Printer-Friendly Page
Clerk
Division Officers |
|
Automation
(08/04/11) The USPS has assigned craft jurisdiction for staffing on the Automated Parcel Bundle Sorter (APBS) machines, with jurisdiction essentially mirroring assignments on the Small Parcel Bundle Sorters (SPBS) machines. The APBS is a retrofit of the current SPBS that adds an overhead camera subsystem to support Bar Code and Optical Character Recognition.
All but one induction station on the APBS will be modified so that mail pieces can be inducted without keying. The number of induction stations that will include keying may vary by location. Where keying is not required, operators will face mail and place it on the belt for reading by Bar Code Readers/Optical Character Readers.
In a July 29, 2011 letter [PDF], the USPS awarded facing mail, keying, and inserting mail duties to the Clerk Craft. The clerks will key and/or face mail for no more than two hours before rotating to other duties. When they are not keying, clerks will rotate to pulling containers, containerizing, and transporting duties.
The USPS notified the APWU of plans to pilot-test the APBS modification of the SPBS in October 2010 [PDF]. In March 2011 [PDF], the USPS notified the APWU of its intent to begin nationwide deployment of the APBS modifications in May and June 2011. On June 17, 2011, the USPS invited APWU to provide input on APBS staffing [PDF]. The APWU provided input by letter dated July 12, 2011 [PDF].
Advanced Facer Canceller System Enhancements
The APWU has reasserted its jurisdictional claim to work being performed on the Advanced Facer Canceller System (AFCS) machines, via an appeal to the National Dispute Resolution Committee dated June 27, 2005 [PDF]. The APWU maintains that the AFCS is involved in mail processing and/or distribution of mail, and is the work of the Clerk Craft.
An APWU memo dated July 5, 2005 [PDF], outlines steps locals should take regarding disputes over the assignment of AFCS work. [read more]
Automated Flat Sorting Machine 100 (AFSM 100)
In a Feb. 8, 2006 letter [PDF], the USPS notified the union it has assigned craft jurisdiction for staffing on the Automated Flat Sorting Machine 100 with Automated Induction and Automatic Tray Handling system enhancements, awarding most of the positions to the Mail Handler Craft. The APWU believes that the duties associated with AI and ATHS enhancements on the AFSM 100s are Clerk Craft duties, and has filed a national-level dispute claiming jurisdiction over this work. [full story]
The USPS notified the APWU of plans to modify Automatic Flat Sorting Machine (AFSM) 100 machines with an Automatic Induction System and Automatic Tray Handling systems.
[USPS letter Feb. 16, 20006 - PDF]
[USPS letter, Feb. 17, 2005 - PDF]
[USPS letter Dec. 23, 2004 - PDF]
To view USPS videos of the Automatic Induction system, click below:
Video 1 (21 MB, 1 min., 15 sec.)
Video 2 (16 MB, 1 min., 45 sec.)
The USPS has announced plans to retrofit approximately 200 FSM 100 machines, about one third of its inventory. Flat mail that requires preparation will be integrated into the FSM 100 machine. The retrofit is expected impact clerks and mail handlers. The USPS anticipates a reduction of the work-hour equivalent of approximately 900 full-time positions, spread across both crafts, nationwide.
The USPS provided a schedule for deploying AI dated Oct. 31, 2005. [PDF]
Automated Package Processing System (APPS)
The APWU filed a national-level dispute on June 18, 2004 [PDF], in response to the USPS notification that it had awarded work on the Automated Package Processing System (APPS) to the Mail Handler Craft.
Locals affected by the USPS decision should initiate a dispute before their Local Dispute Resolution Committee in accordance with guidelines [PDF] from the union’s national headquarters. [read more]
Automated Tray Handling System (AFSM/ATHS)
A retrofit of the FSM 100, the Automated Tray Handling System eliminates the need to label flat tubs and to replace flat tubs once they are dispatched from the machine. The anticipated impact of this system will be a reduction of one mail processing clerk from each five-person crew that is currently used to operate an FSM 100.
The USPS provided a schedule for deploying the AFSM/ATHS as of Dec. 14, 2005. [PDF] [xls]
Automation Impact Update
In a notice dated Aug. 3, 2004 [PDF] the Postal Service provided updated information to its Area managers about planned changes to mail processing. The notice identifies areas projected to be impacted by staffing changes.
