PostalReporter.com Blog

 NPMHU: The month of November presents several financial opportunities for all mail handlers.

 First, the Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) is scheduled for November 13 through December 11, 2006.  As this issue of the Mail Handler UPDATE was going to press, the NPMHU National Union was advised that, because of delays in the printing and distribution of FEHBP open season materials, the open season for USPS employees has been extended until 5:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) on December 29, 2006. (Please note that this notice does not affect the open season dates for FEDVIP enrollment.)  During this open season, employees may make any one, or a combination of, the following changes to their health insurance:  enroll if not enrolled; cancel enrollment; change from one plan to another or from one option to another; change from Self to Self and Family, or from Self and Family to Self; and change from pre-tax to post-tax payment of health insurance premiums, or vice versa.  All of these open season changes may be made using PostalEase, and would be effective starting on January 6, 2007.

Also available this year - to all mail handlers, as well as all other federal and postal employees - are supplemental dental and vision insurance programs.  Starting this year, mail handlers can choose among plans sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management through the new Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.  These plans are optional, with all premiums paid by the employee without any subsidy from the Postal Service.  Questions can be addressed to the customer service representatives at 1-877-888-3337.  Supplemental dental and vision plans also are sponsored by the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan and Coventry/First Health, and may be used by mail handlers who are members of the NPMHU even if they do not enroll in health insurance sponsored by the MHBP.  More information on the MHBP supplemental plans is available at the MHBP website, www.mhbp.com, or at 1-800-254-0227.

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 GAO Comptroller General David M. Walker has laid out a list of priorities for oversight in the 110th Congress. Walker recommended that one of the priorities in the New Coingress should be to “Transform the Postal Service’s Business Model.”

Here is what Walker said about the Postal Service in his November 17, 2006 letter to lawmakers:

The U.S. Postal Service is under increasing financial pressure as the Internet, electronic bill payment, and growing competition from private delivery companies change the nation’s communication and delivery sectors and negatively impact mail volumes. These changes raise questions about the role of the federal government in providing postal services and whether the Postal Service can remain a self-financing government provider of affordable universal postal services in the 21st century. The Postal Service’s business model, established when it was reorganized in 1970, relies upon growth in mail volume to cover the costs of its ever-increasing nationwide delivery network to all homes and businesses. This business model is increasingly outmoded as First-Class Mail volume declines and the changing mail mix provides less revenue contribution, which has put the Postal Service’s financial viability at risk. The Service is working to cut costs, improve productivity, reduce its workforce, and make other changes under its existing authority. However, comprehensive postal reform legislation is needed to provide the necessary incentives and flexibilities needed for the Service to transition to a modernized business model so that it can continue providing high-quality, universal postal services.

Key Topics Needing Congressional Oversight

• Ensure that the Postal Service maintains services consistent with its standards as it implements changes to reduce costs related to providing postal services.
• Assess the Postal Service’s changes to its mail processing and transportation networks to ensure that they are reasonable, transparent, and coordinated with affected stakeholders, and that they achieve intended cost savings and efficiencies.
• Adopt flexible, performance-oriented, and market-based compensation systems for postal employees.

Suggested Areas for Oversight for the 110th Congress (PDF)

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Archive: “In April 2001, GAO designated U.S. Postal Service’s transformation efforts and long-term outlook as a high-risk area due to growing risk that the Service would not be able to continue providing universal postal service at reasonable rates while remaining self-supporting through postal revenues. This inclusion on GAO’s high-risk list was intended to focus needed attention on the dilemmas facing the Service before the situation escalates into a crisis, where the options for action may be more limited and costly.”  PDF (1/25/05) (note: GAO is expected to update its high-risk list early next year)

From NALC: Urgent bargaining update: NALC and the U.S. Postal Service have agreed to extend negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement until midnight on Thursday, November 30, 2006. “As long as there is any reasonable hope for a negotiated settlement,” President William Young remarked, “we will do everything in our power to achieve one.”

From APWU: Next Contract Negotiations Update November 29, 2006

(USPS News Link) The Postal Service and its four largest unions have agreed to extend contract negotiations to 3 p.m. today in hopes of reaching negotiated settlements. The current contracts expired at midnight last night with the National Association of Letter Carriers, American Postal Workers Union, National Rural Letter Carrier’s Association and National Postal Mail Handlers Union. The Postal Service and the four unions formally opened national contract negotiations in August. This year was the first time new contracts were negotiated separately at the same time with all four of the unions.

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From NALC: Urgent bargaining update: NALC has agreed to extend bargaining until 3 p.m. ET today, November 21, 2006. However, President Young is not optimistic a negotiated agreement can be reached. More details will follow.

