The issue in this grievance is whether management violated the National Agreement by utilizing letter carriers to deliver Express Mail to associate offices. In the past this issue or similar issues have been regularly remanded as not interpretive; however, in this case, management considers the issue interpretive in that at least one regional arbitrator has issued a decision which contradicts the overwhelming weight of arbitral precedent, the clear language of prior Step 4's, and the clear language of Section 242 of the Methods Handbook, DM-201 (Arbitrator Germano: N7V-1M-C 13426). This arbitration award is misleading and may cause confusion in the field. Therefore, management believes the issue should be addressed at the national level. The Union failed to show that management's decision to use letter carriers in situations such as those presented in this case was improper. Accordingly, the grievance is denied.
Document Type: USPS Position Letter
APWU National Grievance Number: H7C1JC369
Craft: Clerk