APWU MANCHESTER AREA LOCAL #230: News

August 8, 2008

MERGER NOTICE


The Keene Local has taken the appropriate steps towards requesting a merger with the Manchester Area Local.

In accordance with the Manchester Area Local Constitution the membership will vote by secret ballot at the September 7, 2008 Membership Meeting to accept or reject this request.

July 28, 2008

Dear Union Members,

As usual the summer seems to be slipping away. I do hope with all the insanity here at the PO you are able to spend some time concentrating on family, friends and yourself!

The insanity continues, nearly every day I am being notified Management will institute some change in an attempt to reduce their costs either at the local level or the national level.

As one area is reducing costs another area is creating costs for the USPS by simply not adhering to the contract. In the Manchester installation, the CFS unit has many residual vacancies therefore the need for overtime. The Union has attempted to educate Management on the proper pecking order for overtime in accordance with the Local Agreement but evidently last week it became a free for all. Management solicited for overtime from names someone pulled out of a hat as that has become my only explanation for it. Grievances have been filed and the proper employees will be paid for overtime bypasses. Item 14 of the Local Agreement contains a sequence of scheduling overtime to include the scheduling of those from other mail processing sections within the facility that possess the necessary skills after maximizing the OTDL in the section. Other mail processing sections are indentified as Automation Letters, Mailing Division, Automation Flats, and Miscellaneous Clerk. Postmaster Walter Rowland is making arrangements with PEDC to schedule volunteers for the CFS typing exam 715. Clerk Craft Director Mark Wiggin and I will meet this week with PM Rowland to explain the proper overtime rotation and the Stewards will closely monitor the situation for contract violations.
I must advise members who are considering qualifying on the CFS typing exam this qualification will last two years. At any time during the two year period you become an unassigned regular you may be assigned to a CFS residual duty assignment because you meet the minimum qualifications.

A meeting is scheduled August 6th to discuss impacts from the Manchester Function Four. We were able to postpone any impact until the September bid posting. I will provide the details in my next article as well as meet with the affected members.

The Postal Service has also provided information at the national level on changes they expect to implement regarding Registered Mail. The initiative is titled Next Generation Registered Mail System. They plan to use Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation rather than Registered Mail for shipment of stamp stock and other accountable items, limiting their internal use of Registered Mail. They also plan to process inbound International Registered Mail as First Class Mail. I have not been notified of any local impacts to date.

We must remember we have no work and/or time standards in our contract. We abide by the principle of a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. While staffing is a Management Right, there is absolutely no requirement for you to make up for a lack of staffing. Perform your duties to the best of your ability and in a safe manner.

In addition in the Associate Offices many Postmasters or OIC’s are attempting to reduce PTF hours while increasing their work in the bargaining unit. This is a contract violation. In as much as Postmasters/OIC’s in level 18 and below offices have language in their job descriptions to distribute PO Box mail and work the window, a National Arbitrator ruled this work is limited to what has been done historically in that particular office. Any increase in this historical number to the detriment of the PTF’s is a contract violation. If this is happening in your office please contact your Area Business Agent at 644-4098.

I have also been told our new District Manager, Debra Essler held several town hall meetings at the district office last week. During her talks she commented on the Postal Service’s inability to reduce the work force through attrition and claimed the Service would seriously consider implementing Article 6, involuntary layoff or force reduction. I do not understand why any Manager would want to cause their employees unnecessary anxiety. Page 286 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement reads Layoff Protection, Each employee who is employed in the regular work force as of November 20, 2006 and who has not acquired the protection provided under Article 6 shall be protected henceforth against any involuntary layoff or force reduction during the term of this Agreement. In the event Congress repeals or significantly relaxes the Private Express Statutes this Memorandum shall expire upon the enactment of such legislation. Article 6 also contains many preconditions for any implementation of layoff and reduction in force for non-protected employees.

While I was in Washington last week President Burrus spoke on this subject. One reason he has advised members not to take the Voluntary Early Retirement at this time is due to the Postal Service’s position of no incentives. Article 6 on non-protected employees would involve the payment of severance pay. President Burrus believes before the Service makes payment of severance pay they will reconsider a monetary incentive to retire early.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Mailhandlers New England Local 301 President Tim Dwyer for the invitation to accompany him and Congressman Paul Hodes as they meet with the employees of the L&DC on Monday, August 4th 6:30 PM. I am looking forward to this event. With all of the changes we will have to endure from the US Postal Service in the near future it is imperative all the Crafts and Unions work together with our elected representatives to protect our future.


In Solidarity
Pat Ahern, President

July 1, 2008

Dear Union Members,

I am very proud to announce Vice President Chris Howe and I have been selected by President Burrus to serve on committees for the National Convention. Chris has been appointed to the Labor/Management Committee and I am serving on the Constitution Committee. It is an honor to represent the Manchester Area Local at the National level, a tradition this Local has maintained for many years. The Constitution Committee met in Washington the week of June 16th and will meet there again the week of July 14th as well as attending the National Convention four days early on August 12th. The Labor/Management Committee begins their work at the National Convention on August 14th. This administration will be working together to be sure no issues are left unattended for the membership in our absence. We will also be in close contact with the Stewards left in each facility while the Executive Board is in attendance at the Convention, August 15th through August 24th and a national extension on grievances and appeals to arbitration will be in effect August 11th through August 29th.

I am also pleased to report both the NH/APWU President John Shappy and Vice President Dale Metzler have been assigned to committees, Formal Resolutions and Organizing Committees, respectively. We have very dedicated and talented Union Officials in NH and it is nice to see this fact has not gone unnoticed by our National Union.

While I was in Washington I received notification Management had initiated a notice of excessing of eight level 6 Clerks out of the Manchester installation. Contractually Management is not allowed to discuss any out of installation excessing at the local level until the meeting at the Area level has been held. I knew the attrition Manchester is experiencing would eliminate any need for excessing out of the installation. As I understand copies of this notice were distributed causing some anxiety. At this point Management is in agreement this notice should be rescinded at the Area meeting to be held on July 16th.

