Tag: management performing bargaining unit work

(This was originally in the SJ Area Local Newsletter of June 2019. Written by: Frank Bollinger)

Hazmat Questions
Management is currently on a kick regarding the Hazmat questions, more specifically making the selection from the Clerk’s side of the screen and not the customers unit. They have went as far as claiming it is a safety issue instead of just a failure to follow instructions type charge.

I believe when a clerk is called out on this and possibly set to receive disciplinary action, we should as one of our arguments challenge management as to why they still have the option on the Clerk’s screen if they are forbidden from making the selection? Though that may be a mitigating factor in our argument the best route to go is just not selecting it from your side. Overall though try to remember to just let the customer make the selection and save yourself some headaches, I know it can be hard especially when you are short staffed.

Amazing Security
Upon a visit to an office for a wholly unrelated matter it was brought to my attention that not all window clerks have secure spots to place their drawers. They are actually using priority boxes sealed up just sitting in the safe as their measure of security. On top of that, for a few, the drawers they are issued to not fit the new drawer holders at the window units so their cash drawer is being set out on the side the whole time.

This is unacceptable and is being addressed. Please if this is happening at any other office let us know. 28.1.A requires that management provide adequate security. The previously described conditions are in no way adequate security of the clerks fixed credits.

Speak Out, Stand Together!!
Below is a modified version of German pastor Martin Niemöller‘s poem of cowardice.  We have to remember to always stand together united as not only members, but the core of the APWU South Jersey Area Local.

First, they came for the bulk mail techs, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a bulk mail tech.

Then they came for PSE’s, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a PSE.

Then they came for the custodians, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a custodian.

Then they came for the window clerks, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a window clerk.

Then they came for me —
and there was no one left to speak for me.

(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.

(This was originally in the SJ Area Local Newsletter of April 2019. Written by: Mike Wright)

Misappropriation Nation
In August 2018, the last South Jersey District Labor-Management Meeting we attended, one of our main concerns that we brought to the District’s attention was their investigation into alleged “administrative errors” of another office and why the Union was kept in the dark in their findings until a Step 2 decision from Labor.

I apologize for sounding like a broken record, but regardless of how many times a Timekeeping Integrity Memo is sent (either from District or Area), these memos are not being read, followed or both. My suggestion, maybe we can send these memos around in 5-inch cardboard tubes, since this is how the memos are being treated.

If you were at the February General Membership Meeting, I reported on almost 800 hours of alleged “administrative errors” (in Woodbury) where clerks who never spent a minute performing custodial work were somehow moved to OC 747 (custodial duties). A settlement was signed that management:

1. would transfer the hours back to the proper LDC,
2. 100% of the Line H hours would be met for Fiscal Year 2019,
3. and the Union and Management would review the hours.

Everything seemed right on the surface until a month later when the same supervisor, again alleged in a grievance interview, had instructed a clerk to swipe onto 747 and continue to perform clerk duties.

I don’t mince or sugar-coat words, this is FRAUD (if this is true) not an “administrative error”, or whatever management’s catch phrase of the week is. The alleged moving clerks onto custodial operation codes, is FRAUD. This isn’t the first office and, I’m willing to gamble, not the last office we’re going to find this issue in.

In Hammonton, we had a RMPO where a custodian was instructed to work the retail window under the Postmaster’s ACE ID. This again was confirmed in a grievance interview and further admitted to by the Postmaster to Labor Relations in the District. While not as egregious as what allegedly happened in Woodbury, this is still falsification.

I think it’s safe for me to say this Local is done trying to seek accountability from this District. This is the scenario where rogue management is running the asylum with no recourse for their alleged actions.

Misc.
My email is mjwrightapwu@hotmail.com. Those who have emailed me over the years know my quick response rate regardless of the time of day. I’ve also, over the years, sent out what many offices don’t post, which are conversion opportunities. In a perfect world, I’d like to see every dues-paying member in a full-time position. We need to continue to fight, if you see something that isn’t right, email me, contact the office @ 856-228-8090, or fax a statement to the office @ 856-228-2627.