Serving Alva, Bokeelia, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Chokoloskee, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Immokalee, Labelle, Lehigh, Marco Island, Naples, Placida, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Saint James City, and Sanibel
NEXT UNION MEETING
May 20, 2012
9:30am
11000 Metro Parkway. Suite 8
Fort Myers, FL 33966
Office (239) 275-1007
Fax (239) 275-3687
May 20, 2012
9:30am
11000 Metro Parkway. Suite 8
Fort Myers, FL 33966
Office (239) 275-1007
Fax (239) 275-3687
This website has been designed for all APWU members and working families. The blue tabs (left side) are the SWFAL-APWU created pages that contain valuable postal information such as Postal Forms (PS, FMLA, OWCP, etc.). There are must see pages like:
1) Discount-Savings where families can find coupons, discounts, freebies, financial tools, cheapest gas prices, online banking and bill reduction sites.
2) Student Resources where students can go to find fun sites with games, homework help, college prep and find scholarships for college.
3) Veterans Websites where veterans can find lots of useful information, benefits, and members can help our troops and veterans.
The red tabs (left side - below the blue tabs) are Union and postal related links. Enjoy!
1) Discount-Savings where families can find coupons, discounts, freebies, financial tools, cheapest gas prices, online banking and bill reduction sites.
2) Student Resources where students can go to find fun sites with games, homework help, college prep and find scholarships for college.
3) Veterans Websites where veterans can find lots of useful information, benefits, and members can help our troops and veterans.
The red tabs (left side - below the blue tabs) are Union and postal related links. Enjoy!
8/24/2011
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (FEGLI)
I have put together some information that may be interesting for many employees. Most employees have no idea what they are currently paying for life insurance or whether or not those rates will change over time. Once they elect to take the amount of coverage that they wanted, they fail to look into what they are paying and how those rates will change over the course of their career, nor do they comparison shop for better rates.
During orientation, the U.S. Postal Service provides employees the option to select health and life insurance for self and family through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and the Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). Most employees are aware that in order to carry your (FEHB) and (FEGLI) benefits into retirement, you have to be enrolled for the five-years immediately preceding retirement (with a few exceptions), but there are also differences between the two. The main difference is that you can enroll in the FEHB every year, but the FEGLI open season varies depending on when the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announces it.
I have researched the current FEGLI rates. The rates listed below are for an employee at Level 6 Step O and was calculated on January 24, 2010 through the OPM web site.
Your Basic coverage as an employee is $56,000 and at no cost to you.
NOTE: Employees under 45 receive extra monetary benefit based on age.
The Extra Benefit in addition to the $56,000.00 base on age is:
35 and Under $56,000.00
36 $50,400.00
37 $44,800.00
38 $39,200.00
39 $33,600.00
40 $28,000.00
41 $22,400.00
42 $16,800.00
43 $11,200.00
44 $5,600.00
FEGLI has three options to chose from:
Option A - Standard (Gives an additional $10,000.00 of coverage)
Under 35 $0.30 Per Pay Period
Age 35-39 $0.40 Per Pay Period
Age 40-44 $0.60 Per Pay Period
Age 45-49 $0.90 Per Pay Period
Age 50-54 $1.40 Per Pay Period
Age 55-59 $2.70 Per Pay Period
Age 60-64 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Age 65-69 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Age 70-74 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Age 75-79 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Over 80 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Option B - Additional (Number of Multiples = 5, Gives an additional $270,000.00 of coverage)
Under 35 $8.10 Per Pay Period
Age 35-39 $10.80 Per Pay Period
Age 40-45 $16.20 Per Pay Period
Age 45-49 $24.30 Per Pay Period
Age 50-54 $37.80 Per Pay Period
Age 55-59 $75.60 Per Pay Period
Age 60-64 $162.00 Per Pay Period
Age 65-69 $194.40 Per Pay Period
Age 70-74 $324.00 Per Pay Period
Age 75-79 $486.00 Per Pay Period
Over 80 $648.00 Per Pay Period
Option C - Family Coverage (Number of Multiples = 5, Gives $25,000.00 for spouse, $12,500.00 for eligible children)
Under 35 $1.35 Per Pay Period
Age 35-39 $1.70 Per Pay Period
Age 40-45 $2.30 Per Pay Period
Age 45-49 $3.00 Per Pay Period
Age 50-54 $4.50 Per Pay Period
Age 55-59 $7.25 Per Pay Period
Age 60-64 $13.00 Per Pay Period
Age 65-69 $15.00 Per Pay Period
Age 70-74 $17.00 Per Pay Period
Age 75-79 $22.50 Per Pay Period
Over 80 $30.00 Per Pay Period
You can carry over the coverage when you retire as long as you have had the current level of multiples for 5 years.
If you have no idea of what coverage you currently have, you can find it by looking on your pay stub for IN _ _ _ and this will show exactly the amount that you are paying each pay period for this insurance.
Understand, the older you get, your premiums will become more expensive per pay period. Will you be able to afford those premiums or will you have to reduce the amount of coverage? Will you be able to cover the premiums upon retirement?
I suggest that all employees look for other life insurance alternatives that may save them money. Some policies build up a cash value or give yearly rebate checks. Shopping around for a private term insurance policy could be much less expensive as long as you are insurable.
I have found a couple of places to begin your search for better rates.
1) WAEPA - Their web site offers quotes versus FEGLI at http://www.waepa.org/
2) SAMBA - Their prices per $1000 of coverage is on their web site at http://www.sambaplans.com/life.shtml
You may cancel or drop your FEGLI coverage at any time. How do you cancel your FEGLI insurance after you find a better plan? You have to fill out form SF 2817 and you can find this form at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2817.pdf
Good luck in your search!
