Union Seeks Expedited Arbitration on Early Outs

Burrus Update #16-03, July 30, 2003

The union has invoked the Administrative Dispute Resolution Procedure of the Collective Bargaining Agreement to protest management's instructions regarding voluntary early retirements, which indicate that some APWU-represented employees may be excluded from offers for "early outs."

The management instructions, which appear in a mailing to eligible employees, violate the union's Collective Bargaining Agreement. The agreement, negotiated last November, required management to petition the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) seeking authority to offer voluntary early retirement to all eligible APWU-represented employees. According to the agreement, only restrictions imposed by OPM could limit the offer.

The USPS filed the request with OPM, and the request was granted June 13. The letter from OPM to the Postal Service imposed four restrictions. They are:

1. Any employees who have not been continuously on the agency's rolls since at least 31 days before the date of the USPS request, Jan. 23, 2003;
2. Any USPS employees who are not represented by the American Postal Workers Union;
3. Employees serving under time-limited appointments; and
4. Employees in receipt of a decision of involuntary separation for misconduct or unsatisfactory performances.

The union has requested expedited arbitration so that this dispute can be resolved quickly. It is our intent to ensure that this matter is adjudicated prior to the earliest possible effective date of retirement, so that those employees who elect early retirement are not forced to work beyond that time.

William Burrus
President

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