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Webmeister Jennifer Amos. © Western Michigan Area Local
E-mail Jennia1957@aol.com with comments or suggestions
APWU: Jennifer Amos, President, Amy Marcus, Vice-President, Dan Quillin, Clerk Craft Director, Steve Lang, Maintenance Craft Director, and Scott Larabel, MVS Craft Director.
Old Business
1. At past Labor-Management meetings the union has requested management look into implementing a program to protect the hearing impaired in case of an emergency or injury. Jerry Kubick, previous Senior Plant Manager and Greg Chanski, previous Plant Manager both promised this union an update and to this date this union has not received any information. Rocco asked Fred to look into this issue and report back to him. Rocco stated that he would like the stewards to be involved.
2. The union would like to address mailhandlers performing clerk work in the hazmat cage at the P-1. Mailhandlers are performing administrative duties, including logging, sending notices and answering customer questions about packages. This is clerk work and should be performed by clerks. The union would like a duty assignment posted with primary responsibilities in the hazmat area. Dale Hinkley will provide a copy of the ERT regulations. Chrisman to follow up.
3. When will the maintenance positions be filled? This union has been told on numerous occasions that the issues lie within the personnel office. When will these issues be corrected? Rocco will refer this issue to Bill Nelson. APWU expressed concerns that the issue will not get addressed. Rocco informed the union that Bill will be instructed to respond to the union within 30 days.
4. Bread cart repair at the main office. This union was told that there is a maintenance route to repair broken carts. The problem of broken carts has not been reduced. Discussion or ideas on how both the union and management can come up with a remedy to protect the employees from injury. Amy stated that at a prior labor management meeting Bill Nelson stated that there were regular routes to repair the bread carts. However the union has been informed otherwise. Rocco stated that this issue has to also be referred to Bill Nelson.
5. CFS. What are the plans for the clerks who hold bids in that section? When does management plan on notifying the employees in the section? Nancy was not present to address any customer service questions or concerns. Jennifer will follow up with Nancy.
6. This union would like an update on the mail handlers working in the nixie operation at the P-1. Mike Crisman stated that at the last labor management meeting with management and the NPMHU Jerry Kubick gave directive that both clerks and mail handlers will do rips and tears. That is why he changed it from just clerks performing the duties. Both parties were in agreement that prior to Mr. Kubicks position the duties were performed solely by clerks. Jennifer insisted that the mail handlers be moved and not be allowed to perform clerk work. Rocco stated that the mail handlers will be moved.
7. Installation of phone line (high speed) in union office was approved at previous labor management meetings. The union would like this to be done. Discussion. Rocco will check into. Management had concern about privacy issues and whether or not the union would have access to certain information.
NEW BUSINESS
1. The union would like employees pay checks put in envelopes due to privacy issues. There have been recent issues at the P-1 with a supervisor discussing an employee’s income on the workroom floor with other employees. Rocco stated that management will not put pay checks into envelopes but will address the supervisor that discussed employee’s private information.
2. Greg Chanski had previously agreed that any employee who broke their badge due to a work related incident would not be forced to pay for another. Rocco agreed. He stated if this happens he would like to know about it.
3. Employees are missing out on safety service talks due to their non scheduled work day(s). The union requests that management adhere to the safety handbooks and make sure that all employees receive safety talks weekly. The parties agreed. Rocco instructed Fred to address the issue with the MDO’s.
4. This union would like an update on the status of the AMF. Rocco stated that the latest date he has in March 31, 2006. The plan is to move AMF operations and BMEU to the P-2.
5. The union would like a target mail/aviation security position at the annex. Mike Crisman stated that Christi Bonnie notified them awhile back that this could not be a bid job. He further stated that it is an 8 hour a day job. Rocco agreed that it should be on someone’s bid, he stated he will look into and report back.
6. Holiday Scheduling at the P-1. The union requests that management stop overstaffing sections. Assign the volunteers a place to work on the schedule so they know where to report to work. The union further requests better cooperation from the P-1/T-1 management for scheduling. Discussion. All the parties agreed. Crisman will follow up and speak with Darlene Brenner and Paula Carlson. Further discussion was had about the language in Article 11 of the National Agreement as well as the Local Memorandum of Understanding. Mike Crisman stated that he hasn’t received a holiday volunteer sign up sheet from customer service (stations) in years. The union stated that this must be done. All volunteers, PTF’s and casuals must be utilized prior to forcing.
