Updated 3-12-06

submitted to Postal Reporter by San Diego Area Local President Rick Cornelius.- The National Reassessment Process (formally known as the Out Placement Pilot Program) reached a critical point on 2-28-06 in San Diego.  Twenty-seven (27) Clerk Craft employees had their rehabilitation job offers withdrawn, employee identification badges confiscated and escorted to the exit door by management.  This Union was there to represent the rights of the Union Members during the process.  I personally participated in twelve (12) of the reassessment interviews.  One way or another the National Reassessment Program impacts all members of this Union.  Prior to this event San Diego had been going through the National Reassessment Process with no withdrawal of injured employees job offers.
 
The San Diego Area Local National Reassessment Process Committee met on 3-10-06 to develop our strategy to fight against the Postal Service’s implementation of the National Reassessment Process.  In attendance at the committee meeting was APWU National Business Agent Leonard Trujillo, APWU President Rick Cornelius, Vice President Jim Roland, Chief Shop Steward Will Tagart,  Shop Stewards Eddie Copper, Tammy Yorysh, Trustee Tom Donahue and Clerk Craft Director Gwen Wills.  Federal Law, contract language and Postal regulations were debated.  Four hours later the Committee had a plan developed to challenge the Postal Service on the improper interpretation and application of federal law, contract language and postal manuals.  When all investigations are completed and grievance strategy finalized an update will be given to the membership. APWU National Human Relations Director Sue Carney will be in San Diego before the end of March 2006 to assist this Union with our final legal strategy.
 
The San Diego Area Local is several thousand square miles in territory with 38 Installations and 67 Facilities, total of 105 postal buildings, including MLS P&DC, Midway P&DF, AMF, city stations and county offices. The San Diego Area Local has been publishing articles in our newsletter on the National Reassessment Process program for the last six months.  For those people who think the Union is doing nothing I suggest you start reading your newsletters.  For those of you in San Diego who don’t get a newsletter I got a message for you, JOIN THE UNION and stay informed.   As President, I disseminate information via office visits, bulletin boards and membership meetings. Many people are misinformed because they don’t take the time to read the newsletters or come to membership meetings.

This was the first time APWU represented employees have had their job offers withdrawn in this type of Postal Service program.  In Long Island and Buffalo New York no APWU represented employees had their job offers withdrawn with the “Out Placement Pilot Program.” The San Diego Area Local will not act irrationally to the current situation.  This Union will only proceed with our legal challenge to the National Reassessment Process after full review of the facts by the San Diego Area Local National Reassessment Process Committee, APWU National Headquarters and APWU National Legal Counsel.
 
APWU President Rick Cornelius
San Diego Area Local 197
 
For current updated information on the National Reassessment Process in San Diego visit this web site http://www.apwu197.org/