RI-399 Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding Summary of Changes

Summary of the RI-399 Update Memorandum of Understanding Any operational changes occurring or implemented at the local level on or after today, June 26, 2018, will require a written notification to the LDRC and the RDRC at least 14 days prior to implementation.  Any new work or new or consolidated facilities occurring or being implemented at the local level will require a notification to the impacted LDRC and RDRC at least 45 calendar days prior to implementation.  A local dispute must be filed with the LDRC within 21 days from first becoming aware of a violation.  Any changes occurring or implemented at the National level because of new work, new or consolidated facilities, or operational changes will require a notification to the NDRC at least forty-five (45) calendar days prior to implementation.  Disputes concerning national craft determinations may only be initiated at the national level. Either union may initiate a dispute at the national level within 21 calendar days from the date of receipt of the USPS’s national craft determination, and if no dispute is filed the craft determination will be final and binding on the parties.  National Rl-399 settlements or arbitration awards are binding on all parties nationwide, whether or not a local or regional dispute was filed.  If timely notice is not provided, the assignments will be returned to the craft that was performing the work prior to the change until proper notice is provided.  All disputes filed before Sept. 1, 2017 are removed from the RI-399 docket and those that cannot be returned to the Article 15 procedure will be considered closed. Most national disputes are being withdrawn and the parties have agreed to arbitrate four national disputes, including the dispute over the SPSS.  Article 7.2 cases filed after June 26, 2018, may be referred to the Rl-399 process by management or the non-grieving union only at Step 3 of the Article 15 grievance/arbitration process. The USPS Step 3 representative must forward a copy of the case file to the Step 3 representative of the non-grieving union, who will have 21 days to refer the grievance to the Rl-399 DRP if they think it contains a jurisdictional issue. If the union does not do so within 21 days, it forfeits its right to do so later and cannot intervene in any subsequent grievance or arbitration of that case.  If the USPS refers a case at Step 3, the referral must be done no later than the timely issuance of the Step 3 answer. Failure of the USPS to refer by this deadline forfeits its right to do so later.  Updated inventories will be performed in all installations employing Clerks and Mail Handlers based on the status quo as of September 1, 2017. The updated inventories are binding on all parties, supervisors, managers, and representatives.