President Biller Launches APWU/COPA 2001 Campaign!

Burrus Responds

To Postal Governors!

 

On Thursday, March 22, 2001, APWU Executive Vice President William Burrus fired off a forceful letter to the United States Postal Service Board of Governors in response to their recent letter to President George W. Bush calling for "postal reform." The Board of Governors had asked the president to, "devote your attention and resources necessary to implement a comprehensive review and overhaul of the postal laws of the United States" and the "system of collective bargaining followed by compulsory arbitration that mitigates against a negotiated settlement and which, moreover, has often placed some 80 percent of our total costs in the hands of a third-party arbitrator with neither understanding of nor responsibility for our role and mission."

Burrus, on behalf of the entire APWU membership, said in his letter to the postal governors, "We reserve the right to voice our objections to privatization or any provision that would limit the right of employees to fully engage in the collective bargaining process to determine their wages, benefits and conditions of employment. . . . You make reference to the 'established system of collective bargaining,' including in the same sentence that 80 percent of your total cost is in the hands of a third-party arbitrator. USPS financial data clearly reveals that bargaining unit postal employees governed by collective bargaining agreements consume but 57 percent (37 million) of operating revenue (64 million). This represents a decline of six percentage points over the past 12 years so, contrary to your assertion, bargaining unit employee cost is in decline." (The entire text of the Burrus letter is reprinted at right. The letter from the Board of Governors to Bush is reprinted as an insert being mailed with this bulletin.)

Meanwhile, on March 29, APWU President Moe Biller unveiled APWU's 2001 APWU/COPA "Stand Up and Fight" campaign to the union's National Executive Board. In a letter being mailed to all active APWU members, President Biller warned of the attacks on postal workers being launched in the name of "postal reform" and said, "Rank-and-file employees are going to bear the brunt of postal mismanagement unless we stand up and fight!" APWU's COPA 2001 campaign is but the first stage in the union's mobilization against attacks coming from the postal governors, postal management, and the corporate proponents of postal privatization. In the coming weeks and months, APWU will be providing additional information for locals to use in presenting the union's side as this crucial debate unfolds.

 

 

In Portland, OR and Charlotte, NC

Basic Arbitration Training Conferences

 

The Research and Education Department of the American Postal Workers Union will conduct three APWU "Basic Arbitration Training Conferences" in 2001. The training conferences are designed to acquaint local and state union officers and stewards with the techniques needed to effectively prepare a case for basic arbitration.

Students will be required to attend classes daily, meet with the members of their assigned team during evening hours, complete homework assignments and participate in a mock arbitration case.

To register for the conference, participants must submit a written request from their local or state president (on local or state letterhead) authorizing their attendance. Participants also must pre-register prior to the conference deadline. No walk-ins will be allowed. Space is limited. Therefore, it is imperative that students pre-register early.

The registration fee is $100.00 for each participant. Included in the fee is a reception, three coffee breaks daily, and a graduation breakfast. Registration will be held on Monday prior to the convening of the conference at 2:00 pm. Classes will begin promptly at 3:00 pm on Monday, and the conference will adjourn no later than 11:00 am on Sunday.

Curriculum

Participants must be in attendance for the entire week to receive a certificate. Instructors will be APWU national officers and business agents. Classes are: Introduction to Arbitration, Preparing the Case, Identifying and Framing the Issues, Threshold Issues, Exhibits and Stipulations, Opening Statements, Rules of Evidence, Objections, Direct Examination, Cross Examination, Closing Statements and Finality of Awards.

Hotel Accommodations

To secure the hotel rates listed below, please inform the hotel that you are with the American Postal Workers Union. Check-in time for all hotels is 4:00 pm.

 

Western Region: Portland, OR

Monday, May 21-Sunday, May 27, 2001

Benson Hotel

309 Southwest Broadway

Portland, OR 97205

503-228-2000; or toll-free 888-523-6766

Room rate: $115.00 + 11.5% tax, single/double

Parking: $20.00 per day

Deadline to reserve hotel rooms: Friday, April 27.

Note: All hotel reservations must be guaranteed with an advance deposit or major credit card.

 

Southern Region: Charlotte, NC

Monday, July 9-Sunday, July 15, 2001

Embassy Suites Hotel

4800 South Tayon Street

Charlotte, NC 28217

704-527-8400; or toll-free 800-362-2779

Room rate: $105.00 + 12.5% tax, single/double

Deadline to reserve hotel rooms: Friday, June 1.

Parking: Complimentary for hotel guests

Shuttle service: Provided complimentary by hotel to and from airport (contact hotel for hours).

Note: All hotel reservations must be guaranteed with an advance deposit or major credit card. All reservations must be canceled no later than 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival. Individuals who cancel their room reservation within 72 hours will be billed one night's room and tax.

 

For additional information, contact the APWU Research and Education Department at 202-842-4225. Information on the other Basic Arbitration Conference, Officers' and Shop Stewards' Training Conferences and the Advanced Arbitration Training Conference will be published as information becomes available.

 

 

Registration Form

(This form must be accompanied by written authorization from your local/state president on local/state letterhead.)

(Please print or type.)

Name________ Social Security no.___________

Address_______

City__________ State_________ Zip___________

Home phone_____________ Work phone____

Work hours____ Local_________

I would like to attend the Arbitration Training Conference in the following region (check only one):

o Western Region: Monday, May 21-Sunday, May 27, 2001 o Southern Region: Monday, July 9-Sunday, July 15, 2001

Deadline to register for conference: Friday, April 27, 2001 Deadline to register for conference: Friday, June 1, 2001

Mail this form, with a check or money for $100.00 (made payable to "APWU Arbitration Training") by the deadline to register to: APWU Research and Education Department, Attn. Joyce B. Robinson, Director, 1300 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.