The question in this grievance is whether management violated Article 28 of the 1984 National Agreement by its method of recovering postal funds. It was determined that the grievant was financially responsible for a shortage in her accountability. Local management deducted the debt from the grievant's paycheck without her consent. During our discussion, we agreed to resolve this matter based on our mutual understanding of the meaning and intent of Article 28, Section 4, of the National Agreement and Section 564, Fiscal Handbook, Series F-1. Specifically, an attempt must be made to collect money demands on a voluntary basis; however, absent an employee's voluntary agreement to liquidate a debt, the Postal Service shall initiate involuntary payroll deductions regardless of the amount owed through the Postal Data Center. Involuntary collections shall not exceed 20 percent of the employee's biweekly gross pay. We further agreed that the cashing of employee payroll checks without the employee's permission is not permissible. (With Addendum)
Document Type: Step 4 Agreement
APWU National Grievance Number: H4C4AC32193
Craft: Clerk