Out of section excessing continues in the Manchester installation. A meeting is scheduled for July 8th to discuss again excessing out of the Tour Two Mailing Section. Management had put this on hold due to the Function Four on the Post Office side which includes Tour Two Mailing Section positions. An initial meeting was held with Postmaster Rowland to discuss the Function Four although he indicated he did not expect any impact until the fall therefore again with attrition the original impact numbers will change.

The National President’s Conference was held in Indianapolis the weekend of June 20th which I attended. The following is a report on the many items that were discussed much of what we are experiencing.

• Excessing: Because of the Function Fours and low mail volumes in the Plants many offices in all parts of the country are excessing, out of sections and out of installations. Southern Florida, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are now excessing 500 miles from the installations. Voluntary Early Retirements will be offered but to only targeted installations where there is a significant excessing of more than 50 employees.
• Standby Rooms: Some installations have resorted to employees being placed in a standby room waiting for work presenting an opportunity to explore a four day work week.
• FSS Machines, Flat Sequence Sorters: Currently the deployment schedule calls for 100 machines in late 2008 early 2009 with two to be installed in Northwest Boston. This is the most automated piece of equipment we have seen. It will feed, sweep and containerize itself to include loading a dolly truck. It will run 18,000 pieces per hour with a read rate of 98%. The phase one impact will include FSM 100 operations in the P&DC’s. In addition the Letter Carrier Craft is expected to be reduced by 23% due to the impact from this machine with the Northeast Area excessing 1787 Letter Carriers up to 200 miles from their installations. Although the current flat volume does not justify the expense of this machine and its installation the USPS believes the elimination of work hours and bid positions will more than justify the equipment. Initially the USPS planned to purchase 200 APPS machines but with only 100 in inventory they have stopped due to the fact the FSS is expected to pull 40% of volume from the APPS. Maintenance staffing will increase with the FSS because of the need for up to 15 ET’s per machine.
• Abolishment of Level 7 Express Mail Technicians Nationwide: This work is not going away but the USPS plans to shift the work to other employees. Grievances will need to be filed at the local level. Any of the work Management shifts to non-bargaining unit employees will be an Article 1.6 grievance. The 017-10 Exam is a requirement for the Express Mail Technician position therefore any work shifted to other bargaining unit employees will be grieved as they would not be minimally qualified to perform the work without that exam. For example the Complaints and Inquiries Clerk position requires the 017-20 exam and would not be considered minimally qualified to perform any duties of the Express Mail Technician.
• Shifting work from Maintenance Operations Support Clerks to ET’s: An Article 7.2 grievance will need to be filed at the local level due to the crossing of occupational groups. This is the transfer of work from one position to another.
• We are awaiting a decision on a National RI399 case involving the SPBS. The APWU argued that all duties involved in operating mail processing machinery within the immediate vicinity of the machinery have historically been assigned to the clerk craft. The parties completed the case before Arbitrator Sharnoff on February 19, 2008.
• A national arbitration case was heard on March 12th and 13th, 2008 before Arbitrator Das on the prohibition against casuals working between 5:00 AM and Noon which is still pending a decision.
• A national dispute on EAS employees performing data collection work is scheduled to be heard on September 18th and 19th, 2008.

President Burrus spoke to the Conference expounding on the many achievements of the APWU over the years. Even in this economy we are in the enviable position of a no-layoff protection, salary increases, COLA’s and affordable healthcare although he did recognize the negatives we face everyday cloud the achievements we have made. He also discussed plans for the National Convention, his attendance at the NALC Convention and the invitation he extended to NALC President Young to attend our convention.

All of the National Officers spoke on the importance of the elections, voting for candidates who support working families’ issues. NH will again be a battleground state in this election. If any member is interested in helping with our legislative agenda and working with the AFL-CIO on the Labor 2008 program please do not hesitate to contact me. The Manchester Area Local will also be purchasing tickets to the annual NH AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast to be held on Monday, September 1st. If you are interested in attending please contact me prior to August 8th.


In Solidarity,
Pat Ahern, President

Click the link below to view the Copa National Raffle Flier.


http://home.earthlink.net/~sidebarrecordings/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/nationalraffle.pdf

1st $1000 Winner - David Willian Symonds (son of Margaret Symonds - Nashua L&DC)

2nd $1000 Winner - Marita Castaldini (daughter of James Castaldini - Manchester P&DC)

1st Runner Up - Craig Michael Langton (son of Michael Langton - Manchester P&DC)

2nd Runner Up - Alysha LaVigne (daughter of Jeannine LaVigne - Nashua L&DC)

Dear Union Members,

On May 6th thirty Clerks currently holding bid positions on the SPBS/FSM 1000 in the Manchester Plant received letters from Manager In-Plant Support, Randy Baker notifying them their duty assignment would be abolished effective “no sooner than close of business on June 6, 2008”. Management had notified us the SPBS would be dismantled and the FSM 1000 keying stations would be removed some time ago. Management decided the mail worked on the SPBS will be worked on the APPS at the L&DC. They also claim productivity will increase by using the FSM 1000 in an automated mode with several manual flat cases added.

Nationwide Management has been instructed to reduce their costs however necessary. It is all about the bottom line, not service to the public and certainly not any consideration for employees. Management started the review of the function 1 process last October. When we complained to Randy Baker about the content of his letters or lack thereof, his response was how rushed he was in composing these letters. He wanted the letters in the mail on May 6th in order to give employees a thirty day notice. RUSHED! They have been working on this for six months. The Union’s position is these letters should have provided Management’s explanation as to why the duty assignment is being abolished and your contractual retreat rights back to the section if ever it is recreated. We will also be in discussions with Management as to the assignments of unassigned regular schedules as well as new letters.

