Clerk Craft Focuses on Resolutions, MOUs
July 23, 2014
The 2014 Clerk Craft Convention ended on Sunday, July 20 after two days of spirited debate. The delegates moved through 45 resolutions submitted by local and state organizations that were reviewed by the Clerk Craft Committee chaired by Elena White of the Trenton Metro Area Local.
There was some good news to share, like the establishment of a Customer Care Center (CCC) in Wichita, KS. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated by the Clerk Craft creates 271 higher-level Tour 2 positions.
There were concerns as well. For example, the Seamless Acceptance Program in Bulk Mail. It will give mailers more responsibility in verifying the mail with the potential for huge revenue losses on one hand, and on the other, the reduction of clerk jobs.
In the same vein, Clerk Craft Director Burelson observed, “Just like they went after mail processing they are doing the same with retail. They are moving towards privatizing by incentivizing.”
With the usual eye on upcoming contract negotiations, delegates focused on provisions in Memorandums that are scheduled to expire and new language to protect members of the craft.
The broad areas of concern were conversions, higher-level pay and bringing work back to the craft. Limiting 204B’s and upgrades were also on the agenda. The discussion on many of the resolutions made it clear that the members and leaders of the APWU are committed to protecting Postal Support Employees (PSEs) and fighting hard to convert them to career status. Many speakers acknowledged that PSEs are the future of our union.
The Officers’ Reports highlighted the importance of the Stop Staples Campaign and the effect the USPS-Staples deal, if allowed to stay in place, could impact clerk positions. Winning this struggle, they argued, will send a message to other retailers who might want to enter into a similar arrangement.
Burelson has said, “What we do in Chicago in 2014 matters. It matters for all of us.”