Here We Come Again – Where There’s a Will There’s a Way

(This article first appeared in the November/December issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

Who knew? Another year has passed and we are still dealing with COVID-19. We remain battered but unbowed. During the pandemic, we found ways to represent our members, communicate between members and our leadership, and file timely grievances. We continued to enforce the contract, keep our members informed, have local and state meetings, hold elections, negotiate agreements and more. Just writing it out still amazes me.

Dare I say Zoom? Zoom has never been my favorite way to go, but it has been a major and vital part of our means of communication through the past two years. The APWU has proven, once again, that we are resilient and we find a cooperative means to get the job done. 

It is a good thing when we can reach an agreement without going to interest arbitration. As I write this article, our tentative national agreement is being sent out to our membership for ratification. It’s up to you. We are essential workers and we deserve a decent and good contract.

The membership will have the final word on the tentative agreement’s ratification. Please take the opportunity to discuss the provisions of the tentative agreement with your co-workers and your state and local leaders. Go to union meetings and discuss it together in whatever process your state or local follows. Soon after you read this, the membership will be returning ballots. The decision is yours, the members.

Article 12 Language/ Our Saving Grace

There are 12 local offices in the Central region under an Article 12 excessing impact. I met with management of all of the potential impacted offices in August 2021.

Some of the offices have both clerk craft and maintenance craft impacts. All of the offices are on the list for potential consolidation in the Central Region. I have also met with management at the regional level on all initially impacted offices.

The initial meeting is required by the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). Subsequently, one impact was cancelled and three were postponed until 2022, which is, of course, now only days away from the writing of this article. The 50-mile radius for excessing is contained in the current CBA. This language is retained in the tentative agreement.

This contract language we have on limiting employee movement to the 50-mile radius is definitely an essential key for our employees impacted by forced movement. There are presently no potential residuals within 50 miles of any of the impacted offices.

COVID/Safety

Who knew we’d still be engulfed with COVID-19 a year down the road? Along with COVID-19 came new and challenging issues. APWU National has provided guidance and numerous sign-offs for our protection. Please stay safe and healthy. Safety protocols are for our continued protection.

There are Regional Safety representatives in each region as well as local reps. We are all working together for collective and continued safety at our worksites. Always file a PS Form 1767 when necessary and follow up with management. Safety First!

I feel safe speaking on behalf myself and all my fellow coordinators, Omar Gonzalez (Western Region), Kennith Beasley (Southern Region), Tiffany Foster (Northeast Region) and AJ Jones (Eastern Region) in saying “Safety First” now and always.