7. What is the status of the SPBS? The union would like an update. Rocco stated if there is 8 hours of work he will post bid job. Jennifer reminded him that there are some employees that have retreat rights. The union requests an update at the next meeting.
8. Casuals are rotating to get weekends off at P-1. Is this a practice? The union would like to see more weekends off jobs posted if management can afford to give casuals weekends off. The parties as the meeting were unclear whether this was still an issue. The union and management will both look into it further.
9. Training junior customer service employees to work automated equipment on holidays on T-2. Discussion, please. Postmaster not available to discuss. Jennifer will discuss with her at a later date.
10. The bidding computers at the P-1 are still a problem. Kiosks are still down way too often. This is an inconvenience for employees trying to bid etc…. Rocco will contact P-1 and address the issue. Maintenance is responsible for repairing the machines.
11. Ongoing conflict at the P-1/T-1 dock with a clerk and MVS driver. The union feels management is to blame to a certain extent. Management needs to manage. Rocco stated that he had already spoken with Scott Larabel. Amy informed the parties that the issues were not resolved; there was another issue that recently occurred. Rocco instructed Scott to find out the details and report to him.
12. The union would like to discuss with Labor the “date of receipt” for Step 2 decisions. The union and labor could not come up with a resolve. Discussion. The union will begin sending appeals up to the next step if the labor rep doesn’t call to schedule a meeting within seven days.
13. The status on the FSM1000 as well as the FSM100. Is the P-1 getting another 100? Rocco stated that one of the 1000’s will be leaving. P-1 will be receiving a FSM100 from Kalamazoo, unsure of the date yet.
14. Are we getting another DBCS at the main office? Rocco stated that the main Office will be receiving a DBCS, tentatively from Traverse City. Again, no date.
15. After repeated requests to have high cleaning performed at the VMF, still not done and no word as to a time when it will get done. Discussion. Referred to Bill Nelson and he will be notified to report within 30 days.
16. John Briggs at VMF requested to have sink installed and storage shed assembled months ago. Bill Nelson told Bud Tipton to get it done. No word back as to when they will be done. Discussion. The sink has been installed but the plumbing is not. The storage shed will be assembled in the spring.
ADDED AGENDA
1. Mail handler performing clerk work in the Outsides Area at the main office. The union request that management cease allowing the mail handler to perform distribution which is clerk work. Rocco stated that the mail handler should not be performing distribution, he will inform Pam Bronson.
2. MDO Bobby Walker and Paula Carlson are requiring employees that request paid leave with their absence covered under the Family Medical Leave Act to provide additional documentation. If the employee request LWOP they do not have to provide additional documentation. The union demands this to cease! This is a direct violation of the law. Rocco stated that he requested additional information from Anna Armstrong. Jennifer stated that she spoke with Anna. Rocco will follow up with Anna and instruct the P-1 on management position.
3. What course of action or plan does the Postal Service have in place when the bird flu is detected in the U.S.A? Rocco stated he is unaware of a policy but will definitely look into it.
4. PTF preferencing. Why the delay? The union has had a grievance settlement for quite some time and insists that management adhere to the resolution. Barb stated that she is part of the compliment committee and has not seen the grievance settlement. She requested that Dan get her a copy, the committee will be meeting the following Monday. Barb stated she will contact Ronda Reister.
5. VMF Vacancies. Barb stated that she hasn’t spoke with John Briggs for approximately 8 months. Scott wants to know when the testing will be offered again. Barb will check into it.
6. Overtime policy for the plant. The union would like to extend the policy for Quarter. Fred and Mike stated they haven’t had any problems with it. Rocco asked Fred to send out cc mail to get some input. Fred to follow up with Amy or Jennifer.
Sincerely,
Amy Marcus
Executive Vice President
Webmeister Jennifer Amos. © Western Michigan Area Local
E-mail Jennia1957@aol.com with comments or suggestions