Sam Wood
President - Southwest Florida Area Local / APWU
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (FEGLI)
I have put together some information that may be interesting for many employees. Most employees have no idea what they are currently paying for life insurance or whether or not those rates will change over time. Once they elect to take the amount of coverage that they wanted, they fail to look into what they are paying and how those rates will change over the course of their career, nor do they comparison shop for better rates.
During orientation, the U.S. Postal Service provides employees the option to select health and life insurance for self and family through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and the Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). Most employees are aware that in order to carry your (FEHB) and (FEGLI) benefits into retirement, you have to be enrolled for the five-years immediately preceding retirement (with a few exceptions), but there are also differences between the two. The main difference is that you can enroll in the FEHB every year, but the FEGLI open season varies depending on when the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announces it.
I have researched the current FEGLI rates. The rates listed below are for an employee at Level 6 Step O and was calculated on January 24, 2010 through the OPM web site.
Your Basic coverage as an employee is $56,000 and at no cost to you.
NOTE: Employees under 45 receive extra monetary benefit based on age.
The Extra Benefit in addition to the $56,000.00 base on age is:
35 and Under $56,000.00
36 $50,400.00
37 $44,800.00
38 $39,200.00
39 $33,600.00
40 $28,000.00
41 $22,400.00
42 $16,800.00
43 $11,200.00
44 $5,600.00
FEGLI has three options to chose from:
Option A - Standard (Gives an additional $10,000.00 of coverage)
Under 35 $0.30 Per Pay Period
Age 35-39 $0.40 Per Pay Period
Age 40-44 $0.60 Per Pay Period
Age 45-49 $0.90 Per Pay Period
Age 50-54 $1.40 Per Pay Period
Age 55-59 $2.70 Per Pay Period
Age 60-64 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Age 65-69 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Age 70-74 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Age 75-79 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Over 80 $6.00 Per Pay Period
Option B - Additional (Number of Multiples = 5, Gives an additional $270,000.00 of coverage)
Under 35 $8.10 Per Pay Period
Age 35-39 $10.80 Per Pay Period
Age 40-45 $16.20 Per Pay Period
Age 45-49 $24.30 Per Pay Period
Age 50-54 $37.80 Per Pay Period
Age 55-59 $75.60 Per Pay Period
Age 60-64 $162.00 Per Pay Period
Age 65-69 $194.40 Per Pay Period
Age 70-74 $324.00 Per Pay Period
Age 75-79 $486.00 Per Pay Period
Over 80 $648.00 Per Pay Period
Option C - Family Coverage (Number of Multiples = 5, Gives $25,000.00 for spouse, $12,500.00 for eligible children)
Under 35 $1.35 Per Pay Period
Age 35-39 $1.70 Per Pay Period
Age 40-45 $2.30 Per Pay Period
Age 45-49 $3.00 Per Pay Period
Age 50-54 $4.50 Per Pay Period
Age 55-59 $7.25 Per Pay Period
Age 60-64 $13.00 Per Pay Period
Age 65-69 $15.00 Per Pay Period
Age 70-74 $17.00 Per Pay Period
Age 75-79 $22.50 Per Pay Period
Over 80 $30.00 Per Pay Period
You can carry over the coverage when you retire as long as you have had the current level of multiples for 5 years.
If you have no idea of what coverage you currently have, you can find it by looking on your pay stub for IN _ _ _ and this will show exactly the amount that you are paying each pay period for this insurance.
Understand, the older you get, your premiums will become more expensive per pay period. Will you be able to afford those premiums or will you have to reduce the amount of coverage? Will you be able to cover the premiums upon retirement?
I suggest that all employees look for other life insurance alternatives that may save them money. Some policies build up a cash value or give yearly rebate checks. Shopping around for a private term insurance policy could be much less expensive as long as you are insurable.
I have found a couple of places to begin your search for better rates.
1) WAEPA - Their web site offers quotes versus FEGLI at http://www.waepa.org/
2) SAMBA - Their prices per $1000 of coverage is on their web site at http://www.sambaplans.com/life.shtml
You may cancel or drop your FEGLI coverage at any time. How do you cancel your FEGLI insurance after you find a better plan? You have to fill out form SF 2817 and you can find this form at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2817.pdf
Good luck in your search!
