THE BULLETIN BOARD
December 2006
[December 15th]Arbitration Case Has Concluded
The arbitration hearing in the casual-in-lieu-of grievance for the Clerk Craft, P&DC, concluded Thursday, December 14, 2006. This was the third day of hearing in this matter.
Post-hearing written briefs are due on March 2, 2007.
We will advise you when the Arbitrator's award is received.
[December 14th]For All of the News in the Making...
- Want to know what changes in the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement (TA) actually provide before you vote on ratification?
- Want to know the latest update on reassigning P&DC clerks and the forecasted timetables?
- Interested in impending duty assignment changes, abolishment(s), and staffing adjustments within the P&DC?
- Curious about what effects the radical TA changes regarding casual usage could bring?
Numerous changes are upon us either via Article 12, PARS, and/or terms of the TA that will affect, directly or indirectly every member of the PMAPWU.
The preponderance of these changes will be evidenced within the clerk craft at the P&DC, Stations and Branch staffing included.
Changes are also expected via internal dealings with the REC and via TA in the L&DC and BMC.
Officers will be available Monday December 18, 2006 to address any member or group of members' concerns at our Headquarters Office from 7:00 AM till 7:00 PM and beyond if members are present.
We encourage you to stop in at your convenience; no appointment necessary.
[December 13th]APWU Members to Vote on Tentative 4-Year Agreement
APWU News Bulletin #14-2006
With a mailing set to begin on Dec. 18, the referendum process concerning the tentative 2006-2010 APWU-USPS contract has begun.
The single-question ballot offers a choice of Yes or No on a tentative agreement that would run from Nov. 21, 2006, to Nov. 20, 2010. Completed ballots must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 9, when the vote count will take place.
The ratification mailing includes a summary of the changes, a copy of the tentative agreement, a ballot, a return envelope, the statement of the Rank-and- File Bargaining Advisory Committee, and a letter from APWU President William Burrus.
The Rank-and-File Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 7 to approve the tentative agreement. In accordance with Article 13.9.C of the APWU Constitution, the committee must approve a tentative agreement before members are given the opportunity to vote on it. The panel is also responsible for supervising the vote.
The referendum mailing to APWU members will take place Dec. 18-20. Returned ballots must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The vote-count will begin immediately.
If you have not received a ballot by Dec. 26, contact the American Arbitration Association at 800-529-5218 to request a duplicate. (You also may make the request via e-mail to apwu@adr.org.)
Provide your name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your craft, and your mailing address.
[December 6th]APWU, USPS Reach Tentative Agreement
from APWU Web News Article #81-06
Negotiators for the APWU and U.S. Postal Service have reached a tentative four-year contract agreement, APWU President William Burrus has announced.
"This is an outstanding agreement that protects the rights and interests of postal workers and the American people," he said.
"The new contract will be presented to the Rank-and-File Bargaining Committee on Thursday, Dec. 7. Upon their approval, specific terms of the agreement will be announced," the union president said. Under the terms of the APWU Constitution, a majority of the committee must approve any tentative agreement before it can be sent to union members for a ratification vote.
"I want to publicly thank the members of the APWU bargaining committee, including Craft Directors McCarthy, Raymer, and Pritchard; the Industrial Relations Department, under the direction of Director Greg Bell, and Executive Vice President Cliff Guffey, for their involvement in the bargaining process and for their professional guidance," Burrus said. "The bargaining results are a testament to their dedication. Secretary-Treasurer Terry Stapleton and his department also provided important assistance."
"A voluntary agreement is still possible, but we must move forward to achieve a new contract."
"I thank the members of the APWU for their continued support and commitment to the APWU."
[December 1st]Union Instructs Lawyers to Prepare for Arbitration
from APWU Web News Article #78-06
Although a voluntary agreement is still possible, APWU President William Burrus has instructed the union's attorneys to make initial preparations for arbitration. In a telephone message to union members on Nov. 29, the union president said, "We must move forward to achieve a new contract."
The full text of President Burrus message is below:
"This is Bill Burrus, president of APWU, reporting to the membership on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006. Negotiations have continued following the holiday weekend, but we have yet to find agreement on important issues of wages, benefits and working conditions. The parties are in general agreement on the provisions that must be resolved, but to date we have been unable to find common ground."
"Important issues are at stake as we address the fundamental subjects of employment, and final agreement has been difficult to achieve. I have avoided setting artificial deadlines as long as we are engaged in positive discussions, but I have now directed our legal counsel to take the initial steps to prepare for arbitration."
"A voluntary agreement is still possible, but we must move forward to achieve a new contract."
"Thank you for calling in, and keep the faith."
The toll-free number for the APWU Contract Negotiations Hotline is 800-992-APWU (or 800-992-2798).
[December 1st]APWU Health Plan: Health Benefits Open Season
November 13 - December 11, 2006
The APWU Health Plan for 2007 offers outstanding benefits while holding the line on employees' premium costs. Not only is it one of the most competitive in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, one month's union dues are waived for new Health Plan members who belong to the APWU. APWU Health Plan is the best deal in FEHB - APWU Health Plan believes in making healthcare affordable, and it will be hard to beat the price in 2007.
Consumer Driven Health Plan: In a recent survey, Consumer Driven Option members said that what they like best is the low premium costs, the fact that there are no co-pays or other out-of-pocket expenses with the Personal Care Account, and that they have the ability to roll over unused PCA benefit dollars to the next year. For 2007 the cost is the same as it was in 2006.
High Option: You receive low costs and high quality, too, with the High Option, which is consistently one of the highest rated health plans in the government's comparison of health plans in FEHB. With the lost cost this year, you get outstanding coverage at a price that is an absolute bargain.
How to Enroll: Complete a Health Benefits Registration Form (SF 2809) by calling PostalEASE at 877-477-3273. You must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in order to enroll. You can also enroll on the PostalEASE Employee Web on the Intranet( from the Blue Pages) if you have access. For questions about either way of enrolling, contact your local personnel office.
The enrollment options are: High Option Self Only (471); High Option Self and Family (472); Consumer Driven Health Plan Self Only (474); and Consumer Driven Health Plan Self and Family (475).
Read the summary fact sheet for the APWU Health Plan— print it out and use it to compare!
Past Issues of the Bulletin Board
[November 2006]
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