHEREAS, since this change, the discipline against the membership has proliferated, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service no longer has a fear of receiving immediate repercussions, such as
loss of productivity or the threat of expending a back pay settlement, and
WHEREAS, serving the suspension 6-18 months or longer after the infraction contradicts the principle of “corrective discipline,” therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: we go o record as mandating
our national union to strike the last two (2) sentences of Articles 16, Section 4, of the 2006-2010
Collective Bargaining Agreement, which reads: “However, if a timely grievance is initiated, the effective date of the suspension will be delayed until disposition of the grievance, either by settlement or an arbitrator’s final and binding decision.”
ARTICLE 16
WEINGARTEN RIGHTS
- 50 WHEREAS, many members are not aware of their rights when they are confronted by management, postal inspectors or the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and
WHEREAS, it is the union’s responsibility to represent these employees and protect their rights, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service is not required to make the employee aware of their Weingarten rights,
therefore be it
Resolved; to add a second paragraph to Article 16 Section 1 to read, “When an employee is
being questioned by management (including Postal Inspectors and Office of Inspector General
(OIG) and the questioning and/or investigation could lead to the employee being issued discipline
or have legal action taken against them, the employee must be made aware of their Weingarten
rights prior to any questioning”.
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ARTICLE 16
REVIEW OF DISCIPLINE
- 51 WHEREAS, Article 16.8 is about “review of discipline”, and
WHEREAS, no employee can be disciplined or discharged unless the disciplinary action has first been reviewed
and concurred in by the installation head or designee, and
WHEREAS, unlike the NPMHU and NALC agreements, the American Postal Workers Union’s national agreement does not require that the review and/or concurrence be in writing, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: article 16.8 be changed to read
as follows: “In no case may a supervisor impose suspension or discharge upon an employee unless
the proposed disciplinary action by the supervisor has first been reviewed and concurred in by the
installation head or designee in writing”.
ARTICLE 17
APPOINTMENT OF STEWARDS
- 52 WHEREAS, Article 17.4 authorizes the postal service to pay the salary of a steward while that steward is handling, investigating or meeting with the employer concerning grievances, and
WHEREAS, it is an unfair burden on the finances of the union to pay for representation in small offices, and
WHEREAS, the current language in Article 17.2.C is too burdensome on the union, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 17.2.C which states “To provide steward service to installations with
twenty (20) or less craft employees where the union has not certified a steward, a union representative certified to the employer in writing and compensated by the union may perform the duties of a steward” will be replaced with C, “To provide steward service to installations with twenty
(20) or less craft employees where the union has no certified steward, the American Postal Workers Union’s Regional Coordinator, will certify a state representative to act as a steward in such offices and that steward will be compensated by the service in the same manner as a steward in a
large facility as in Section 17.4”.
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ARTICLE 17
STEWARD RELEASE
- 53 WHEREAS, management often responds to steward’s time requests in an untimely manner, and
WHEREAS, management’s untimely response to the steward’s reasonable request can result in untimely grievances, and
WHEREAS, the Union has no control over staffing or mail volume, therefore be it
Resolved, that management must respond to ALL steward duty time requests within a maximum of two (2)
hours of receipt of the request, and be it further
Resolved, while almost all reasonable requests for steward duty time should be immediately
granted, in every case management shall allow the steward necessary time on the clock within
twenty-four (24) hours of the original request.
ARTICLE 17
DISTRICT REPS PERFORMING STEWARD DUTIES ON THE CLOCK
- 54 WHEREAS, District Representatives cannot perform their steward duties while on the clock (per Article 17.2.C
of the National Agreement), and
WHEREAS, we have a responsibility to provide the best support possible to all members, and
WHEREAS, stewards in locals may perform steward duties on the clock, therefore be it
Resolved, that the National, Regional and State organizations be urged to pursue Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) or Local Memorandum of Understanding (LMOUs) granting reasonable time to District Representatives to perform union steward duties while on the clock, as
a local steward may.
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ARTICLE 19
RE-PROMOTION
- 55 WHEREAS, currently if an electronic technician level 10, step P, downgrades to a level 4 custodial position and
then re-promotes into an electronic technician position level 10, they would assume the lowest step (Step D) and
would take approximately 7.5 years to regain his/her step P, and
WHEREAS, the above situation affects all maintenance craft employees due to the range in levels and not just
the electronic technician as cited above, and
WHEREAS, the current language in the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) regarding re-promotions
does not include American Postal Workers Union craft employees, while including other craft’s employees, and
WHEREAS, it is not uncommon for maintenance craft employees to take a voluntary downgrade to transfer to
new installations, and
WHEREAS, prior to November 20, 1999, the re-promotion language in the ELM did include American Postal
Workers Union craft employees, and
WHEREAS, no American Postal Workers Union bargaining unit employees, should lose pay when non-American Postal Workers Union employees do not lose pay in re-promotions, therefore be it
Resolved, the National American Postal Workers Union will immediately negotiate language
that no American Postal Workers Union bargaining employees be harmed for taking a lower level
position and returning to the higher level position, and be it further
Resolved, that that the National American Postal Workers Union will immediately negotiate
language that American Postal Workers Union bargaining unit employees will be treated equally
to non-American Postal Workers Union bargaining unit employees in regards to re-promotion.
ARTICLE 19
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE PREMIUM FOR ENTIRE
HOLIDAY SCHEDULING PERIOD
- 56 WHEREAS, Section 434.53.c.3 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) prohibits employees from
receiving holiday scheduling premium, when added to the holiday schedule after it is posted, when they are replacing others who are unable to work as scheduled, therefore be it
Resolved, that Section 434.53.c.3 be stricken from the Employee and Labor Relations Manual
(ELM), so that everyone who is added to the holiday schedule after it is posted will be paid the
holiday scheduling premium.
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ARTICLE 19
FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
East Bay Area Local, CA
- 57 WHEREAS, family members are defined as son or daughter, parent, brother, sister, brother-in-law or sister-inlaw, or grandparent for bereavement leave, and
WHEREAS, the current Family Medical Leave provisions do not include brothers or sisters for recognition under
the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), therefore be it
Resolved, that brothers and sisters are included for the granting of FMLA.
ARTICLE 19
COMPENSATION FOR ALL ANNUAL LEAVE AT TIME OF DEATH
- 58 WHEREAS, bargaining unit employees annual leave maximum carryover is currently set at 440 hours, while
EAS employees annual leave maximum carryover is set at 560 hours, and
WHEREAS, at the time of death EAS employees are currently monetarily compensated for any and all annual
leave hours, including those over the maximum carryover of 560 hours, and
WHEREAS, at the time of death, bargaining unit employees are compensated only for the annual leave hours
up to the maximum carryover of 440 hours, regardless of what they have earned, therefore be it
Resolved, upon the death of a bargaining unit employee, the estate (or designated beneficiary)
shall receive monetary compensation for any and all earned annual leave hours, including those
in excess of the maximum carryover of 440 hours.
ARTICLE 19
LOCATING EMPLOYEES DUE COMPENSATION
- 59 WHEREAS, monies due active/retired/deceased/terminated employees for any and all unpaid wage/benefit
compensation is returned to the postal service when employees whereabouts are unknown, therefore be it
Resolved, that the United States Postal Service notifies the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and
all other taxing authority of any of all unclaimed funds due to these employees.
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ARTICLE 19
SUNDAY PREMIUM
- 60 WHEREAS, Sunday Premium is paid to employees who work on Sunday as a regularly scheduled day pursuant
to their bid job or on a temporary change of scheduled for their own convenience (PS Form 3189), and
WHEREAS, out-of schedule premium is paid when an employee works outside of their regular schedule at the
employer’s request, and
WHEREAS, out-of schedule premium and Sunday premium currently are not paid for the same work hours, and
WHEREAS, employees required to work outside of their regular schedule on a Sunday are still working outside
of their schedule and on Sunday, but are currently only paid out-of-schedule premium, therefore be it
Resolved, the appropriate handbooks and manuals be changed to require that out-ofschedule premium and Sunday premium be paid for the same work period when both would otherwise be applicable.
ARTICLE 19
SHARED SERVICES
- 61 WHEREAS, there are numerous problems with the Shared Services handling Human Resources issues (e.g., bidding, uniforms, Forms 50, retirement, health benefits, life insurance, electronic OPFs, etc.), and
WHEREAS, Local Memorandums of Understanding (LMOUs) and long settled local past practices are being
compromised and disregarded by Shared Services, therefore be it
Resolved, that the National American Postal Workers Union require Shared Services to comply
with the National Agreement, Local Memorandums of Understanding (LMOUs) and local past
practice, including but not limited to, further discussions, national level grievances where appropriate, and training and counsel for locals on successful strategies for combating these problems locally.
ARTICLE 19
HUMAN RESOURCES FUNCTIONS
- 62 WHEREAS, the postal service has migrated to shared services for Human Resource functions, and
WHEREAS, retirement counseling has also migrated to an automated function, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that: the postal service shall provide
on-site/local retirement counseling for all eligible employees who request such individual counseling with properly trained personnel.
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ARTICLE 19
APWU TO ACQUIRE ACCESS TO eRMS-47
AND OTHER POSTAL ONLINE MAINTENANCE STAFFING PROGRAMS
- 63 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union has prevailed in the MS-47 case, and
WHEREAS, the postal service has reverted back to the prior MS-47 staffing guidelines, and
WHEREAS, the postal Service has now developed an online MS-47 staffing program that the American Postal
Workers Union locals and advocates do not have access to, and
WHEREAS, inputting data into the old program, is an extremely long process, and
WHEREAS, locals that challenge these packages need to provide a professional like document for arbitration purposes, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the American Postal Workers
Union procure a stand alone program, or portal for locals and advocates to use in development
of MS-47 and other programs such as eWHEP, that data can be downloaded from the postal service in an electronic or other format, for maintenance staffing enforcement of the contract.
ARTICLE 19
VOE SURVEYS
- 64 WHEREAS, the postal service utilizes “Voice of the Employee” surveys to be their “information for employee
input”, and
WHEREAS, labor law and the National Agreement provide for the union to be the “voice of the employee”, and
WHEREAS, the VOE surveys bypass the legally recognized means for providing employee input, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the VOE surveys be eliminated
as a practice.
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ARTICLE 19
NORMAN OKLAHOMA TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER ACCOMMODATIONS
- 65 WHEREAS, under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) maintenance personnel are required to receive
training, and
WHEREAS, under the F-15 management is required to pay personnel for all training, their accommodations and
their sustenance, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service (United States Postal Service) purchased and built a Technical Training Center (TTC) in Norman Oklahoma explicitly for the training of maintenance personnel, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service has currently entered into a business agreement with the contractor that runs the housing facility (Marriott) that allows them to rent out unutilized portions of the TTC Housing
Center in order to more “efficiently” utilize this space, and
WHEREAS, where the Marriott managers have now taken to over scheduling NON-United States Postal Service personnel and conventions that United States Postal Service personnel being sent to the TTC for training are
being required to stay in other local hotels that are at times several (up to ten (10) miles away, and
WHEREAS, these personnel are being mandated to stay in another facility other than the TTC Housing Center
before NON-United States Postal Service personnel, and
WHEREAS, this is causing problems for the United States Postal Service personnel in that they are in areas that
breakfast is not served, or a sub-standard breakfast is provided and these same individuals are required to sit
around the TTC Housing center waiting for a ride to the hotel be provided, and
WHEREAS, our employees and Union members are being treated as second class citizens in their own facility
in order for a civilian contractor to chase a buck by creating a lack of rooms for the only legitimate tenants, therefore be it
Resolved, that the only time a member of the United States Postal Service can be scheduled for
a class in Norman Oklahoma is when there is a corresponding room for the Training Billet available, and should a room not be available for the corresponding billet, the individual will be given
the option of attending the class and staying off the facility premises but with full per diem and
a rental car to allow for timely transportation to and from the TTC facility.
ARTICLE 19
SICK LEAVE FOR ANNUAL LEAVE EXCHANGE
- 66 WHEREAS, FERS employees are not credited for unused sick leave when they are separated from the United
States Postal Service, and
WHEREAS, FERS employees deserve a negotiated credit for their unused sick leave or an incentive for saving their
sick leave, therefore be it
Resolved, the parties negotiate that American Postal Workers Union career employees will be
allowed to exchange a maximum of forty (40) hours of sick leave to annual leave prior to the beginning of the leave year, and be it further
Resolved, the employee must have a sick leave balance of 500 hours at the start of the leave year.
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ARTICLE 19
LWOP FOR UNION OFFICIALS
- 67 WHEREAS, the postal service has a specific designation for union officials on LWOP within the TACS system, and
WHEREAS, when a union official conducts business under the LWOP designation it affects such items as annual
leave and retirement, therefore be it
Resolved, that the postal service change their system so that when LWOP for union leave is entered into the TACS system it does not count against annual leave and retirement computation
dates.
ARTICLE 19
PAY ANOMALY
Central Florida Area Local, FL • Jacksonville BMC Local, FL
Palm Beach Area Local, FL
- 68 WHEREAS, the Pay Anomaly Agreement of 1998 produced an unforeseen result, and
WHEREAS, the current Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) denies the American Postal Workers Union
bargaining unit employees the ability to be re-promoted to the step previously held, and
WHEREAS, the result is a significant unintended loss of ages, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union negotiate language to protect the steps earned
by their service as an American Postal Workers Union bargaining unit member.
ARTICLE 21
HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR TEs
Kentucky Postal Workers Union
- 69 WHEREAS, after December 2005, the postal service no longer has transitional employees in the regular postal
facilities, but there will continue to be transitional employees within remote encoding centers, and
WHEREAS, the approximately four thousand, five hundred (4,500) transitional employees are potential union
members, and that after being employed for three-hundred sixty (360) days, may choose from the FEHB, for
which none of their health care benefits are compensated from the United States Postal Service, and
WHEREAS, everyone should have adequate and affordable health care benefits, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO attempt to negotiate health care benefits for transitional employees employed by the postal service working in remote encoding centers.
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ARTICLE 21
OPEN SEASON
- 70 WHEREAS, current and new employees ponder over the choices of health benefits and other employee benefits every year during the “Open Season”, and
WHEREAS, many difficulties face our employees every year, and
WHEREAS, the postal service does not offer any type of short or long term disability programs through our
health benefit program, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the union negotiate a short
term and long term disability insurance benefit program to be added to our health benefit coverage in Article 21, Section 1, of the National Agreement.
ARTICLE 26
SALES AND SERVICE ASSOCIATE UNIFORMS
- 71 WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service has finally agreed to the new SSA uniform “polo” type shirt, and
WHEREAS, the need for a neat and professional appearance by all SSAs is paramount for projecting a positive
image of the United States Postal Service to the general public, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service recognizes this very fact when approving uniforms for the NALC and
carrier craft in general, that there will be times when “walking shorts” are appropriate attire, and
WHEREAS, this is a great disparity for the SSA on the window during summer months or in climates when and
where it is very hot and humid, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union attempt to negotiate “walking shorts” or
some other “short pants” type of attire as part of the SSA’s regular uniform that may be purchased in the same manner as any other part of the SSA uniform.
ARTICLE 26
WINDOW CLERKS TO WEAR SHORTS
- 72 WHEREAS, a double standard exists, as other United States Postal Service employees are allowed to wear shorts,
even if they interact with the public, therefore be it
Resolved, to abolish this double standard and allow window clerks to wear shorts.
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ARTICLE 26
INCREASE IN UNIFORM ALLOWANCE MAINTENANCE CRAFT EMPLOYEES
- 73 WHEREAS, Maintenance Craft employees, by the nature of their work, get their clothing dirty easily and wear
and tear on their clothing is extreme, and
WHEREAS, the current clothing allowance for maintenance craft employees is less than the carrier and motor
vehicle craft employees even though maintenance craft employees are also required to wear their uniforms daily,
therefore be it
our national union to negotiate the uniform allowance for maintenance craft employees, Custodian, Maintenance Mechanics, Electronic Technicians (ETs), MPEs, and any other maintenance employee who performs physical labor on a daily basis (excluding Supervisors and Managers).be
raised to three hundred dollars ($300.00) a year.
ARTICLE 26
CLOTHING
- 74 WHEREAS, currently, mail processors are not authorized a clothing allotment, and
WHEREAS, for safety purposes, mail processors are tasked with carrying trays and equipment close to their bodies, and
WHEREAS, mail processor’s clothes become worn and damaged quite frequently, and
WHEREAS, some clothing providers will only sell special clothing and/or equipment to employees with an allotment, and
WHEREAS, by having a clothing allotment, mail processors could purchase clothing specifically designed for this
type of work, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the National American Postal
Workers Union bargain with the United States Postal Service to include mail processing clerks as
one of the positions who receive a clothing allowance.
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ARTICLE 28
TIME LIMITS ON ISSUING A LETTER OF DEMAND
- 75 WHEREAS, our Collective Bargaining Agreement or any of the supporting manuals currently does not have any
language outlining time limits from the time of an audit to the issuance of a letter of demand, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service will demand money allegedly due to them for an indefinite time period, and
WHEREAS, it is difficult for the union to gather needed evidence to properly defend an employee after time has
lapsed, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service is only required to retain the required documentation for two (2)
years, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service uses this lapse in time to weaken the union’s case, and
WHEREAS, the membership has fourteen (14) days to file a timely grievance, therefore be it
our national union to negotiate a time limit of fourteen (14) days from the time of an audit for
the United States Postal Service to issue a letter of demand for money allegedly due to them.
ARTICLE 31
APWU ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC DATABASES
- 76 WHEREAS, the MS-47 case has been settled in favor of the union, and the United States Postal Service must revert back to previous MS-47 staffing requirements, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service has created an electronic database that the American Postal Workers Union does not currently have access in order to ensure compliance with the collective bargaining agreement
and its handbooks and manuals, therefore be it
Resolved, that the United States Postal Service grant the union a permanent portal to its electronic database, as described, for the purpose of expedited investigation and efficient information sharing or a stand-alone copy of the electronic database to download site date for the
purpose of collective bargaining enforcement.
ARTICLE 32
REAL NOTIFICATION & INPUT BEFORE SUBCONTRACTING
- 77 WHEREAS, Article 32 currently provides insufficient protection for workers, and
WHEREAS, the agreement requiring advance notification and input is too ambiguous, therefore be it
Resolved, Article 32 be amended to require that no subcontracting can occur until the Union is
given appropriate advance notification in writing at all levels (National, Regional, District, State
and Local) and the opportunity for meaningful input.