Sam Wood
President - Southwest Florida Area Local / APWU
5/7/2011
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AREA LOCAL MEMBERS WHO HAVE DONATED TO COPA SO FAR IN 2011 & 2012
David Azzopardi
Tammy Baisden
Sandra Beckler
Lyle Bowen
Thomas Branch
Robert Brazzel
Shantel Burdette
Daniel Carinci
Jamie Carr
Wally Cascio
James Chiarella
Samuel Clinton
Cathy Cobb
Lori Connor
Kathleen Cook
Scott Cooper
Lynne Cram
Ben Deguzman
Eileen Dimase
Jaudon Dinkins
James Edwards
William Faulkner
Vivianne Finley
Christina Forte
Patricia Fraser
Anthony Genovese
David Gilbert
Christine Girard
Rodney Gleason
Felicia Gluhareff
Luis Gonzalez
Dave Grant
Dan Gray
Al Grebey
Kay Grebey
Anthony Griggs
Lisa Griswold
William Grout
Mark Hamilton
Ed Hardiman
Patrick Hardiman
James Hartley
Robert Hofer
Helen Hoover
Darla Howard
Sue Johnson
Eileen Johnston
Joyce Kelly
Alice Kersey
David Kirkwood
Mark Kyllo
Pat Lane
Mark Larue
Aaron Lee
Joselyn Leobrera
Steve Lewis
Virginia Linger
Andrea Lobianco
Sharlene London
Fred Maier
Debbie Maros
William Masten
Paul Mc Avoy
Keith McGee
Kevin McLain
Kathleen Mikovich
Gail Miller
Lenna Miller
Jennifer Mitchell
Kathleen Moyer
Wayne Nichols
Robert Nowall
Angel Nunez-Lopez
Jeffery Nunn
Debbie O'Neill
Sharon Oplinger
Jim Overhultz
Eric Palm
Pat Pendarvis
George Petrillo
Tom Phister
Felicia Pitasi
Pierce Powers
Gary Rickman
George Rivera
Jamie Robertson
Karen Rock
Daniel Rupp
Vanessa Russell
Lucille Sacco
Charles Schaeffer
Candace Shultes
Wendy Skaff
Helen Skinner
David Slattery
John Stafford
Duane Summa
Michelle Szymonik
Deborah Thompson
Mike Treanor
David Truett
Doreen Waggoner
David Wallace
Rosemary Waterman
Timothy Watters
James Weaver
Kimberly Wildroudt
Daniel Williamson
Robert Winston
Scott Wiser
Kim Wolfe
Sam Wood
Isaac Yost
John Zmijewski
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AREA LOCAL MEMBERS WHO HAVE DONATED TO COPA SO FAR IN 2011 & 2012
David Azzopardi
Tammy Baisden
Sandra Beckler
Lyle Bowen
Thomas Branch
Robert Brazzel
Shantel Burdette
Daniel Carinci
Jamie Carr
Wally Cascio
James Chiarella
Samuel Clinton
Cathy Cobb
Lori Connor
Kathleen Cook
Scott Cooper
Lynne Cram
Ben Deguzman
Eileen Dimase
Jaudon Dinkins
James Edwards
William Faulkner
Vivianne Finley
Christina Forte
Patricia Fraser
Anthony Genovese
David Gilbert
Christine Girard
Rodney Gleason
Felicia Gluhareff
Luis Gonzalez
Dave Grant
Dan Gray
Al Grebey
Kay Grebey
Anthony Griggs
Lisa Griswold
William Grout
Mark Hamilton
Ed Hardiman
Patrick Hardiman
James Hartley
Robert Hofer
Helen Hoover
Darla Howard
Sue Johnson
Eileen Johnston
Joyce Kelly
Alice Kersey
David Kirkwood
Mark Kyllo
Pat Lane
Mark Larue
Aaron Lee
Joselyn Leobrera
Steve Lewis
Virginia Linger
Andrea Lobianco
Sharlene London
Fred Maier
Debbie Maros
William Masten
Paul Mc Avoy
Keith McGee
Kevin McLain
Kathleen Mikovich
Gail Miller
Lenna Miller
Jennifer Mitchell
Kathleen Moyer
Wayne Nichols
Robert Nowall
Angel Nunez-Lopez
Jeffery Nunn
Debbie O'Neill
Sharon Oplinger
Jim Overhultz
Eric Palm
Pat Pendarvis
George Petrillo
Tom Phister
Felicia Pitasi
Pierce Powers
Gary Rickman
George Rivera
Jamie Robertson
Karen Rock
Daniel Rupp
Vanessa Russell
Lucille Sacco
Charles Schaeffer
Candace Shultes
Wendy Skaff
Helen Skinner
David Slattery
John Stafford
Duane Summa
Michelle Szymonik
Deborah Thompson
Mike Treanor
David Truett
Doreen Waggoner
David Wallace
Rosemary Waterman
Timothy Watters
James Weaver
Kimberly Wildroudt
Daniel Williamson
Robert Winston
Scott Wiser
Kim Wolfe
Sam Wood
Isaac Yost
John Zmijewski
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
7/23/2011
BEWARE FILLING OUT VOE SURVEYS
This week, while visiting one our local offices (Bonita Springs, Fl), Clerks and Letter Carriers informed President Wood that employees who had filled out the last batch of Voice of the Employee Surveys had been taken aside by the Postmaster and asked if they had marked in their surveys that they had been "Sexually Harrassed" or "Discriminated Against". What seems interesting is that a Postmaster would be allowed to know specific results and be able to attempt to find the person who felt this way. Clearly, this is not supposed to be the intent of the VOE Surveys but are being used in devious ways as with contract negotiations back in the 1990's. This is why our local has a $5 bounty on VOE Surveys. These surveys serve no purpose. When Postmasters and Supervisors are using surveys in the way that the Bonita Spring Postmaster is using them, this is proof that the VOE is a total JOKE.
CLERK CRAFT EMPLOYEES BEING DETAILED TO THE LETTER CARRIER CRAFT
Management in both Fort Myers and St Petersburg, Florida have decided to detail employees (very soon) who management has been putting on standby time to the Letter Carrier Craft. They will be taking volunteers (both unassigned and those with duty assignments) and allowing them to take these details at 30 day at a time. Both local APWU and NALC representatives are in opposition in Ft. Myers, stating some of the following:
1) Article 7.2B (which management is stating as the prevailing language) is not what they are doing correctly.
2) According to the National MOU on Principal Assignment Area, junior employees are the ones to be removed from the section, and senior employees have no right to select to go in lieu of (as management wants). Article 12 has the senior in lieu of provisions.
3) The NALC stated their employees will stand against those employees who come over improperly to work in their craft and essentially getting paid an additional 50% while their craft loses their right to overtime work.