I believe Management has an expectation many of these employees will receive bids on this posting. In the event this does not happen and you become unassigned (Unencumbered Employee) I want to cover some applicable contract language. Article 37, Section 4 speaks to Unencumbered Employees.
• Section 4.B. An employee who becomes an unassigned regular will continue to work the same hours and scheduled days the employee worked immediately prior to becoming unassigned unless notified of a change in work schedule before the expiration of the first 28 days after the date on which the employee became unassigned. Additional work schedule changes may be made, provided that such change cannot be made effective until 180 days after the effective date of any previous change.
• Section 4.C. Assignment of Unencumbered Employees - Assignment of unencumbered employees will be made within 21 days of a duty assignment becoming residual in accordance with the following:
• 2. If there are sufficient same or higher level vacancies, unencumbered employees shall be involuntarily assigned to same or higher level vacancies in accordance with Article 37, Section 4.C.5.
• 3. If there are insufficient same or higher level vacancies to accommodate assignment of all unencumbered employees, preference eligible employees will be placed first into the same or higher level vacancies in accordance with Article 37, Section 4.C.5.
• 4. After placement of the unencumbered preference eligible employees, non-preference eligible unencumbered employees will be placed in accordance with Article 37, Section 4.C.5.
• Article 37.4.C.5.a Employees not encumbered in bid duty assignments shall bid on duty assignments posted for bid. These employees shall be assigned to residual full-time duty assignments in the same or higher salary level for which the employees meet the minimum qualifications.
The previous language is important because we have received a number of questions about the residual vacancies in CFS. The Joint Contract Interpretation Manual addresses the question of “minimum qualifications”.

• JCIM 2007 Page #214, Question # 230 Article 37, page 44: What constitutes “minimum qualifications” for purposes of assignment of unencumbered clerks into residual vacancies under Article 37.4.C.5 and 6?
Response: “Minimum qualifications” are, for example, the requisite entrance examination, a driving license, an experience requirement, or a demonstration of a skill (e.g., typing)

Therefore if you are not already qualified on the typing requirement you cannot be involuntarily assigned to a CFS vacancy. There is no deferment period for training on typing merely the demonstration you have the skill. You can be involuntarily assigned to a position in which you are given a deferment period for training.

In addition there is new language in the 2006 – 2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding full-time regular and part-time regular Clerks remaining unencumbered for a period of 120 calendar days. After a period of 120 calendar days this shall demonstrate the need to post a newly established duty assignment in accordance with Article 37.3A.1.a. This process shall continue until all unencumbered Clerks eligible to be assigned have successfully bid or been assigned to duty assignments. The exceptions are any full work or paid leave weeks during which unencumbered Clerks are:
1. Detailed to non-bargaining positions
2. Identified as impacted under the provisions of Article 12.5C
3. Medically unsuitable for assignment

This is only a brief outline of contract language which applies to unassigned regulars. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your Supervisor for time to see your Steward. I know changes to schedules are upsetting to both our members and their families. With the Function One in the Plant, the Function Four on the Post Office side, reposting positions in CFS and the potential abolishment of the Express Mail Technicians nationwide we are in an unprecedented upheaval. Add to all of that Management’s complete ignorance of contract language, whether intentional or not, has us working very hard!

In Solidarity,
Pat Ahern, President

Dear Union Members,

Last month I reported on our on-going meetings with Management in the Manchester Plant regarding a new staffing package. This has been a difficult subject to report on because at nearly every meeting, to this point the information has changed. VP Chris Howe, Clerk Craft Dir. Mark Wiggin and I met with Management again this morning. This meeting was limited, in that the only section we discussed was the Tour Two Mailing Division. Postmaster Walter Rowland was in attendance due to the fact in accordance with Item 18 of our Local Agreement, Section 11; Mailing Division does include the Stations.

Article 12.5.C.4 of the National Agreement governs how Management will make reassignments within an installation of employee’s excess to the needs of a section while Item 18 of our Local Agreement provides for the identification of assignments comprising a section. In addition new language in Article 37.3.B contains Article 12 exceptions for the Clerk Craft. Specifically 37.3.B.2 states any duty assignments remaining within the section occupied by Clerks junior to the senior Clerk whose duty assignment was abolished will be posted for bid to currently qualified Clerks within the section. Also keep in mind excessing involves the same categories and level employees, in this case level 6 FTR’s.

I have stated before our role in these meetings is to attempt to minimize the impact to the bargaining unit as much as possible and also to advise Management as to their contractual obligations when making these changes. In the end, Management makes the final decision to abolish or make changes to our bid jobs.

Today they provided us with their final staffing package for Tour Two Mailing. Their plans are to reduce the number of level 6 FTR positions in this section by seven, five occupied positions and two vacant positions, leaving only eight level 6 FTR positions with two of those in the Stations. As of today there will be three senior level 6 employees in that section who will not be impacted. Five employees by seniority will remain in the section as unassigned regulars. There will be five level 6 FTR, Tour Two Mailing positions (three in the Plant and two in the Stations) reposted in a closed bid to the level 6 employees remaining in the section. Seven employees will be excessed out of the section becoming unassigned regulars with retreats rights back to the section. Unfortunately two of these employees are injured-on-duty employees who only recently went through the National Reassessment Process which provided them with rehab assignments in this section. They were slotted in this section by their seniority dates and because they are junior must be excessed out accordingly. These NRP assignments cannot be posted for bid because of a National Level Arbitration decision. The Postal Service argued a bid job would not exist if not for their requirement to find work for injured employees and the arbitrator agreed.




Management expects they will notify these impacted employees by letter next week with an effective date in the beginning of June. Any attrition in this section between these dates will alter the numbers above.

There was also some discussion on the staffing package at last weeks Labor/Management meeting. Plant Manager, Mike LaBrie was anxious to start the process as he believes it has taken too long to make what he claims are necessary changes. I expect the removal of the SPBS and the keying stations on the FSM1000 to begin in the very near future. With that said we will be looking at approximately thirty abolished jobs.

