Rob Strunk, APWU Assistant Director, Clerk Division, released the following memo on USPS’ New Retail Training Program:

The United States Postal Service has instituted a new retail training program wherein the classroom training program has been changed to exclude POS training, which will be solely taught by on-the-job instructors.  Here are some basic questions as a means to respond to what your members may ask.

Question 1
Has the training program been changed to eliminate training on the POS machine during the classroom?

Response 1
Yes.  Management removed all reference to the POS equipment during the classroom portion of the training.  That training will be done by an OJI.

Question 2
When is the employee tested on the classroom?

Response 2
The test should take place not later than the next week.

Question 3
When should the OJI instruction take place?

Response 3
The OJI instruction should take place the following week after the examination.  Employees should be cautioned during the “Union Module” of the classroom that if the OJI instruction does not take place in a timely manner, a grievance should be filed charging inadequate training.  Locals are encouraged to inquire from management how many qualified OJI Instructors will be available to conduct the training to insure that all qualified employees get timely and proper training.  The national APWU has inquired the amount of qualified OJI instructors in each district.  If there is a shortage of qualified instructors, the national APWU will file a national grievance regarding the training program.

Question 4
Will the OJI instructor evaluate the performance of the employee for that portion of the training and will that evaluation have influence in the employee securing the bid job.

Response 4
The Postal Service involved the APWU in reviewing the content of the new training program.  The APWU also reviewed the questions that we included in the test.  The test was properly validated by the USPS.  No longer will OJIs have the authority to grade the employee’s OJI performance.  Once the employee passes the test, the employee is awarded the bid and moves on to the OJI part of the training.

This is another change to the Retail Training Program.  No one accepts change without skepticism.  We will monitor this program and will not hesitate to challenge it in the grievances process.

Recent Inquiries

We have received several inquiries regarding the memo sent April 26, 2006 involving this subject.  Here are the questions and the official response.

1. Has the training been delayed?

Response

Yes. Management has delayed the training until all trainers have been taught the new training program.  The new training will begin on or about May 15, 2006 with the new test beginning thereafter.

2. When is the employee deemed qualified in accordance with Article 37.3.F.7?

Response

The employee is deemed the successful bidder after the completion of classroom training, testing and the completion of the OJI training.  Once all of the processes are completed, the bidder is considered the “successful bidder” and awarded the assignment.  Until that employee completes the OJI portion of the training, they may withdraw.

Related link: Sales Service Associate/Window Clerk News