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ARTICLE 32
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD WITH SUBCONTRACTORS
- 78 WHEREAS, subcontractors are not regulated under the same rules that postal workers work under, and
WHEREAS, a level playing field would assure fairness for all, therefore be it
Resolved, that all contractors will be held to the “letter of the law” and monitored by the OIG
and/or Postal Inspectors, as appropriate, in accordance with all laws, including but not limited
to, DOT, OSHA and applicable environmental standards, and be it further
Resolved, that contractors be required to engage in Veterans Preference, whenever possible,
and be it further
Resolved, the local American Postal Workers Union president will be provided all documentation to establish that the subcontractor is in compliance with handbook EL-800 (Contractor Safety
Compliance), and be it further
Resolved, a system be established for reporting possible violations at the local level, and be it further
Resolved, that contractors found in violation of applicable laws and regulations be penalized
monetarily (payable to the impacted postal employees) and be excluded from consideration for
future contracting for an appropriate period.
ARTICLE 36
TRAVEL AWAY FROM STATION/INSTALLATION/BID OFFICE
- 79 WHEREAS, employees bid or work close to home to save money and time, and
WHEREAS, the cost to travel continues to get more expensive each year, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service is not consistent in their payment of travel pay and mileage, therefore be it
Resolved, that when an employee is scheduled to report to a location, other than their duty station, that they will be paid mileage to and from that location, and paid all hours for time traveled.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE MOU
Hartford Local, CT • Tampa Area Local, FL
- 80 WHEREAS, under the current Local Memorandum of Understanding (LMOU), Bereavement Leave, which has
proven to be very beneficial to American Postal Workers Union members, and
WHEREAS, American Postal Workers Union represented employees are unable to use a total of up to three (3)
workdays of annual leave, sick leave or leave without pay to make arrangements necessitated by the death of
Mother-in-Law or Father-in-Law, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Bereavement Leave Memorandum be expanded to include Mother-in-Law
and Father-in-Law in the “Definition of Family Member”.
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BEREAVEMENT LEAVE MOU
- 81 WHEREAS, employees currently must use LWOP or Annual or Sick Leave in the event of the death of a qualifying member of a family or extended family, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: each employee shall be permitted up to seven (7) days of paid leave per bereavement occurrence. Such paid “bereavement leave”
shall be in lieu of either LWOP or other paid leave, and shall not be charged to Annual or Sick
Leave. The definition of a qualifying family member shall be that presently stated in the current
Bereavement Leave MOU.
SICK LEAVE FOR DEPENDENT CARE
- 82 WHEREAS, The National Agreement has a provision for “Sick Leave for Dependent Care”, and
WHEREAS, the definition of “family member” is limited by ELM Section 515.2, and
WHEREAS, many employees have close relationships with their brothers and sisters and others related by blood
or affinity equal in importance to those relationships with “family members” as defined by ELM 515.2, therefore
be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the memorandum for Sick leave
for Dependent Care and Section 515.2 of the ELM be changed to reflect a new definition of “family member” to read as follows:
Spouse and parents thereof;
Children, including adopted children, and spouses thereof;
Parents;
Brothers, sisters and spouses thereof; and
Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close
association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship
SICK LEAVE FOR DEPENDENT CARE
- 83 WHEREAS, Sick Leave for Dependent Care – Family members shall include son or daughter, parent and spouse
defined in ELM 515.2, and
WHEREAS, Sick Leave for Dependent Care is not consistent with definition of a “family member” as listed in Bereavement Leave in same article of Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM), and
WHEREAS, Dependent Care could consist of a continuation of needed Bereavement Leave for same individual
Dependent Care was utilized for, but not available due to the inconsistency of what a “family” is for these two purposes, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: The definition of “family member” in Sick Leave and Dependent Care be changed to mirror bereavement leave “family member
as listed in Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM).
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CHANGE FORMULA FOR DAY OF MOURNING LEAVE FOR PTFs
- 84 WHEREAS, the current memorandum for agreement, dated 5-4-2000, between the United States Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union concerning National Days of Mourning discriminates against part time
flexible employees who are required to work on those Days of Mourning by giving them compensatory hours equal
to those they worked, and
WHEREAS, currently, part time flexible employees who are not directed to work on the National Day of Observance will be granted administrative leave at a future date equal to the average number of daily paid hours during the service week previous to the service week in which the National Day of Observance occurs, not to exceed
eight, therefore be it
Resolved, that the national union be urged to attempt to amend the MOU so that part time flexibles scheduled to work on a National Day of Observance shall also be granted administrative
leave at a future date equal to the average number of daily paid hours during the service week
previous to the service week in which the National Day of Observance occurs.
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Clerk Division Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Ecker, Dawn, Chairperson
2. Albu, Lisa
3. Bostic, Angela
4. Guy, Kim
Saint Paul Area Local, MN
Palm Beach Area Local, FL
San Francisco Area Local, CA
Greater Smokey Mountain
Area Local, TN
Manasota Area Local, FL
Chicago BMC Local, IL
New York Metro Area Local, NY
Broward County Area Local, FL
Lubbock Area Local, TX
Inland Empire Area Local, WA
Cascade Area Local, WA
Texas Postal Workers Union
Southwest Florida Area Local, FL
5. Hissam, Bud
6. Huggins Williams, Gloria
7. Keough, Bob
8. McCoy, Duline
9. Palmer, John
10. Riddell, Jeff
11. Sturm, Mike
12. Talcott, Jack
13. Trabont, Jan
14. Williams, Carlton
15. Wood, Samuel
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Clerk Division Resolutions
ARTICLE 37
REVERSIONS
- 85 WHEREAS, Clerk Craft bid positions are becoming fewer and fewer in the workplace due to the continued expansion and growth of automation and other technological advances, and
WHEREAS, management, in an increasing frequency, wishes to reduce the number of Clerk Craft bid positions
due to arbitrary “complement levels” but fails to share with the American Postal Workers Union the exact longterm goals, operations, scheduled and number of employees they wish to remain, and
WHEREAS, management currently has the exclusive right under Article 3 to determine the method, means and
personnel by which operations are to be conducted, and
WHEREAS, all management is required to do is send a letter to the local Union President to provide an opportunity for input under Article 37.3.A.2 and when such input is presented, it is normally ignored, proving it to be
nothing more than a token gesture at best, and
WHEREAS, an eligible bidder can bid to a vacant posted position one bid cycle and then vacate it the next for
a more desirable position, and
WHEREAS, management has begun to simply revert bids as they become vacant and they wish to reduce their
overall complement in a facility or section, and
WHEREAS, as a result of such reversions, Clerk Craft employees are then moved “to and fro” between operations in violation of the spirit and intent of the language of Article 37.1.B (Duty Assignment) and Article 37.3.E.5
(Principal Assignment Area), and
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: The American Postal Workers
Union shall negotiate language under Article 37.3.A.2 (Reversion) which states: “No bid shall be
reverted or subject to review for reversion unless it had been previously occupied by the same bid
holder for a period of at least nine (9) months. If a bid had been occupied for a period less than
nine (9) months, it can be not be reverted.
ARTICLE 37
DUTY ASSIGNMENT
- 86 WHEREAS, Article 37 of the National Agreement is the Clerk Craft article and is designed to protect craft employees from the whims of someone “riding the fence”, and
WHEREAS, much abuse of the system and contravention of the contract has taken place over the years by 204Bs and 204-wannabes, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Article 37.3.A.8 be changed to
read that “The duty assignment of a clerk detailed to a non-bargaining unit position, including
non-bargaining unit training programs, in excess of a cumulative total of four (4) months during
any calendar year be declared vacant and shall be posted for bid in accordance with this Article”.
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ARTICLE 37
CRAFT DUTIES
- 87 WHEREAS, all the American Postal Workers Union represented crafts have received upgrades over the years, the
respective job descriptions have not been revised to clearly reflect the duties that craft employees are to perform
causing conflict as to what they are, or are not, to be doing on their respective bid assignments, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the American Postal Workers
Union at the national level convene with the United States Postal Service management, as soon
as possible, to correct, update, and clarify the obsolete language contained in each bargaining
unit job description to alleviate misunderstandings about what duties craft employees are to be
performing for the United States Postal Service.
ARTICLE 37
DEFERMENT PERIOD
- 88 WHEREAS, when the senior bidder is scheduled to report to training, that begins their deferment period of allotted number of calendar days, and
WHEREAS, no trainers are available for every service day of the week due to scheduled or non-scheduled leave
purposes, trainers scheduled bid days off, lack of trainers, etc., and
WHEREAS, successful bidders who do not have weekends off when trainers do are being penalized/charged up
to four (4) “calendar days” of their deferment period, and
WHEREAS, successful bidders must take schedule changes to receive their proper amount of deferment allotted when their present bids have scheduled weekdays off, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Deferment Period - ”calendar
days” be changed to Deferment Period -“Senior Bidder Calendar Work Days”.
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ARTICLE 37
DETAILS TO NON-BARGAINING UNIT POSITIONS
- 89 WHEREAS, a clerk temporarily detailed to a non-bargaining unit position will not be returned to the craft solely to
circumvent the provisions of Section 3.A.8, returning to the bargaining unit for a period of not less than five (5)
working days will have met the criteria of not circumventing Section 3.A.8. Local memorandums with existing language as of the effective date of this agreement, whether greater or less than, five (5) working days will prevail. This
is not an item subject to local implementation, and
WHEREAS, Article 38.7.E (Maintenance Craft) states “An employee detailed to a non-bargaining unit position
must return to the craft for a minimum of one (1) continuous pay period to prevent circumvention of the intent
to this provision”, and
WHEREAS, this is inconsistent between the Maintenance and Clerk Crafts within the same contract, and
WHEREAS, there is history of abuse of the utilization of details to non-bargaining unit positions for long periods
of time and non-bargaining unit training programs in excess of four (4) months, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Article 37.3.A.8 be changed to
read: “A clerk temporarily detailed to any non-bargaining unit position including a non-bargaining unit training program, will not be returned to the craft solely to circumvent the provisions of
Section 3.A.8. Returning to the bargaining unit for a period of not less than one (1) continuous pay
period will have met the criteria of not circumventing section 3.A.8. Local memorandums with existing language as of the effective date of this agreement, whether greater or less than, the one
(1) continuous pay period will prevail. This is not an item subject to local implementation.
ARTICLE 37
NON-BARGAINING UNIT ASSIGNMENTS
- 90 WHEREAS, Article 37.3.A.8 provides that an employee may be detailed to a higher level non-bargaining unit
assignment and may return to the bargaining unit to bid or apply for vacancies per Article 37.3, exercise part time
flexible preference pursuant to article 37.5, or exercise retreat rights pursuant to article 12, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the employee must be in the bargaining unit for the duration of the bidding, application or retreat rights cycle in order to be
eligible to exercise their rights under these provisions.
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ARTICLE 37
NON-BARGAINING UNIT POSITIONS
- 91 WHEREAS, Article 37 allows employees on detail to non-bargaining unit positions to remain out of the bargaining unit for a period of up to four (4) months without having their duty assignment declared vacant and reposted, and
WHEREAS, such employees frequently return to the bargaining unit for a short period to evade having their duty
assignment reposted and then return to 204-B status for an additional four-month period, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: any employee who serves as a
204-B be permitted only one 204-B assignment of up to one (1) 120-day period per calendar year,
for qualification purposes without having their duty assignment declared vacant and reposted.
ARTICLE 37
EQUALIZATION OF THE 120 DAY BREAK FOR 204Bs
- 92 WHEREAS, under the latest contractual changes, Article 38 fell under the agreement that 204Bs must be in their
bargaining unit duty assignments for one (1) pay period, and
WHEREAS, under the latest contractual changes, Article 37 only allows for 204Bs to be back in their bargaining unit duty assignments for one (1) week, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union negotiate to equalize the language in both
Article 37 and Article 38. Thereby raising the “one (1) week” language in Article 37 and raising
the “one (1) pay period” language as in Article 38 to read “two (2) full pay periods”.
ARTICLE 37
FORM 1723 ASSIGNMENT ORDER
- 93 WHEREAS, employees serving in a ‘temporary” assignment outside the bargaining unit (as documented on a
form 1723 Assignment Order) continue to accrue seniority within the bargaining unit, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: any employee on a detail outside the bargaining unit will have his/her seniority frozen until such time as they properly return
to the bargaining unit. That employee shall not receive seniority credit for any time worked outside the bargaining unit.
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ARTICLE 37
HIGHER LEVEL PAY
- 94 WHEREAS, window clerks have the burden of financial accountability, therefore be it
Resolved, window clerks should receive higher level pay.
ARTICLE 37
INFORMATION ON NOTICES
- 95 WHEREAS, the current language in Article 37.3.E “Information on Notices” has been addressed by the parties
and agreed to in a national pre-arbitration sign-off (Q90C-4Q-C93034647, J. McCarthy, American Postal Workers Union and J. Dockins, United States Postal Service, 10-29-02) that in Article 37.3.E “Information on Notices”
lists the minimum information that should be contained in a duty assignment posting, and
WHEREAS, now that the United States Postal Service has switched to Shared Services, the language on bargaining unit bid positions postings has become an item of dispute and disagreement as to what information can
and should be identified on such postings, and
WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service, Shared Services, now dictates to the local officers what can and will
be included and refuses to allow the individual nuances of each offices’ previous past practice for identification of
information on the bid postings, and
WHEREAS, in many large facilities and plants to simply put “automation” as the principal assignment area when
there may be numerous machines, and many supervisors leave much to be desired and does not allow the employee to have a reasonable expectation of where and whom they will be working for, and
WHEREAS, many employees will bid to work areas that have a reasonable or more employee friendly supervisor versus one (1) who has demonstrated to be anti-worker or have anti-union mentality, and
WHEREAS, the current bid posting does not allow for, or is lacking in the inclusion of identifiers such as a pay
location, posting comments, occasional omission of qualifications, skills or licensing requirements, and
WHEREAS, there is no allowance for posting comments such as restrictions to a section due to excessing or other
local activity, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: The American Postal Workers
Union shall negotiate language under Article 37.3.E to include the following additional information on bargaining unit bid position postings, such as pay sections, proper identification of skill
requirements and posting comments.
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ARTICLE 37
INFORMATION ON NOTICES
Tampa Area Local, FL
- 96 WHEREAS, Article 37.3.E lists information that is required to be specifically stated on notices inviting clerks to
bid on clerk duty assignments so they may make informed decisions regarding whether or not to submit a bid,
and
WHEREAS, the requirement for management to list the pay location is not presently listed in Article 37.3.E, and
WHEREAS, reference to the identification of pay locations is listed in several handbooks and manuals for administrative purposes as well as a typical employee identifier, including but not limited to the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), the Employee & Labor Relations Manual (ELM Exhibit 365.23 and Section 553.12), Handbook
F-1, (Section 822.2), and PUB 223, and
WHEREAS, pay locations have historically been listed on bid notices and are cited in many Local memorandums
of Understanding (LMOU) as the identification for some sections for annual leave, holiday scheduling and overtime scheduling, and
WHEREAS, management is generating bid postings through Shared services, without regard for local input
from local management and union alike; and although able to do so, Shared Services presently refuses to list pay
locations on bids, citing the present language of Article 37.3.E, which does not make it a requirement to do so,
therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 37.3.E be expanded by making it a requirement that the pay location be
specifically started on the bid notices, by inserting a new provision at Article 37.3.E, which will
add pay location to the existing language.
ARTICLE 37
INFORMATION ON JOB POSTINGS
- 97 WHEREAS, the wording on job postings “Other Duties as assigned by Supervisor” is abused by supervisors nationwide on a daily basis, and
WHEREAS, the abuse of this language is used to work employees all over the buildings and in duties everywhere
except their principal assignment area, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union, National Negotiating Committee, attempt to
have this language removed from job postings, and be it further
Resolved, if it is not possible to remove this language completely, the committee attempt to
modify the language to restrict the other duties to those within the employee’s principal assignment area.
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ARTICLE 37
CLOTHING/UNIFORM ALLOWANCES INCLUDED ON NOTICES
- 98 WHEREAS, Article 37.3.E does not currently require duty assignments to be posted with proper clothing/uniform allowances where applicable, and
WHEREAS, shared services and local management are not properly tracking duty assignments with such allowances, therefore be it
Resolved, that the National American Postal Workers Union seek to negotiate that clothing/uniform allowances will be included on the information of notices in Section 37.3.E.
ARTICLE 37
EXCEPTION TO NINETY-DAY BIDDING RESTRICTION
FOR DISPLACED CLERKS
- 99 WHEREAS, per Article 37.3.F.3.b, an “employee designated the senior bidder…who begins training and subsequently withdraws, fails to qualify, or otherwise relinquishes rights to the duty assignment, will be restricted
from any further bidding for a period of 90 days from the date of withdrawal, or failure to qualify”, and
WHEREAS, the intent of this clause is to discourage the practice of bid blocking and otherwise ensure that employees only bid on posted duty assignments for which they are serious about qualifying, and
WHEREAS, when management decides to repost duty assignments, if a clerk is under the bidding restrictions
of 37.3.F.3.b and is displaced by the reposting, the contract currently provides for no exceptions that would allow
that clerk to bid, even on the duty assignment from which they were displaced, and
WHEREAS, similarly, the contract currently provides for no exception to Article 37.F.3.b that would allow a clerk
under the 90-day restriction to bid, if that clerk’s duty assignment was abolished, be it therefore
Resolved, that this body of the American Postal Workers Union, shall urge our negotiators to
amend the article to add an exception to the 90-day bid restriction of Article 37.3.F.3.b, in cases
where the duty assignment of the restricted clerk has been abolished or reposted.
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ARTICLE 37
TIME LIMITS FOR PLACEMENT OF 2ND/NEXT SENIOR BIDDER
- 100 WHEREAS, Article 37.3.F.4.b.1 provides for the 2nd senior bidder to be placed into the duty assignment, and
WHEREAS, Article 37.3.F.4.b.3 provides for the currently qualified to be permanently assigned, and
WHEREAS, Article 37.3.F.7 also allows for the next senior bidder to be placed into training, and
WHEREAS, neither section provides timeliness for the proper placement of the second or next senior bidder,
therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union negotiate the placement of the second or
next senior bidder into the bid assignment, and schedule assigned to that bid, within seven (7)
calendar days.
ARTICLE 37
PART TIME REGULAR BIDDING
Kentucky Postal Workers Union • Tampa Area Local, FL
- 101 WHEREAS, not all part time regulars can currently bid on all full time regular jobs; and it makes union seniority
meaningless, therefore be it
Resolved, the bidding restrictions shall be removed on part time regular employees, so that part
time regular clerks can bid on newly established and vacant clerk duty assignments in 200 manyear offices; and in offices less than 200 man-year, providing the part time regular is senior to the
senior part time flexible.
