[November 27th]

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Members!

        [November 24th]

Trial Period Set for New Automated Call-off RMD System

The USPS plans to roll out the first test phase of a new automated telephone call-off program for unscheduled absences next month in Boston. This system will respond to voice or touch-tone phone buttons being pressed, and will record all pertinent information. The same individuals who were previously responsible for making decisions regarding leave approval and all other aspects of leave usage will still be in that position.

Once the Pilot Test Phase is complete, sometime around the end of January 2004, it is expected to roll out in additional areas starting in February of 2004. Some calls will be recorded for the purposes of improving the system quality, but the employee will be notified at the beginning of the call. When the implementation schedule is finalized, it will be made available, so we have no way to know when Pittsburgh P&DC will be put online.

Read the letter from Doug Tulino, Manager of Labor Relations and Policy, to Vince Palladino, President of NAPS. The letter is in PDF form on the NAPS site.

        [November 20th]

Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period Set

There are four consecutive service weeks each year during which penalty overtime regulations are not applicable.

This four-week period is referenced in Article 8 (Sections 4 and 5) of the National Agreement. This year, the time period during which penalty overtime regulations are not applicable begins with Pay Period 26-2003, week 2 (Dec. 6, 2003), and ends with Pay Period 02-2004, week 1 (Jan. 2, 2004).

        [November 8th]

VERA Interim Decision Received, District Court Denies Injunction

In a preliminary decision, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton denied the APWU’s motion to compel the Postal Service to immediately arbitrate our grievances over the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) program. Still pending before the court is the APWU’s request that the court order the Postal Service to submit the parties' dispute over VERA to arbitration.

In reaching its conclusion, the court relied on the fact that the Postal Service's VER authority extends until Dec. 31, 2004, and that employees’ rights would not be impaired until that authority expires. (When the union filed its petition to compel arbitration, the Postal Service’s authority to grant voluntary early retirement was set to expire Sept. 30.)

Walton's decision postpones for two months the question of whether the court will compel arbitration of the APWU's dispute with the Postal Service over the VER program. The judge wrote that if he ultimately orders arbitration of the dispute, he will reconsider the union's request to order expedited arbitration.

From the Burrus Update#24 available online. Visit this page for further details.

        [November 5th]

Attention GMF Clerks: CL03 11 Bid Postings Contain Errors

Initial Posting of CLO3 11 Notice of Clerk Craft Vacancies - BID NOTICES contained errors.

CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN POSTED.

Corrected non-scheduled days are contained within newly created Tour I Manual Operations duty assignments.

Due to these corrections, CLO3 11 bidding will remain open through November 13, 2003.

        [November 5th]

PostalEASE & Open Season Changes

Open season is November 10, 2003 to 5:00 PM Central time December 9, 2003.

For the first time, health benefits open season changes will be done using PostalEASE.
The SF 2809, health benefits election form will no longer be used. The 2004 guide to federal employees health benefit plans with new information is being mailed to all eligible employees and contains the health benefits worksheet.

Enrollment changes and new enrollments made during the 2003 open season will be effective January 10, 2004 (pay period 03-04). New premium payments will be reflected in your paycheck dated January 30, 2004.

Do you know your PostalEASE PIN? If you do, great. This year, USPS employees need to use PostalEASE during health benefits open season, Nov. 10 to Dec. 9. That's right— if you're enrolling, changing enrollment or canceling enrollment, you need to use Posta1EASE. And to use PostalEASE, you need to know your PIN... or at least know where it is.

If you don't know your PIN, don't panic. USPS mailed it to you in an envelope marked "Read Immediately, PostalEASE Information Enclosed." Many employees received their PIN in mid-May 1999. Newer employees received it after that date. Check your records. If you can't find the letter, just call PostalEASE at 877-4PS-EASE (877-477-3273). Follow the prompts to have your PostalEASE PIN mailed to your address of record. Allow up to two weeks to receive this mailing.

Important: Don't wait. You might miss the open season deadline by the time you receive you PIN!

        [November 4th]

Contact LifeCare® Today for Your Free Child Safety Kit

Most childhood accidents and injuries are preventable. If you have a child under the age of three, LifeCare, a USPS-paid benefit, can provide you with information and referrals related to parenting and child care, plus a free Child Safety Kit. The Kit contains educational materials and products that help parents keep their young children safe.

For more information on how to get your free Child Safety Kit, visit
the Child Safety Kit page on our site.

        [November 3rd]

PTF Clerks in Associate Offices

The settlement between the USPS and Jim McCarthy, APWU Clerk Craft Director should answer some common questions you might have about working in installations other than the employing office. This "landmark agreement" settles disputes on so-called 'Loaner Clerks.'

When PTF clerks are assigned work in offices outside their 'employ office,' they are entitled to mileage and/or travel time as each particular circumstance warrants.

Please visit the PTF AO Frequently Asked Questions page on our site.

        [November 3rd]

Attention MVS Craft Members:

On Friday, November 7, 2003 National Craft Director Robert Pritchard and National Business Agent Russ Knepp will be visiting Pittsburgh.

BMC:They are scheduled to arrive at 7:30 am.
Northside VMF:They are scheduled to arrive at 10:00 am.
GMF:They are scheduled to arrive at 11:30 am.

        [November 3rd]

Interested in Being A Steward?

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 6:30 P.M. at the Letter Carriers' Hall

Pittsburgh Metro Area Postal Workers Union is inviting any member interested in becoming a Union Steward to attend the November 15th Executive Council Meeting at 6:30 pm.

We are also inviting all non-members as guests to attend our regular membership meeting at 7:30 pm.

        [November 3rd]

Pittsburgh Panthers Men's Hockey Team Supports Labor

The University of Pittsburgh Panthers Men's Hockey team is supporting Labor and has invited PMAPWU members to attend their contest against Toledo University on Friday, November 7, 2003 at the Airport Ice Arena in Moon Township.

A limited amount of Family Guest Coupons have been provided for free admittance with Union I.D.

If you are interested, please contact your steward or call the office.