We have been reaching out to discuss these impacts with our members. I believe we have an obligation to keep you informed as much as we can. If you have any questions with regard to your particulars please contact one of us.


In Solidarity,


Pat Ahern,
President

Dear Manchester Area Local Officer, NH State Officer, or Manchester Area Local Union Member,



If you have not already submitted comments opposing the proposed FMLA changes, you can still submit your comments online until midnight Eastern Standard Time.



Go to:



http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064803abfe7





The website is behind on posting the comments, but they told me that ALL comments will be posted & anything submitted before midnight will be forwarded to the Department of Labor for consideration. Although there may be many more that have not yet been posted, I have seen a number of comments posted including comments from: Stephen Smith, Mike Egan , Eileen Thrower, April Caswell, Pat Ahern, Ken Kelble and John Shappy. There was an onslaught from the Human Resource Management members and I may have missed some of our members. I know that all of the comments are being reviewed by national and that they submitted formal comments on behalf of the APWU.



If you have not had the chance to submit your remarks, please do it now. Thank you to everyone who has already sent theirs in!





To read comments that others have posted you can go to: http://www.regulations.gov/



Then, in the middle heading, titled “comment or submission” type in FMLA and hit go.



You can then sort comments up to 50 per page & sort them in order that they were received.



Thank you!



Janice Kelble



APWU Grassroots Coordinator, NE Region

54 Evergreen Avenue

Franklin, NH 03235



603-934-5022 Office

603-513-8176 Cell

603-934-5005 Fax

e-mail: jkelble@apwu.org

Below is the press release for the APWU's endorsement for Obama.

http://www.apwu.org/news/forthepress/pressrel080409_obama.htm

Dear Union Members,

As you are aware we have been involved in several meetings with management in the Manchester Plant this month in order to discuss a new staffing package for the Clerks. They are looking at every section on every tour. Our role in these meetings is to attempt to minimize the impact to the bargaining unit as much as possible and also to advise Management as to their contractual obligations when making these
changes.

Management has officially notified us the SPBS will be removed from the facility as well as the keying stations on the UFSM 1000’s. This alone is a considerable impact because the area is staffed on every tour. They have not determined any date for this to take place, “only no sooner than April 4th”. They maintain they will shift the current SPBS volume to the L&DC to further utilize the APPS machine and they believe using the UFSM 1000 in an automated mode along with four newly created tour one manual flat positions will increase their productivity numbers.

Management also claims due to the Maintenance window on the AFSM 100 they will need to abolish the tour-two 100 operation. They are looking to create Part-time Regular positions for this operation although we have offered our input as to an alternative. This is in fact a section that was only re-created last year!

They also plan a serious reduction in the number of mailing positions on tour two, moving them to tour one. Their plans are to keep enough positions to staff the registry, expediters, express and mail room on tour two.

After much discussion, Automation Flats on tour three and tour one will have their start times changed within the one hour therefore they will not need to be reposted. At this point it appears there will be no impacts to automation Letters on all three tours other than some newly created positions.

I believe Management’s intent with regard to the SPBS and the 1000’s will not change. The balance of this information is subject to change as we continue to meet with Management. I did feel it was time to post what information we do have in order for you to make an educated bid in the next cycle. Clerk Craft Director Mark Wiggin, VP Chris Howe and I have been working diligently to represent the membership interests. If you have any questions with regard to your particulars please contact one of us.


In Solidarity,
Pat Ahern

Make sure the Department of Labor hears from You by April 11.
Someday your job, your health, or your ability to spend time
with a family member when they need you, may depend on it!
APWU President William Burrus has issued a call to action, asking union members to submit comments to the
Federal Register online. Go to www.apwu.org , click on FMLA and a link will be provided for you to submit
your comments. This must be done by April 11.
We are hoping to get a very high turnout of comments from APWU members asking the Department of Labor
not to take any actions that will weaken FMLA. FMLA is one of the most pro-worker laws passed in a very
long time and it has protected many workers from losing their jobs or benefits.
It is imperative that we have our voices heard before the department makes a final decision on changes to the
regulations. You can be sure that there are plenty of managers responding with input that is not in our best
interest!
Some of the proposed changes in FMLA that are of special concern:
• Current regulations prohibit employers from making direct contact with an employee’s physician. The
proposed rules would create exceptions to this prohibition.
• Eligible employees would be required to re-certify lifelong or chronic conditions at least twice a year,
regardless of the length of the certification issued by a healthcare provider. (Employees would have to bear the
costs of the additional trips to the doctor.) Under current regulations, such certifications last up to a year.
• Current regulation prohibit the disclosure of a “diagnosis or prognosis” on any form. The proposed rule
would allow employers to request but not require disclosure.
• While the proposed regulations would allow eligible employees to seek damages against employers who
fail to provide them proper notice of their rights under the FMLA, the burden of proof in such cases would be
quite high and employees would have to show actual damages suffered.
• Current regulations stipulate that a health problem can qualify as a serious condition when an absence is
followed by two visits with a healthcare provider. The proposed regulations would restrict FMLA eligibility
by requiring that follow-up treatment take place within 30 days of the start of a medical absence.
• Current law requires employers to provide notice to employees within two business days. The proposed
rule expands the period to five business days.
Help to Fight Proposed New Regulations That Weaken
the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
Please send the union a copy of the comments that you submit to the Federal Register about the proposed
new FMLA regulations. E-mail them to:
commentsfedreg@apwu.org, or mail them to: FMLA Comments,
Attention: Myke Reid, 1300 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Click the link below for the side by side comparison on the proposed changes for FMLA.

http://home.earthlink.net/~sidebarrecordings/

President’s Annual Report
February 3, 2008

Brothers and Sisters,

In accordance with our Local Constitution February is the month the President must provide the membership with a yearly report detailing our progress and the general condition of the Local as well as plans and goals for 2008. I must tell you I am honored to represent the Manchester Area Local. Every day I strive to bring about the best for this Local and can only do so with the team of Officers I have and your support. This summary is not one person’s efforts but rather a collective of the entire administration.