From NPMHU: BARGAINING EXTENDED PAST MIDNIGHT DEADLINE Negotiations over the terms of the 2006 National Agreement continue.  The deadline for negotiations – initially set at midnight on Monday, November 20, 2006 – has been extended by the NPMHU and the Postal Service, in order to make every possible effort to reach a negotiated settlement.  Negotiations last night continued well past the midnight deadline, and will continue at least through the day on Tuesday, November 21, and perhaps longer.  The parties continue to discuss a host of important and complicated issues.  The negotiations are at a very delicate stage, and as of this writing (before daybreak on Tuesday), it still is impossible to tell whether an overall deal is likely.

APWU News

(11/20/06) APWU President William Burrus has told union members that progress toward an agreement had been made, but that “important issues remain that have not been finalized.” The parties will continue discussions on Nov. 21. “The terms of the new contract are too important to rush agreement because of an artificial deadline,” he said.

President Burrus’ message is below:

The hour is 12 midnight, Nov. 20, and we do not have a new contract. We have agreed to continue application of the expiring agreement and to continue the discussions tomorrow, Nov. 21. We have made progress, but important issues remain that have not been finalized. The terms of the new contract are too important to rush agreement because of an artificial deadline. I am committed to leaving no stone unturned to seek an agreement that is fair to APWU members.

The Rank-and-File Committee has been requested to return to their homes to enjoy Thanksgiving and to return to Washington upon my call that agreement has been reached or we determine that it is not possible to reach agreement.

Important issues are at stake, affecting the lives of 270,000 APWU-represented employees. The national officers are committed to giving their best effort to achieve a contract that is worthy of your service.

I will be meeting with management representatives tomorrow morning to revisit the issues that separate us, and will report the results of those discussions via the hotline

Be strong, and keep the faith.

The toll-free number for the APWU Contract Negotiations Hotline is 800-992-APWU (or 800-992-2798).

[more contract news] 

                 U.S. Post Office Violet, Louisiana 

                Flickr Photos

Related link:Post Offices affected by Hurricane Katrina

From USPS News Link

LITEBLUE RETIREMENT SEMINAR VIDEO ACCESS.  Were you one of the people who tried to access the Retirement Seminar on LiteBlue from a postal computer? If so, you received an “Access Denied” error message. That’s because streaming video from an outside site can’t be accessed internally from your USPS computer. If you follow the instructions in the article and log onto LiteBlue from your home Internet connection, you can view the seminar.

USPS Retirement Planning Information Online

APWU Web News Article #73-06, Nov. 19, 2006

(11/19/06) In a telephone message on the eve of the expiration of the contract, APWU President William Burrus told union members that although final agreement is beyond reach at this time, “I am convinced that agreement is possible.” Negotiations are continuing, he said, with health benefits and wages dominating the discussions.

The full text of President Burrus’ message is below:

This is Bill Burrus, reporting to you on the eve of the expiration of the contract.  Tomorrow is Nov. 20, and the contract expires at midnight .  The APWU negotiating team continues to advance the issues of postal employees and some progress is being made.  Several tentative agreements have been reached, but there will be no final agreement unless there is an entire agreement.

Health benefits and wages continue as the priority issues under consideration.  While discussions have been positive, final agreement is beyond our reach at this time.

I have been meeting daily with the Vice President of Labor Relations to identify issues and discuss possibilities.  These meetings will continue through tomorrow, and I am convinced that agreement is possible.

These final 24 hours will be crucial, and I look forward to the challenge of closing the deal.

If a tentative agreement is reached, I will notify you immediately via the hotline.  If we fail, you can be assured that we gave it our best shot.

Thank you for your interest and your commitment to the APWU.

Bill  Burrus, signing off until tomorrow.   

The toll-free number for the APWU Contract Negotiations Hotline is 800-992-APWU (or 800-992-2798).

[more contract news]

The following is a summary of the National Arbitration dealing with the Handbook MS-47, Housekeeping Postal Facilities, via Gary Kloepfer, Assisant Maintenance Director:

Here is the Award Summary in PDF- Please Post

MS-47 Award Received - “Custodial Jobs Protected”

The National arbitration award from Arbitrator Das, dated November 16, 2006, was received by your National Maintenance Officers on November 18, 2006. The long awaited decision rescinded the 2001 MS-47 and restored the 1983 MS-47. The Union’s success could not have been achieved without the dedication and team work of National Maintenance Union Officers at all levels.

Background: The Maintenance Division was informed in August of 2001 of a proposed new MS-47 which the USPS issued in December of 2001. The Union filed a national level grievance challenging the proposed new MS-47. The Union charged that the proposed new MS-47 was not fair, reasonable, and equitable, in violation of Article 19. We also charged the new MS-47 negated the settlement agreement, which established the 1983 MS-47, and National Arbitrator Gamser’s award regarding the MS-47. The USPS replaced staffing documents with a new budget worksheet. The Union advised locals to file grievances at the local level challenging changes to custodial staffing based on the December 2001 MS-47. Many of these grievances are being held in abeyance pending the outcome of this national grievance.