ARTICLE 37
UNRESTRICTED BIDDING
BETWEEN FULL-TIME REGULARS AND PART-TIME REGULARS
Toledo Area Local, OH
- 102 WHEREAS, the current language in Article 37, Section 3 restricts part-time regular clerks from bidding on reposted full-time positions, and full-time regular clerks from bidding on reposted part-time regular positions, and
WHEREAS, a prolonged status in a part-time regular position has a devastating impact on a part-time regular
clerk’s retirement annuity, and
WHEREAS, senior full-time clerks with over thirty (30) years of service would like to reduce hours worked and
only work part-time to extend their career, without the negative ramifications to their retirement most part-time
regular clerks will experience, therefore be it
Resolved, to eliminate the existing language which allows bidding only on newly established positions for full-time and part-time regular positions, and be it further
Resolved, to allow unrestricted bidding to all positions full-time or part-time, for full-time and
part-time regular clerks, regardless if they are newly established or reposted positions, and regardless if the part-time regular was previously a full-time employee in the clerk craft.
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ARTICLE 37
LIVE BIDDER PROVISION
Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union • Philadelphia BMC Local, PA
- 103 WHEREAS, employees are currently required to notify management of their intent to remain a live bidder on
bids, and
WHEREAS, there are numerous scenarios in which an employee may not be aware of this requirement and/or
aware of a bid still being available, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 37.3.F.8.a be changed to read, that employees will remain a live bidder on
all bids until such time as the bid as been filled and such employee will be allowed to choose to
accept or decline the bid, when it falls to them under the rules of Article 37.
ARTICLE 37
ASSIGNMENT OF UNENCUMBERED CLERK CRAFT EMPLOYEES
- 104 WHEREAS, Article 37.4.C.5 establishes that unencumbered employees shall be assigned into residual assignments by seniority, and
WHEREAS, the present language for such assignments does not differentiate between a longterm unencumbered employee and one that recently had their duty assignment abolished, or who became unencumbered due
to excessing, and
WHEREAS, the application of the present language for those employees who recently became unencumbered
and who are assigned into residual assignments that they are not currently or partially qualified is potentially detrimental to their continued employment, and
WHEREAS, such assignments have actually occurred in between bid postings, without providing these employees the opportunity to bid on vacant duty assignments, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 37.4.C.5 be amended to read that employees who become unencumbered
due to bid abolishment and/or excessing shall not be involuntarily assigned into residual assignments until 120 days or more following the effective date that they became unencumbered.
Previously Adopted ___ Concurrence ____ Nonconcurrence ____ Referred ___ Other
ARTICLE 37
PHONE BIDDING
- 105 WHEREAS, under Postal Ease bidding through the kiosk and telephone are the recognized procedures, and
WHEREAS, confirmation is received by bidders utilizing kiosk bidding while such confirmation is not provided
to bidders utilizing telephone bidding, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids Michigan that: telephone bidding will be programmed to also provide confirmation #, date and time to the bidder at the time of the phone
bid.
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ARTICLE 37
UPGRADE LEVEL 7
BMEU TECHNICIANS AND MAILING REQUIREMENT CLERKS
- 106 WHEREAS, the Bulk Mail Clerks were upgraded from Level 5 to Level 6, and
WHEREAS, the Bulk Mail Technicians and Mailing Requirement Clerks were Level 6, prior to this upgrade, and
WHEREAS, all levels were recently upgraded, therefore be it
Resolved, that all Bulk Mail Technicians and Mailing Requirement Clerks be upgraded to Level 8.
ARTICLE 37
RESIDUAL VACANCIES TO BE AVAILABLE FOR NATIONAL BID
- 107 WHEREAS, residual vacancies are not filled, and
WHEREAS, the facility is understaffed by said vacancy, and
WHEREAS, Postmasters will not hire career employees to fill said vacancy and the national contract has no
mechanism to require management to hire career employees, therefore be it
Resolved, the vacancy to be made available for bid regionally, and be it further
Resolved, if said vacancy is not filled regionally, said bid to be made available nationally, and be
it further
Resolved, the successful bidder would fill the vacancy with a seniority date of one (1) day less
than the junior regular employee.
ARTICLE 37
CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD LIABILITY FOR SSA
- 108 WHEREAS, the current system used by the United States Postal Service requires the SSA to make the decision
whether or not to accept a customer’s credit/debit card for the purchase of stamps and services, which could result in liability to the SSA as well as confrontation by the customer, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union negotiate with the United States Postal Service
to require the postal service to modify the current NCR/POS machines to allow the customer to
swipe his/her own credit or debit card thereby removing all liability to the SSA, as well as possible confrontation between the customer and SSA.
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ARTICLE 37
APWU PRESENCE IN FUNCTION 4 REVIEWS
- 109 WHEREAS, Function 4 Reviews in all offices routinely fail to reflect actual earned hours and unfairly demand clerk
hour reductions, therefore be it
Resolved, that an American Postal Workers Union representative designated by the local American Postal Workers Union President (or State President if the office is not represented by a Local)
will be permitted to accompany all on site Function 4 Reviews; will be copied with the review and
all supporting documentation; and, will be permitted to be present at and participate in the exit
interview.
ARTICLE 37
WORK STANDARDS AND STAFFING
- 110 WHEREAS, the United States Postal Service has repeatedly set arbitrary standards for distribution and window
work at all retail units, and
WHEREAS, these arbitrary standards have resulted in the loss of thousands of full time positions and millions of
work hours to American Postal Workers Union members, and
WHEREAS, the failure of the American Postal Workers Union to negotiate reasonable standards continues to result in poor customer service and grievances on the loss of work to management and/or other crafts, and
WHEREAS, negotiated standards for LSM operators and custodians resulted in national level grievance victories
enforcing minimum work and staffing standards saving thousands of jobs, and
WHEREAS, minimum staffing levels have also been negotiated on SPBS, FSM and automation, therefore be it
Resolved, that the National American Postal Workers Union negotiate reasonable distribution,
window standards and staffing for all retail units.
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ARTICLE 37
HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WHILE ATTENDING TRAINING AT NCED
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
Columbus Area Local, OH
- 111 WHEREAS, the Student Housing Facility’s Charter is to provide a conducive atmosphere for the student to relax
in while receiving technical training relevant to maintaining productive employment, and
WHEREAS, the student is notified prior to departing for training that they will be housed at the Student Housing Facility and receiving a reduced per diem rate in the form of a reduced cash advance, only to find out upon
arrival that they have been relocated to an off site hotel, and
WHEREAS, NCED is a postal facility, built from postal revenue for postal employees and not intended to be
used as an outside money making venture for the Marriott, and
WHEREAS, students are being relocated against their wishes and told to sustain themselves during their training cycle, be it therefore
Resolved, that postal employees have preferential status when assigning rooms at the Student
Housing Facility, and be it further
Resolved, that any postal employee who is involuntarily displaced out of the Student Housing
Facility, has the right to decline training and return to their home facility without fear of reprisal,
and be it further
Resolved, that contractual language be sought in the next contractual negotiation.
ARTICLE 37
TRAVEL OF SPOUSE AND CHILDREN TO USPS TRAINING CENTER
- 112 WHEREAS, currently your spouse may travel and stay with you to the United States Postal Service Training Center in Norman, OK, and
WHEREAS, your dependent children are not allowed to travel to the United States Postal Service Training Center in Norman, OK, therefore be it
Resolved, when traveling to the United States Postal Service Training Center, Norman OK, you
may bring your spouse and dependent children with you.
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Maintenance Division Committee
50
NAME
LOCAL
1. Devey, Ed, Chairperson
2. Allen, Ken
3. Johnson, Alzena
4. Valle, Tino
5. Willard, James
Pittsburgh Metro Area Local, PA
Chicago Local, IL
Lafayette Local, GA
Greater Connecticut Area Local, CT
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Maintenance Division Resolutions
ARTICLE 38
ORDER FOR FILLING VACANT MAINTENANCE POSITIONS
Manasota Local, FL
- 113 WHEREAS, the order for filling vacant maintenance positions currently in use serves to be an injustice to those
employees who have taken the initiative to complete and or upgrade their failed KSAs to pass the test required
for their name to be placed on a Promotion Eligibility Register (PER), and
WHEREAS, those employees holding higher level positions above any residual vacant bid did so of their own
accord, and were either hired or promoted into that position, as a result of a hiring register or Promotion Eligibility Register (PER) that they can now circumvent by requesting a downgrade ahead of an employee on the Promotion Eligibility Register (PER), and
WHEREAS, the current pecking order in the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) 2007, page 239 and
Article 38.5A.10 as well, makes this permissible and acceptable to allow DEMOTION before PROMOTION, and
WHEREAS, management picks and chooses when it is permissible to allow the higher level employee to take
the downgrade due to the word consider, and employees waiting on the Promotion Eligibility Register (PER) have
to wait and hope that a higher level employee isn’t requesting a downgrade for better days off or hours, and who
may also be a junior employee to the Promotion Eligibility Register (PER) employee as well as have a lower test score
on the standing register, yet this higher level employee has preference over the PER employee at management’s
discretion, therefore be it
Resolved, Item 3 (higher level employee) and item 4 Promotion Eligibility Register (PER), of the
pecking order in the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM), are to be swapped in the order
to fill a vacant maintenance position. Therefore, Item 3 will read “select the ranking employees
on the appropriate language from 10 that begins with the word CONSIDERATION shall then become a new item defined as Article 38.5.A.12, and be it further
Resolved, that the current applicable language (Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM)
June 2007, page 239, Items 3 and 4) that reads, (3) Consider higher level qualified maintenance
employees requesting change to lower level, (4) Select the ranking employee on the appropriate
Promotion Eligibility Register (PER), and (Article 38.5.A.10) After all employees within an occupational group and level have been assigned pursuant to a notice of intent, consideration for filling the residual vacancy will be given to a higher level qualified employee who has previously
submitted a written request for assignment to a lower level be changed to the following proposed
language; (Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) Items 3 and 4) (3) Select the ranking employee on the appropriate Promotion Eligibility Register (PER), (4) Consider higher level qualified
maintenance employee requesting change to lower level, (Article 38.5.A.10) After all employees
within an occupational group and level have been assigned pursuant to a notice of intent, the
ranking employee on the appropriate Promotion Eligibility Register (PER) shall be selected and
(Article 38.5.A.12) Consideration for filling the residual vacancy will be given to a higher level
qualified employee who has previously submitted a written request for assignment to a lower
level.
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ARTICLE 38
PROMOTIONS
Manasota Local, FL
- 114 WHEREAS, Article 38.5.B.1 sets forth the rules in which employees are promoted regarding the registers that exists in each
facility, and
WHEREAS, Article 38.5.B.2 gives a preference in the order in which these positions are to be filled under items a
through m, and
WHEREAS, Items a through k, Custodian to Maintenance Support Clerk are employees who take the same tests
and KSAs doing similar work, and
WHEREAS, Items (L.) Maintenance Mechanic MPE and (M) Electronic Technician (ET) are distinct and separate tests and
KSAs from those groups of employees who have preference over the remaining employees on the Promotion Eligibility Register (PER) for MPE and ET, and
WHEREAS, the remaining employees compete by test score, except those who receive preference above all
other employees on the Promotion Eligibility Register (PER), which is an unfair advantage to those employees on
the Promotion Eligibility Register (PER) who are not either a MM or MPE, but who may have been a former MPE
or ET fully qualified employee who are now Custodians, BEM, AMT, MSC or any of the other maintenance positions that is not a MM or MPE represented by the Maintenance Craft of the American Postal Workers Union, therefore be it
Resolved, The preference given to the MM and MPE in Item l. and m. respectively is to be stricken
from the language contained in Article 38.5.B.2. The language will conclude with item k.
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ARTICLE 38
FILLING VACANT MAINTENANCE POSITIONS
Manasota Local, FL
- 115 WHEREAS, the pecking order for filling a vacant maintenance position per Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) June 2007, page 239, includes in item number 3, that a higher level qualified employee may request
a downgrade to a lower level position. It states “a previously submitted written request for assignment to lower
level must have been submitted prior to the close of the notice of intent” (Article 38.5A.10), and
WHEREAS, the first word of the item is CONSIDER, and consideration in Article 38 higher level qualified maintenance employees requesting a change to lower level. This makes it interpretative and allows management to
manipulate the outcome. One employee is considered and denied, while the next employee is considered and
approved. The first employee may not be on the most favored list, while the second employee can do no wrong,
or one is union and the other is not, and
WHEREAS, the word CONSIDER is not a word that should be made permissible for management to manipulate the rights of the employees, therefore be it
Resolved, the word “CONSIDER” is to be stricken from the item number that pertains to higher
level requests for a lower level position, and replaced with the word “ANY” in the Joint Contract
Interpretation Manual (JCIM). This will prohibit any further discrimination, favoritism or interpretation of this language. Article 38.5.A.10 is to be modified as well, as to eliminate the words
“consideration for” and replaced with “the filling of”, and be it further
Resolved, that the current applicable language (Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) June 2007,
page 239, Item 3) that reads, (3) consider higher level qualified maintenance employees requesting
change to lower level. A “previously submitted” written request for assignment to lower level must have
been submitted prior to the close of the Notice of Intent (Article 38.5.A.10). and (Article 38.5.A.10) After
all employees within an occupational group and level have been assigned pursuant to a notice of intent,
consideration for filling the residual vacancy will be given to a higher level qualified employee who has
previously submitted a written request for assignment to a lower level, be changed to the following proposed language; (Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) Item 3. Any higher level qualified maintenance employees requesting change to lower level. A “previously submitted” written request for
assignment to lower level must have been submitted prior to the close of the Notice of Intent (Article
38.5.A.10) and (Article 38.5.A.10). After all employees within an occupational group and level have been
assigned pursuant to a notice of intent, the filling of the residual vacancy will be given to a higher level
qualified employee who has previously submitted a written request for assignment to a lower level.
ARTICLE 38
EQUALIZATION OF THE 120 DAY BREAK FOR 204Bs
- 116 WHEREAS, under the latest contractual changes, Article 38 fell under the agreement that 204Bs must be in their
bargaining unit duty assignments for one (1) pay period, and
WHEREAS, under the latest contractual changes, Article 37 only allows for 204Bs to be back in their bargaining unit duty assignments for one (1) week, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union negotiate to equalize the language in both
Article 37 and Article 38. Thereby raising the “one (1) week” language in Article 37 and raising
the “one (1) pay period” language as in Article 38 to read “two (2) full pay periods”.
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ARTICLE 38
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union National Negotiating Committee attempt to have
this language removed from job postings, and be it further
modify the language to restrict the “other duties”, to those within the employee’s principal assignment area.
ARTICLE 38
REVERSIONS
Greensboro BMC Local, NC
- 118 WHEREAS, Article 38.4.A.3 reads, “if the vacant duty assignment is reverted, a notice shall be posted within ten
(10) days advising of the action taken and the reason therefore”, and
WHEREAS, Management should know in advance if a job is to be reverted, and
WHEREAS, Article 38 does not allow for input from the local President before making a decision to revert the
position, therefore be it
Resolved, that the language in Article 38.4.A.3 be replaced with the language from Article
37.3.A.1.b.2 which reads “Reversion. When a vacant duty assignment is under consideration for
reversion, the local union president will be given an opportunity for input prior to a decision. The
decision to revert, or not to revert the duty assignment, shall be made not later than twentyeight (28) days after it becomes vacant and if the vacant assignment is reverted, a notice shall be
posted advising of the action taken and the reasons therefore.
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ARTICLE 38
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
Facility has the right to decline training and return to their home facility without fear of reprisal,
and be it further
ARTICLE 38
TIMEFRAMES FOR FILLING OF RESIDUAL MAINTENANCE VACANCIES
- 120 WHEREAS, vacancies in the Maintenance Craft are detrimental to the craft and cause thousands of dollars in
lost dues revenue, and
WHEREAS, once the bidding process in Article 38 is complete, positions in the maintenance craft can remain
as residual vacancies for months, even years without being filled, and
WHEREAS, there is no requirement on the postal service to hire from an In-Service Register within any specific
timeframe, and
WHEREAS, there is also no timeframe requirement on the postal service to complete the voluntary transfer of
maintenance employees, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union negotiate a specific timeframe for the hiring of eligible personnel from In-Service Registers for the maintenance craft, and be it further
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union negotiate specific timeframes for completion
of a transfer or mutual swap of current American Postal Workers Union represented employees.
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ARTICLE 38
WHEREAS, Postmasters will not hire career employees to fill said vacancy and the national contract has no
it further
Resolved, the successful bidder would fill the vacancy with a seniority date of one day less than
the junior regular employee.
ARTICLE 38
ARTICLE 38
PRESERVING NON-CUSTODIAL WORKHOURS WHEN
BUILDING MAINTENANCE CUSTODIANS ARE ELIMINATED
Iowa Postal Workers Union • Michigan Postal Workers Union
- 123 WHEREAS, work hours associated with the Building Maintenance Custodian position, etc. at associate offices
that pertain to non-custodial work (such as lock installation, boiler maintenance, etc.) are not added to another
maintenance occupational group (such as Area Maintenance Specialists or Technicians) when Associate Office
Bulk Mail Clerk duty assignments are eliminated, therefore be it
Resolved, that the hours associated with the non-custodial work hours associated with Bulk
Mail Clerk duty assignments in Associate Offices be credited to the AMS or AMT positions if the
Associate Office successfully eliminates such Bulk Mail Clerk duty assignments through attrition,
and be it further
Resolved, that a new staffing package must be provided to the affected Local President (or
State President if the office is not part of a Local) reflecting that additional hours have been credited to the Area Maintenance Specialists (AMS) or Area Maintenance Technicians (AMT) positions
and any resulting change in staffing.
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ARTICLE 38
PTR ELIGIBILTY TO BID ON EXAM SPECIALIST AND VOMA POSITIONS
- 124 WHEREAS, Article 38.D only provides for full time regular maintenance craft employees to be eligible to bid on
posted Examination Specialist (SP-188) and Vehicle Operations Maintenance Assistant (VOMA) (SP-2-195) positions, therefore be it
Resolved, part time regular maintenance craft employees be added to Article 38.D as eligible to
bid on these positions.
ARTICLE 38
CRAFT DUTIES
causing conflict as to what they are, or are not, to be doing on their respective bid assignments, therefore be it
ARTICLE 38
PHONE BIDDING
bid.
