Sustaining the Post Office

(This article first appeared in the July-August issue of The American Postal Worker Magazine)

Sustaining a viable postal service has been a major concern of postal employees on the workroom floor. We have seen the threat of privatization coming from all sides and from every angle. Somehow, upper management has gotten the foolish idea that cutting service will help the Postal Service with its alleged financial delinquencies.

Closing over 140 mail processing plants has had a devastating impact on timely deliveries, but it has done little to improve the Postal Service’s financial situation. Furthermore, going from over 36,000 retail units to 31,000 contributes to long lines at the windows, especially when you consider the understaffing at most retail units. Poor service will turn our customers away, but good service will keep them coming back.

What can we do to help maintain and sustain the Postal Service? Organizing and activism – like the Contract Action Teams (CATs) we formed last year – are key. We have to be in motion at all times. Postal workers must have all hands on deck, willing and ready to fight for our rights when union leaders issue a call to action.

Keep writing your politicians and stay in their ear. Keep wearing your union gear every Thursday to promote solidarity, and, by all means, keep educating your co-workers, family members, communities and businesses. Use your knowledge and influence. Tell them how the Postal Service is beneficial to the welfare of a good and strong America.

Abraham Lincoln said, “No force can destroy America from the outside.” I offer that same thought to Postal Service employees: The only way the Postal Service fails is if we let it fail. What we do – or fail to do – could determine the fate of the Postal Service.

Transfers, Swaps, Training

Many union members seem to be having trouble when seeking transfers and mutual swaps to other geographical areas. Some of the postmasters and managers are being deceptive and are not following the contract guidelines for transfers.

If you are having problems, get in touch with your Regional Coordinator. Management has to follow the contract.

The union and management agreed to provide training for the Southern Region on the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM). We can never get too much training. The point is to enhance the stewards’ and local officers’ knowledge so that they can better enforce the contract and AUGER, (the APWU/USPS Grievance Enhancement and Reduction) program.

The 2014 Memo and PSEs

Before the March 20, 2014, Memo of Understanding on Residual Vacancies was signed, Postal Support Employees (PSEs) did not have any idea of when, or how they were going to be converted to career. PSEs thought the “conversion to career train” had left them. We wanted them on board with us as career employees.

The March 20, 2014, Memo outlines a specific and absolute process for conversion to career. Now the PSEs have something to celebrate!

Over 30,000 PSEs have become regular as a result of the Memo. More than 25,000 have joined the union.

The Art of Negotiating

Since February 2015 we have been working toward getting a national contract. The negotiations, mediation and arbitration we went through brought some potential for a positive ending for us. As I write this article, we are waiting for the arbitrator’s decision about the terms of our contract.

My whole philosophy was that there should be no give-backs during the negotiation period. My suggestion to our negotiating team was that we had to have “tunnel vision,” thinking only about what our union members want and their desires.

The union pundit’s saying is, “You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” I feel that this was done during these negotiations.

National Convention

The National Convention will be held in Orlando, FL, Aug. 22-25, and pre-convention workshops and craft conferences will be held Aug 19-21.

The five Regional Coordinators, Sharyn Stone, Mike Gallagher, John Dirzius, Omar Gonzalez, and I will teach a class on Article 12 excessing on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. We hope to see many of you there!