by Bill Lewis, APWU President, Trenton, NJ #1020

Anthrax Travel Grievance

An agreement has been reached in the Anthrax Travel Grievance.  On Wednesday, November 22, 2006 the parties finalized an agreement. This agreement is only for the employees of the Trenton P&DC who were displaced when the Trenton P&DC was closed due to Anthrax.  This settlement is compensation for time traveled to temporary duty assignments outside the local commuting area.

The agreement provides for the members of the Trenton Local to be compensated 5.300,000.00 dollars.  Payment will be in the December 15, 2006 paycheck.

The full text of the settlement is on the Trenton’s Web Page

There were many lawsuits and grievances filed.  All grievances and court actions are resolved by this global settlement.  The following should help clarify the settlement and the allocations of the settlement funds.

Employees of the Trenton P & DC reassigned to the following work locations:

Edison                                             Toms River
South River                                      Lakewood
New Brunswick                                 Monmouth

shall be compensated for travel time spent to those locations.

EDISON/SOUTH RIVER/MONMOUTH/NEW BRUNSWICK/TOMS RIVER:

Payment for time spent traveling for the period shall be in excess of twenty (20) calendar days. Compensation shall be determined as follows:

Payment shall be based upon a prorated number of days worked (and traveling) calculated in ten (10) day increments.

The following are examples:

John Doe worked 215 days, he falls in the 211-220 bracket and he  shall receive $ 8,775.00

Mary Doe worked 241 days, She falls in the 241-250 bracket and shall receive $ 10,125.00

This period encompasses a total of 27 pay periods from PP 23/2001 through PP 23/2002.

EDISON:

This portion of the settlement is for employees assigned to the Kilmer P&DC after the opening of the interim Trenton Facility / Monroe IMF.  This period encompasses a total of 61 pay periods from PP 25/2002 through PP 6/2005.

$100.00 per each week in a pay status.

LAKEWOOD:

This portion of the settlement is for employees assigned to the Lakewood and or Kilmer VMF when the Trenton VMF was closed for the decontamination of the Trenton P&DC.

Payment shall be based upon a prorated number of days worked (and traveling) calculated in ten (10)-day increments for pay periods PP 10/2003 through PP 10/2004. This period encompasses a total of 26 pay periods. 

For the period of PP 11/2004 through PP 24/2004 employees shall be compensated at $100.00 per each week in a pay status.

MONROE:

Employees of the Trenton P&DC reassigned to the Monroe work location – on the rolls of the Trenton P&DC as of October 18, 2001- shall each be paid an equal lump sum payment of fifteen hundred dollars $1,500.00.

The parties began negotiations back in July 2006 and had many discussions and arguments. During this period I uncovered 60 members missing from the list of employees the USPS presented, missing were CFS, BMEU, Office personnel and customer service employees assigned to the P&DC.  How I found these missing members was to cross check the dues check off.   I have convinced the USPS that some employees may still be missing and they have agreed to compensate the employee in the same method as the other members.  This said employee bears the responsibility to produce the evidence that they traveled to the above referenced locations.

I never forgot our former members or members who are now deceased.  Checks are being issued to these individuals or their families.  Checks will be sent to their last known address.  If you are getting email, please reach out to me and advise me of any changes.  If you do not get the check please advise me ASAP.  You only have 4 months to make a claim for your portion.  I will personally follow up with deceased member’s families.

The full text of the settlement is on the Local’s Web Page

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Happy Holidays