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ARTICLE 38
ARTICLE 38
UNION INPUT PRIOR TO REVERSION
- 128 WHEREAS, Article 38 has no provision for union input prior to reversion of positions, therefore be it
Resolved, that when a vacant duty assignment is under consideration for reversion, the local
union president will be notified in writing and given the opportunity for input prior to a decision
to revert or not to revert being made, and be it further
Resolved, that the decision to revert or not to revert shall be made within ten (10) days after
the assignment becomes vacant, and be it further
Resolved, that if a decision is made to revert a position an appropriate notice shall be posted
advising of the action taken and the reasons therefore.
ARTICLE 38
SENIORITY
- 129 WHEREAS, seniority should be the major factor in excessing, and
WHEREAS, when excessing occurs, junior employees could remain in the section with better days off and hours,
and
WHEREAS, senior employees might have bid on other jobs in the section had they known excessing was going
to occur, therefore be it
Resolved, in the maintenance craft, when excessing or abolishing from a specific occupational
group and level in a section, any duty assignments remaining within that section occupied by
maintenance employees junior to and in the same occupational group and level as the senior
maintenance employee whose duty assignment was abolished or excessed, will be reposted by notice of intent within the section.
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Motor Vehicle Services
Division Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Pineres, Javier, Chairperson
2. Chatman, Kermit
3. DeLillo, Louis
4. Heiman, Matt
San Jose Area Local, CA
Detroit District Area Local, MI
Saint Louis Gateway District
Area Local, MO
New Orleans Local, LA
Cleveland Area Local, OH
Saint Paul Area Local, MN
Texas Postal Workers Union
5. Hoffman, Jessie
6. McDonald, Mike
7. Olson, Rich
8. Stage, Christopher
9. Wylie, Ralph
10. Zeno, Arthur
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Motor Vehicle Services
Division Resolutions
ARTICLE 39
ARTICLE 39
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
Facility has the right to decline training and return to their home facility without fear of reprisal,
and be it further
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ARTICLE 39
SENIORITY PROVISIONS FOR PTFs
- 132 WHEREAS, Article 37 currently contains language that provides for seniority to be applied to all employees in
the regular workforce, and
WHEREAS, such language is not contained in Article 39, which allows United States Postal Service management
to impose their will on part time flexible members of the Motor Vehicle Services (MVS) Craft, and
WHEREAS, this causes part time flexibles with more seniority than junior part time flexibles to be assigned to
less desirable hours, off days, assignments, etc., at the whim of management, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union’s negotiating team will make priority attempts
to negotiate the same language for the Motor Vehicle Services (MVS) Craft that covers Clerk Craft
employees, stating that seniority rules apply to all employees in the regular workforce, including
part time flexible employees, when a guide is necessary for filling vacant assignments and for
other purposes.
ARTICLE 39
WHEREAS, Postmasters will not hire career employees to fill said vacancy and the National contract has no
it further
Resolved, the successful bidder would fill the vacancy with a seniority date of one day less than
the junior regular employee.
ARTICLE 39
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ARTICLE 39
MVS TYPING
- 135 WHEREAS, the storekeeper, automotive parts, minimally utilizes the skill of typing, and
WHEREAS, said typing requirement defeats the principles of seniority when filling vacant positions, therefore be
it
Resolved, that the Motor Vehicle Division of the American Postal Workers Union negotiate the
elimination of the typing requirement for the position of storekeeper, automotive parts.
ARTICLE 39
CASUALS WITH 2 YEARS OF US POSTAL SERVICE
- 136 WHEREAS, casual Motor Vehicle Operators (MVOs) and Tractor Trailer Operators (TTOs) in most cases are employed with the postal service for several years, and
WHEREAS, casual employees have proven that they can perform the duties of a full-time regular motor vehicle
service employee and have demonstrated that they can adhere to attendance and safety requirements while performing their duties, and
WHEREAS, the casual workforce can work 360 days annually, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, MAY 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the casual work force will be
considered for full-time/part-time flexible employment in the Motor Vehicle Services (MVS) craft
prior to hiring new-hires off the United States Postal Service hiring registry, providing they meet
the two (2) year minimum driving experience, and be it further
Resolved, that only transfers and/or reassignments of postal service employees from other
American Postal Workers Union represented crafts/installations shall be considered before the casual workforce is hired as a full-time flexible employee
ARTICLE 39
CRAFT DUTIES
causing conflict as to what they are, or not, to be doing on their respective bid assignments, therefore be it
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ARTICLE 39
TIME PERIOD FOR NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES
RETURNING TO BARGAINING UNIT ASSIGNMENTS
- 138 WHEREAS, the Motor Vehicle Services Division has no language in the National Agreement addressing the
length of time a non-bargaining unit detailed employee must return to his/her bargaining unit position before
being allowed to work bargaining unit overtime and/or bid on vacant Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) duty assignments, as mentioned in the various other American Postal Workers Union represented crafts, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: any detailed non-bargaining
unit employee returned to the bargaining unit be returned to their bid bargaining unit assignment a minimum of (1) one full pay period before being allowed to work craft overtime, and/or
allowed to bid on vacant Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) duty assignments and/or detailed to higher
level bargaining unit assignments.
ARTICLE 39
PHONE BIDDING
bid.
ARTICLE 39
UPGRADES
- 140 WHEREAS, the Driver Safety Instructor(s) (DSI) are paid at the level seven (7) pay grade and were not included
in the pay upgrade for Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) employees prior to February 16, 2008, and
WHEREAS, the Driver Safety Instructor(s) perform a very dangerous job training and/or road testing United
States Postal Service employee(s) and new hires on a daily basis, and
WHEREAS, the Driver Safety Instructor(s) train and/or road test level seven (7), Motor Vehicle Operators and level
(8) Tractor Trailer Operators at several installations throughout the United States, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: when Driver Safety Instructor(s)
train or road test United States Postal Service employees and/or new hires on postal vehicles,
(Straight Trucks 7-11 ton or higher and/or operate Tractor Trailer combination vehicles) he/she
shall be paid at level 8.
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ARTICLE 39
ARTICLE 39
BIDDING ON VACANT VOMA POSITIONS
Minnesota Postal Workers Union • Des Moines Area Local, IA
- 142 WHEREAS, Vehicle Operations Maintenance Assistant (VOMA) positions are currently all craft positions, and
WHEREAS, Vehicle Operations Maintenance Assistant (VOMA) duties are motor vehicle, Vehicle Maintenance
Facility (VMF) duties, and
WHEREAS, Motor Vehicle Craft employees do not currently have the right to bid on Vehicle Operations Maintenance Assistant (VOMA) positions within their craft, therefore be it
Resolved, that all eligible Motor Vehicle Craft employees be entitled to bid on vacant Vehicle Operations Maintenance Assistant (VOMA) positions prior to being opened to other installation employees, and be it further
Resolved, that Motor Vehicle Craft employees be given such opportunities which may include
bidding to another installation.
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Support Services Division Resolutions
ARTICLE 41
ARTICLE 41
CRAFT DUTIES
causing conflict as to what they are, or not, to be doing on their respective bid assignments, therefore be it
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ARTICLE 41
PHONE BIDDING
bid.
ARTICLE 41
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Formal Resolutions Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Woods, Tara, Chairperson
2. Brown, Laretha “L.D.”
3. Cannon, Clive
4. Davis, Bob
5. Decker, Randy
6. Doyle, Tom
7. Greenlaw, Dave
8. Kaehler, Michael
9. Lopez, Wilbert
10. Morris, B.C
11. Shappy, John
Houston Area Local, TX
Birmingham Area Local, AL
Georgia Postal Workers Union
Bay Peninsula Area Local, CA
Phoenix Metro Area Local, AZ
Fort Dodge Local, IA
Maine Postal Workers Union
Saint Cloud Area Local, MN
Salt Lake City Area Local, UT
Pocatello Area Local, ID
New Hampshire Postal
Workers Union
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Formal Resolutions
ENDORSE BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
Boston Metro Area Local, MA • New York Metro Area Local, NY
North Jersey Area Local, NJ
- 147 WHEREAS, Barack Obama has inspired millions of new voters to participate in the electoral process, and
WHEREAS, Barack Obama is committed to changing the way Washington works by preventing corporate lobbyists from setting our nation’s agenda and he vows to listen to the American people, and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of Americans believe our country is headed in the wrong direction and
Barack Obama is committed to getting us back on track, and
WHEREAS, the American middle-class is facing extinction and families are facing the worst economic challenges
since the Great Depression – while corporate executives earn 600 times the amount their employees earn, and
WHEREAS, the oil industry and energy speculators have enjoyed record profits over the last eight years while
Americans have seen their fuel and gas prices skyrocket, and
WHEREAS, Barack Obama has served notice that, if elected, the days of corporate abuse of working Americans
will be over. In contrast, his opponent has no plan to halt the fleecing of the middle-class and has hired corporate
lobbyists to lead his campaign, and
WHEREAS, millions of Americans have no healthcare insurance, Barack Obama is committed to providing health
coverage to all Americans without passing the costs on to those who are presently insured. We spend more of the
American taxpayers hard-earned money in Iraq each year ($1 trillion) than it would cost to insure every American.
His opponent has no healthcare plan and voted against providing health coverage to military veterans and our
nation’s children, and
WHEREAS, Barack Obama, a true friend of labor, supports workers’ right to organize, form unions, and bargain
collectively to ensure a decent living, while his opponent voted against the Employee Free Choice Act; aggressively
fought to decertify the union representing airport security workers; and supports “Right-to-Work” (For-Less) legislation, and
WHEREAS, the image of our country has been tarnished throughout the world because of our misguided foreign policy decisions, and Barack Obama is committed to restoring our international reputation while protecting
our national security, and
WHEREAS, we will not allow our votes to be influenced through the fear of another 9-11 terrorist attack. We
were not protected by rhetoric then and cannot be protected by it now, and
WHEREAS, while his opponent has an admirable history of serving our country, this service cannot justify the
continuation of four more years of George W. Bush’s policies, and
WHEREAS, Barack Obama provides us hope and change that we can believe in, therefore be it
Resolved, that delegates to the American Postal Workers Union’s 19th Biennial Convention, assembled in Las Vegas, Nevada, proudly endorses Barack Obama for President of the United States.
NATIONALLY SPONSORED TRAINING IN NON UNION FACILITIES
North Carolina Council
- 148 WHEREAS, the hotels and entertainment unions have had little success in organizing, and
WHEREAS, the resolution requiring nationally sponsored seminars must be in union facilities eliminates 90% of
our country, and
WHEREAS, when we are in these areas, we can promote unionism, therefore be it
Resolved, that availability of union facilities be only one factor in choosing sites for national
American Postal Workers Union sponsored training and no site be disallowed solely based on the
lack of a union contract.
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Legislative Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Clark, Bruce, Chairperson
2. DeNayer, Larry
3. Forde, Foster
4. Gay, Yvette
Dubuque Area Local, IA
Dallas Area Local, TX
Saint Louis Gateway District
Area Local, MO
Asheville Area Local, NC
Fredericksburg/Battlefield
Area Local, VA
Pittsburgh Metro Area Local
Retiree Chapter, PA
5. Levy, Joan
6. Moore, Kevin
7. Morris, Mark
8. Richards, John*
9. Ross, Alan
10. Small, Clyde
11. Walker, James
Muncie Area Local, IN
Norcross Local, GA
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Legislative Resolutions
FAIRNESS FOR PART-TIME UNION OFFICERS PARTICIPATING IN FERS
- 149 WHEREAS, current law creates a disincentive for younger employees to get involved with their union due to loss
of matching funds under FERS, therefore be it
Resolved, that the National American Postal Workers Union pursue any avenue to allow part
time union officers matching funds into TSP from their local or state organizations.
CONSOLIDATIONS
Des Moines Area Local, IA
- 150 WHEREAS, regular timely daily delivery (six (6) days a week) of the U.S. Mail is essential to an educated, informed
electorate, and
WHEREAS, consolidation of processing plants jeopardizes this principle, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union work towards legislation opposed to any
consolidations that adversely effects timely daily delivery of the mail.
CLOSED SHOP
- 151 WHEREAS, all union benefits that are bargained for between the United States Postal Service and the American
Postal Workers Union are enjoyed by all employees of the Clerk, Maintenance, and Motor Vehicle Craft, and
WHEREAS, the burden of cost of representing non-union members is borne unfairly by loyal dues-paying members of the American Postal Workers Union, and
WHEREAS, there is no specific and separate contract between the United States Postal Service and non-union
members that provides for bargaining apart from the American Postal Workers Union, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 In Grand Rapids, Michigan we go on record as mandating our
national union to pursue legislation for a closed shop, and be it even further
Resolved, that this Convention of the Michigan Postal Workers Union go on record as being unequivocally opposed to an “open” shop union, and be it even further
Resolved, that it be declared a paramount issue and shall be the official position of the American Postal Workers Union.
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SOCIAL SECURITY OFFSET
- 152 WHEREAS, the social security offset imposed on federal employees is unfair and unjust, and
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of current and retired postal workers are affected by this social security offset, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the National American Postal
Workers Union Legislative Department, makes it a priority in the upcoming congress to repeal this
legislation.
REPRESENTATION FOR NON-MEMBERS
- 153 WHEREAS, the postal Service pursuant to the Postal Reorganization Act and the National Labor Relations Act is
an “open shop”, and
WHEREAS, the Union pursuant to the Union Security Clause is required to represent all employees in its bargaining unit, whether or not they are Union members, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: the union may levy fees and
charges to non-union members for the cost of processing their grievances.
SICK LEAVE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
- 154 WHEREAS, there is no real incentive to save sick leave, with the fact that at management’s whim, an employee
may be denied their sick leave benefits to be utilized prior to their retirement date, and
WHEREAS, health plan premiums and survivor benefit costs sky rocket during retirement, and
WHEREAS, an incentive program for the employee could also benefit the postal service, therefore be it
Resolved, that the National American Postal Workers Union negotiate a sick leave incentive program, that allows for the option of a trust account to be held for the employee at retirement for
their accumulated sick leave value saved, and that trust fund would make payments to the employee’s health plan premiums and/or survivor benefit premiums at the employee’s choice, until
the fund has been depleted.
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PRE-TAX HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS
- 155 WHEREAS, active federal employees have their health care premium paid with pre-tax dollars, and
WHEREAS, federal retirees do not have their health care premium paid pre-tax, and
WHEREAS, postal retirees have increased health care costs, be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union, urges passage of Premium Conversion Bill,
which would let retirees of the Federal Government pay their health insurance with pre-tax dollars.
ANTI-SWEATSHOP BILL
- 156 WHEREAS, the only time we should look down on someone is when we are reaching down to help them up,
and
WHEREAS, workers are being used as modern day slaves to make goods throughout the world, and
WHEREAS, corporate trademarks, labels and products are protected, and most workers are not, and
WHEREAS, congress has enacted laws that protected dogs and cats better than the rights of humans, and
WHEREAS, there is no fair competition when companies exploit workers, and
WHEREAS, companies are pitting workers from around the world against each other over who will accept the
lowest wages, least benefits, and most miserable living and working conditions, in the race to the bottom, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union support the “Anti-Sweatshop Bill” Decent
Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act (S.367, H.R.1992)
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SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM
Iowa Postal Workers Union • Washington Postal Workers Union
- 157 WHEREAS, health care should be considered a basic human right, not a privilege, and
WHEREAS, a large portion of the American population has inadequate or no health coverage, and
WHEREAS, despite spending twice as much per capita as any other country on health care, the U.S ranks 37th
in the world in outcomes, according to the World Health Organization, and
WHEREAS, the rapid increases in health care costs have put unions in the position of negotiating trade offs between health benefits and wages during contract bargaining, and
WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO Health Care Campaign offers a set of principles to markedly improve our national health
care, therefore be it
Resolved, that this body of the American Postal Workers Union, drawing on this set of principles, will promote educational and legislative efforts to enact a unique American plan for health
care reform that, 1) Provides comprehensive, high-quality affordable portable health care to all,
including preventive, dental, mental and long term care, regardless of employment status and
without regard to pre-existing or genetic condition; 2) Preserves the right to choose one’s doctor and other medical providers; 3) Gives a watchdog government agency the responsibility to
monitor costs, quality, fairness, and efficiency; 4) Is financed by contributions from employers,
government, and individuals, 5) Uses a uniform (single-payer) mechanism to reduce administrative costs, 6) Allows unions to negotiate employer payment of workers contributions and additional benefits that are not part of the common plan and 7) Requires full funding for Medicaid,
Medicare, and SCHIP, and extends Medicare to retired people from age 62.
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IMPROVED USPS RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION
- 158 WHEREAS, the U.S. Postal Service is one of the largest organizations in the U.S. and generates enormous
amounts of waste, whether from its operations, its employees or from undeliverable mailings, and
WHEREAS, the importance of reducing waste and increasing the amount of recycling, as ways to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, has increased as our knowledge of the dangers of global warming has
increased, and
WHEREAS, Management Instruction AS-550-91-10 Pollution Prevention Program, states that “the postal service is legally and socially responsible for…the waste it produces”, and “all administrative and operational activities
must, to the maximum extent possible, participate in waste reduction by reducing it at the source and participating
in environmentally sound recycling”, and
WHEREAS, Management Instruction AS-550-91-10 further states that “Postmasters, station managers and supervisors are responsible for forming recycling teams, establishing recycling programs and encouraging employee
participation at smaller offices”, and that managers “are also encouraged to consolidate wastes with other small
facilities for recycling at a centralized place”, and
WHEREAS, the fact that items such as bottles, cans and shrinkwrap are recycled at some postal facilities but not
at others, demonstrates that management of the United States Postal Service only has a haphazard commitment
to its self-admitted legal and socially responsibilities to reduce waste and recycle “to the maximum extent possible”, therefore be it
Resolved, that this body of the American Postal Workers Union shall go on record in favor of
steps to encourage and/or, to legally compel the United States Postal Service to live up to its legal
and social responsibilities to reduce waste and increase recycling to the maximum extent possible, including such steps and purchasing 100% recycled content copy paper, and further be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union shall work to enforce the requirement that
recycling teams and programs be established at associate offices, stations and branches and to
encourage recycling programs for all possible materials that are conducted in a positive, participatory and non-disciplinary way, and further be it
Resolved, that the National American Postal Workers Union, which has intervened successfully
in the previous postal rate case, be empowered in future rate case interventions to advance environmentally friendly postal regulations on mailers, such as mandating more accurate bulk mailing lists and address corrections, requiring a high percentage of recycled paper content for mailers
to get the best rates, while still working towards a rate structure which reflects the actual costs
incurred by the postal service and avoids subsidizing bulk advertising mail, and further be it
Resolved, that this resolution shall be forwarded to the national American Postal Workers
Union for action at their next convention.