The year started with a new National Agreement and with that came a window of opportunity to negotiate local agreements. Within that sixty day window I appointed three teams to open negotiations in Manchester, the L&DC, Franklin, and Londonderry. Every craft was represented and every item was discussed among us all. Negotiating with Management is never easy but we came to agreement in each office with no items sent to impasse.

PTF Conversions: New language in our National Agreement called for the elimination of PTF’s in all 200 man year offices by December 1st. PTF’s in both Manchester and the L&DC were long overdue to be converted therefore we initiated talks with Management in May. Unfortunately the discussions at the L&DC were drawn out due to the excessing that had occurred there but all of our PTF’s were converted well before the December 1st deadline.

Grievances: The grievance procedure is frustrating at best. Obviously it can never be fast enough to adjudicate our issues, but we would be lost without it. The majority of the time it is our road to justice. In the year 2007 the Manchester facility and the L&DC filed more than 200 grievances. This includes all crafts, all tours and the issues range from overtime violations, improper request for sick leave documentation, the use of casuals, cross craft violations, Supervisors performing bargaining unit work and discipline.

Arbitrations: The Northeast Area was without arbitration dates from July until last month. New contracts for the Arbitrators were not finalized resulting in no cases scheduled. We have many cases waiting to be heard and I will be in contact with our Regional Coordinator to secure dates. When National announces the next arbitration school I will ask the membership for a motion to spend the funds and send our VP Chris Howe. I believe he will make an excellent advocate for our Local.

Associate Offices: With the high level of activity in our AO’s I am very pleased to start 2008 with two Area Business Agents. This year I plan to set up a quarterly schedule to hold AO meetings out in the field for our members. I have visited a number of offices along with ABA Mark Lavalliere. Unfortunately excessing that was on hold for at least a year in both Salem and Londonderry was reactivated by Management. Mark and I met with the impacted employees to advise them of their rights and reassure them grievances would be filed.

Education, Conferences and Seminars: In order to provide quality representation our Officers and Stewards must receive training and information. We sent twenty delegates to the State Convention, April 20th, in Meredith. Once again one of our Executive Board members ran and became the State President. In June this Local hosted a National Presidents Conference, with over two hundred APWU members from across the country attending. It was a challenge to provide our standard of hospitality while remaining within our limited budget but with a great team of volunteers the event was an overwhelming success. A day of training was provided by the State organization with the majority of our Officers and Stewards attending. We sent seven of our Executive Board to the All Craft Conference last November. Three days of classes taught by National Officers was an invaluable learning experience for all of us.

Communication: We continue to work towards improving communications with the membership. Last year we created the Local’s web site, mailed two newsletters and notices are constantly posted on our bulletin boards to update you the member. We have also initiated an Email alert program to get important information out as soon as possible.

COPA: The Manchester Area Local again made the annual goal set by National for COPA contributions. I want to thank all of our members who make COPA contributions a priority. Our raffle was a success as year after year the COPA committee selects great prizes to entice our members.

Legislative Activity: This Local is very active in the legislative arena. We now pay full per capita to both the NH AFL-CIO and the Manchester Central Labor Council. It is very exciting to be involved in the labor movement as a whole. I expect NH will play a very important role in the AFL-CIO Labor 2008 program for the upcoming elections.

Accident Benefit Association: Over $7,000 in claims were paid to our members last year, a benefit for members only and a great organizing tool.

Functions: The 2007 Golf Tournament was held in honor of our Brother, Tim Keaney and I had the pleasure of attending the awards dinner with Tim’s family. Our annual Christmas party was held at a different venue this year with a great time to be had by all.

Scholarship: The Local continues to give back to the membership by way of our scholarship program in which two of our members children received $1,000 each towards college tuition.

Retirement Benefit: 2008 we expect to see a number of our members retire from the Postal Service. We provide a generous retirement benefit for their loyal years of union membership.

Finances and Expenses: All of the above costs money. Expenses are approved either through motions or constitutional language. Fiscal responsibility was a primary focus of the election last April and a commitment I made during my campaign. I am proud to report this administration made a positive effect on our Local’s finances. We made a concerted effort to reduce expenses while maintaining the quality of the Local and ended the year with more money than we started. This has not happened since the year 2000. But we can not rest on those achievements as each year will bring more challenges.

Again I want to extend my sincere thanks to the entire staff, Officers and Stewards. They do not get the recognition they deserve. Each of us has a unique set of abilities when combined can only mean great things for the Manchester Area Local.


Yours in Union Solidarity,
Pat Ahern, President
Manchester Area Local

January 22, 2008


Dear Union Members,

I want to take this opportunity to welcome two new Officers of the Manchester Area Local. Dan Provencher was recently appointed to the newly created position of Area Business Agent B in accordance with our Local Constitution. Dan will represent our members in the Associate Offices along with Mark Lavaillere. We have thirty AO’s and with the high level of activity, this second position is long overdue. For the AO’s, with this posting is a copy of the office breakdown for each ABA. I will be establishing a schedule with both Dan and Mark to continue our AO visits. In the future I would like to set up quarterly AO meetings out in the field.

I am pleased to announce Dave Belcher has returned to the position of Motor Vehicle Director. This position has been vacant for many years. Recording Secretary, Rich Whelan, has been representing Motor Vehicle for us in the interim and I thank him for all of his hard work.

We now have a full Executive Board and I am looking forward to working with both Dan and Dave.

