USPS to Implement Flat Redirection System

In a letter dated Jan. 29, 2016 the Postal Service notified the APWU that it plans to activate Flats Postal Automated Redirection Systems (FPARS) in 17 locations where there are Central Forwarding System (CFS) sites. Deployment of the new equipment is expected to impact employees in some locations as early as March 28, 2016.

The FPARS program is an expansion of the Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) program that automated Undeliverable As Addressed (UAA) letter processing. Implementation of FPARS requires hardware and software modifications to AFSM 100 machines. The new equipment will lift images from mail and apply labels to UAA flats.

“It is anticipated that the deployment of FPARS processing will result in savings of approximately 1 million work hours annually at impacted CFS sites,” management wrote in the Jan. 29 letter.

The Postal Service anticipates a significant impact on employees at affected CFS sites; therefore, employees may be excessed.

However, the APWU can challenge the impacts.

In accordance with Article 12 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Postal Service is required to notify the APWU Regional Coordinators in the event of potential excessing outside of the craft/installation. Management is required to notify local presidents of any excessing outside of a section within an installation.  The Postal Service is also required to provide impacted employees with proper notification of any excessing.

Please contact your local president for more information. The union’s National Business Agents and Regional Coordinators will assist local presidents in enforcing employees’ rights under Article 12 and Article 37

There will be no change in craft jurisdiction for prepping the mail.

The offices where FPARS will be activated and employees affected are listed below:

Click here for a list of affected CRS sites.