FERS SICK LEAVE
- 159 WHEREAS, employees in the FERS retirement system are not paid for their unused sick leave upon retirement, therefore be it
Resolved, that when an employee retires from the United States Postal Service under the FERS
system, they be paid for all unused sick and annual leave they have earned, at the time of their
retirement.
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FAIR TRADE NOT FREE TRADE
Iowa Postal Workers Union • Des Moines Area Local, IA
- 160 WHEREAS, a significant number of American jobs are being moved outside the U.S.A, and
WHEREAS, this is being done by companies to reduce cost by employing labor at lower wages, no benefits and no
healthcare, and
WHEREAS, U.S. safety rules and regulations are unenforceable in foreign countries, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union supports legislation that establishes sanctions
or tariffs to equalize trade with foreign countries that do not provide the same or better working conditions as in the USA.
DEFEND THE BMCs
FIGHT PRIVATIZATION OF PARCEL BUSINESS
New York Postal Workers Union • Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union
- 161 WHEREAS, United States Postal Service management is moving towards privatizing the parcel business, by issuing a “Request for Proposals for the outsourcing of some Bulk Mail Center activities, and
WHEREAS, private sector company’s alliance with the Bush administration and United States Postal Service management
are preparing to highjack the work traditionally performed by American Postal Workers Union bargaining unit employees at
our Bulk Mail Centers, and
WHEREAS, passage of the so-called “Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006” by a Republicandominated Congress was designed to assist the theft of BMC work by big business and its management minions,
therefore be it
Resolved, that the national leadership of the American Postal Workers Union shall lead and organize resistance to any/all attempts to privatize the parcel business, by fighting to defend BMC
jobs, and therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union, urge our elected representatives to delay implementation of any provisions of the “Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006”, that
allow for the theft of our work and our jobs, and further urge, that Congress repeal this noxious
legislation, and therefore be it further
Resolved, that the defense of our BMCs by any necessary means, be established as a priority of
this labor organization, and that the progress of this struggle will be reported to our membership on a regular basis.
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EXPANDING VETERANS PROTECTION
- 162 WHEREAS, Veterans have served their country and protected the “American Way of Life”, and
WHEREAS, all service members and veterans have taken risk by taking the oath regardless of war or peace time,
and
WHEREAS, a service member is always on duty to perform dangerous missions, and
WHEREAS, many veterans have physical disabilities resulting from their service to their country, and
WHEREAS, many veterans have few meaningful choices in seeking work outside of the Federal and United
States Postal Service, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union seek (legislatively and/or contractually) to give
veterans preference points, for all veterans on all hiring registers regardless of job, and be it further
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union seek (legislatively and/or contractually) to protect
such jobs from sub-contracting.
CONTINUANCE OF PAY
- 163 WHEREAS, many employees are injured at work and receive continuance of pay from OWCP, so that an employee does not lose his or her income, and
WHEREAS, postal employees are the only federal employee group required to wait three days before filing a
claim for continuance of pay (effectively reducing employee earnings), and
WHEREAS, this sets a dangerous precedence for all workers, public and private, to have the same to be done
to them, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union work to repeal this policy.
HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Wilkes-Barre PDC Local, PA
- 164 WHEREAS, the members of the American Postal Workers Union in the private sector are covered by the Service Contract Act, and
WHEREAS, the Service Contract Act does not require company provided health insurance, and
WHEREAS, the United States is the only industrial country that fails to provide universal health coverage for its
citizens, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union take steps to modify the Service Contract Act,
to provide mandatory and affordable health insurance for employees covered by the Service Contract Act, and be if further
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union take steps to insure that any national health
insurance legislation, include the employees currently covered by the Service Contract Act.
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Safety and Health Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Sartain, Patricia, Chairperson
2. Blake, Richard
San Fernando Valley Area Local, CA
Greater Kansas City Metro
Area Local, KS
Baltimore Francis “Stu” Filbey
Area Local, MD
Atlanta Area Local, GA
Indianapolis Area Local, IN
Saint Louis BMC Local, MO
Colorado Springs Area Local, CO
Nation’s Capital Southern
Maryland Area Local, DC
3. Butler, Edwin
4. Flanagan, William
5. Guynn, James
6. Manual, Drederick
7. Myers, Herb
8. Preston, Rob
9. Rogers, Regina
10. Thomason, Brian
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Safety and Health Resolutions
WINDOW CLERK ERGONOMICS
Sarasota Local, FL
- 165 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union and United States Postal Service have both initiated ergonomic
committees, and
WHEREAS, it is in all our best interests to promote an ergonomic workplace, and
WHEREAS, the POS 1 window unit includes a keyboard, and
WHEREAS, changes to the window service transaction workflow keeps adding more steps, and
WHEREAS, the software patches add the step responses on the dynakeys, and
WHEREAS, the window terminal transaction speed is very slow, and
WHEREAS, the use of the dynakeys on the raised monitor necessitates a window clerk’s right arm to be held
raised and extended, and
WHEREAS, a window clerk waits for the POS 1 prompt with their finger on the dynakeys, and
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union represented window clerk can work twelve (12) hours under
these conditions, and
WHEREAS, the many American Postal Workers Union represented window clerks, working the prolonged and
repeated motions in this position, deserves the immediate, if not proactive, study and correction by the ergonomic
experts, therefore be it
Resolved that the American Postal Workers Union, immediately discuss conversion from dynakey usage on the raised monitor, to use of the F keys, or other keys on the keyboard, located
on the counter, directly in front of the clerk.
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Health Plan Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Hayes, George, Chairperson
2. Banks, Herb
3. Breedlove, Charles
4. Cash, Charles
5. Downs, Toni
Maryland & DC Postal Workers Union
Fort Wayne Area Local, IN
North Alabama Area Local, AL
Greater Kansas City Metro
Area Local, MO
Georgia Postal Workers Union
McAllen Area, TX
6. Garris, Shirley
7. Vasquez, Barbara
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Health Plan Resolutions
HEALTH PLAN REBATE
Des Moines Area Local, IA • Minnesota Postal Workers Union
- 166 WHEREAS, American Postal Workers Union Health Plans are some of the best and most competitively priced of the
FEHB plans, and
WHEREAS, the National American Postal Workers Union currently reaps over $4 million in revenue from the
health plans, and
WHEREAS, there are more retirees and Federal sector employees in the American Postal Workers Union health
plans than there are active postal employees, and
WHEREAS, there is currently no incentive in place for local or state organizations to build and market the
health plans, and those locals and state organizations that do choose to send attendees to the Health Plan
Seminar do so at their own expense, therefore be it
Resolved, that each local or state organization receive a rebate from either the American Postal
Workers Union National, or from the Health Plan, as applicable under the law, of $100 for each
of their members subscribing to the American Postal Workers Union Health Plans per year.
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EACH ONE HELP ONE
Tri County Area Local, PA
- 167 WHEREAS, under current FEHB regulations, the definition of “member of family” is limited to:
1. The spouse of an employee or annuitant.
2. An unmarried dependent child under 22 years of age, including an adopted child or recognized natural
child, or a stepchild or foster child but only if the child lives with the employee or annuitant in a regular parentchild relationship.
3. An unmarried dependent child regardless of age who is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical disability which existed before age 22., and
WHEREAS, more than half of the nation’s “Fortune 500” companies offer health benefits in the domestic partners of
lesbian and gay employees, and
WHEREAS, United Parcel Service has announced its intentions to include domestic partner benefits in its next
contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and
WHEREAS, since FEHB definitions were originally established, the nature of the American family has changed significantly and is no longer based on a relationship of martial intimacy between a “breadwinner” male husband and
a stay-at-home Mom, and
WHEREAS, the American family now consists of , but is not limited to, lesbian and gay marriages occurring legally
in Massachusetts, California and Canada; lesbian and gay civil union occurring in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey; single parents uniting with other single parents in order to raise children without a relationship of marital intimacy; neighbors assuming the care of a beloved neighbor; friend assuming care of a beloved
friend; and single adults assuming care of a beloved godmother, aunt, godfather, uncle and other relationships not
recognized by the current FEHB definition of a family, and
WHEREAS, each and every employee of the United States Postal Service is now legally entitled to marry one adult
member of the opposite sex without scrutiny as to the nature of the intimacy, intention to bear children, fitness
to enter such marriage, or reliable prediction as to the duration of the marriage, and
WHEREAS, the expected eventual recognition of gay marriage across the country, similar to Canada, will do
nothing to help the situation of adults who are the primary caretaker for a non-recognized adult relationship of a
non-intimate nature, and
WHEREAS, the lack of universal health care in the United States adds a greater burden to all of us to help our
neighbor, and
WHEREAS, it is doubtful this provision would be abused by frivolous claims, since the employee would be liable
for a family premium which is more expensive than the premium for self, therefore be it
Resolved, Article 21, Section 1, “Health Benefits” be amended to include Section 1-F, to read:
“Each FEHB enrolled employee will be entitled to designate one and only one adult individual, regardless of relationship, to their family enrollment. All other rules and regulations currently governing family enrollments will remain in effect.
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Human Relations Committee
NAME
LOCAL
1. Long, Mike, Chairperson
2. Bean, Jim
3. Davis, Donna
4. Druex, Tamala
5. Harper, Odell
6. Kilgannon, Darla
7. Kriski, Randy
8. MacNeil, Arthur
Atlanta Area Local, GA
Chicago Local, IL
Chicago BMC Area Local, IL
Omaha Area Local, NE
Central Massachusetts Area
Local, MA
Puerto Rico Area Local, PR
Greater Seattle Area Local, WA
Salem Area Local, OR
9. Pabon, David
10. Parayno, Myrna
11. Payne, Janeil
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Human Relations Committee
HUMAN RELATIONS VETERAN’S PROGRAM
Charlottesville Area Local, VA • Virginia Postal Workers Union
- 168 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union has been providing assistance and help when needed to its
members and communities for years, and
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union’s membership has volunteered thousands of hours in the assistance to its members and communities when in need, and
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union’s membership has many veterans of the United States Armed
Forces, and many members who still serve in the Armed Forces in some capacity, and
WHEREAS, we need to support our troops in any way possible by collecting items from postal customers such
as candy, snack items, personal hygiene items such as razors, shaving cream, sun block, insect repellent, tooth
brushes and tooth paste, and
WHEREAS, each local of the American Postal Workers Union should be provided an address and person for
these items to be mailed to, and
WHEREAS, a plastic bag with the American Postal Workers Union logo be placed on it, with the words printed
“Thank you from a caring and thankful Nation”, for items to be placed into prior to mailing, therefore be it
Resolved, the members of the American Postal Workers Union, hereby vote to adopt this program, to be conducted prior to Veterans Day of each year, and be it further
Resolved, this resolution asks that all locals of the American Postal Workers Union, participate
in this program.
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Constitution Committee
Constitution Committee members (seated, left to right) Beverly Shealy, Cleveland Area
Local Retiree Chapter; Pat Ahern, Manchester Area Local; Carolyn Pierce, Broward County
Area Local; Cindy Martinez, Texas Postal Workers Union; Yolanda Elder, Los Angeles Area
Local; and Mary Lou Pavoggi, Phoenix Metro Area Local; (standing, left to right) Alex Aleman, San Antonio Alamo Area Local; Richard Phillips, Tampa Area Local; John Zamudio,
Saint Charles MO Area Local; Kevin Gallagher, Committee Chair, Scranton Local; Michael
Sullivan, Suncoast Area Local; John Olive, Pensacola Area Local; Bob Johnson, Greater Connecticut Area Local; Ed Peralta, San Jose Area Local; Ronald Suslak, Queens Area Local;
Larry Crawford, Dallas Area Local; Danny Pride, Cleveland Area Local; Anthony Harris,
Saint Louis Gateway District Area Local; and Dwight Boudreaux, Detroit District Area Local.
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Constitution Committee Report
The Constitution Committee met at APWU Headquarters in Washington DC
on June 16 through June 18 and July 14 through July 18, 2008. There were
approximately 125 resolutions referred to the Committee. The Committee
took the entire time to gather information, deliberate, and debate the resolutions. Identical resolutions were grouped together with a lead resolution.
Similar resolutions were also listed as such. A final total of 49 resolutions
were reviewed and debated by the committee.
The Committee did not alter, change, or amend any resolutions except for
typographical errors. The resolutions are presented to the general assembly
as they were presented to the Committee. The Committee did not vote
based on any assumption of the intent of any resolution. Careful examination, of the actual language used in each resolution, was done by the Committee, before any debate or decision.
For the first time ever, the make-up of the National Constitution Committee
included a Retiree Representative to help aid in deliberations and decision.
The Committee would like to thank: President William Burrus, SecretaryTreasurer Terry Stapelton, Executive Assistant Roosevelt Stewart, Executive
Assistant Andrea Chapman, General Counsel Dan Smith, Legislative Director Myke Reid, and all of the staff at headquarters who were there to assist
the Committee.
The Committee would also like to thank the members of the American Postal
Workers Union and their leaders for allowing the Committee to participate
in this democratic process.
Kevin Gallagher
Chairman
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Concurred Resolutions
ARTICLE 3, SECTION 1
MEMBERSHIP
-1WHEREAS, current language in the American Postal Workers Union’s National Constitution, identifies that any
member in good standing shall not have their membership status affected by reason of the fact that his/her paycheck for the payroll period in which his/her dues deductions are made is insufficient to permit such dues deductions, by reason of illness, injury, pregnancy leave, lay-off, disciplinary suspension, lockout or strike, and
WHEREAS, the national union shall not charge the locals for per capita tax on these employees during the period, but shall through their own resources keep that member in good standing to protect his/her health coverage and any other benefits contingent on that good standing, and
WHEREAS, American Postal Workers Union’s members who have chosen to serve their country should not be
required to suffer or forfeit their right to union membership, and all benefits and entitlements attached to such
membership, and
WHEREAS, current language does not address those members who are in good standing who may lose this status and related benefits and entitlements of union membership as a result of being called upon for military service (active and/or reservist duty), therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: “after the word “injury” and before the word “pregnancy”, insert the words “Military leave”. The sentence will now read: “A
member’s good standing status shall not be affected by reasons for the fact that his/her paycheck for the payroll period in which his/her dues deductions are made is insufficient to permit
such dues deductions, by reason of illness, injury, military leave, pregnancy leave, lay-off, disciplinary suspension, lockout or strike”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Union members should face no adverse membership consequences while performing Military service for our Country.
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MEMBER’S GOOD STANDING STATUS
Connecticut Postal Workers Union • New York Postal Workers Union
Brooklyn Local, NY • Greater Connecticut Area Local, CT
-2WHEREAS, members that are on the automatic rolls of the Office of Worker’s Compensation Program (OWCP)
are receiving income, and
WHEREAS, member’s benefits continue to be paid while on the automatic rolls of OWCP, and
WHEREAS, a member’s good standing status while in a non-pay status, as noted in Article 3, Section 1 of the
Constitution and Bylaws, should only apply to employees that are not receiving income, therefore be it
Resolved, to insert the following language: (Except for members on the automatic rolls or receiving pay for an approved on the job injury from the Department of Labor – Office of Worker’s
Compensation Programs), after the word “injury” in the third sentence of Article 3, Section 1.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Member’s paycheck is sufficient to permit dues deductions.
MEMBERSHIP
-3WHEREAS, the present language in Article 3, Section 3, allows local unions to confer “honorary membership”
to anyone, including spouses, and
WHEREAS, in most local retiree chapters, spouses of retirees are an integral part of the administration and participation of those chapters, and
WHEREAS, many retiree chapters could not exist without the active involvement and assistance of retiree’s
spouses, and
WHEREAS, many spouses of retirees have a vested interest in survivor issues of their retiree spouse and need to
be involved and informed about these issues, and
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union’s organizing department is using the theme “APWU Organizing is Our Future - Make it a Family Affair”, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the following new language be added to Article3, Section 3: Spouses of retiree
members may become an Associate Member of their respective local retiree chapter upon the
payment of $24.00 per year dues, and shall be granted a voice, vote and may hold office within
their individual retiree chapter only.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Expands membership in National Retiree Local Chapters
and encourages involvement.
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ARTICLE 5, SECTION 1(a)
NATIONAL CONVENTION CYCLE
Submitted by the Constitution Committee
-4WHEREAS, the costs to our National organization to plan, organize, and conduct a National Convention is in
excess of $4 million dollars, with concurrent costs in the tens of thousands of dollars to each State and Local organization, and
WHEREAS, State, and Local organizations must also realize future financial savings in order to remain viable to
provide representation to our members, therefore be it,
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 1(a) be changed to read: Beginning following the 2010 convention, National Conventions of this union shall convene triennially on any Monday in July or
August, with the exception of the weeks of the 4th of July and the last week of August.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: National, State and Local Organizations can realize future
financial savings in order to remain viable to provide representation to our members.
ARTICLE 5, SECTION 1 (b)
NATIONAL CONVENTION CONTRACTS
Scranton Local, PA
-5WHEREAS, the cost of our American Postal Workers Union’s Biennial National Conventions cost approximately
$4 Million, which is a major expenditure for our national union, and
WHEREAS, our APWU Biennial National Conventions have been held at major cities on a repetitive basis, with
such cities as Los Angeles and Detroit hosting numerous APWU National Conventions, and
WHEREAS, APWU National Convention delegates have previously voted to continue our APWU National Conventions on a biennial basis, and
WHEREAS, major metropolitan cities have approached the APWU with national convention cost reductions and
incentives, if the APWU would contractually agree to hold multiple national conventions in future years and that
the future years do not have to run consecutively, and
WHEREAS, the value of these cost reductions and incentives are valued at well over $4 million per APWU Biennial National Convention, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 5, Section (b) of our national constitution has another sentence added to
it. The sentence shall be “The National Executive Board shall also be empowered to select sites for
multiple APWU National Conventions, not to be held in consecutive convention cycles, so that alternation of sites by geographical location is continued.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Financial savings to the National Union.
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ARTICLE 8, SECTION 2 (a) 2 (b)
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT TITLE CHANGES
-6WHEREAS, the duties of the Legislative Director and Assistant is more than dealing with legislative issues, and
WHEREAS, building connections with political candidates is essential to the passage of legislation, and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Director and Assistant have the responsibility of COPA, therefore be it
Resolved, that the titles of this department be changed to Legislative/Political Director, and
Assistant Legislative/Political Director, and be it further
Resolved, that it be added to their duties, that they assist the President in the distribution of
COPA funds.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Title change more accurately reflects the duties of the position.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION 6A
Indiana Postal Workers Union
WHEREAS, the language in the National Constitution is inconsistent with other national unions, and
WHEREAS, our Legislative Director participates in both legislative and political forums, therefore be it
Resolved, that the officer’s title in Article 8, Section 2 (a) be changed to add “Political/” before
Legislative Director, and also be it
Resolved, that the officer’s title in Article 8, Section 2 (b) likewise be changed to add “Political/”
before both occasions of Legislative Director.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Submitted by Indiana Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #6.
