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Finalizing the Contract Extension
Burrus Update #1-03, Jan. 10, 2003
The ratification of the contract extension by the members of the APWU now requires implementation at the national level, including the official signing of the necessary documents and discussion by the task forces charged with finalizing certain issues where agreement was reached.
A specific date for signing the extension has not been established as of this writing, but it is expected to occur within the next week. In the interim, all of the agreements are in effect as of Dec. 19, 2002, the date the agreement was ratified, and the task forces have scheduled initial meetings.
Representing the APWU on the Workforce Repositioning Workforce will be Jim McCarthy, Director of the Clerk Craft, and Terry Stapleton, Southern Regional Coordinator. The three craft directors will represent the APWU on the Employee Developmental Opportunities Task Force. They are: Jim McCarthy, Steve Raymer, Director of the Maintenance Division, and Bob Pritchard, Director of the Motor Vehicle Services Division. Each will report on the progress of their discussion.
The Postal Service has informed us that the plant consolidation plan has not been finalized and is not available for distribution, as required by the Excessing Memorandum. Management acknowledges that the December 2002 notification date has been violated, and we are discussing an appropriate remedy. Specific terms of the remedy will be announced in my next update.
I have been informed that management intends to first close all postal annexes throughout the country. This will be followed by the consolidation of facilities which have not yet been identified.
With ratification of the contract extension, management's obligation to petition OPM for early retirement opportunities takes effect. The union expects receipt of a copy of the request, as required, by Feb. 1, 2003.
I am concerned about the planned report of the President's Commission on the Postal Service. As outline in the latest News Service Bulletin, many issues are under consideration, but it is clear that the commission intends to recommend changes. These recommendations will require legislative action, but the report of a presidential commission will be afforded great consideration when it is presented to Congress.
Among the areas under consideration, the most onerous are the elimination of universal service, the expansion of worksharing, and the modification of the collective bargaining process. The union will vigorously oppose any changes that will have a negative effect on our members or the American public. This effort appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to seriously undermine the right of American citizens to receive universal service at uniform rates and to deny workers the right of free collective bargaining.
I have requested the opportunity to testify before the commission and will be asking local and state activists to be present at the three scheduled field hearings. We are not asking at this time that APWU members engage in any demonstrations of disagreement or attempt to involve congressional representatives.
William Burrus
President