Recently I participated in a telecom where Management clarified procedures employees need to use with regard to eReassign. They did state each employee will be receiving a notice on these procedures. Vacancies will not be posted on this site. You will have to create a “wish list” to enter your preference for specific positions or offices you want to transfer to. The system will maintain your name as an interested candidate for a one year period. Only those employees who have entered their wish-list will be considered for future vacancies. Requests are processed in order by date and time submitted unless there is a priority status due to excessing. The system will create a confirmation of your request. I suggest you print this confirmation as your documentation. If you believe Management is not abiding by the Transfer Memo in our Collective Bargaining Agreement please speak to a Steward. The Memo states, in part, Installation Heads will afford full consideration to all reassignment requests from employees in other geographical areas within the Postal Service. Except in the most unusual of circumstances, if there area sufficient qualified applicants for reassignment at least one out of every four vacancies will be filled by granting requests for reassignment in all offices of 100 or more man-years.

We have been very busy on the legislative front. I am proud to report we had an outstanding showing on January 10th at the Legislative Office Building in Concord before the NH House Commerce Committee regarding HB 1506 which will establish a restricted mail registry in NH. This bill is similar to the Do Not Call legislation. We all realize any decline in bulk business mail



will adversely affect Postal Workers. I believe our State Representatives were surprised to see the number of people present who were opposed to the bill. The hearing will be continued on Thursday, January 24th 1:30 PM. Please do make the effort to be there again. On the National level it is also imperative that union members contact their Representatives in the House asking them to co-sponsor H.R. 4236 and support this legislation when it is considered. This bill was introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, will require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before it engages in significant subcontracting. We will have a sample letter to sign and mail at the next local union meeting. You can also send this letter via e-mail if you visit www.apwu.org and click on “Contact Your Legislators” listed under “Shortcuts” in the top right corner, select “Issues and Legislation”, select “HR4236”, and follow the instructions for sending a message.

Our next union meeting is Sunday, February 3rd at 10AM. I hope to see you there!


In Union Solidarity,
Pat Ahern, President

January 2, 2008
Call for Action

New Hampshire Legislator Proposes Restrictions on Postal Service!!

A bill has been proposed in the New Hampshire House, HB1506, establishing a “Restricted Mail Registry” within the NH Department of Justice. This registry (similar to the “Do Not Call List”) would contain a list of consumers in NH who do not wish to receive solicitations by mail.

Similar legislation had been proposed in more than 15 other states. There are many unintended consequences of some of these bills. The mail has an impact of hundred of billions of dollars each year and millions of jobs. Jobs include U.S. Postal Service Workers, truckers, printers, advertising agents, copywriters and countless other jobs created by business resulting from the direct mail.

A letter opposing the bill was sent from Myke Reid our National APWU Legislative Director, to the sponsor of the bill, Ms. Susi Nord (rep. Candia/Deerfield). Also Mark MacKenzie, President of the NH AFL-CIO and Pat Ahern and I, met with Representative Susi Nord, along with representatives from the NALC and the Mailhandler’s Union. Although Ms. Nord has been supportive of several labor issues in the past, we were unable to convince her of the drastic impact of her bill. We made it clear that we are vehemently opposed to this legislation and intend to fight against passage of the bill.

NOW… WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

The bill has been assigned to the Commerce Committee and a hearing is scheduled in Concord on January 10. We would like to have as many members as possible ready to help to make sure this bill is defeated. Jobs are at stake!

To help you can:

• Please take a minute to sign up for e-mail alerts, in the event we need to contact you. You can do this on our local website http://www.apwulocal230.com or send an e-mail to: maple7@metrocast.net.

• Contact the sponsor & co-sponsors of the bill by mail, e-mail &/or by phone and let them know you are opposed to the bill and do not believe that it is in the best interest of NH residents.

• Look through the list of committee members. If any of the committee members represents your district, PLEASE contact that representative, let them know you are a constituent, and urge him/her to oppose HB 1506. If none of your state representatives serve on the Commerce Committee, please call, or e-mail at least several committee members anyway and let them know that you are opposed to this legislation.

• Please forward any responses you get to: maple7@metrocast.net or call 934-5022. We need to know what responses you are getting BEFORE the hearing next week.

• We will know better as the hearing date approaches, but we may need to have members attend the hearing. You would be amazed at how much difference a room full of opposition can make! We need to hold our elected state and national officials accountable and let them know what we want. Notices will be posted and e-mail messages will be sent if we need to have a strong showing of Postal Workers at the hearing.

• If you know of others who share our interest, please talk to them or let me know so that we can seek their support (Printing industry, members of Retail Merchants Assoc. – anyone who relies heavily on the use of direct mail marketing).


Issues worth mentioning when you contact committee members:

- This bill would unfairly limit communication with potential customers

- Direct mail is a $20 Billion Industry. Jobs affected would include letter carrier, postal clerks, drivers, maintenance, mailhandlers, rural carriers, retailers, printers, drivers, copywriters, ….

- Without advertising mail, the Postal Service would be forced to drastically increase rates for other types of mail and to reduce services. This would likely have a greater negative impact in places like NH where there are many rural areas that are more expensive to serve.

- Advertising mail helps to even the playing field for smaller and medium sized businesses, providing them a means to introduce themselves and their products or services to local customers. Radio and television ads may be unaffordable

- Legislation is not necessary to provide consumers with options to remove their names from marketing lists. Consumers can contact individual companies, register with DMA’s mail preference service, and sign up to “opt out” for pre-approval credit offers.

- Discarded direct mail represents just 2.4% of municipal solid waste according to the EPA and the recycling recovery rate has grown 700% since 1990.

Please act today - together we CAN make a difference.