4) There are no residual jobs in the Ft. Myers Carrier Craft (only 1 vacant job and many sick leave employees as is the same in the Clerk Craft). So why are Clerks not being utilized during the daytime in these Clerk jobs that have daily vacancies? St. Pete has 5 residuals and are supposed to detail 12 Clerks to the Carrier Craft.
5) There are many stations within the 40 mile radius who have similar Clerk Craft Vacancies where Clerks could be placed (Including those offices where management has consistently been performing Clerk Craft duties along with Lobby Director work). Stating the obvious available work within the Clerk Craft.
6) The Detailed Clerk employees would not receive any uniform allowances (just given a hat).
7) Management provided no documentation whatsoever at this meeting to prove the need to detail Clerk Craft employees into the Carrier Craft.
8) Management is using this process to circumvent the moratorium on excessing.
9) Management stated that Clerks volunteers would have rotating days off and may not be consecutive, which the APWU objected to (due to it violating our contract (LMOU).
Suncoast District Management used the argument that they (Labor Relation Manager Keith Stanton) had spoken to an NBA and specifically one NBA with no "Pushback from the APWU whatsoever". The NALC NBA and Local NALC President looked at both local APWU officials like "WHAT?" The APWU challenged management and asked for specifics regarding this "NBA Conversation", but little was revealed.
NOTE: This is just relating what was said by management in the last sentence, we don't believe or do we hope that this was the truth.
Both the Local NALC and APWU both promised that grievances will be forthcoming due to management's refusal to follow the contract correctly. Management will be having "Stand Up" talks with employees in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon and evening. At that time they will be issuing letters to them so they can state their preferred office to volunteer for and be detailed as a Letter Carrier.
PTF CONVERSIONS
The APWU and USPS have agreed to convert PTF's as per the new ratified CBA effective on August 27, 2011 due to the 27th being the first day of the pay period.
BEWARE FILLING OUT VOE SURVEYS
This week, while visiting one our local offices (Bonita Springs, Fl), Clerks and Letter Carriers informed President Wood that employees who had filled out the last batch of Voice of the Employee Surveys had been taken aside by the Postmaster and asked if they had marked in their surveys that they had been "Sexually Harrassed" or "Discriminated Against". What seems interesting is that a Postmaster would be allowed to know specific results and be able to attempt to find the person who felt this way. Clearly, this is not supposed to be the intent of the VOE Surveys but are being used in devious ways as with contract negotiations back in the 1990's. This is why our local has a $5 bounty on VOE Surveys. These surveys serve no purpose. When Postmasters and Supervisors are using surveys in the way that the Bonita Spring Postmaster is using them, this is proof that the VOE is a total JOKE.
CLERK CRAFT EMPLOYEES BEING DETAILED TO THE LETTER CARRIER CRAFT
Management in both Fort Myers and St Petersburg, Florida have decided to detail employees (very soon) who management has been putting on standby time to the Letter Carrier Craft. They will be taking volunteers (both unassigned and those with duty assignments) and allowing them to take these details at 30 day at a time. Both local APWU and NALC representatives are in opposition in Ft. Myers, stating some of the following:
1) Article 7.2B (which management is stating as the prevailing language) is not what they are doing correctly.
2) According to the National MOU on Principal Assignment Area, junior employees are the ones to be removed from the section, and senior employees have no right to select to go in lieu of (as management wants). Article 12 has the senior in lieu of provisions.
3) The NALC stated their employees will stand against those employees who come over improperly to work in their craft and essentially getting paid an additional 50% while their craft loses their right to overtime work.
4) There are no residual jobs in the Ft. Myers Carrier Craft (only 1 vacant job and many sick leave employees as is the same in the Clerk Craft). So why are Clerks not being utilized during the daytime in these Clerk jobs that have daily vacancies? St. Pete has 5 residuals and are supposed to detail 12 Clerks to the Carrier Craft.
5) There are many stations within the 40 mile radius who have similar Clerk Craft Vacancies where Clerks could be placed (Including those offices where management has consistently been performing Clerk Craft duties along with Lobby Director work). Stating the obvious available work within the Clerk Craft.
6) The Detailed Clerk employees would not receive any uniform allowances (just given a hat).
7) Management provided no documentation whatsoever at this meeting to prove the need to detail Clerk Craft employees into the Carrier Craft.
8) Management is using this process to circumvent the moratorium on excessing.
9) Management stated that Clerks volunteers would have rotating days off and may not be consecutive, which the APWU objected to (due to it violating our contract (LMOU).
Suncoast District Management used the argument that they (Labor Relation Manager Keith Stanton) had spoken to an NBA and specifically one NBA with no "Pushback from the APWU whatsoever". The NALC NBA and Local NALC President looked at both local APWU officials like "WHAT?" The APWU challenged management and asked for specifics regarding this "NBA Conversation", but little was revealed.
NOTE: This is just relating what was said by management in the last sentence, we don't believe or do we hope that this was the truth.
Both the Local NALC and APWU both promised that grievances will be forthcoming due to management's refusal to follow the contract correctly. Management will be having "Stand Up" talks with employees in Fort Myers on Monday afternoon and evening. At that time they will be issuing letters to them so they can state their preferred office to volunteer for and be detailed as a Letter Carrier.
PTF CONVERSIONS
The APWU and USPS have agreed to convert PTF's as per the new ratified CBA effective on August 27, 2011 due to the 27th being the first day of the pay period.
8/24/2011
This Saturday, August 27, 2011, USPS management will begin converting the appropriate PTR's and PTF's to Full Time Status. Most, if not all of these conversions will be done improperly. Many of these employees will actually lose hours due to these conversions being done improperly. The APWU Headquarters initiated Step 4 Disputes on these improper conversions on August 17, 2011.