Arbitrator’s Findings: Arbitrator Das rejected the USPS attempts to eliminate custodial work through the ill conceived ‘Budget Worksheet’. He ruled that, ” it is appropriate that the Postal Service be directed to rescind the 2001 MS-47, to reinstate the 1983 MS-47, and to reinstate or prepare staffing packages as soon as practicable. As the Postal Service has stressed, the building inventories still are in use and the performance standards have not been changed. Prior staffing documents based on frequencies determined by the appropriate level of management under the 1983 MS-47 presumably still exists, and can be revised under that handbook where needed. Whether a remedy is appropriate for the intervening period since the implementation of the 2001 MS-47, and, if so what it should be, is a matter remanded to the parties for further discussion. The arbitrator retains jurisdiction over that aspect of the remedy”.

Award Summary: “The Union’s challenge to the revised MS-47 issued by the Postal Service 2001 is sustained on the basis set forth in the above Findings.”

This decision is the third major success for the Maintenance Craft for our Custodians (these awards include: H0C-NA-C-16 (cleaning frequency), I94T-4I-C-98116745 (Line J), and Q98C-4Q-C-020133900 (new MS-47)). This landmark award will continue the protection of our custodial workforce. We are examining the entire decision at the present time and will provide additional information in the near future.

Steve Raymer – Director, Maintenance
Gary Kloepfer – Assistant Director
Greg See – Assistant Director
Idowu Balogun – Nat’l Rep at Large

Full text of the MS-47 Das Arbitration Award [pdf] 

MS-47-Housekeeping-Postal-Facilities-1983.pdf (link added by PostalReporter.com)

The following is press release from the USPS Office of Inspector General:

For Immediate Release (PDF)
November 14, 2006

Discarded Mail at Houston Post Office Leads to Investigation by Office of Inspector General

Houston, TX - Acting on a call to the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline, alleging employee misconduct at the Willow Place Station of the Houston, Texas Post Office, OIG Special Agents initiated an investigation on November 1, 2006. The OIG was responding to the report of instances of intentional discarding and delaying of mail by postal personnel.

The investigation revealed that a number of letter carriers were discarding deliverable mail as Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail (UBBM). Carriers at the station were interviewed and the results of the interviews are being furnished to postal management for consideration of any disciplinary action. Egregious cases will be presented to the United States Attorney for possible criminal prosecution. The OIG is aware of the operational needs of the Post Offices and is working with postal management to ensure mail service will not be disrupted.

The subject mail included periodicals and circulars. No political mailings were delayed or discarded. The ongoing investigation is part of the OIG’s mission of preventing and detecting fraud, waste and misconduct in the Postal Service and promoting the integrity and efficiency of postal programs. The Postal Service’s support was instrumental in this investigative effort.

The majority of postal personnel are dedicated, hardworking public servants whose daily efforts instill trust in America’s postal system.

From the National Postal Mail Handler Union:

Representatives of the NPMHU and the Postal Service continue to meet in an all-out effort to reach a negotiated settlement for a new 2006 National Agreement.  As this week comes to an end, the bargainers have moved into a downtown hotel in Washington, D.C. so that meetings and discussions can continue, as needed, around-the-clock, right up until the current contract’s expiration at midnight on Monday, November 20, 2006.

        To frame the negotiations during the final days, the NPMHU has set forth its on-the-record economic demands.  These proposals include:

• A new National Agreement to cover six years, from November 21, 2006 through November 20, 2012.
• The continuation of general wage increases during each and every year of the contract.
• The continuation of cost-of-living adjustments during each and every year of the contract.
• The maintenance of all current benefits and benefit programs, including the current formula for determining employee contributions for health insurance.
• The implementation of one-level pay upgrades for all Level 4 and Level 5 mail handlers, and other adjustments to the current pay scales.
• The implementation of increases in night shift differential and Sunday premium pay as previously outlined and circulated.
• The implementation of improvements in the clothing program and increases in the dollar amounts provided as clothing allowances.

  Taken together, the economic package submitted by the NPMHU contains substantial wage improvements for all members of the mail handler bargaining unit.

  As bargaining continues, the parties are expected to focus on these economic proposals, as well as management demands for reducing the employer’s costs for health insurance and increasing management flexibility in the operations of the Postal Service.  In addition, bargaining also continues over non-economic items that have been reviewed and recommended by the various subcommittees meeting during the past few months.

  All mail handlers should watch their bulletin boards for the latest available information.

National Postal Mail Handler Union 2006 CONTRACT UPDATE ARCHIVES