Janice Kelble, Legislative Director




House Commerce Committee


Tara G. Reardon (Dem., Chairperson, Merrimack Co – Dist 11)
124 East Side Drive
Concord, NH 03301-5464
Phone: (603)224-0614
email: hontgr@aol.com

Stephen T. DeStefano (Dem., Vice Chairperson, Merrimack Co. Dist. 13)
7 Sharon Drive
Bow, NH 03304-4325
Phone: (603)224-2641
email: sdestefano@aol.com

Angeline K. Kopka (Dem., Hillsborough Co. – District 26)
63 Buckmeadow Rd
Nashua, NH 03062-1726
Phone: (603)577-5561
email: akopkare@aol.com

Paul McEachern (Dem., Rockingham Co. – District 16)
282 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2849
Phone: (603)431-6653
email: pmceachern@shaines.com

Edward A. Butler (Dem., Carroll Co. – District 1)
Notchland Inn Rte 302
Harts Location, NH 03812
Phone: (603)374-6131
email: edofthenotch@aol.com

Jill Shaffer. Hammond (Dem., Hillsborough Co. – District 3)
PO Box 332
Peterborough, NH 03458-0332
Phone: (603)547-0715
email: jshafham@verizon.net

Matthew S. Houde (Dem. & Rep., Sullivan Co. – District 1)
P.O. Box 66
Meriden, NH 03770-0066
Phone: (603)504-2744
email: matthewhoude@yahoo.com

Robert F. Matheson (Dem., Grafton Co. – District 4)
PO Box 252
North Woodstock, NH 03262-0252
Phone: (603)745-6155
email: mathesonbob@msn.com


Susi Nord (Dem., Rockingham Co. – District 1)
32 Murray Hill Rd
Candia, NH 03034-2616
Phone: (603)483-0222
email: stnord@yahoo.com

Stephen P. Spratt (Clerk, Dem., Hillsborough Co. – District 3)
PO Box 168
Greenville, NH 03048-0168
Phone: (603)878-0657
email: repspratt@aol.com

Nancy H. Warren (Dem., Strafford Co. – District 1)
101 Lowell St
Rochester, NH 03867-5005
Phone: (603)332-0852
email: nancy.warren@leg.state.nh.us

Joel F. Winters (Dem., Hillsborough Co. – District 17)
PO Box 135
Nashua, NH 03061-0135
Phone: (603)624-5635
email: N/A

John B. Hunt (Rep., Cheshire Co. – District 7)
165 Sunridge Road
Rindge, NH 03461-5478
Phone: (603)899-6000
email: jbhunt@prodigy.net

Ronald J. Belanger (Rep., Rockingham Co. – District 4)
PO Box 415
Salem, NH 03079-0415
Phone: (603)893-0659
email: ron.belanger@leg.state.nh.us

Donald H. Flanders (Rep., Belknap Co. – District 4)
19 Kensington Dr
Laconia, NH 03246-2910
Phone: (603)524-5369
email: dflanders@metrocast.net

Charles L. Clark (Rep., Belknap Co. – District 5)
336 Intervale Rd Unit B2
Gilford, NH 03249-7436
Phone: (603)293-9194
email: cclark1@metrocast.net

Marshall E. Quandt (Rep., Rockingham Co. – District 13)
45 Franklin Street
Exeter, NH 03833-2817
Phone: (603)772-3417
email: N/A

Matthew J. Quandt (Rep., Rockingham Co. – District 13)
45 Franklin Street
Exeter, NH 03833-2817
Phone: (603)772-3417
email: mjquandt@comcast.net

James R. Martin (Rep., Carroll Co. – District 5)
PO Box 537
Sanbornville, NH 03872-0537
Phone: (603)522-3969
email: sanbornfarm@verizon.net

Stephen T. Pelkey (Rep., Cheshire Co. – District 7)
PO Box 202
Jaffrey, NH 03452-0202
Phone: (603)532-6911
email: steve@atlaspyro.com



Bill Co-Sponsors:

Neal M. Kurk (Rep., Hillsborough Co -. District 7)
RR 1
Weare, NH 03281-5412
Phone: (603)529-7253
neal.kurk@leg.state.nh.us


Jane E. Beaulieu (Dem., Hillsborough Co. – Dist. 17)
609 South Main St
Manchester, NH 03102-5134
Phone: (603)626-1260
Phone: (603)203-8440
Email Address: jane.beaulieu@leg.state.nh.us

December 12, 2007


Dear Union Members,

As most of you know for more than six months now this district has been involved in phase two of the National Reassessment Process. The USPS created the NRP to aggressively monitor limited-duty and rehabilitation assignments and we believe it is another management effort to undermine the status of injured postal employees.

Initially each unit manager was asked to supply John Godlewski, Manager Human Resources with a “Necessary Work Identification Worksheet” identifying work in their area for injured on duty employees. At that point Mr. Godlewski reviewed those submissions and deleted any he considered not to be within the program guidelines. The guidelines claim the work must be necessary to the success of the operation, needs to be done daily and should not be already be in a bid job. Therefore even if an injured employee was in a rehab assignment for several years performing work on a daily basis all of sudden this work is now considered not necessary and as I was told will be absorbed by the employees in that department. It is our position these guidelines violate our Collective Bargaining Agreement in that productive and necessary are not contractually established work measurement standards. Also the employees left in those departments are only required to provide a fair days work for a fair days pay. They cannot be expected to absorb others duties and continue to do their own. We have to be diligent and continue to report any instances of Management performing bargaining unit work.

At the start of this process Management identified each injured on duty employee who had reached their maximum medical improvement and created a new rehab assignment out of this work. The USPS claims federal regulations require them to find work either here or agency wide for injured employees who have met their MMI within the first year of their injury therefore they started the assignments with this in mind. Every employee needs to know how important the date of their Maximum Medical Improvement is. I realize your Doctor makes this determination but I also realize most patients are able to work with their Doctor to make their improvement happen.

Originally the Manchester Area Local had more than forty of our members impacted through this process. This administration has been working with each member, attending their interviews, reviewing job offers and advising them of their rights. Interviews started the week of July 4th. I have also been in contact with our National Officers with questions and concerns from the start as we unfortunately were one of the first districts (other than two pilot sites) to enter phase two.



