Trenton Metro Area Local

The most recent addition to the Automation stable is a workhorse called the Flat Sorter Sequencer (FSS). This new, large piece of equipment will be deployed for the first time later this year. The schedule calls for 100 FSS machines to be in operation by the end of 2010. There may be even more after that.

Anyone who remembers working on an LSM (Letter Sorting Machine) will recognize similarities with the FSS. The mail is inserted into a slot in a cart; at the bottom of the cart, a slot-door opens that drops the piece into the appropriate bin. The preventative-maintenance route is certain to include checking for open cart doors. For many there will be some deja vu.

The 360-bin FSS is divided into four logical units of 90 bins each. The automatic feed will process as many as 17,000 flats per hour through the FSS. The Postal Service intends for the FSS to walk-sequence flat mail, and to have it run the same as a two-pass DBCS (Delivery Bar Code Sorter).

The FSS machines will be deployed in multiples of two, three, four, or even five machines to an office. Most facilities already have made or are in the process of making floor space available. The latest schedule shows Bulk Mail Centers in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New Jersey to be first in line for FSS deployment.

Increased Number of ETs

As far as the Maintenance Division is concerned, the additional FSS capability will increase the number of ETs in each office. While it will vary from office to office, you can expect up to 15 additional ETs for the first FSS. Additional machines will require more ETs, just not as many.

The effect on the number of MPE employees is not known at this time, but both MPEs and ETs will require six weeks of training at the National Center for Employee Development in Norman, OK. ETs will then spend an additional five weeks of training in Norman.

We will keep you posted on our negotiations with the Postal Service over the fine points of training for the FSS deployment.

USPS to eliminate 2400 Supervisor positions
In the past week, Postmaster General Jack Potter and members of Headquarters staff have had conference calls with each USPS district manager and district staffs with direct instructions to reduce supervisory positions within each district. Each district has been given a target number of supervisory positions that must be eliminated ranging from 26 to 47 positions per district.

Recommendations for Family Medical Leave Documentation:

Deems Desirable

Sandy Schleher, Clerk Craft Director

Family Leave Coordinator

Trenton Metro Area Local

Due to several recent incidents and inquiries, it’s necessary to remind everyone about the three day waiting period you must endure when suffering a work related injury.

Injuries that result from work activity occurring over more than one day, occupational injuries, have a three-day waiting period before OWCP wage loss compensation will be paid. The employee must be in a non-pay status for the first three days. No leave may be used, but if the inability to work exceeds fourteen calendar days, compensation will be paid for any wage loss during the three-day waiting period. These rules are unchanged.

Thanks to President Bush signing the “Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act” into law, as of December 20, 2006, there is now a three day waiting period before continuation of pay (COP) is paid for traumatic injuries. Traumatic injuries occur in a single day or shift. This new rule applies to USPS employees only.

During the first three-day period of a traumatic injury, you may choose to use annual leave, sick leave or leave without pay. If the disability exceeds fourteen days, or is followed by permanent disability, any leave that was used will be restored, if LWOP was used, the employee will be paid.

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ATTENTION ALL TRENTON CLERK CRAFT EMPLOYEES

Excessing Information (5/13/08)

Think before you bid to a station and branch job

I have request the Postal Service to rescind the excessing notices. USPS management has refused, claiming we are still overstaffed in the stations and branches.

The Postal Service has notified the union that due to a function 4 review there is a need to excess full time regular clerks from the stations and branches.

Circle Branch plans to excess 5 clerks

Downtown plans to excess 4 clerks

Fort Dix plans to excess 4 clerks

Main Office Window plans to excess 2 clerks

Mercerville plans to excess 1 clerk

Annex plans to excess 6 clerks (this is pending)

Chambersburg plans to excess 1 clerk

Yardville plans to excess 1 clerk

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6 years later we are still fighting

We must never forget

10/18/01

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APWU National News

Latest CPI Increase Means $479 Annual Pay Hike
(02/21/08) The Consumer Price Index rose in January, the last month of the most recent six-month Cost-of-Living measuring period under the 2006 National Agreement. The rise in the CPI gives APWU-represented employees an annual raise of $479. The Cost-Of-Living Adjustment will be effective March 15, and will be reflected in April 4 paychecks (Pay Period 07-08). [full story]

Employee Entitlement to Servicemember FMLA

To care for a covered family member (i.e., spouse, parent, son, daughter or next of kin) who has incurred an injury or illness in the line of duty while on active duty in the Armed Forces, provided that such injury or illness may render the family member medically unfit to perform the duties of the member’s office, grade, rank or rating.
Because of a qualifying exigency arising out of a covered family member’s (i.e., spouse, parent, son or daughter) active duty or call to active duty in the Armed Forces in support of a contingency operation plan.

