Telework MOUs Agreed to for MRCs, Care Centers

On June 24, 2022, APWU Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks and the Postal Service signed two agreements that will allow Mailing Requirement Clerks (MRCs) and Customer Retention Team/Customer Care Center Clerks (CRTs/CCCs) to telework from their homes for a 12-month period, beginning on this date. These are two separate MOUs and contain lengthy explanations and requirements. Affected clerks should ensure that they refer to the MOU relevant to their job. 

The MOUs specify certain requirements for CCCs/CRTs and for MRCs that must be met in order to qualify for telework. Again, affected clerks should be careful to read the entirety of the relevant MOU to prevent any misunderstandings. For instance, MRCs must have been assigned to their duty station for at least six (6) months, beginning on the date they were named successful bidder, before they are eligible for telework. CCCs/CRTs must have completed all required training before reaching eligibility for the telework program. 

APWU President Mark Dimondstein congratulated the Clerk Craft on negotiating these MOUs, calling them “an historic achievement which protects this work from being contracted out during the life of this Collective Bargaining Agreement..” Director Brooks stated, “We heard loud and clear the desire of these members to perform telework from their homes, but we had to protect our work from being contracted out and the physical facilities where these duties have been traditionally performed. We accomplished that with these agreements.”

Brooks also cautioned, “As Director, I had my concerns about agreeing to this pilot program. We will not continue this program if it’s not in the best interests of our membership and I will not be swayed by personal opinions or desires.” He continued, “I want to thank Assistant Directors Lynn Pallas-Barber and Sam Lisenbe for their vital input and suggestions in reaching these agreements.”

The MOU allows both the APWU and USPS to opt out of the program with a ninety (90) day written notice to the other party. Both MOUs are linked to this article for easier access.