Arbitrator: Maximization Provision Only Applies to Work Hours of PTFs

A recent national arbitration award by Arbitrator Linda Byars found that the Postal Service does not have an obligation to combine the hours of all non-full-time employees, i.e. part-time regular, part-time flexible, transitional and/or casual employees, as well as the regularly scheduled overtime hours of full-time employees, in order to maximize full-time positions pursuant to Article 7.3.B of the National Agreement. The arbitrator found that this provision “applies only to the relationship between full-time employees and part-time employees with no fixed work schedule.” (USPS #Q94C-4Q-C 96096822 and 96096823, 11/11/2009.