Stamford CT Area Local |
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American Postal Workers Union |
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Clerk Craft Issues as of 3-21-08 |
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Phone: (203) 348-6038 Fax: (203) 708-9997 E-mail: Galazin3@aol.Com
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To contact The Stamford CT Area Local or the webmaster by mail, phone, fax or E-mail. |
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Historic LMOU Protects MALs in Small Offices
(This article first appeared in the March/April 2008 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
The APWU signed a landmark agreement covering Members-at-Large who work in small post offices and are not represented by a local union on Jan. 25.
“Local Memorandum of Understanding for Offices Without a Local Union” outlines the rules for these small offices on topics that are typically the subject of negotiations at the local level between USPS managers and union officers.
“The Memorandum is a first,” said APWU President William Burrus. “It will provide the protection of a local contract to thousands of union members in small offices who have not previously been covered by a local agreement.” The agreement covers approximately 15,000 workers.
The Memorandum (LMOU) [PDF] is the result of negotiations for the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement. During national contract talks, the APWU won a commitment from the Postal Service to negotiate such an agreement. Discussions about specific contract language culminated in the LMOU for the Members-at- Large (MALs). Protecting Choices, Jobs
The primary subject addressed by the Memorandum is the use of leave, which has always been a sore spot in small offices. Postmasters tend to select the best vacation slots for themselves, which has prevented many APWU members from taking vacations on July 4th or Labor Day: We’re confident that this LMOU will put an end to that practice.
The Memorandum also requires the postmaster to notify the APWU Regional Coordinator whenever it is necessary to change, abolish, or revert a duty assignment. We felt this was important, especially because jobs have been disappearing from small post offices at such an alarming rate, and without any notification to the union.
Enforcement of the provisions of the LMOU, which became effective on Feb. 24, are the responsibility of APWU state presidents or National Business Agents who have jurisdiction over the areas in which the affected MALs work. On the Web The LMOU is a significant step in the APWU program to better serve Members-at-Large. Assistant Clerk Craft Director Mike Morris is overseeing the union’s effort to communicate more effectively with MALs.
There is also a new section of the APWU Web site for Members-at-Large. The MALs pages on the Web provide information about whom to contact about grievances or rights on the job and include an extensive list of “Frequently Asked Questions.” Members-at-Large face special challenges. Operating for the most part outside of a union structure, they typically find it difficult to stand up for their rights, and — until now — have lacked some of the most basic protections that other members have enjoyed as a result of local agreements.
As President Burrus said, “This is an important first step in helping Members-at-Large to feel more like a part of the APWU family.”
All-Craft Conference Wrap-Up Pursuant to the resolution passed at the 2004 APWU National Convention, the Clerk Craft was part of the second All-Craft Conference last November in Las Vegas. Two memorable highlights of the conference were a speech by President Bill Clinton, and the installation ceremonies during which APWU national officers took their oaths of office for the 2007-2010 term. This was the first time that delegates were able to register and pay online for a national conference and electronic registration will be instituted for many future APWU events. From the opening day to the closing moments, we are pleased to report that delegates overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction. The four-day conference featured morning and afternoon workshops — both craft-specific and on general topics — the first three days. As a supplement to these workshops, delegates were provided with eight CDs of conference training materials and other documents. Additional CDs will be made available for purchase through these Web pages. Stay tuned for updates on this. Conference Tributes
A farewell presentation at the conference honored the late Percy Harrison Jr., who had served as a Chicago Region NBA for most of the past dozen years, and who was unopposed in the 2007 election. Regional Coordinator Sharyn Stone and Central Region Clerk NBAs John Clark, Lynn Pallas-Barber, and Linda Turney accepted a plaque on behalf of Mrs. Harrison. There was also a PowerPoint presentation on Percy, produced by Assistant Director Pat Williams. Percy’s friendly and kind spirit will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of serving with him. Though removed from our midst, our beloved brother Percy, his example, and influence will abide with us forever. Farewell, Percy... There also were tributes to retiring national officers.
Jim Burke, Eastern Regional Coordinator – Jim served four years active duty in the military and began his postal career in 1962 as a letter carrier. He became a steward in 1963 and in 1969 transferred to the Special Delivery Craft and made the transfer from the NALC to the APWU when it was created in 1971. Jim was a steward, National Vice President of the Special Delivery Messenger Craft, president of the Philadelphia Area Local, and Clerk Craft NBA. He was the regional coordinator from 1995-2007.
Ron Nesmith, National Business Agent — Ron was appointed to the Memphis Region NBA Office in 1985 as NBA and elected to that post in 1986. He began his postal career and joined the union in 1963. He has served the union as an appointed Shop Steward, Vice President of Birmingham, Alabama; Full time President of Birmingham and served on National Constitution Committee.
Frank Giordano, National Business Agent — Frank, who began his postal career in 1966, served as a New York Region NBA from 1986 through this last year. He served the union community as New York State APWU president, as an instructor in Contract Administration at Dutchess Community College, as chairman of the Northeast Region Automation Committee, as a Federation Mediation Advocate, and as a New York Federation of Labor advocate. Members of the Clerk Division are honored to have worked with these officers and will truly miss them. We wish them the best of luck in their retirement endeavors, and hope that they will continue to stay in touch. Happy retirement to each of you!
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