ARTICLE 9, SECTION 4 (a)
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION REPRESENTATION
Iowa Postal Workers Union • North Dakota Postal Workers Union
-7WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is a multi-craft union, and
WHEREAS, we have found great strength in the diversity of binding these groups together, and
WHEREAS, we have placed our new private sector members in the Support Services Division, therefore be it
Resolved, Article 9, Section 4 (a) be amended to include “postal medical units” to the list of
members covered by the Support Services Division.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Aligns representation responsibilities.
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ARTICLE 9, SECTION 9 (NEW)
LOCAL RIGHT TO HAVE INPUT TO APPEAL GRIEVANCES TO ARBITRATION
Suncoast Area Local, FL
-8WHEREAS, it has become common for business agents to withdraw grievances that have been appealed by locals and give no prior notice or opportunity for the local to appeal to arbitration or pre-arb or settle, and
WHEREAS, there has been tremendous pressure from the highest level of the national union to save money by
reducing grievance backlogs, and
WHEREAS, the authority to withdraw grievances appealed to arbitration has been taken by division officers and
business agents without full debate or consideration of the affected local representatives or membership, and
WHEREAS, local members have no access to national officers and no way to impact or protest their decisions
leaving local officers to explain decisions that are frequently wrong and beyond explanation, and
WHEREAS, members of the American Postal Workers Union deserve better than to have their grievances withdrawn for no better reason than an attempt to save money, therefore be it
Resolved, Article 9 of the Constitution is amended by adding a Section 9 to read: “No grievance
can be withdrawn by a division officer, regional coordinator or business agent without first giving the local that filed the grievance the opportunity to appeal the case to arbitration within 72
hours. This 72 hour notice shall be in writing from the business agent to the local union. Any local
making such appeal will bear the full cost of the union portion of the arbitration if the case is denied. The regional coordinators will be responsible for keeping record of how many cases are finalized by business agents by issuing 72 hour letters, how many are appealed by locals, how many
are arbitrated and the result. This information will be posted on the American Postal Workers
Union’s web site organized by the name of the business agent on a quarterly basis.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Establishes a consistent procedure for locals to have maximum input into the grievance/arbitration procedure.
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ARTICLE 16, SECTION 4 AND SECTION 5
RESTRUCTURING OF LOCAL CHARTERS
-9WHEREAS, a review of Locals throughout the country shows that there are 754 Locals (62% of all Locals) consisting of under 50 members each, and
WHEREAS, the call from Locals around the country for restructuring of the National Headquarters and Field Officers/Staff has been repeated for many years at various conventions, and
WHEREAS, Locals have never really called for restructuring of the Local structure, an area they are truly knowledgeable about, and
WHEREAS, many locals, though duly chartered are under-organized, are not active, and are not effectively representing their membership in the labor/management environment today, and
WHEREAS, the number of USPS employees and membership in the APWU has reduced dramatically over the
past 8 years, and is expected to continue at an alarming rate over the next 2-3 years, therefore be it
Resolved, that, effective upon the conclusion of the 2008 National Convention, Article 16, Section 4 be changed to strike ten (10) members and replace it with one hundred (100) members
for the purpose of issuing a new Charter, and be it further
Resolved, that effective upon the conclusion of the 2008 National Convention, Article 16, Section 5 be changed to strike ten (10) members and replace it with fifty (50) members for the purpose of retaining a Charter, and be it further
Resolved, that effective upon the conclusion of the 2008 National Convention, any APWU Chartered Local of fewer than fifty (50) members shall have their Charters revoked, and be it further
Resolved, that effective upon the conclusion of the 2008 National Convention, the following actions shall take place to effect the above action:
1. All funds/assets/DCO remittance of identified and impacted Locals shall be frozen immediately until the following items have been completed.
2. Identified and impacted Locals shall be placed under the immediate jurisdiction of the appropriate State organization.
3. Within a 90 day period beginning September 1, 2008, the National shall conduct a vote
among the members of each formerly chartered Local, who will be allowed to have a Local
vote regarding which Local/Area Local or State organization that they would desire to merge
with.
4. If, after the 90 day period, the membership of a formerly chartered Local fails to take an action for merger, then they shall either become members of the State Local (if one exists) or
MALs of the State organization.
5. Once the election process is completed, the withheld DCOs for the 90 day period shall be remitted to the State organization in which the affected Local was placed.
6. After the 90 day period is complete, all other funds/assets of the affected Local shall be released to the Local or State organization that the former Local merges with, or is placed
into, with subsequent placement of all affected members on the gaining organization’s DCO.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: This will provide better representation to members of small
Locals and MALs.
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ARTICLE 21, (a)
PRESIDENT’S AUTHORITY TO APPROVE/DISAPPROVE
THE FILLING OF ALL ELECTED POSITIONS AFTER ATTRITION.
- 10 WHEREAS, the structure of the APWU has not been changed in years,
WHEREAS, the APWU has seen a reduction of membership since 1998 of over 80,000 members and
WHEREAS, the Postal Service projects a continued reduction in the number of APWU employees over the next
five years, and
WHEREAS, the Postal Service is currently proposing a Voluntary Early Retirement in an effort to immediately reduce the USPS workforce,
WHEREAS, eliminating elected positions that are currently occupied creates division and animosity within the
organization, and
WHEREAS, eliminating elected positions through attrition is the least disruptive way to modify the elected officer structure and has been a method used successfully in the past, therefore be it
Resolved that the following sentence will be added to Article 21, Section (a); Any elected position that becomes vacant as a result of attrition* will not be filled until the President has determined the need for the position and has approved the filling of the position.
*Attrition is defined as follows: An elected position that becomes vacant as a result of retirement, resignation,
appointment or death. For the purpose of this resolution, attrition shall include a position that is vacated by the
incumbent officer as a result of not seeking re-election. If the election process has begun for that position, it will
be halted once it becomes clear that the incumbent is not seeking re-reelection and the President determines not
to fill the position.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR CONCURRENCE: Provides the National President the authority to adjust the
organization as necessary.
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Non Concurred Resolutions
ARTICLE 3, SECTION 4 (e)
INCREASE RETIREE PER CAPITA
California Postal Workers Union • Oregon Postal Workers Union
Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union • Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local, CT
Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA • Pittsburgh Metro Area Local, PA
- 11 WHEREAS, it is virtually impossible to conduct vigorous Retiree Chapter operations under the current financial
structure, and
WHEREAS, it is in the union’s best interest to have viable and effective Retiree Chapter activities throughout the
nation in support of and in conjunction with the union including but not limited to the political sphere including
COPA fundraising and other activities, therefore be it
Resolved, amend Article 3, Section 4 (e) to increase retirees per capita by one (1) dollar per
month, this increase to be passed on in whole to existing local and state retiree chapters where
they now exist or may be organized in the future. Where there are no retiree chapters in existence, the one (1) dollar increase shall be retained by the Retiree Department in an organizing
fund, to be disbursed solely for organizing activities by the Retiree Department.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Would raise dues 50% for Retiree members without
any increase in representation benefits.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION 11A
WHEREAS, it is virtually impossible to conduct vigorous Retiree Chapter operations under the current financial
structure, and
WHEREAS, it is in the union’s best interest to have viable and effective Retiree Chapter activities throughout the
nation in support of and in conjunction with the union including but not limited to the political sphere including
COPA fundraising and other activities, therefore be it
Resolved, amend Article 3, Section 4 (e) to increase retirees per capita by one (1) dollar per
month, this increase to be passed on in whole to existing local and state retiree chapters where
they now exist or may be organized in the future.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Minnesota Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #11.
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ARTICLE 3, SECTION 4 (e)
RETIREE DELEGATE TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
- 12 WHEREAS, retirees have paid their dues in the past, and
WHEREAS, retirees should be able to attend the National Convention, therefore be it
Resolved, each State Retiree Organization and each Local Retiree Chapter shall have one (1) delegate seated at the National Convention and have one (1) vote. Each delegate must be in good
standing with the American Postal Workers Union Retiree Department and pay American Postal
Workers Union national per capita dues.
Resolved, each State and each Local Chapter be responsible for funding its own delegate to the
National Convention.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Financial burden to State and Local Retiree Chapters
and retirees.
ARTICLE 5, SECTION 1 (a) and 1 (b)
SHORTEN NATIONAL CONVENTION TO 4 DAYS
- 13 WHEREAS, there is a need to reduce expenses, both at the headquarters level, and the state and local levels,
and
WHEREAS, there is altogether too much “fluff” at National Conventions resulting in unnecessary expense to our
memberships at all levels, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 1 (a) be amended to read: “National conventions of this Union
shall convene biennially in even-numbered years on any Tuesday in July or August, with the exception of the weeks of the 4th of July and last week of August”, and the last sentence of Article
5, Section 1 (b) be amended to read, “All conventions are to be conducted between the hours of
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Four (4) days is not sufficient for conducting the business of this great union.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
13A
Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA
WHEREAS, there is a need to reduce expenses, both at the headquarters level, and the state and local levels,
and
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 1 (a) be amended to read: “National conventions of this Union
shall convene biennially in even-numbered years on any Tuesday in July or August, with the exception of the weeks of the 4th of July and last week of August”. And the last sentence of Article
5, Section 1 (b) be amended to read, “All conventions are to be conducted between the hours of
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Iowa Postal Workers Union. Referred to
Resolution #13.
DIVISION MEETINGS
Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA
- 14 WHEREAS, there is a need to reduce expenses, both at the headquarters level, and the state and local levels,
and
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 4 from the National Constitution be amended to read: SEC. 4.
All division meetings in the year of the national convention will be held on the Monday immediately prior to the national convention. Resolutions shall be submitted, in writing, to the Division
Director at least thirty (30) days in advance of the division (craft) conference. The Division Director
shall be responsible for announcing the agenda for each division meeting with sufficient advance
notice. The Division Director shall cause a record of each division meeting to be distributed to attending locals after such meetings. He/she shall also submit to the Secretary-Treasurer for inclusion in the next national convention resolution book(s), such resolutions as may be adopted by
the body of an off year division meeting. Resolutions adopted by division meetings immediately
prior to the national convention shall be promptly submitted to the Screening Committee to be
brought forward in the national convention.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Would require changing the duration of the National
Convention.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
14A
WHEREAS, there is a need to clarify the process for submission of resolutions at the National Convention, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Article 5, Section 4, from the National Constitution be amended to read: SECTION 4. All division meetings in the year of the
National Convention will be held on the Saturday and Sunday immediately prior to the Convention, and be it further
Resolved, Resolutions shall be submitted, in writing, to the Division Director at least thirty (30)
days in advance of the division (craft) conference for printing in the resolution book, and be it
further
Resolved, resolutions not submitted in time for printing in the resolution book may still be submitted at the division (craft) meetings, and be it further
Resolved, the Division Director shall be responsible for announcing the agenda for each division
meeting with sufficient advance notice. The Division Director shall cause a record of each division
meeting to be distributed to attending locals after such meeting. He/she shall also submit to the
Secretary-Treasurer for inclusion in the next National Convention Resolution book(s), such resolutions as may be adopted by the body of an off year division meeting. Resolutions adopted by
division meetings immediately prior to the National Convention shall be promptly submitted to
the Screening Committee to be brought forward in the National Convention.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Michigan Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #14.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
14B
WHEREAS, there is a need to reduce expenses, both at the headquarters level, and the state and local levels,
and
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 4 from the National Constitution be amended to read: SEC. 4.
All division meetings in the year of the national convention will be held on the day immediately
prior to the national convention. Resolutions shall be submitted, in writing, to the Division Director at least thirty (30) days in advance of the division (craft) conference. The Division Director
shall be responsible for announcing the agenda for each division meeting with sufficient advance
notice. The Division Director shall cause a record of each division meeting to be distributed to attending locals after such meetings. He/she shall also submit to the Secretary-Treasurer for inclusion in the next national convention resolution book(s), such resolutions as may be adopted by
the body of an off year division meeting. Resolutions adopted by division meetings immediately
prior to the national convention shall be promptly submitted to the Screening Committee to be
brought forward in the national convention.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Minnesota Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #14.
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ARTICLE 5, SECTION 4 AND 8
DIVISION MEETINGS AND BMC CONFERENCES
Colorado Postal Workers Union • Colorado Springs Area Local, CO
- 15 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is facing declining membership and all locals are undertaking
cost savings measures, and
WHEREAS, convention workshops were reduced from two days to one day substantial savings were realized,
therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 4 read: All division meetings in the year of the national convention will be held on the Sunday immediately prior to the National Convention, and be it further
Resolved, that Article 5, Section 8, 2nd sentence read: An additional Bulk Mail Center (BMC)
conference in the year of the National Convention, will be held on the Saturday immediately prior
to the National Convention.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Would not provide sufficient time to conduct BMC
business.
ARTICLE 7, SECTION 1 (b) 1 (c)
APWU HEADQUARTER’S STAFFING
Wyoming Postal Workers Union
- 18 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union has changed significantly since its inception, and
WHEREAS, the Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer no longer perform all of the duties of their
predecessors, and
WHEREAS, the delegates at the 2006 National Convention in Philadelphia made it clear through Resolution 523
that restructuring must take place, and
WHEREAS, as a “grassroots” labor organization, change must begin at the top, therefore be it
Resolved, commencing with the 2010 nomination and election, the Constitution and Bylaws of
the American Postal Workers Union shall be changed as follows: “The job descriptions of Article
7 (b) and (c) shall be merged and redundant language eliminated. The new title of the job shall
be Vice President/Treasurer, and be it further
Resolved, that the incumbents will remain in their elected positions until the 2010 election, and
be it further
Resolved, that for the 2010 election, there shall be no incumbent listed for the office of Vice
President/Treasurer.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present structure is sufficient. Positions of Executive Vice
President and Secretary/Treasurer are fundamentally important to our National Union and are mutually exclusive
of each other.
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ARTICLE 8, SECTION 3 AND 4
RESTRUCTURING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS
- 19 WHEREAS, due to future financial constraints, absent the ability to capture savings from other avenues, there
may come a need to reduce the number of elected officials at the National Level, therefore be it
Resolved, that at the end of the current term of office or if the office is vacated mid-term, the
Research and Education Department or the Organization Department, that those duties be
merged into one department under the direction of one officer.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present structure is sufficient. Departments of Organization and Research/Education are fundamentally important to our national Union and are mutually exclusive of each other.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
19A
North Dakota Postal Workers Union • Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA
WHEREAS, due to future financial constraints, absent the ability to capture savings from other avenues, there
Resolved, that upon attrition of the current directors of the Research and Education Department or the Organization Department, that those duties be merged into one department under
the direction of one officer.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by North Dakota Postal Workers Union
and Des Moines Area Local. Referred to Resolution #19.
ARTICLE 8, SECTION 4 AND 6 (a)
RESTRUCTURING OF NATIONAL OFFICERS
North Dakota Postal Workers Union • Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA
- 20 WHEREAS, due to future financial constraints, absent the ability to capture savings from other avenues, there
Resolved, that upon attrition of the current directors of the Research and Education Department or the Human Relations Department, that those duties be merged into one department
under the direction of one officer.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present structure is sufficient. Departments of Research
and Education and Human Relations are fundamentally important to our National Union and are mutually exclusive of each other.
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ELIMINATION OF REGIONAL COORDINATORS
- 21 WHEREAS, the membership in the American Postal Workers Union continues to decrease because of member
retirement as well as ongoing changes within the Postal Service, and
WHEREAS, the number of elected officers within the American Postal Workers Union has remained static despite the decrease in membership, and
WHEREAS, the financial stability (Income vs. Operating Expenses) of the American Postal Workers Union is dependent upon the level of vigilance in fiscal responsibility at the National Level, and
WHEREAS, Article 8, Section 7 of the American Postal Workers Union Constitution provides no specific job description for the position of Regional Coordinator, and
WHEREAS, The American Postal Workers Union can save more than a million dollars annually in wages, benefits and administrative cost by eliminating the five (5) Regional Coordinator positions, therefore be it
Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union eliminate the five (5) Regional Coordinator
positions by attrition, and be it further
Resolved, that the Craft Directors or their designees be responsible for arbitration scheduling,
approval of NBA attendance at installations, picnics, Local and State conventions and seminars,
and labor-management meetings to discuss issues at the Area level to include withholding of
American Postal Workers Union positions within the area, and be it further
Resolved, this change shall be effective in November 2013, and the Secretary-Treasurer shall not
accept any nominating positions for the office of Regional Coordinator prior to the 2013 national
election, and be it further
Resolved, that the senior business agent from each Region be a member of the National Executive Board.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Regional Coordinators play an integral and necessary
role to coordinate a solid effort in representing the membership of the various crafts.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
21A
WHEREAS, the Regional Coordinator position has no real job description with specific duties and responsibilities, and
WHEREAS, the salary, expenses and support staff of each Regional Coordinator cost the American Postal Workers Union members more than one (1) million dollars per year, and
WHEREAS, the responsibility given to Regional Coordinators by the President are those already required by the
constitution of the Craft Directors and Business Agents, and,
WHEREAS, the assignment of Advocates and the selection of Arbitrators in each district is a constitutional duty
of the National Business Agents, and,
WHEREAS, the elimination of Regional Coordinators will also save both current and future dollars through
the reduction of jobs, eligible for American Postal Workers Union retirement benefits and contributions, therefore be it
Resolved, that upon the first vacancy of any and all Regional Coordinators, that the vacancy
not be filled, and
Resolved, that if the current Regional Coordinators do not vacate their current positions by
2013, they be excessed out of these positions, and
Resolved, that the Business Agents of that region will assume the duties.
Resolution #21.