We will attempt (below) to go through what management will be doing step by step and utilize the appropriate contract language. The 2010 - 2015 New Contract Language will be highlighted in YELLOW below. APWU & USPS Question and Answer Language will be highlighted in GREEN below.
Beginning Saturday August 27, 2011 there will no longer be PTR's in the Clerk and Motor Vehicle Crafts.
Clerk Craft: There will no longer be Part-Time Regular (PTR) employees in the clerk craft.
Motor Vehicle Craft: There will no longer be Part-Time Regular (PTR) and Part-Time Flexible (PTF) employees in the motor vehicle craft. Management may create Flexible Non- Traditional Duty assignments to replace PTR and PTF duty assignments.
Beginning Saturday August 27, 2011, PTR's as stated above will not be a part of both the Clerk and Motor Vehicle Craft. Also, on the same day, PTF's in the Clerk Craft in Function 1 or Level 21 and above Post Offices will be converted to Full Time Status (below).
Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Traditional Full-Time (NTFT) Duty Assignments:
There will no longer be Part-Time Flexible (PTF) employees working in Function 1 or in post offices Level 21 and above.
Management has no intentions of following the contract language that they have agreed to. There are now two different kinds of Full Time Duty Assignments (Traditional and Non Traditional). Both of these "Duty Assignments" must be posted for bid. We have not heard of any office that has posted Non Traditional Full Time Duty Assignments, therefore, there is no such thing yet as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Management will not have the majority of Non Traditional Duty Assignment's posted until the end of September or later. Since new or residual NTFT Duty Assignment's must be posted for bid, management cannot just create out of thin air what they call NTFT positions to place these converted employees into. It is clearly improper!
Answer #30: NTFT duty assignments are full-time duty assignments. All of the reposting rules for full-time assignments in Article 37.3.A.4 and in Article 39.2.A including Article 39.2.A.6, 7 and 8 apply to NTFT duty assignments. The assignment must also be reposted when the total hours in the workweek of a NTFT duty assignment are changed.
Clerk Craft: Any occupied traditional full-time regular duty assignment which is converted to a non-traditional fulltime assignment shall be reposted. Any occupied non-traditional full-time regular duty assignment which is converted to a traditional full-time assignment shall be reposted.
Clerk Craft: When the total hours in the workweek of a non-traditional full-time assignment are changed, the assignment shall be reposted.
Motor Vehicle: All vacant or newly established craft duty assignments shall be posted or reverted within 28 days. When an assignment is reverted, a notice shall be posted immediately, indicating the action taken and the reason therefor. The local Union shall be given a copy of the notice.
Since Non Traditional Full Time Duty Assignments are New to every USPS Installation and there are currently only Traditional Full Time Duty Assignments, should NTFT Duty assignments be posted for bid?
Answer #32: In this situation if the duty assignment is changed sufficiently that Article 37.3.A.4 (and the LMOU) require reposting the duty assignment would be posted installation wide.
USPS Management failed to post any NTFT Duty Assignments, so, there is no such position in most if not all USPS facilities. So, these converted PTR and PTF Employees being converted, MUST be converted to a Traditional eight (8) hours a day, five (5) days a week, Full Time Position. If management fails to convert these employees as stated above, grievances must be filed for whichever of the following apply:
1) The hours not worked daily (up to 8 hours).
2) Hours worked over eight should be paid as a traditional duty assignment is paid.
3) OTDL bypass grievances may apply to the new Full Time and current OTDL employees.
4) Hours worked on their sixth (6) day should be paid at the appropriate overtime rate.
5) Hours not worked on their sixth (6th) day up to 8 hours at the appropriate overtime rate (Guaranteed Time).
6) Hours not worked for the week (up to forty (40) hours).
7) Consecutive days off in offices of over 200 man years.
8) Retreat right violations to employees who have those rights and have not been allowed to come back.
9) Grievances should be filed on weekly changes to the converted employees hours as they should be unassigned employees under Article 37 (below).
Clerk Craft Article 37.4.B: An employee who becomes an unassigned regular will continue to work the same hours and scheduled days the employee worked immediately prior to becoming unassigned unless notified of a change in work schedule before expiration of the first 28 days after the date on which the employee became unassigned. Additional work schedule changes may be made, provided that such change cannot be made effective until 180 days after the effective date of any previous change.
Employees can file Class Action grievances and make them ongoing to ensure that converted employees are covered until management properly post NTFT Duty Assignments later this year. Remember, employees converted to Full Time AFTER May 23, 2011 can be placed into Residual NTFT Duty Assignments from 30-48 hours.
This Saturday, August 27, 2011, USPS management will begin converting the appropriate PTR's and PTF's to Full Time Status. Most, if not all of these conversions will be done improperly. Many of these employees will actually lose hours due to these conversions being done improperly. The APWU Headquarters initiated Step 4 Disputes on these improper conversions on August 17, 2011.
We will attempt (below) to go through what management will be doing step by step and utilize the appropriate contract language. The 2010 - 2015 New Contract Language will be highlighted in YELLOW below. APWU & USPS Question and Answer Language will be highlighted in GREEN below.
Beginning Saturday August 27, 2011 there will no longer be PTR's in the Clerk and Motor Vehicle Crafts.
Clerk Craft: There will no longer be Part-Time Regular (PTR) employees in the clerk craft.
Motor Vehicle Craft: There will no longer be Part-Time Regular (PTR) and Part-Time Flexible (PTF) employees in the motor vehicle craft. Management may create Flexible Non- Traditional Duty assignments to replace PTR and PTF duty assignments.
