November 2003
In early November, I attended an NALC Committee of Presidents Meeting (COP) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. several of the agenda items discussed related to the same problems we are experiencing in Branch 782.
Many branch presidents highlighted the fact that dealing with carrier time and attendance issues seem to be nation wide.
In some areas, discipline was issued if there were three instances of sick leave used within any three month period. Official discussion has been given for one instance of sick leave.
While it was reported that the usual management requesting documentation for sick leave absences of three days or less, it was interesting to note management was requesting "documentation". They did not specify medical documentation, only "documentation". carriers were providing notes from their spouses.
I know there have been times in our branch where carriers had called in sick and told the supervisor they were going to the doctor. The supervisor would then ask the carrier to bring medical documentation. As the carrier was already going to the doctor, there was no additional cost or inconvenience for the carrier to provide the requested medical documentation - so there was no grievable situation.
As staffing has become a problem in our offices, discipline for attendance related issues has increased. Every carrier must insure that any instance of sick leave usage that qualifies under FMLA regulations be noted on their Post Office Form 3971.
It is management's responsibility to ask why the sick leave was utilized in order to determine if it should be credited under FMLA. It is important to have all absences possible assigned as FMLA leave as it is leave that - in almost all instances - cannot be used against an employee for disciplinary measures.
Management has an obligation to give any employee a Publication 71 (a written notification of the FMLA rights and requirements) whenever an employee's absence might qualify under FMLA regulations.
Recently, I met at Formal "A" of the grievance process where an employee was issued a Letter of Warning for unacceptable attendance. Several of the dates listed qualified under FMLA. The grievance was resolved in the Union's favor.
This is an example of how important it is to file the FMLA forms when appropriate. If you believe you have (or you are going to have_ absences that qualify under FMLA, obtain the FMLA forms from your steward or call your union office.
We have NALC-generated FMLA forms that are acceptable to the post office. It is your responsibility to see that the forms are properly filled out. I will have Basil include information in this newsletter explaining more on FMLA requirements.
Another topic was Minor Route Adjustments. There was a Memo of Understanding signed at the National level that allow minor route adjustments to be performed given certain criteria. It would involve Union and Management representatives reviewing current route data with the carrier's input.
In some offices - with certain routes - this method seemed to work well; while in other offices, it did not.
It seems some carriers liked their routes long with built in overtime. There also seemed to be problems with management's current data.
The current data needed to be scrutinized closely.
Many times the data management utilized included times of carriers other than that of the regular. There was also a problem with properly recording auxiliary assistance.
However, I don't think this is going to be a problem we will experience as our offices have received full six day counts and inspections or are scheduled to receive them next year.
Vice President Mike Towery and myself have been closely involved in the route counts at Bakersfield's Stockdale, South and East stations. So far the inspections have gone fairly smooth with only a few problems.
It will be up to the carriers to demonstrate that their street performance during the route count is consistent with their street performance any other time both before and after the route inspections.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for carriers to be consistent throughout the year in their street times.
It is impossible to justify adjustments based on street times that were only long during the route count.
There is an eight-week evaluation period that is done on each route that is inspected. This evaluation period involves one week in seven different months prior to the route inspections and the week after inspections.
The average street times during the evaluation period are then compared to the average street time during the inspection. If the mail volumes are comparable, but the street times differ, management claims the carrier slowed down. It does not make any difference whether it is the evaluation period or the inspection period.
If you carry faster during the inspections then they claim you are dogging it all the other times. If your inspection time is longer, then they claim you demonstrated you can carry it faster during the year and obviously slowed down during the inspection.
This is why I have always written how important it is for you to be consistent and then demonstrate that consistency during count and inspections.
Vice President Mike Towery and myself will continue to be involved in the route count and inspections, but ultimately it is you that will need to demonstrate now long it takes you to carry your route.
Given all the changes Van Nuys District has enforced, I really believe there would he more problems with expanded street times.
I only hope this indicates Management’s willingness to allow Carriers time necessary to perform those now required safety practices that had not been required in the past: two hands on the steering wheel, curbing the wheels, locking and securing the mail in the vehicle, taking an empty satchel when delivering parcels or other mail when more than a few steps from the vehicle.
There were also many Branch Presidents who voiced concern about Management’s use of DOTS.
