To facilitate the federal government's efforts to deliver at-home COVID-19 test kits to American households in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the parties agree to the following:
1. The Postal Service will establish fulfillment centers in each of the locations on the attached table, to include workspace for kitting (i.e., packing) and labeling packages of at-home COVI D-19 test kits. For purposes of the pilot, the kitting and labeling of the test kit packages will be performed by APWU-clerk bargaining unit employees in accordance with Article 1 and Article 7.1.B.7 of the CBA and is considered "new work."
2. For the duration of the pilot, the parties agree to extend the exception period for the hiring and continued employment of Postal Support Employees (PS Es) in excess of the 20% district cap in the locations set forth in the attached table. The Postal Service will be permitted to retain or rehire by relative standing PSEs who were let go due to lack of work (i.e., PS Es hired for reasons unrelated to COVID-19) above the district cap and/or hire additional PSEs up to the amount set forth in the table for each location for the duration of the pilot.
3. PSEs who are rehired will be informed that their rehiring is for a specific pilot project and the expected duration of the pilot project. PS Es who decline to be rehired will retain their relative standing and reappointment rights in accordance with Article 7 of the National Agreement.
4. Non-COVID related PSEs maintained above the caps in the locations on the attached table will be used for the sole purpose of performing the work of the pilot (i.e., the processing and fulfillment of at-home COVID-19 test kits), with the exception of a threeweek implementation period from January 1, 2022. A specific operation number will be designated for this pilot and all employees assigned to the pilot will utilize the operation number when performing this work. During the three-week implementation period, NonCOVI D related PSEs maintained above the caps in the locations on the attached table may be used to perform non-pilot related work consistent with the National Agreement.
5. The USPS will supply the Union at the installation level with a list of all PSEs designated for performing work in the COVID-19 Test Kit Fulfillment Pilot.
6. All non-COVID related PSEs maintained above the district caps in the locations on the attached table will not be scheduled to work after the conclusion of the pilot and will be separated no later than the first full pay period following the conclusion of the pilot unless retained in accordance with the National Agreement. All separations of PSEs in accordance with this MOU will be done pursuant to the National Agreement.
7. The hiring of COVID-related PSEs is covered in the MOU: Re: Temporary Exception Period-Clerk Craft Function 1 & Function 4-COVID-19.
8. There will be a daily inventory control for the COVI D-19 test kits.
9. Full-Time Career clerks assigned or detailed to PSAs or Annexes designated as part of this pilot and who are on the Overtime Desired List will be afforded maximum overtime opportunities (up to 12 hours/day and 60 hours in a service week) for the duration of the pilot.
10. The duration of the pilot will be 75 days from January 12, 2022, unless extended by mutual agreement. The Postal Service reserves the right to terminate the pilot prior to the conclusion of the 75-day period.
Document Type: Memorandum of Understanding
Craft: Clerk