Beginning Saturday August 27, 2011, PTR's as stated above will not be a part of both the Clerk and Motor Vehicle Craft. Also, on the same day, PTF's in the Clerk Craft in Function 1 or Level 21 and above Post Offices will be converted to Full Time Status (below).
Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Traditional Full-Time (NTFT) Duty Assignments:
There will no longer be Part-Time Flexible (PTF) employees working in Function 1 or in post offices Level 21 and above.
Management has no intentions of following the contract language that they have agreed to. There are now two different kinds of Full Time Duty Assignments (Traditional and Non Traditional). Both of these "Duty Assignments" must be posted for bid. We have not heard of any office that has posted Non Traditional Full Time Duty Assignments, therefore, there is no such thing yet as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Management will not have the majority of Non Traditional Duty Assignment's posted until the end of September or later. Since new or residual NTFT Duty Assignment's must be posted for bid, management cannot just create out of thin air what they call NTFT positions to place these converted employees into. It is clearly improper!
Answer #30: NTFT duty assignments are full-time duty assignments. All of the reposting rules for full-time assignments in Article 37.3.A.4 and in Article 39.2.A including Article 39.2.A.6, 7 and 8 apply to NTFT duty assignments. The assignment must also be reposted when the total hours in the workweek of a NTFT duty assignment are changed.
Clerk Craft: Any occupied traditional full-time regular duty assignment which is converted to a non-traditional fulltime assignment shall be reposted. Any occupied non-traditional full-time regular duty assignment which is converted to a traditional full-time assignment shall be reposted.
Clerk Craft: When the total hours in the workweek of a non-traditional full-time assignment are changed, the assignment shall be reposted.
Motor Vehicle: All vacant or newly established craft duty assignments shall be posted or reverted within 28 days. When an assignment is reverted, a notice shall be posted immediately, indicating the action taken and the reason therefor. The local Union shall be given a copy of the notice.
Since Non Traditional Full Time Duty Assignments are New to every USPS Installation and there are currently only Traditional Full Time Duty Assignments, should NTFT Duty assignments be posted for bid?
Answer #32: In this situation if the duty assignment is changed sufficiently that Article 37.3.A.4 (and the LMOU) require reposting the duty assignment would be posted installation wide.
USPS Management failed to post any NTFT Duty Assignments, so, there is no such position in most if not all USPS facilities. So, these converted PTR and PTF Employees being converted, MUST be converted to a Traditional eight (8) hours a day, five (5) days a week, Full Time Position. If management fails to convert these employees as stated above, grievances must be filed for whichever of the following apply:
1) The hours not worked daily (up to 8 hours).
2) Hours worked over eight should be paid as a traditional duty assignment is paid.
3) OTDL bypass grievances may apply to the new Full Time and current OTDL employees.
4) Hours worked on their sixth (6) day should be paid at the appropriate overtime rate.
5) Hours not worked on their sixth (6th) day up to 8 hours at the appropriate overtime rate (Guaranteed Time).
6) Hours not worked for the week (up to forty (40) hours).
7) Consecutive days off in offices of over 200 man years.
8) Retreat right violations to employees who have those rights and have not been allowed to come back.
9) Grievances should be filed on weekly changes to the converted employees hours as they should be unassigned employees under Article 37 (below).
Clerk Craft Article 37.4.B: An employee who becomes an unassigned regular will continue to work the same hours and scheduled days the employee worked immediately prior to becoming unassigned unless notified of a change in work schedule before expiration of the first 28 days after the date on which the employee became unassigned. Additional work schedule changes may be made, provided that such change cannot be made effective until 180 days after the effective date of any previous change.
Employees can file Class Action grievances and make them ongoing to ensure that converted employees are covered until management properly post NTFT Duty Assignments later this year. Remember, employees converted to Full Time AFTER May 23, 2011 can be placed into Residual NTFT Duty Assignments from 30-48 hours.
9/17/2011
FOX 4's (Southwest Florida) Colleen Hogan did a great job in her interview with Southwest Florida Area Local - American Postal Workers Union President Sam Wood. She stated the facts concerning the current USPS financial situation.
Click the tab to see the story -------------->
Congress needs to fix the situation they created in 2006 by passing H.R. 1351 as soon as possible. The USPS has been forced to pre-fund current and future employees retirement and has overpaid this fund by $85 billion.
FOX 4's (Southwest Florida) Colleen Hogan did a great job in her interview with Southwest Florida Area Local - American Postal Workers Union President Sam Wood. She stated the facts concerning the current USPS financial situation.
Click the tab to see the story -------------->
Congress needs to fix the situation they created in 2006 by passing H.R. 1351 as soon as possible. The USPS has been forced to pre-fund current and future employees retirement and has overpaid this fund by $85 billion.
 |
9/22/2011
Southwest Florida's WFTX FOX-4 News Reporter Gabrielle Sarann did another great story today on the American Postal Workers Union's new commercial being broadcast all over the United States. This is the second story she has done. Like Colleen Hogan, Gabrielle's news reporting was very accurate, to the point, and very informative for the little time they get to tell their story. Here are the links to Gabrielle's videos:
We suggest watching WFTX FOX 4 in Southwest Florida for the facts in reporting local news in Southwest Florida. They care about getting their facts correct prior to airing a story. If you need to report a story contact Gabrielle Sarann at: gsarann@fox4now.com and Colleen Hogan at: chogan@fox4now.com
Southwest Florida's WFTX FOX-4 News Reporter Gabrielle Sarann did another great story today on the American Postal Workers Union's new commercial being broadcast all over the United States. This is the second story she has done. Like Colleen Hogan, Gabrielle's news reporting was very accurate, to the point, and very informative for the little time they get to tell their story. Here are the links to Gabrielle's videos:
We suggest watching WFTX FOX 4 in Southwest Florida for the facts in reporting local news in Southwest Florida. They care about getting their facts correct prior to airing a story. If you need to report a story contact Gabrielle Sarann at: gsarann@fox4now.com and Colleen Hogan at: chogan@fox4now.com
 |
 |
2/23/2012
FORT MYERS PROCESSING & DISTRIBUTION CENTER TO REMAIN OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study that could have forced the closure of the Fort Myers Processing & Distribution Center has been disapproved, meaning the plant will remain open.
