(This was originally in the SJ Area Local Newsletter of June 2019. Written by: Mike Wright)
Misconceptions
As much information as we, as a Local put, out there both through our Website, Facebook Page, and the members email line, it still astounds me how our members buy what management sells at times. I’ll give two classic examples, one by an employee of less than five years, another by one with more than twenty.
A carrier compliments the clerks for doing a good job, the clerk responds “thanks, but we’re a half hour behind”. I asked the clerk what they were a half hour behind from. Their answer was “the up-time”, with disappointment. I offered the clerk twenty dollars to find the language “up-time” regarding morning operations in either the CBA or the JCIM. They wouldn’t take my offer.
While management is permitted to post goals, there are no standards as per Article 34, we need to work safe. Too many times I’ve seen clerks pulling (when they should be pushing) sometimes up to 4 APCs across the floor and in 2017, with a Function 4 team present. If you’re doing this and hurt yourself in the process, guess whose CA-1 gets denied and, depending on the supervisor, getting a PDI for working unsafe? You. Work safe.
Another scenario, a Lead Clerk was told they had to train a new SSA from the academy. They were concerned because they work the window alone often and the office in question does a ton of passports. Their main concern was failing a “mystery shop” and getting in trouble. I reminded them, that management could not successfully discipline an employee for failing a mystery shop, most managers are aware of this. There are past National cases on this issue.
Don’t rush through the line in fear of failing a mystery shop, if you make a financial mistake, it’s you that will be getting a Letter of Demand that we must fight. One customer at a time.
HAZMAT Question
We’re getting horror stories from other locals across the country on how clerks are being disciplined for answering the HAZMAT question for the customer. Don’t do this. While we haven’t heard anything at all to date regarding the attempt to discipline for this issue, not sure how long before management tries to act on this.
MDAT
We’ve finished the Swedesboro study and a new 40-hour FLEX-NTFT position was created. Additional studies in Vineland, Voorhees, Cherry Hill and Maple Shade due to the number of hours worked by NTFTs, PTFs, and PSEs, along with the amount of overtime being worked by FTRs in these offices. This local has been successful since the implementation of MDAT and hopefully the success continues so we can create desirable duty assignments for our members.
In closing
If you are not on the members email chain (known as the information line) you can email me at mjwrightapwu@hotmail.com, and you will be added. In closing, BOYCOTT ALL USPS SURVEYS.