A supervisor comes to the Carrier and says that DOTS or the computer says what their route time should be. Now one must understand that it is Management who inputs the numbers. If the numbers are current, accurate and include all mail, then it is generally pretty accurate.
The real problem is “garbage in garbage out”. Too many times, DOTS might indicate a Regular time
for the T-6 or the previous Carrier, or no input for circulars, no input for additional accountables, parcels, or simply the standards applied were when Carriers did not have to case letter and flats in the same case; or maybe when a Carrier had a four-shelf case and now has a five.
There are many factors that can screw up the DOTS information. If you believe it will take you longer than Management indicates, fill out a 3996 (in duplicate) and simply ask whether they want you to: 1) carry the extra, 2) are they going to have you leave mail, or 3) are they going to give you help?
If Management has you take mail that you believe will take you more then eight hours, tell them you will try. But if you can’t make it, what time do they want you to call?
If Management tells you they don’t want you to call, but carry all the mail and be back in eight hours as soon as possible notify your steward, or call Vice President Mike Towery or myself!!!
You must establish consistent street times that allow you to perform all management’s required safety measures and take your full breaks and lunch.
Another issue discussed was delivery after dark. I have written several articles on this in the past.
It is difficult to argue that all delivery after dark is unsafe when Carriers in Alaska deliver when it is dark about six months out of the year.
It certainly is not a safe as when it is daylight. There are some areas that I certainly would not deliver after dark and I would be hesitant to deliver unfamiliar territory after dark.
But that is me and each Carrier needs to make that decision for themselves.
I have seen carriers so afraid of dogs that they would not deliver after dark. It was also mentioned by NALC President William Young that OSHA has recommended that reflective vests be provided for carriers that deliver after dark.
This would indicate an acceptance on OSHA’s part as to the permissibility of delivering after dark. NALC President Young was also in attendance to address us and afterwards to answer questions.
Primarily, President Young talked about COLCPE contributions and legislative agenda. Furthermore, he also discussed the financial status of the Postal Service.
President Young spoke to the fact that employees can
now contribute to COLCPE through payroll deductions and challenged all Carriers to have at least a minimum of $1.00 withheld for COLCEP donating.
That would be on $26.00 per year per Carrier, but would greatly increase NALCs ability to help those who support Letter Carriers to understand their obligations to protect their jobs.
President Young stated that another growing concern is the dropping postal revenue. As our 1st class mail dwindles away so does a great portion of revenue.
President Young is working with mailers to enhance services the Post Office can provide such as delivery confirmation for all classes of mail. He went on to say that continued better benefits and wages depend on increased revenue not a financially defunct Postal Service.
It is in our best interests to assist management attempt to increase revenue.
On this same note, Vice President Mike Towery and myself will he attending a district meeting that will explain the proposed program called “Carrier Connect’’.
President Young spoke a little about this program. He said he was against any rewards but only those who got the referrals. But if there is a mail volume increase that results in a referral, other Letter Carriers had to deliver that product. So, successes should he shared by all and we all will benefit from those successes.
All in all, the COP was a very good conference and much information was shared. Again, it was interesting how some things never change. They only move from place to place.
Just prior to my leaving for the COP, I was contacted by Rick West. District Manager Postal Operations. He called to notify me that the Post Office was removing Carriers from street duty in our eastern offices because of the air quality. The Southern California fires had polluted the air to a point where it was unsafe.
My heart fell condolences en out to those who lost homes, friends, and family. I know some losses can never he replaced but only endured.
In the same sense of grief I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to Branch 752 member Brian Castle and his family for their recent loss. Most of you in the Bakersfield area have read about how his daughter, Ashley, was killed in a tragic traffic accident.
Parents live in fear of how they could ever cope with the loss of a child. Brian and his family have had to deal with this devastating occurrence.
I pray that the blessing of Faith and the spirit of Hope be the light that guides them through this trying time.
Please attend your General Membership Meeting on November 25, 2003 at your Union office building.
Subjects will be discussed which could have some bearing on how well you survive this job of delivering America’s mail.
Additionally, elections will be conducted at this month’s meeting to choose delegates to both the State and National NALC Conventions which will be held in 2eo4. Exercise your democratic right to support the candidates of your choice.
As always, I close with these remarks:
Be Consistent. Be Safe. Be Professional . Be Proud.
Frank Thomasy
NALC Branch 752 President