FOX News reporter Colleen Hogan from Southwest Florida did a fantastic job reporting on this story.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STORY ----------->
FORT MYERS PROCESSING & DISTRIBUTION CENTER TO REMAIN OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study that could have forced the closure of the Fort Myers Processing & Distribution Center has been disapproved, meaning the plant will remain open.
FOX News reporter Colleen Hogan from Southwest Florida did a fantastic job reporting on this story.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STORY ----------->
 |
SWFAL-APWU Legislative Director Lorenzo Tindal, SWFAL-APWU Vice President Dan Gray, Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah and SWFAL-APWU President Sam Wood meet on March 22, 2012 to continue to save Southwest Florida Jobs. Commissioner Judah also wanted to congratulate our local members on a job well done on saving jobs in Southwest Florida. Judah and Lee County Commissioners went on record, opposing the Ft. Myers P&DC closure. The Southwest Florida Area Local - American Postal Workers Union appreciate all of the Lee County Commissioners support in protecting Southwest Florida jobs and their efforts in keeping "service" in the United States Postal Service.
4/25/2012
21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 Passes in Senate
The United States Senate has Passed the United States Postal Service Bill "21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012" (S1789) by a vote of 62-37.
The Amendment voting results are recorded as either withdrawn, passed, or failed, are posted below.
(R) McCain #2001 Management substitute amendment WITHDRAWN
(D) Tester #2056 Amendment to modify the process of closing or consolidating Post Offices and Postal Facilities. PASSED
**(R) Coburn #2060 Amendment to provide transparency, accountability, and limitations of government sponsored conferences. (not germane to bill) PASSED
(R) McCain #2033 Amendment to establish the Commission on Postal Reorganization (in HR 2309) FAILED
**(D) Wyden-(D) Feinstein #2020 Amendment to require the Postal Service to consider the effect of closing or consolidating a postal facility on the ability of the affected community to vote by mail and to provide Post Offices and Postal Facilities to protect the ability to vote by mail. PASSED
**(R) Coburn #2058 Amendment to alternatives to Post Offices. PASSED
(R) MaCaskill-(D) Merkley #2031 Amendment to prohibit the closing of a rural Post Office unless certain conditions are met and to establish a 2 year moratorium on the closing of rural Post Offices. PASSED
(R) Coburn #2061 Amendment to require retirement eligible employees of the Postal Service to retire. FAILED
(R) Snowe #2080 Amendment to improve, sustain, and transform the United States Postal Service (closures) PASSED
(D) Udall #2043 Amendment to strike the limitations on changes to mail delivery schedule, with an offset. FAILED
**(D) Durbin #2082 Amendment to improve, sustain, and transform the United States Postal Service (closures) PASSED
(D) Akaka #2034 Amendment to replace provisions that would be financially devastating to thousands of Postal workers and Federal employees who were injured on the job and who receive compensation from the OWCP. FAILED
**(D) Bennet-(R) Blunt #2047 Amendment to establish citizen's service protection advocates in each state with respect to facility closures. PASSED
(R) Corker #2083 Amendment negatively impacts six day delivery and Collective Bargaining FAILED
**(D) Mikulski #2003 Amendment to prohibit the USPS from closing any postal facility without certification from the Governor of the state in which the Postal facility is located. WITHDRAWN
(D) Akaka #2049 Amendment to clarify consultative rights of Postmasters and Supervisors FAILED
(R) Paul #2025 Amendment to end the mailbox use monopoly FAILED
(D) Manchin #2079 Amendment to improve, sustain, and transform the USPS (closures) FAILED
**(R) Paul #2026 Amendment to provide merit pay for the PMG and limit the authority of the USPS to award bonuses WITHDRAWN
**(D) Bingamin #2076 Amendment to require that state liaisons for states without a district office are located within their respective states. PASSED
(R) Paul #2027 Amendment to close Post Offices in the Capitol complex PASSED
**(D) Cardin #2040 Amendment to prohibit the closing of a Postal Processing Plant if the nearest Postal facility is more than 50 miles away. WITHDRAWN
(R) Paul #2028 Amendment to establish a pilot program to test alternative methods for the delivery of Postal Services. FAILED
(D) Carper #2065 Amendment to provide for temporary authority to adjust the first class mail stamp rate. WITHDRAWN
**(R) Paul #2029 Amendment to require the USPS to take in consideration the impact of regulations when developing a profitability plan. PASSED
(D) Carper #2066 Amendment to limit the compensation of executives of the Postal Service PASSED
(R) Paul #2039 Amendment to eliminate Collective Bargaining FAILED
(D) Casey #2042 Amendment to maintain current delivery time for market dominated products for 4 years. FAILED
(R) Paul #2038 Amendment to end the Postal Service monopoly on First Class Mail and mailbox use WITHDRAWN
**(D) Landrieu #2072 Amendment to determine the impact of certain Postal Facility closures or consolidations on small businesses PASSED
(R) DeMint #2046 Amendment to cut union income FAILED
**(R) McCaskill #2030 Amendment to improve FECA PASSED
(R) Coburn #2059 Amendment to allow the USPS to close unprofitable Post Office Facilities. WITHDRAWN
**(D) Pryor #2036 Amendment to express the sense of the senate to place a moratorium on Postal Facility closures and consolidations until enactment. PASSED
**(D) Rockefeller #2073 Amendment to clarify retirees cannot be required to enroll in Medicare. PASSED
**(D) Rockefeller #2074 Amendment to ensure the Postal Service Health Benefits Program be comparable to the FEHBP PASSED
(D) Schumer #2050 Amendment to maintain door to door delivery point services PASSED
**(D) Tester #2032 Amendment to limit the pay of Postal Service Executives. PASSED
(D) Warner #2071 Amendment to require reporting regarding retirement processing and modernization. PASSED
21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 Passes in Senate
The United States Senate has Passed the United States Postal Service Bill "21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012" (S1789) by a vote of 62-37.