ARTICLE 8, SECTION 11 (NEW SECTION B)
PAYMENT FOR RETIREE DELEGATES
- 22 WHEREAS, there is no salary set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws for the office of retiree national delegates
to the union’s convention, and
WHEREAS, there has been confusion and inconsistency in recent conventions concerning payment and reimbursement of expenses for these officers, and
WHEREAS, it is in the union’s best interest to have a consistent policy set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws,
therefore be it
Resolved, amend Article 8, Section 11 by adding Section 11 (b) as follows: The retiree delegates
to the union’s convention salary shall be one (1) dollar per year. Whenever these delegates attend
national conventions, state conventions and/or other meetings as retiree representatives, they
shall be paid at the current rate for eight (8) hours per day, at the level and step, held at the time
of retirement and shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred for attendance at conventions and
meetings. Re-letter this section to include this amendment.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Not consistent with fiscal restraint.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
22A
WHEREAS, there is no salary set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws for the office of retiree national delegates
therefore be it
shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred for attendance at conventions and meetings.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #22.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
22B
WHEREAS, there is no salary set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws for the office of Retiree National Delegates
to the Union’s Convention, and
WHEREAS, it is in the Union’s best interest to have a consistent policy set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws,
therefore be it
Resolved, amend Article 8, Section 11 by adding Section 11 (b) as follows: The Retiree Delegates
to the Union’s convention salary shall be whenever these delegates attend national conventions,
state conventions and/or as a Representatives, they shall be paid at the current rate for eight (8)
hours per day at the level and step held at the time of retirement and shall be reimbursed for all
expenses incurred for attendance at conventions and meetings at the national travel policy rate
for attendance. Re-letter this Section to include this amendment.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by California and Oregon Postal Workers
Union. Referred to Resolution #22.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
22C
Minnesota Postal Workers Union • Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local, CT
WHEREAS, there is no salary set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws for the office of retiree national delegates
therefore be it
shall be paid at the current rate, at the level and step, held at the time of retirement and shall be
reimbursed for all expenses incurred for attendance at conventions and meetings. Re-letter this
section to include this amendment.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Minnesota Postal Workers Union and
Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local. Referred to Resolution #22.
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ARTICLE 8 (NEW SECTION)
VETERANS DIRECTORS’ POSITION
- 23 WHEREAS, there are over 27 million Veterans in the United States, and
WHEREAS, over 25% of the employees of the U.S. Postal Service are Veterans, and
WHEREAS, Veterans play an important and active role in both Legislative and Union efforts on local, state and
national levels, and
WHEREAS, over 1.4 million troops have served in the Persian Gulf with over 150,000 disabled, and
WHEREAS, over 4,000 members of the Military have died in the current Middle Eastern conflict, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Article 8, “Departments and
Administrative Officers”, be amended to include the position of Veterans Director, and be it further
Resolved, the President, American Postal Workers Union within six (6) months of the last day
of the 2008 Constitution Convention, with the assistance of local presidents will appoint a national Veterans Director, and be it further
Resolved, that the President, with the assistance of the postal service, if necessary, will identify
those members who are also military veterans, and be it further
Resolved, in the 2010 National Elections, this will become an elected position and to hold this
position, the brother or sister must be a Honorably Discharged Veteran elected by the Veteran
members with the same salary, rights and benefits as the Director of the American Postal Workers Union’s Retirees Department, and the duties of the American Postal Workers Union’s Veterans Director will include, but not limited to:
• Increase Veterans involvement in the American Postal Workers Union on a local, state and
national level.
• To encourage local and state organizations to develop Veterans Director positions, either
elected or appointed.
• Inform all members of pending legislation which would directly or indirectly affect Veterans
and their families.
• To make Veterans benefits and entitlements more clear so every veteran can take better advantage of available programs.
• To develop, with the assistance of the American Postal Workers Union’s Educational Department, programs and written material covering subjects such as disability and educational benefits, Veteran Administration medical benefits, insurance programs, and benefit
availability on a local, state and national level to veterans and their families.
• To work with other veteran organizations to preserve, protect and enhance programs for
those who have served and those who will serve.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Support of Veterans is a priority of our National Union
and is presently handled through existing positions.
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ARTICLE 9, SECTION 1 (b) (c) (d) and SECTION 3 (b) (c) (d)
ELIMINATION OF JUNIOR ASSISTANT CRAFT DIRECTORS
- 24 WHEREAS, due to financial constraints, absent the ability to capture savings from other avenues, there may come
a need to reduce the number of elected officers at the national level, therefore be it
Resolved, that the junior assistant craft director position from each craft be eliminated at the
end of term, 2013.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Provides effective and efficient representation.
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ARTICLE 9, SECTION 1, CLERK DIVISION, SECTION 2, MVS DIVISION
SECTION 3, MAINTENANCE DIVISION
DIVISION COUNCIL MEETINGS
Oregon Postal Workers Union
- 25 WHEREAS, the core responsibility of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, is representation, and
WHEREAS, the National Business Agents are the contact between the American Postal Workers Union’s headquarters and the locals, and
WHEREAS, the National Business Agents are responsible for step 3 grievance processing, arbitration, training,
and a host of other issues directly impacting and in support of local and state organizations and our members,
and
WHEREAS, it benefits the membership when the National Business Agents have the opportunity to meet as a
group for the purpose of exchanging information, discussing and debating issues and adopting consistent strategies in an effort to enhance representation, therefore be it
Resolved, that the following language be added to Article 9, Section 1: “The Director, Clerk Division will chair a Clerk Division Council meeting, to be held at a minimum of one (1) per year, in
an effort to bring the Clerk Division National Business Agents together to exchange ideas, plan
strategies and enhance representation. These meetings will be held at a date, time and location
determined by the Director, Clerk Division and will be in addition to the Council meetings held in
conjunction with the National Convention and All Craft Conferences”, and be it further
Resolved, that the following language be added to Article 9, Section 2: “The Director, Maintenance Division will chair a Maintenance Division Council meeting, to be held at a minimum of
one (1) per year, in an effort to bring the Maintenance Division National Business Agents together
to exchange ideas, plan strategies and enhance representation. These meetings will be held at a
date, time and location determined by the Director, Maintenance Division and will be in addition
to the Council meetings held in conjunction with the National Convention and All Craft Conferences”, and be it further
Resolved, that the following language be added to Article 9, Section 3: “The Director, Motor Vehicle Services Division will chair a Motor Vehicle Division Council meeting, to be held at a minimum of one (1) per year, in an effort to bring the Motor Vehicle Division National Business Agents
together to exchange ideas, plan strategies and enhance representation. These meetings will be
held at a date, time and location determined by the Director, Motor Vehicle Division and will be
in addition to the Council meetings held in conjunction with the National Convention and All
Craft Conferences”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Division Director has authority to call meetings as necessary.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
25A
Arizona Postal Workers Union • Colorado Postal Workers Union
WHEREAS, the core responsibility of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, is representation, and
Resolved, that the following language be added to Article 9, new Section 9. “The Director of the
respective divisions shall chair a Division Council meeting, to be held at a minimum of one (1) per
year, in an effort to bring the Division National Business Agents together to exchange ideas, plan
strategies and enhance representation. These meetings shall be held at a date, time and location
determined by the Directors of each craft and shall be in addition to the Council meetings held
in conjunction with the National Convention and All-Craft Conferences.”
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Arizona and Colorado Postal Workers
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
25B
WHEREAS, the National Business Agents are responsible for step 3 grievance processing and arbitration, and
WHEREAS, it benefits the membership when National Business Agents have the opportunity to meet as a group
for the purpose of exchanging information, discussing and debating issues and adopting consistent strategies in
an effort to enhance representation, therefore be it
Resolved, that the following language be added to Article 9: “The Division Directors will chair
a Division Council meeting, to be held at a minimum of one (1) per year, in an effort to bring Division National Business Agents together to exchange ideas, plan strategies, and enhance representation. This meeting will be held at a date, time and location determined by the Division
Director and will be in addition to the Council meetings held in conjunction with the National convention and All Craft Conferences.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Wisconsin Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #25.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
25C
Resolved, that the following language be added to Article 9, Section 9: “The Directors of the respective divisions shall chair a Division Council meeting, to be held at a minimum of one (1) per
year, in an effort to bring the Division National Business Agents together to exchange ideas, plan
strategies and enhance representation. These meetings shall be in addition to the Council meetings held in conjunction with the National Convention and All-Craft Conferences.”
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Wyoming Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #25.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
25D
Sarasota Local, FL • Tampa Area Local, FL
WHEREAS, the core responsibility of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO is representation, and
Resolved, that the following new language be added to Article 9, as a new Section 9: The Directors of the respective Divisions shall chair a Division Council Meeting, to be held at a minimum
of one (1) per year. These meetings shall be in addition to the Council meetings held in conjunction with the National Convention and All-Craft Conference.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Sarasota Local and Tampa Area Local.
Referred to Resolution #25.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
25E
Alabama Postal Workers Union • Tennessee Postal Workers Union
WHEREAS, the National Business Agents are responsible for step 3 grievance processing and arbitration, and
Resolved, the Director, Clerk Division will chair a Clerk Division Council meeting, to be held at a
minimum of one (1) per year, in an effort to bring the Clerk Division National Business Agents together to exchange ideas, plan strategies and enhance representation. These meetings will be
held at a date, time and location determined by the Director, Clerk Division and will be in addition to the Council meetings held in conjunction with the National Convention and All Craft Conferences.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Alabama, Tennessee and Washington
Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #25.
ARTICLE 9, SECTION 1 (e) CLERKS, SECTION 2 (c) MVS
SECTION 3 (e) MAINTENANCE
MORE NBAs NATIONWIDE
- 26 WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Committee and the national officers need to address the issues of arbitration hearings, and
WHEREAS, we as a union need to staff more National Business Agents nationwide to bring down the backlog
of grievances, therefore be it
Resolved, to staff more National Business Agents, nationwide.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Vague and non-specific. Not cost effective.
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ARTICLE 9, SECTION 3 (c) (d) (e) (f)
MAINTENANCE DIVISION NBAs
Charlottesville Area Local, VA • Virginia Postal Workers Union
- 27 WHEREAS, our Maintenance Division has multiple National Business Agents in the Western, Southern and Central Regions and
WHEREAS, the Eastern Region has a single Maintenance National Business Agent, and
WHEREAS, the assignment of Maintenance National Business Agents has led to a disproportionate number of
members per National Business Agent in those regions serviced by a single National Business Agent, therefore be
it
Resolved, that Article 9 Section 3 paragraph “C” be stricken in its entirety, and be it further
Resolved, that Article 9 Section 3 paragraph “D” becomes paragraph “C” and paragraph “E”
becomes “D” and paragraph “F” becomes “E”, and be it further
Resolved, that the first sentence in new paragraph “D” be amended to read “There shall be ten
(10) National Business Agents of the Maintenance Division, two (2) each in the Eastern, Western
and Southern postal regions and one (1) in the Northeast postal region”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Current organizational structure is sufficient to meet
the needs of the craft.
ARTICLE 9, SECTION 4 (a) (b)
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION DIRECTOR
Idaho Postal Workers Union • Minnesota Postal Workers Union
- 28 WHEREAS, The American Postal Workers Union is a multi-craft union, and
WHEREAS, we have found great strength in the diversity of binding groups together, and
WHEREAS, we have placed our new private sector members in the Support Services Division, and
WHEREAS, we have added the Postal Nurses to the Support Services Division, and
WHEREAS, members in the Support Services Division pay local and national per capita tax, like the Clerk, Maintenance, and Motor Vehicle Service Divisions, yet have no voice on the National Executive Board, and
WHEREAS, Article 9, Section 8 of the National Constitution states “Each division department shall be headed
by its own director and other necessary officers”, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 9, Section 4 (a) be revised to include Postal Nurses as members that the
Support Services Division is comprised of and, be it further
Resolved, that all references to “National Business Agent in Article 9, Section 4 (b) be changed
to “Support Services Division Director”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present language and structure is sufficient to meet
representational needs.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
28A
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is a multi-craft union, and
WHEREAS, we have placed our new private sector members in the Support Services Division, therefore be it
Resolved, that all references in Article 9, Section 4 (b) to “National Business Agent” be changed
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by North Dakota and Wisconsin Postal
Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #28.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
28B
WHEREAS, we have found great strength in the diversity of binding groups together, and
WHEREAS, Article 9, Section 8 of the National Constitution states “each division department shall be headed
by its own director and other necessary officers”, therefore be it
Resolved, that all references in Article 9, Section 4 (b) to “National Business Agent” be changed
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by California, Oregon Postal Workers Union
and East Bay Area Local. Referred to Resolution #28.
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ARTICLE 10 (NEW SECTION 3)
ELIGIBILITY TO RUN AND HOLD NATIONAL, STATE OR LOCAL OFFICE
Ohio Postal Workers Union
- 29 WHEREAS, Article 10 outlines the requirements for running and holding office in the American Postal Workers
Union, and
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union’s Oath of Office also contains requirements for holding and/or
relinquishing office, and
WHEREAS, the Oath of Office is too long and confusing, and
WHEREAS, parts of the Oath should be included in the duties listed in Article 10, therefore be it
Resolved, to change the Officers’ Oath of office to read: “I, name, having been duly elected to
office in the (State) (Local) of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, do solemnly pledge
to uphold the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and the
(State) (Local). I further pledge to perform the duties of my office to the best of my ability and
to purchase only American/Union Made articles whenever available. Failure to perform any of
the above will mark me as an individual devoid of honor and destitute of integrity”, and be it also
Resolved, to change the title of Article 10 to read: Eligibility to Run, Hold and Relinquish National, State or Local Office, and be it also
Resolved, to add a new Section 3 to Article 10 to read: (A) At the conclusion of each term of office, all books, papers, records and documents that are the property of the American Postal Workers Union (State (Local) must be turned over to the successor. (B) After leaving office with the
American Postal Workers Union and no longer a bargaining unit employee, individuals may not
testify in support of the United States Postal Service in any United States Postal Service arbitration or administrative hearing about internal union discussions and/or decisions that are made
by the Union or Union leaders in regard to the American Postal Workers Union’s contractual positions and/or American Postal Workers Union internal policies. (C) If an officer resigns or enters
into an EAS position, whether detailed or permanent within one year of resignation or completion of office they will be subjected to full reimbursement to the American Postal Workers Union
for any and all training received during the preceding year, whether local, state or national.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Proposed language would be costly and unenforceable.
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ARTICLE 11, SECTION 5 (NEW)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Kansas Postal Workers Union
- 30 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is the most democratic of labor unions, holding its elections of
national officers by referendum ballot, and
WHEREAS, the cost of running for election to national office has become extremely high, creating a financial
hardship for many potential candidates, and
WHEREAS, the salary structure of national officers creates a natural, financial advantage to incumbent national
officers due to the disparity between officer salaries and average postal worker salaries, therefore be it
Resolved, the Constitution of the American Postal Workers Union be amended to provide that
any candidate properly nominated for a national office shall be afforded the opportunity to have
one piece of his or her own campaign literature mailed in a single mass mailing to the entire
American Postal Workers Union’s membership mailing list for the area the candidate(s) seeks
election to, and be it further
Resolved, this mass mailing shall be mailed by the same class of mail as used for the mailing of
election ballots and shall be placed in the mail stream by the Election Committee two (2) full
weeks prior to the mailing of ballots in the election. The National American Postal Workers Union
shall be responsible for the cost of this mailing and this expense shall be offset by the elimination of the September/October tabloid.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: The change would reduce representational and communication information to the membership through our national magazine.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
30A
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is the most democratic of labor unions, holding its elections of
shall be responsible for the cost of this mailing and this expense shall be offset by the elimination of the September/October issue of the national tabloid.
Resolution #30.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
30B
Colorado Postal Workers Union
shall be responsible for the cost of this mailing.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Colorado Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #30.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
30C
officers due to the disparity between officer salaries and average postal worker salaries, therefore, to help “level the
playing field”, be it
election to combined with the literature of all other candidates availing themselves of the opportunity, and be it further
Resolved, that the Election Committee shall issue reasonable rules limiting the size and thickness of this literature, to help control costs, and all such literature shall be printed in a Union
shop , and be it further
Resolved, that this mass mailing shall be mailed by standard mail in an envelope prominently
marked with the words “Official American Postal Workers Union Mailing of Candidate Materials”
and shall be placed in the mail stream by the Election Committee twenty-one days prior to the
mailing of ballots in the election. The National American Postal Workers Union shall be responsible for the cost of this mailing; candidates will be responsible for the costs of producing their own
literature. Candidates may do additional mailings entirely at their own expense.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Washington Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #30.
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VOTE TALLY NATIONAL ELECTIONS
- 31 WHEREAS, there is no benefit to the national or local union to tally votes in national elections by each Local,
and
WHEREAS, there is no cost savings to the national union by tallying votes in national elections by each local,
and
WHEREAS, every member should have a right to privacy when voting in a national election, and
WHEREAS, it is not required by law to tally votes in national elections by each local, therefore be it
Resolved, add to Article 12, Section 5, that national elections will not be tallied by each local and
no reports shall be generated reflecting how each local voted in any national election of officers,
and also be it further
Resolved, to delete the language, showing the votes cast by each local from Article 12, Section
5 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Postal Workers Union.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present language is sufficient, showing the vote of
each local does not compromise the integrity of the elections.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
31A
Montana Postal Workers Union
WHEREAS, ballots for the national election of American Postal Workers Union officers (as stated in the American Postal Workers Union News Bulletin # 14-2004, 9/9/04) “contain a seven-digit routing number, that will enable the scanner to identify the version of the ballot being scanned and the local the ballot comes from. This will
ensure that votes are tabulated for the correct races in the appropriate region and division. Nothing on the ballot
will identify any individual American Postal Workers Union member. The sanctity of the secret ballot will be maintained at all times”, and
WHEREAS, as pertains to the vote count for American Postal Workers Union national elections, members are not
directly associated with their secret ballot. However, locals across the U.S. are associated with how their members
voted and tallies are kept. It is possible for locals to be “punished”, by elected national American Postal Workers
Union officers that did not receive their vote. Indirectly the member suffers, be it therefore
Resolved, American Postal Workers Union member’s national election secret ballots, shall not
have any numbering, lettering or identification of any sort, that identifies them by their name or
local affiliation, and be it further
Resolved, that the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO be
amended to reflect this change. Article 12, Section 5, 4th sentence shall read :The Chairperson of
the Election Committee shall be responsible for having printed tally sheets properly prepared,
showing the numbers of votes cast by each local and the members votes cast for each candidate,
not to be associated with their votes.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Montana Postal Workers Union. Referred to Resolution #31.
