[April 16th]

For Transitional Employees Represented by the APWU:

The Postal Service and APWU (American Postal Workers Union) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) providing TE's with two opportunities to take entrance exams for career positions. TE's must be in a craft represented by the APWU (clerk, maintenance, motor vehicle service), must have completed 180 days of employment as a TE, and must still be employed. They may take two different entrance exams (e.g. one battery, one automotive mechanic, or Data Conversion Operator) or the same exam twice (e.g. the battery exam twice). Passing scores will be placed on the register in accordance with the competitive selection procedures. If a TE has a previous test score, the higher the previous test score or the TE testing score becomes the valid score for hiring purposes.

Any previous testing in a general announcement to the public does not count as a TE testing opportunity under this Memorandum of Understanding.

These provisions do not include former TE's, TE carriers or TE's employed at the REC site. TE's at the REC Site are covered by separate guidelines.

All requests are submitted to:

ATTENTION: DOROTHY AUBRECHT
GENERAL MAIL FACILITY
HUMAN RESOURCES, ROOM 2337
1001 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
PITTSBURGH, PA 15290-9421

All requests must include the following information:

NAME
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
MAILING ADDRESS
CRAFT/LOCATION
EXAM TYPE REQUESTING

All requests must be submitted in Human Resources no later than close of business on Wednesday, April 10, 2002.

        [April 4th]

Check the Status of your Tax Return

Are you wondering how much longer it will take to recieve your refund from the IRS? Wonder no more... if you are expecting a refund, you can call 1–800–829–4477 to check on it.

You will need: your social security number, filing status and the exact amount of your anticipated refund.

        [April 4th]

Daylight Savings starts April 7th

Don't forget... daylight savings time starts this weekend, at 2:00 AM, April 7th. Make sure you change your clocks... your computer will take care of itself!

        [April 2nd]

Living Wage Update

Pittsburgh's Living Wage Ordinance is under attack! Mayor Murphy is introducing legislation today to kill Pittsburgh's Living Wage Ordinance due to take affect April 1, 2002. Never a supporter of Living Wage, the mayor has been busy surveying employers (not low-wage workers of course) and organizing business oppositions to the Living Wage law. The Chamber of Commerce and Mellon Bank have made stopping Living Wage their number one priority!

In February, City Council President Gene Ricciardi requested the city administration and the Western PA Living Wage Campaign submit position papers on the Living Wage law. Nearly 30 faith, labor, community and student organizations from the Campaign responded in support of the law. The mayor's office submitted a binder filled with many factual misrepresentations of the bill, so called independent research sited by the Employment Policies Institute (a Restaurant Association funded research outfit taking the lead against the Living Wage), letters from the local banks and other employers, and more.

The Living Wage issue is a clear case of "Which side are you on?". Will our elected representatives stand up for working people and accountable taxpayer investments or will they choose the side of business interests?

Let your voice be heard! Contact the mayor and city council members with your opinion, write a letter to the editor, join in upcoming Living Wage Campaign actions and events, and make a contribution to keep the campaign going!!

As taken from the Western Pennsylvania Living Wage Campaign written on March 19, 2002

        [April 1st]

National Executive Board Recall Ruling

When the new National Executive Board of the APWU made one of their first orders of business to hold a trial in Pittsburgh, I chose to be optimistic and trust that I would be given a fair hearing. Obviously, I was wrong to trust in the NEB to be fair.

It appears that those of you who warned me that the fix was in, were right. The desperation of the NEB is evident in their need for haste. They have given the Local just ten days to write up a procedure to be followed to hold the election. The election is to be completed within the next 60 days.

As many of you know, I have filed charges of serious misconduct against members of our Local Executive Board. Some of these individuals have ties at the National level. Apparently my charges have hit a nerve and caused some concern at the National level.

The NEB has not provided me with a copy of the decision of the hearing officer in this case. They have not provided me with a list of the charges of serious misconduct that I have been proven guilty of. My appeal rights include taking their decision to the floor of the National Convention in August. It is apparent that the NEB intends to deny me my appeal rights, as well, and railroad this election through before the Convention ever takes place.

With no finding of guilt of misconduct on my part, the NEB ruled that a recall election will be held in Pittsburgh.

By law and by the APWU National Constitution, I am to be given an opportunity to defend myself against the charges. It is impossible to provide a defense when no one will tell me what it is that I am supposed to have done wrong.

In issuing their decision, the NEB ruled against the eyewitness testimony of 72 Pittsburgh Metro members-in-good-standing who refuted all of the testimony given by the three charging-party witnesses.

In issuing their decision, the NEB has violated Federal law and the APWU National Constitution and By-Laws. Both require that before a recall election can take place against an elected union official, that person must be found guilty of serious misconduct. In my case, all charges against me have been dismissed by both an Impartial Hearing Officer and the NEB.

Fortunately for me, you will be the ultimate decision-makers in this case. Over the next two months, you will be provided with the facts, and a ballot. Your vote will then decide whether or not I am to be permitted to complete my term in office.

This same group chased out one former President who was placed in office by you, the membership. You will now decide whether or not they succeed this time.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Rosemary Penascino
President

        [April 1st]

Compensation Case

A wrongfully accused clerk with 22 years of experience has won her Unemployment Compensation from Postal Management at the Pittsburgh General Mail Facility. The referee ruled that she was indeed available for suitable work and genuinely attached to the labor force. He also ruled that the Postal Service was well aware of her ill health and found that working conditions and scheduling, as set by Postal Management, affected her health negatively.

Our thanks to Advocate Rheba Salac for the time and effort contributed on behalf of this deserving member.