[July 30th]

Come to the Labor Day Parade!

Pittsburgh is traditionally home to one of the nation's largest Labor Day Parades,
and Pittsburgh Metro is one of the best represented unions in the parade year after year....
(read entire report)

        [July 26th]

Management Announces Excessing at GMF and BMC

At the Labor-Management meeting July 24, 2002, management announced that there will be excessing of junior clerks from both the GMF and the BMC.

Postal management claims that the GMF excessing is the result of a "loss of work" at that facility. There are at least 62 casual clerks in the building. The contract requires the separation of all casuals before a full-time clerk can be excessed. There will be no reduction in supervisory jobs.

At the BMC, management anticipates the installation of the SSIU will cause the loss of 40 clerk jobs in that facility. There are seven casual clerks in the building. Management did not have the particulars at this time.

Management has changed the reporting area for three Unit 13 clerks, having them report to the Oakland station, in violation of the contract. They would not confirm or deny the rumor of a further increase in bids at the Oakland station.

Three part-time regular clerks will be reporting to the GMF on this Saturday as a result of management removing DBCS machines from Pleasant Hills.

When management is done moving the furniture at the GMF, we will have in place, seven OCRs, two BCS machines, two FSM1000s, and 38 DBCSs.

We have requested further meetings and a great deal of information. We will keep you informed as new information becomes available.

        [July 22nd]

Butler Staffing

Last month, President Rosemary Penascino and Business Agent Pat Meanor, along with Butler steward Gloria Spiece met with management to discuss proposed staffing changes.

The result: Three new Level 6 SMP bids will be posted.



Pat Meanor, Gloria Speice, Rose Penascino

        [July 22nd]

L&DC Meeting

On June 28, 2002, members from the Pittsburgh L&DC met with President Penascino and Business Agent Meanor to discuss their first contract. Some of our new members have never had an opportunity to belong to a union in the past, and they expressed uncertainty about having rights on the job.

Many were former Emery employees who had become used to having supervisors standing over them and pushing them to work harder. An interesting exchange took place among postal employees and former Emery employees.

The recent decision involving the dispute between mailhandlers and clerks for three-digit sortation at the PMPCs does not affect the L&DCs. Contrary to information that was circulated, Arbitrator Benn made it clear that his decision is to be applied to only the eight priority centers. As we anticipate presenting Pittsburgh's case for three-digit sortation, we welcome all of our new members at the Pittsburgh L&DC into our union family.



First row: Mark Shaefer, Dave, Jim;
Second row: Mark Degonish, Bethany Snyder, Ed, Todd;
Last row: Steward Joe DiSalvo

        [July 18th]

Solidarity Picnic Photo Gallery

We've got some really nice photographs up on a special page that you can access from the Events page, or take the short cut and visit the Picnic Photo Gallery right from here!

Chances are you'll see a face you recognize or one that you haven't seen in a very long time, so go ahead, click on over.

        [July 6th]

2002 PMAPWU Annual Solidarity Picnic

We are happy to announce that the 2002 PMAPWU Annual Solidarity Picnic was another resounding success. Picnic activities included a water balloon toss, jazz with Rodney McCoy, a hula hoop contest, bingo, gin rummy, prize drawings, clowns, a balloon lady, face caricature artists, psychic readings, a money wheel, 50/50 raffles, WAMO disc jockey Nick Nice and pony rides. The Committee arranged for our members to get tickets to the waterpark at $9.00 per person, and it was a great day for water rides. It was a day of fun for the whole family.

Over $1,200 was raised for the Patrick McShane scholarship fund. To read about the games and the winners, visit the Events page.

        [July 5th]

Enter to Win Free Circus Tickets for the Kids!

We've been sent 112 free tickets to the July Sterling and Reid Brothers Circus. The tickets are for kids only, age 12 and under, worth $7 each. Sorry, grownups, you'll have to buy your own tickets!

A random drawing at the Union Hall will award 4 kids tickets to each union member winner. Your entry (name, address and phone number) must be received Friday, July 12, 12 Noon (mail your entry to PMAPWU, 400 Epicenter, 1414 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh PA 15212). If you're a winner, we'll call and let you know you've won; tickets will be mailed that day. Here are the circus details:

STERLING AND REID BROS. 3-RING CIRCUS Friday, July 19, 7:30 PM -- Saturday, July 20, 2:30 & 7:30 PM; Sunday, July 21, 1:30 & 5:30 PM 100 Performers! Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Horses! Motorcycle Daredevils! Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena

All tickets are general admission; admission and seating are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Arrive early to obtain a great view of the action!
Kids' tickets cost $7 each; Adult tickets costs $20 each.