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ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICERS
Iowa Postal Workers Union • Kansas Postal Workers Union
- 32 WHEREAS, the present Constitutional process for election of officers of the American Postal Workers Union defeats the concept of upward mobility within the ranks of officers, and
WHEREAS, the present process fails to take advantage of the acquired experience and expertise of incumbent
national officers for possible service in other capacities, and
WHEREAS, the greatest model of democracy yet devised by man, the constitutional democracy of the United
States of America, recognizing the need for balance and opportunity of leadership, established a split electoral
process for the democratic election of congressional and presidential candidates, and
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union has always prided itself with being the most democratic of labor
unions, therefore be it
Resolved, the Constitution be amended to provide four (4) year terms for national offices and
elections to be held every two (2) years on odd-numbered years so as to not coincide with National
Convention years. In alternating biennial elections, each election year shall open for nomination
and election one of two groups of national offices. One group shall be the offices that comprise
the National Executive Board and resident offices consisting of all craft division offices and department offices domiciled in Washington, D.C., the other group shall be the field offices consisting of all National Business Agent offices but excluding the Regional Coordinator offices. In this
fashion the National Executive Board and resident offices shall be open for nomination and election in one (1) election year, followed two (2) years later by the nomination and election for all
field offices, and be it further
Resolved, incumbent national officers whose offices are not open for nomination and election
shall not be barred from being nominated and running for election to any office that is open for
nomination and election in a biennial election. Officers choosing to run for other offices in this
fashion shall not be required to forfeit their incumbent offices unless successfully elected to another office.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: National elections every two years are not financially
prudent and would detract from the work that needs to be done.
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RETIREE DELEGATES AS NATIONAL OFFICERS
California Postal Workers Union • Minnesota Postal Workers Union
Oregon Postal Workers Union • Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local, CT
Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA • Pittsburgh Metro Area Local, PA
- 33 WHEREAS, the five (5) Retiree National Convention Delegates are elected by the referendum election process
set forth in Article 12 of the Constitution and Bylaws, and
WHEREAS, Section 7 does not describe the five (5) retiree National Convention Delegates as National Officers
of the union, and
WHEREAS, as a result of this distinction these five (5) Retiree National Convention Delegates are not sworn into
office at the swearing in ceremonies after elections, and
WHEREAS, the five (5) Retiree National Convention Delegates serve the union in the capacity as elected officers by virtue of the election process, representing the interests of all retirees, and should therefore be recognized
and described as officers of the union, be it therefore
Resolved, Article 12, Section 7 of the Constitution is amended by deleting the word “and” on
the first line and substituting in lieu thereof the word “including”, and be it further
Resolved, for all intents and purposes set forth here and elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws, the five (5) Retiree National Convention Delegates shall be considered and recognized as officers of the union including being sworn into office with the other elected officers.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: National Convention delegates are not officers.
RENAME RETIREE NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATE
- 34 WHEREAS, the five (5) Retiree National Convention Delegates are elected by the referendum election process
set forth in Article 12 of the Constitution and Bylaws, and
WHEREAS, at conventions these five (5) elected delegates represent the interests of all retirees from their region
and also all retirees beyond their regions, and
WHEREAS, the title Retiree National Convention Delegate does not accurately describe the scope of the responsibility of these Delegates, and
WHEREAS, the five (5) Retiree National Convention Delegates serve the Union in this capacity as elected representatives of the union by virtue of the election process, representing the interests of all retirees, and should
therefore be recognized and described as representatives of the union, be it therefore
Resolved, substitute the title of Regional Retiree Representatives for Retiree National Retiree Delegate in all provisions of the Constitution, wherever the title of Retiree National Convention Delegate now is set forth in the Constitution, and be it further
Resolved, all rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities that now attach to Retiree Convention
Delegates will continue unchanged for Regional Retiree Representatives .
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Current title accurately reflects the position.
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ARTICLE 12
ELECTIONS
- 35 WHEREAS, the election of national officers within the American Postal Workers Union is a very time consuming
and expensive undertaking, and
WHEREAS, membership monies could well be better utilized in a more efficient manner, therefore be it
Resolved, that the process for electing American Postal Workers Union national officers be
changed as follows:
• Ballots would be mailed to all members.
• Members-at-Large (MAL) ballots would be returned to the state American Postal Workers
Union president for tallying.
• Ballots for members belonging to a local would be returned to the local union for tallying.
• Local unions, upon completion of the tabulation of votes, would inform the state American
Postal Workers Union president of the results.
• The state American Postal Workers Union president would inform the national union of the
results of the local tabulations and the Members-at-Large (MAL) tabulations.
• The national union would total all the incoming reports from state presidents to determine
the winners.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present system is sufficient. Change would be cumbersome and involve legal ramifications.
SUPPORT SERVICES/NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
California Postal Workers Union• North Dakota Postal Workers Union
Oregon Postal Workers Union • Wisconsin Postal Workers Union • East Bay Area Local, CA
- 36 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union is an industrial union, and is founded on sound democratic principles giving voice to each craft on the National Executive Board, and
WHEREAS, Support Services is a division of the American Postal Workers Union, as are Clerk, Maintenance, and
Motor Vehicle, but has no voice on the National Executive Board, and all other divisions have at least one (1) representative on the Executive Board, and
WHEREAS, we have placed our new private sector members in the Support Services Division, and Support Service has only one (1) National Officer, therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 13, Section 1 of the National Constitution be amended to read: The National Executive Board of the American Postal Workers Union shall consist of the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Industrial Relations Director, Clerk Division Director,
Motor Vehicle Service Division Director, Maintenance Division Director, Support Services Division
Director, and the five (5) Regional Coordinators.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: There is currently no Support Services Division Director. Refer to Resolution #28.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
36A
Idaho Postal Workers Union • Minnesota Postal Workers Union
WHEREAS, The American Postal Workers Union is an industrial union, and
WHEREAS, The American Postal Workers Union is founded on the sound Democratic principles giving voice to
each craft on the National Executive Board, and
WHEREAS, Support Services is a division of the American Postal Workers Union, as are the Clerk, Maintenance,
and Motor Vehicle Service, but has no voice or vote on the National Executive Board, and
WHEREAS, all other divisions have at least one (1) representative on the National Executive Board, and
WHEREAS, Article 13, Section 9 states each member of the National Executive Board shall appoint one (1)
member who is not on the national payroll to serve on the Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee, and such
current language precludes such representation to the members of the Support Services Division, and
WHEREAS, we have placed our new private sector members into the Support Services Division, and
WHEREAS, Support Services has only one (1) National Officer, therefore be it
Resolved, That Article 13, Section 1 of the National Constitution be amended to read: The National Executive Board of the American Postal Workers Union shall consist of the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Industrial Relations Director, Clerk Division Director,
Motor Vehicle Services Division Director, Maintenance Division Director, Support Services Division
Director, and the five (5) Regional Coordinators.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Submitted by Idaho and Montana Postal Workers
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
36B
WHEREAS, Support Services has only one (1) National officer, therefore be it
Resolved, that all references to “National Business Agent” in Article 9, Section 4 (b) be changed
to “Support Services Division Director”, and be it further
Resolved, that Article 13, Section 1 of the National Constitution be amended to read: “The National Executive Board of the American Postal Workers Union shall consist of the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Industrial Relations Director, Clerk Division Director,
Motor Vehicle Service Division Director, Maintenance Division Director, Support Services Division”.
Resolution #36.
Resolution 37 referred to the NEB
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ARTICLE 14
RECALL OF ELECTED OFFICERS
Portland Oregon Area Local, OR
- 38 WHEREAS, the current American Postal Workers Union Constitution and Bylaws prohibits the recall of elected
officers, and
WHEREAS, Article 15 of the American Postal Workers Union Constitution and Bylaws does not provide members the means to address an elected officer’s incompetence, misconduct, failure to perform duties, corruption and
therefore is not serving the best interest of the elected officers or the membership, and
WHEREAS, recall provides a means to ensure that elected officials who are not acting in the best interests of the
membership, are unresponsive or incompetent are held accountable, and
WHEREAS, democracy demands that the voting members be provided a means to address these insufficiencies and that elected officials act as representatives and not as masters, and
WHEREAS, the current constitutional language diminishes the autonomy of local, state and regional organizations to determine through democratic means their chosen representatives and instead places the determination
of local representation in the hands of national, and
WHEREAS, previous recall provisions have been exploited in the past, it is therefore proposed that local, state
and regional organizations create provisions that best serve the needs of their respective memberships, therefore
be it
Resolved, that the current language contained in Article 14 of the National American Postal
Workers Union Constitution and Bylaws be amended to strike the current language, and be it
further
Resolved, that Article 14 of the national American Postal Workers Union Constitution and Bylaws read as follows:
Article 14
Recall
SEC. 1. Upon having sufficient proof that a National Officer has acted dishonestly or otherwise
detrimental to the best interest of the membership, twenty-five percent of the members eligible
to vote for the Officer(s) can file a petition for recall with the National Executive Board. The petitions shall include the Social Security number or employee’s identification number and local of
each signer.
SEC. 2. That local, state, and regional organizations may promulgate recall provisions in accordance with their local, state and regional constitutional provisions.
SEC. 3. In the absence of a recall provision in the constitution of a subordinate body, removal
of elected officers is governed by Article 15 solely.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Article 14 and 15 currently provides for consistent
and uniform national recall provisions.
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ARTICLE 15, SECTION 3 (b) (NEW LANGUAGE)
NATIONAL PAY EXPENSES
Arizona Postal Workers Union • Colorado Postal Workers Union
- 39 WHEREAS, the administration has ruled that members filing charges, or being charged, must appear before the
National Executive Board at their own expense, and
WHEREAS, traveling to Washington, DC is cost prohibitive for members, and
WHEREAS, our membership should not be hindered in exercising their rights under the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Postal Workers Union, therefore be it
Resolved, to add to Article 15, Section 3 (b), the National Union shall pay all reasonable and
customary travel expenses to Washington, DC, of the individual filing charges and being charged.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Cost prohibitive and potential increase for frivolous
charges.
DUES INCREASE
Indiana Postal Workers Union
- 40 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union continues to lose members through retirement and constant
changes within the postal service, and
WHEREAS, the possibility of Universal Healthcare may eliminate the five (5) million dollars we receive from our
American Postal Workers Union’s healthcare plan and
WHEREAS, the need for fiscal responsibility is crucial to our independence, as well as our ability to function with
our continued excellence, and
WHEREAS, with our 200,000 plus members, this will result in an annual income increase of over 1.7 million dollars going to the American Postal Workers Union at the national level, and
WHEREAS, with the nationally negotiated level upgrades, it is felt that this would not place an unreasonable burden on our membership, therefore be it
Resolved, the American Postal Workers Union, enacts a dues increase of $.50 per pay period per
member, effective the next fiscal year, and be it further
Resolved, that the $.50 per pay period, per member increase, go to the National American Postal
Workers Union, with no rebate to the locals and state organizations.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Current dues structure is adequate for the needs of the
union.
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100% MEMBERSHIP IN STATE AFL-CIO
- 43 WHEREAS, national is currently rebating local and state organizations 50% of the cost of full affiliation with
their state federations, therefore be it
Resolved, that the national American Postal Workers Union absorb the full cost of affiliation
with the State Federations, such that the American Postal Workers Union be fully affiliated in all
states, and be it further
Resolved, that funding for full affiliation will be achieved by amending Article 16, Section 2. REVENUES. (a) of the American Postal Workers Union’s National Constitution in the following manner: “Beginning with the salary increase on November 21, 2009 the percentage deducted from this
and future salary increases for the purpose of increasing dues will change from three percent
(3%) to three and two tenths percent (3.2%). The two tenths percent (0.2%) increase will be dedicated solely to the State AFL-CIO Affiliation Fund”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Present policy for State AFL-CIO affiliation is adequate.
ARTICLE 16, SECTION 2 (a)
PRO-RATED DUES FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES
Iowa Postal Workers Union • North Dakota Postal Workers Union
- 44 WHEREAS, the postal service views members at large, as easy targets for their budget cutting schemes, and
WHEREAS, our members at large work hours are cut to the bone, some as low as two (2) hours in craft per week,
therefore be it
Resolved, that Article 16, Section 2 (a) of the National Constitution, be amended to read: SEC.2.
REVENUES. (a) The revenues of this Union shall be derived from a per capita tax of Eight Dollars
and Seven ($8.07) per member, bi-weekly, to be paid upon the full paid up membership of all affiliated local unions and (said sum to include subscription to the official organ) of which Twenty
Cents (.20) per member, per month is to be returned to the member’s respective state organization, with a minimum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per year to each state organization. Fifteen Cents (.15) of the per capita tax will be deposited in a contingency fund. The national per
capita tax and local dues shall be increased when each negotiated salary increase takes effect by
the following formula by deducting three percent (3%) of each negotiated salary increase based
on level 5, step K, eight-tenths percent (0.8%) for the American Postal Workers Union General
Fund, seven-tenths percent (0.7%) for the American Postal Workers Union Organizing Fund, and
one and one-half percent (1.5%) for the local. The formula set forth above in the future will apply
to members-at-large with the one and one-half percent (1.5%) Local rebate being sent to the respective state organization. Part time employees who average less than 20 hours per week shall
pay Per capita tax to the national American Postal Workers Union, at 50% of the above amount.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Violates local autonomy.
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ARTICLE 16, SECTION 2 (i)
LOCAL RETIREE CHAPTERS
- 46 WHEREAS, it was American Postal Workers Union retirees which helped start and build the American Postal
Workers Union as a union, and
WHEREAS, the $24 annual dues for over 40,000 American Postal Workers Union retirees paid into the American Postal Workers Union’s Retiree Department, amount to almost $1 million dollars annually, (about $960,000),
and
WHEREAS, the intent of the $24 annual dues, paid by American Postal Workers Union’s Retiree Department
members to the retiree department, is to service the needs of its retiree members, re: no contract or grievance/arbitration is needed by retirees. Our retirement contract lies with Congress, and
WHEREAS, American Postal Workers Union Retiree Department members, contribute more than 20% ($1 dollar of every $5) of COPA dollars collected by American Postal Workers Union, and percentage wise that is more
than any other organizational group of similar size and number of members in the American Postal Workers Union,
and
WHEREAS, Local Retiree Chapters belonging to the American Postal Workers Union’s Retiree Department are
cash-strapped and struggling to meet and perform the American Postal Workers Union’s nationally stated primary
goals set for all of its local retiree chapters, and
WHEREAS, a report given at the American Postal Workers Union’s All-Craft conference held in November 2007,
stated about 28% was spent by mid-to-late year 2007, of the approximately $960,000 the American Postal Workers Union’s Retirees Department received in member dues money, leaving about 72% remaining in the American
Postal Workers Union’s general fund, not benefiting American Postal Workers Union retirees, therefore be it
Resolved, that at this MPWU State Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, May 15-17, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan that: Article 16, Section 2 (i) of the
American Postal Workers Union’s National Constitution and Bylaws on line 2, change the words
“shall receive forty percent (40%)” to “shall receive sixty-five percent (65%) of the annual retiree
per capita tax, per member, of that local chapter”.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Current percentage allocation is sufficient for the needs
of the union.
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COLLECTION OF DUES FOR STATES
Delaware Postal Workers Union • Southern Delaware Area Local, DE • Newark Area Local, DE
- 47 WHEREAS, at the National Convention in Philadelphia, the delegates did the right thing in voting that ALL locals will be members of their American Postal Workers Union State organizations, and
WHEREAS, most states are having no problem with locals paying their dues, and
WHEREAS, most locals are very willing to pay their state, but with both locals and states being very busy representing their members that no matter how little time it may take to make out a check and mail it to their state,
if we can find a way to make life easier we should, and
WHEREAS, an “injury to one is an injury to all” if there is just one local not paying their state and there is a way
we can help these states get their dues and at the same time make things a little easier for locals, we need to do
it, therefore be it
Resolved, that the states will as soon as possible, but not later than October 31, 2008, give the
national American Postal Workers Union the amount of dues to be given to them from their locals (per member, per pay period), and further be it
Resolved, that new language be added to Article 20, Section 1, “The National American Postal
Workers Union will withhold the dues from all Locals and rebate them to their State organizations
under the criteria established by the respective State Constitutions”. This will be done as soon as
possible but no later than the first pay period of 2009.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: State Constitutions should dictate the dues amount
and the collection procedures.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
47A
WHEREAS, the current structure of billing and paying per capita tax to the state organizations from locals is cumbersome and time consuming, and
WHEREAS, electronic withdrawal of national per capita tax is already being done, and
WHEREAS, by simply redesigning the program, the state organizations can also have their per capita tax withdrawn from the local memberships dues checkoff (DCO), and transferred directly to the state along with their
members-at-large (MAL) dues checkoff (DCOs), therefore be it,
Resolved, that American Postal Workers Union on a voluntary basis, implement automatic deduction of state per capita tax from the dues check offs, such that states receive constant revenue,
all locals are required to pay the appropriate per capita tax pursuant to State and National Constitution.
SIMILAR RESOLUTION
47B
California Postal Workers Union • Southwest Coastal Area Local, CA
WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union state organizations are a vital part of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO and need a regular budget in order to be efficient, therefore be it
Resolved, the national American Postal Workers Union will deduct the state per capita dues
paid to state organizations from the local’s dues checkoff (DCO) and reimburse the state American Postal Workers Union’s organization.
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SIMILAR RESOLUTION
47C
WHEREAS, the current structure of billing and paying per capita tax to the state organizations from the Locals
is cumbersome and time consuming, and
WHEREAS, electronic withdrawal of national per capita tax is already being done, and
WHEREAS, by simply redesigning the program, the state organizations can also have their per capita tax withdrawn from the local membership’s dues checkoff (DCO), and transferred directly to the State along with their
members-at-large (MAL) dues checkoff (DCOs), therefore be it
Resolved, that American Postal Workers Union implement automatic deduction of state per
capita tax from the dues check offs, such that states receive constant revenue, all locals are required to pay the appropriate per capita tax pursuant to the State and National Constitutions.
REBATE TO LOCAL UNIONS FOR STATE PER CAPITA
Southwest Coastal Area Local, CA
- 48 WHEREAS, the American Postal Workers Union state organizations are a vital part of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO and organized labor, and should not be treated any differently than the State AFL-CIO Labor
Federation, and
WHEREAS, the national American Postal Workers Union has reduced many services to the local unions and the
costs have been transferred to the local union, be it
Resolved, the national American Postal Workers Union will compensate local unions 50% of the
state per capita dues paid to state organizations. This is similar to resolution for the State Labor
Federations in which a local is reimbursed 50% of the state federation per capita.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: Would result in prohibitive cost to the National Union.
ARTICLE 21
FILLING OFFICER VACANCIES
- 49 WHEREAS, the current Constitution provides for national officer vacancies to be filled, and
WHEREAS, a vacant office may be detrimental to our ability to provide representation to our membership, and
WHEREAS, the current Constitution is not specific in terms of how long an officer vacancy may exist, therefore
be it
Resolved, that all national officer vacancies be filled by the appropriate officer no later than sixty
(60) days after the vacancy occurs.
COMMITTEE REASON(S) FOR NONCONCURRENCE: The National President must have the authority to
adjust the organization as necessary and the language is too restrictive.
124

Clerk Division Resolutions - St Louis Gateway District Area Local

Transcription

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