07/06/2017 - On June 30, Arbitrator Stephen Goldberg issued a national award for Case No. Q10T-4Q-C 15206030 concerning custodial staffing in POStPlan office clusters (a group of postal facilities consisting of at least one Remotely Managed Post Office [RMPO] directly reporting to the postmaster located at the Administrative Post Office [APO]). Arbitrator Goldberg’s award certified that a POStPlan office cluster, is an installation as defined in Article 38.2.B and the custodial staffing formula outlined in the Maintenance Craft "Subcontracting Cleaning Services" Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) applies. This means the USPS cannot continue to freely subcontract out bargaining unit work in these small offices.
Beam Bros. Trucking caught stealing from and endangering employees
06/02/2017 - On March 16, 2017, Beam Bros. Trucking, Inc., a private trucking company, was indicted on multiple counts of fraud and abuse in their capacity as a Highway Contract Route (HCR) operator for the USPS.
03/01/2017 - (This article first appeared in the March-April 2017 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
By MVS Craft Directors
The National Star Route Mail Contractors Association’s lawsuit against the Postal Service over the American Postal Workers Union’s (APWU) arbitration award regarding Highway Contract Routes (HCRs) was denied by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
01/01/2017 - (This article first appeared in the January-February 2017 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
As we traveled across the country, we began to hear stories and concerns from our members concerning the new program Solution for Enterprise Asset Management (SEAM), including the obvious shifting of work between the occupational groups and supervisors. We heard the difficulties Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) employees experienced performing the work they previously were able to do in their daily duties.
01/01/2017 - (This article first appeared in the January-February 2017 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
We all begin a new year with hopes for improvements on the past year. Even if the past year was a really great one, for instance, one in which the Cubs won the World Series. It is human nature to always want the next one to be better. This year, I think it is safe to say we are all waiting and watching what our new President-elect will do next.
11/01/2016 - (This article first appeared in the November-December issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
Delegates made some tough decisions at the union’s 2016 national convention, including a few that have a direct effect on Support Services Division employees and officers. Thank you to Orlando Anderson, Saint Louis Gateway District Area Local; April Mellen, Twin Cities PDC Local, and Mike Simmons, Twin Cities PDC Local, who served on the Support Services Committee at the convention.
09/02/2016 - The APWU won an important arbitration case on Aug. 18, when Arbitrator Shyam Das ruled that the Postal Service violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement by notifying the union of subcontracting awards after they have been let.
08/31/2016 - The Postal Service has taken subcontracting of Support Services to new heights and APWU members are fighting back, Director Steve Brooks reported to APWU members at the craft conference held prior to the National Convention.
11/01/2015 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2015 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
The union and management resolved a dispute in august concerning the Postal Service’s decision in April 2002 to waive the Commercial Driver’s License requirement for applicants for Automotive Mechanic/Technician and Lead Automotive Technician positions.
The Motor Vehicle Craft has always insisted that successful applicants or bidders must meet the minimum qualifications of a position before they are deemed qualified. However, the Postal Service’s decision to voluntarily participate in the Department of Transportation’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program in 1995 created difficulties recruiting qualified mechanics and technicians. Many applicants had the necessary skills but did not have CDLs.
On March 16, 2017, Beam Bros. Trucking, Inc., a private trucking company, was indicted on multiple counts of fraud and abuse in their capacity as a Highway Contract Route (HCR) operator for the USPS.
The APWU won an important victory on March 15 – one that will save lives and help protect the jobs of Postal Service drivers.