Computer Forwarding System (CFS) Site Consolidation
In letters dated Oct. 7 and Dec. 1, 2009, the USPS notified the APWU of plans to consolidate 39 Computer Forwarding System (CFS) sites in Fiscal Year 2010. The consolidation is a result of the implementation of the Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS). [read more]
Delivery Bar Code Sorters
The APWU has received information about equipment changes at numerous facilities throughout the country, affecting Advanced Facer Canceller Systems (AFCS), Multi-Line OCRs, and Delivery Bar Code Sorters. A USPS letter dated Nov. 10, 2004, [PDF] provides a tentative list of affected facilities, and background material dated July 9, 2004, [PDF] describes the changes to the equipment. [read more]
Integrated Dispatch and Receipt (IDR)
Using gantry robots, this system will automate dispatch and receipt systems and will be applied to such operations as in-bound mail preparation, mail transportation from one operation to another within a building, sleeving, strapping, containerization, the labeling of tubs, trays, etc., and dispatch. The sytem's principal impact is expected to be felt by Mail Handlers, although some clerks will be affected.
The USPS provided a deployment schedule for IDR Integration as of Oct. 31, 2005. [PDF]
Low-Cost Tray Sorter
Information the USPS provided to the APWU in October 2001 describes the operation of the Low-Cost Tray Sorter (LCTS) [PDF] system, which management plans to deploy nationwide in Processing and Distribution Centers as well as Air Mail Facilities. Included is a summary of the LCTS operation and guidelines for filing local grievances if the Postal Service fails to award the work to the APWU. [read more]
A Memorandum of Understanding dated May 9, 2002 [PDF] between the APWU and USPS replaced three Clerk Craft job descriptions with the Mail Processing Clerk, PS-5 position. The new Mail Processing Clerk position replaced the following positions: Distribution Clerk, PS-5, the Optical Character Reader Operator, PS-5, and (the old) Mail Processor, PS-5. The Mail Processing Clerk Standard Position Description [PDF] dated April 25, 2002, is included. A series of Questions & Answers dated May 9, 2002 [PDF] agreed to by the APWU and USPS explains the new position.
A memo dated May 14, 2002 [PDF] sent by union’s Clerk Division officers to APWU field officers and local presidents, outlines the significance of the agreement. It provides background on the agreement, and advice on implementation.
Multi-Line OCRs
The APWU has received information about equipment changes at numerous facilities throughout the country, affecting Advanced Facer Canceller Systems (AFCS), Multi-Line OCRs, and Delivery Bar Code Sorters. A USPS letter dated Nov. 10, 2004, [PDF] provides a tentative list of affected facilities, and background material dated July 9, 2004, [PDF] describes the changes to the equipment. [read more]
Postal Automation Redirection System (PARS)
In a letter dated Aug. 5, 2004 [PDF] the Postal Service notified the APWU that PARS deployment would resume on Aug. 21, 2004. An updated deployment schedule for phase one was included.
The USPS provided an updated deployment schedule, Phase Two for Letters, on Oct. 31, 2005. (PARS for flats is still in the developmental stage.)
The Postal Automation Redirection System (PARS) is designed to identify “Undeliverable as Addressed” (UAA) letter mail at the first machine handling and automatically redirect it to the correct destination. It is expected to eliminate mechanized terminals at the initial 40 CFS sites included in Phase 1. Since PARS has ability to “lift” images, some additional terminals will be needed for data conversion operators at the 20 Remote Encoding Centers. [read more]
Reassignment Memoranda of Understanding
The Clerk Division and the USPS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated April 2, 2001 [PDF] regarding the deployment of the following automated equipment:
On April 18, 2001, the APWU and the USPS entered into three separate agreements regarding implementation of the MOU. [read more]
A Memorandum of Understanding dated May 9, 2002 [PDF] identifies the Senior Mail Processor (SMP) position as Level 6. It stipulates that bidders for these positions will enter a deferment period and be provided with training, testing, and practical demonstration of the ability to perform in the position. The MOU indicates that SMP positions may be established as mixed duty assignments and include Mail Processing Clerk and certain retail duties. An addendum lists the minimum number of SMPs per site based on the number of active CSBCS machine.
A series of Questions & Answers dated June 5, 2002 [PDF] agreed to by the APWU and USPS addresses SMP staffing and mixed duty assignments.
A Grievance Settlement dated Feb. 2, 1994 [PDF] resolved grievances regarding the Senior Mail Processor job description and established it at Level 5 (at the time Mail Processors were Level 4). It stipulated that SMPs would perform some maintenance duties in “non-maintenance capable sites.”
Staffing on OCR, BCS, DBCS Machines
A Step 4 Settlement dated Dec. 11, 2003 [PDF] between the APWU and USPS and the accompanying Questions and Answers resolve the issue of staffing on OCR, BCS and DBCS machines.
The agreement makes clear that normal staffing for these machines is two Mail Processing Clerks. The Questions & Answers recognize that there may be situations – such as during the start-up or close-out of a run – where the machines may be staffed by only one Mail Processing Clerk. [read more]