APWU, NALC Sue USPS & Inspector General Over Invasion of Medical-Records Privacy

(01/18/08) The American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers have filed suit against the Postal Service and the Office of Inspector General for systematic and widespread intrusions into the medical records of postal employees. The complaint, filed Jan. 17, asserts that, beginning in 2006, the USPS Office of Inspector General began surreptitiously seeking and obtaining the medical records of postal workers directly from doctors and hospitals that had provided medical services to postal employees. [full story]

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Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-R) has signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 4236,

the Mail Network Protection Act introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA).

Congressman Chris Smith and Local APWU President Bill Lewis discussed this legislation in mid December.

Bill Lewis is pleased that the congressman will support this bill. Congressman Smith has always been a friend and supporter of the American Postal Workers Union.

House ‘Mail Network Protection Act’Gains Seven Co-Sponsors Prior to Holiday Break
(12/26/07) Seven U.S. representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 4236, the Mail Network Protection Act introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA). Introduced in the House on Nov. 15, the bill would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before engaging in significant subcontracting. [full story]

APWU-Backed Bill Introduced in Congress

Legislation Would Require Bargaining Over Subcontracting
(11/16/07) The APWU won a significant victory on Nov. 15, when Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced legislation that would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before making a commitment to significant subcontracting. H.R. 4236 would require the USPS to submit to arbitration if management and the affected unions were unable to reach agreement. The APWU has been strenuously advocating such legislation for several months. [full story]

2008 Election Belongs to You

“Don’t you dare let them take this election away from you,”

Bill Clinton told more than 3,000 APWU members in a spirited, wide-ranging speech to the union’s All-Craft Conference Nov. 5 in Las Vegas.

The former president urged postal workers to help choose leaders who will tackle our biggest problems at home and abroad, and told them we will solve the problems of the 21st Century only when we recognize that “our common humanity is more important than our differences.”

Click here to download
President Clinton’s speech,
including brief introductory remarks by APWU President William Burrus.

[5MB Windows Media audio file, 41 minutes]

Burrus Outlines Ambitious Agenda at All-Craft Conference
Union Must Embrace Change, APWU President Declares
(11/08/07) APWU President William Burrus outlined an ambitious agenda for the union’s future in a speech to the All-Craft Conference on Nov. 7. Urging conference participants to embrace change in a time of challenge, Burrus announced plans to hire five grassroots organizers to help implement the union’s legislative program, and unveiled plans to better communicate with far-flung union members via the Internet. [full story]

Union Condemns Postal Service Invitation To ‘Ignore Agreements’
(10/31/07) APWU President William Burrus has criticized the outcome of a meeting of 700 USPS executives, at which participants were invited to identify the best opportunities for improving postal efficiency. According to a USPS News Link report dated Oct. 18, among the top vote-getters were managing sick leave and overtime, and maximizing the use of non-career employees. [full story]

APWU Goes High-Tech
Union Web Site Now Features Membership Info
(06/27/07) A new section of the APWU Web site allows union members to review their membership information, find out how to contact their union representatives, and — in the coming weeks — will permit members to register online for national conferences and training seminars. [full story]

NBA Wilson Resigns
(05/23/07) National Business Agent Eric M. Wilson has announced he will resign his position, effective May 25, 2007. Wilson, who has served as NBA “A” in the Clerk Division for the Philadelphia Region since 1994, is resigning for personal reasons. [full story]

Breaking News

PostalProfiles.com (Postal MySpace) Launches
PostalMag.com owner Tom Wakefield has launched PostalProfiles.com, a powerful social networking platform for postal people. He is asking for 100 people to sign up to start using and testing the site. Shortly thereafter, the site will open to unlimited registrations. The new site allows members to create their own blogs, post unlimited photos and much more. More information... - Comments

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Postal News

USPS should take 'service' out of its name

Long lines, no stamp vending machines, fewer window clerks, they want you to buy your stamps at your local supermarket or online. Perhaps it is time for the United States Postal Service to change its name to the United States Postal Company.

Post Office surcharge could slash Netflix profit

Netflix Inc., the largest US mail-order movie-rental service, may suffer a cut in profit if the US Postal Service starts charging extra to manually sort the envelopes that carry its DVDs, a Citigroup Inc. analyst said.

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Articles

Ventilation Filtration System VFS

By Gary Kloepfer

Automated Postal Centers

Installed in Trenton P&DC Main Office Window

Which Re-Hab or District employee will scab our work?

Could this be the first grievance when the building reopens?

Administrative Leave

The following information is provided to assist locals

in documenting Administrative Leave grievances.

12/60 Work Limitations and the

Appropriate Remedy for Exceeding the Ceiling