http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/ The latest news from the APWU Industrial Relations Department en Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:00 EDT Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-061-ricin-spokanel-130515.htm ((05/15/13) Preliminary lab tests indicated the presence of ricin on two suspicious letters in Spokane WA, the Postal Service told the APWU on May 15. The letters are being analyzed and tested further for hazardous material, according to a Mandatory Stand-Up Talk management presented to workers. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-061-ricin-spokanel-130515.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-055-postplanarbitration-130501.htm (05/01/13) The APWU challenged management's "POStPlan" at an arbitration hearing that began on May 1. The union charged that the plan, which resulted in a drastic reduction in the hours of operation at thousands of post offices, also deprives the APWU members of thousands of jobs, in violation of the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Wed, 01 May 2013 17:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-055-postplanarbitration-130501.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-049-ricin-suspect-130423.htm (04/23/13) The suspect in the ricin case was released on April 23, and the Justice Department is moving to drop charges against him, according to published reports. Contradictory accounts of another incident also were reported on April 23. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-049-ricin-suspect-130423.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-044-ricin-testresultsawaited-130417.htm (04/17/13) The union is eagerly awaiting the results of follow-up tests on letters that indicated the presence of ricin, APWU Eastern Region Coordinator Mike Gallagher said on April 17 after a teleconference with postal officials from the Capitol Metro Operations Area and the Capitol District. Two letters tested positive for the deadly toxin in preliminary tests on April 16. One letter was addressed to President Obama; the other was addressed to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS). Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-044-ricin-testresultsawaited-130417.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-043-ricin-update-130417.htm (04/17/13) Postal officials have assured APWU President Cliff Guffey that they will update union officials today, April 17, about incidents involving mail that tested positive for ricin, a deadly poison, in preliminary tests on April 16. The APWU complained that union officials and postal workers learned of the incident through media reports and that information was not provided to the union until many hours later. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-043-ricin-update-130417.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-042-ricin-standuptalk-130417.htm (04/17/13) APWU officers learned through the news media on April 16 that a letter that may have been contaminated with a deadly poison had been found in the mail. Preliminary tests performed at the Maryland mail facility where the letter was found were positive for ricin, according to published reports. Additional tests will be performed at an FBI laboratory, with results expected within 24-48 hours. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-042-ricin-standuptalk-130417.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-21-safety-procurement-130226.htm (02/26/13) In response to demands by the APWU -- and approximately a year of negotiations -- the Postal Service issued new guidelines on Jan. 29, 2013, governing the procurement of postal equipment by managers at the local level. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-21-safety-procurement-130226.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-014-osha-130205.htm (02/05/13) OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has reminded employers, including the Postal Service, of their obligation to post annual summaries of injuries and illnesses sustained by workers at their facilities, reports Gary Kloepfer, the union's safety and health officer. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:30:00 EST http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-014-osha-130205.htm