The Amendment voting results are recorded as either withdrawn, passed, or failed, are posted below.
(R) McCain #2001 Management substitute amendment WITHDRAWN
(D) Tester #2056 Amendment to modify the process of closing or consolidating Post Offices and Postal Facilities. PASSED
**(R) Coburn #2060 Amendment to provide transparency, accountability, and limitations of government sponsored conferences. (not germane to bill) PASSED
(R) McCain #2033 Amendment to establish the Commission on Postal Reorganization (in HR 2309) FAILED
**(D) Wyden-(D) Feinstein #2020 Amendment to require the Postal Service to consider the effect of closing or consolidating a postal facility on the ability of the affected community to vote by mail and to provide Post Offices and Postal Facilities to protect the ability to vote by mail. PASSED
**(R) Coburn #2058 Amendment to alternatives to Post Offices. PASSED
(R) MaCaskill-(D) Merkley #2031 Amendment to prohibit the closing of a rural Post Office unless certain conditions are met and to establish a 2 year moratorium on the closing of rural Post Offices. PASSED
(R) Coburn #2061 Amendment to require retirement eligible employees of the Postal Service to retire. FAILED
(R) Snowe #2080 Amendment to improve, sustain, and transform the United States Postal Service (closures) PASSED
(D) Udall #2043 Amendment to strike the limitations on changes to mail delivery schedule, with an offset. FAILED
**(D) Durbin #2082 Amendment to improve, sustain, and transform the United States Postal Service (closures) PASSED
(D) Akaka #2034 Amendment to replace provisions that would be financially devastating to thousands of Postal workers and Federal employees who were injured on the job and who receive compensation from the OWCP. FAILED
**(D) Bennet-(R) Blunt #2047 Amendment to establish citizen's service protection advocates in each state with respect to facility closures. PASSED
(R) Corker #2083 Amendment negatively impacts six day delivery and Collective Bargaining FAILED
**(D) Mikulski #2003 Amendment to prohibit the USPS from closing any postal facility without certification from the Governor of the state in which the Postal facility is located. WITHDRAWN
(D) Akaka #2049 Amendment to clarify consultative rights of Postmasters and Supervisors FAILED
(R) Paul #2025 Amendment to end the mailbox use monopoly FAILED
(D) Manchin #2079 Amendment to improve, sustain, and transform the USPS (closures) FAILED
**(R) Paul #2026 Amendment to provide merit pay for the PMG and limit the authority of the USPS to award bonuses WITHDRAWN
**(D) Bingamin #2076 Amendment to require that state liaisons for states without a district office are located within their respective states. PASSED
(R) Paul #2027 Amendment to close Post Offices in the Capitol complex PASSED
**(D) Cardin #2040 Amendment to prohibit the closing of a Postal Processing Plant if the nearest Postal facility is more than 50 miles away. WITHDRAWN
(R) Paul #2028 Amendment to establish a pilot program to test alternative methods for the delivery of Postal Services. FAILED
(D) Carper #2065 Amendment to provide for temporary authority to adjust the first class mail stamp rate. WITHDRAWN
**(R) Paul #2029 Amendment to require the USPS to take in consideration the impact of regulations when developing a profitability plan. PASSED
(D) Carper #2066 Amendment to limit the compensation of executives of the Postal Service PASSED
(R) Paul #2039 Amendment to eliminate Collective Bargaining FAILED
(D) Casey #2042 Amendment to maintain current delivery time for market dominated products for 4 years. FAILED
(R) Paul #2038 Amendment to end the Postal Service monopoly on First Class Mail and mailbox use WITHDRAWN
**(D) Landrieu #2072 Amendment to determine the impact of certain Postal Facility closures or consolidations on small businesses PASSED
(R) DeMint #2046 Amendment to cut union income FAILED
**(R) McCaskill #2030 Amendment to improve FECA PASSED
(R) Coburn #2059 Amendment to allow the USPS to close unprofitable Post Office Facilities. WITHDRAWN
**(D) Pryor #2036 Amendment to express the sense of the senate to place a moratorium on Postal Facility closures and consolidations until enactment. PASSED
**(D) Rockefeller #2073 Amendment to clarify retirees cannot be required to enroll in Medicare. PASSED
**(D) Rockefeller #2074 Amendment to ensure the Postal Service Health Benefits Program be comparable to the FEHBP PASSED
(D) Schumer #2050 Amendment to maintain door to door delivery point services PASSED
**(D) Tester #2032 Amendment to limit the pay of Postal Service Executives. PASSED
(D) Warner #2071 Amendment to require reporting regarding retirement processing and modernization. PASSED