We are now at the point where it appears six of our members have not received a job offer and are being sent home by Management after being told there is no work available for them. They will go on the rolls of OWCP. VP, Chris Howe, Clerk Craft Director, Mark Wiggin, L&DC Coordinator, John Shappy and I have worked with each individual involved extensively. We have been there with them throughout their interviews with this NRP Team, argued with Management over what we believe to be contract violations and we have given considerable input as to what work is available for them. We are well prepared to fight this in the grievance procedure. Several national grievances have been filed on the NRP which will be included in our local grievances, especially the issue of seniority. Management did not give seniority any weight in their decisions

Last week I spoke to our National Human Relations Department and they were surprised we went from 40+ members to 6 and complimented us on our hard work. I have to say I am disappointed we have lost even one Brother or Sister through this and commit to doing all that is possible to bring them back.

I have advised each member to file MSPB and EEO appeals in addition to our work in the grievance procedure and I believe they have united as a group to fight this, which is fantastic. We all know there is power in numbers.


In Union Solidarity,
Pat Ahern,
President

Reverse the Decision to Limit TSP Interfund TransfersTarget:
ANYONE WHO IS A TSP SHAREHOLDER
Created by:
http://www.TSPSHAREHOLDER.ORG
PETITION AGAINST TSP SHARE TRADING LIMITS

Under the leadership of the current Thrift Savings Board, a decision has been made, without prior warning, and without the input of those most affected, to put an artificial limit on the on-line share trades of 3.8 MILLION Thrift Savings Plan shareholders. We believe this is wrong.

In an on-line poll at http://federaltimes.com/, over 90% of respondents said the Board's decision to limit trades to two per month was the wrong decision.



The Thrift Board claims that trades cost too much. Yet the Thrift Board figures state that costs have dropped each year, and now amount to just a fraction of the cost of private plans. According to the Thrift Board figures, this year adminstrative and market costs INCLUDING all trading will account for 25 milion dollars. That works out to just about $4 per year, per person in the TSP.



We do not believe the TSP's current administrative and market impact expenses are excessive, and we reject that claim. We don't think the TSP Board should limit trading based on these levels of expenses.



We believe there is a better way. There are alternatives to reduce the cost of market impact and Fair Valuation and executing our interfund transfer efficiently through the market .



IF IMPOSED: THESE LIMITS WOULD:

1. Suspend the ability of individuals to control their own assets, thereby eliminating one key benefit inherent in the TSP plan- that is the Share holder controlling his own money, and where and when it is invested. This fundamental principle of TSP Shareholders must not be infringed- the right to control one's own money is vitally important to the success of the TSP.



2. Harm Dollar Cost Averagers: Many shareholders use trades to Dollar Cost Average their purchase of shares, and this limit of only two trades per month will adversely affect anyone who is dollar cost averaging, a proven desirable investment technique supported by many financial advisors.



3. Lock investors out of opportunities to reinvest in shares in a climbing market. The proposal permits a third trade into the G fund, but if the market bounces back, share holders lose the opportunity to recoup their losses.



There MUST be alternatives to this draconian decision to place artificially low limits on the opportunity to rebalance. This is OUR money, and you cannot change the rules in the middle of the game without Shareholder approval.

We, the shareholders of the TSP's funds, hereby reject the decision of the Thrift Boards artificial limits, and call for the Employee Thrift Advisory Council to reject the Thrift Board plan to impose needless trading restrictions.



We hereby petition and ask the ETAC to tell the Thrift Board to :

1. Rescind their decision to limit trades of TSP shareholders, and
2. Hold public hearings on the matter, so that TSP Shareholders may provide input into decisions affecting us, and
3. Communicate with and listen to its shareholders, to discuss and come up with alternatives to artificial TSP trading limits.



Signed:

We, the Shareholders of TSP Funds

PETITION AGAINST TSP SHARE TRADING LIMITS

Under the leadership of the current Thrift Savings Board, a decision has been made, without prior warning, and without the input of those most affected, to put an artificial limit on the on-line share trades of 3.8 MILLION Thrift Savings Plan shareholders. We believe this is wrong.

In an on-line poll at http://federaltimes.com/, over 90% of respondents said the Board's decision to limit trades to two per month was the wrong decision.



The Thrift Board claims that trades cost too much. Yet the Thrift Board figures state that costs have dropped each year, and now amount to just a fraction of the cost of private plans. According to the Thrift Board figures, this year adminstrative and market costs INCLUDING all trading will account for 25 milion dollars. That works out to just about $4 per year, per person in the TSP.



We do not believe the TSP's current administrative and market impact expenses are excessive, and we reject that claim. We don't think the TSP Board should limit trading based on these levels of expenses.



We believe there is a better way. There are alternatives to reduce the cost of market impact and Fair Valuation and executing our interfund transfer efficiently through the market .



IF IMPOSED: THESE LIMITS WOULD:

1. Suspend the ability of individuals to control their own assets, thereby eliminating one key benefit inherent in the TSP plan- that is the Share holder controlling his own money, and where and when it is invested. This fundamental principle of TSP Shareholders must not be infringed- the right to control one's own money is vitally important to the success of the TSP.



2. Harm Dollar Cost Averagers: Many shareholders use trades to Dollar Cost Average their purchase of shares, and this limit of only two trades per month will adversely affect anyone who is dollar cost averaging, a proven desirable investment technique supported by many financial advisors.



3. Lock investors out of opportunities to reinvest in shares in a climbing market. The proposal permits a third trade into the G fund, but if the market bounces back, share holders lose the opportunity to recoup their losses.



There MUST be alternatives to this draconian decision to place artificially low limits on the opportunity to rebalance. This is OUR money, and you cannot change the rules in the middle of the game without Shareholder approval.

We, the shareholders of the TSP's funds, hereby reject the decision of the Thrift Boards artificial limits, and call for the Employee Thrift Advisory Council to reject the Thrift Board plan to impose needless trading restrictions.



We hereby petition and ask the ETAC to tell the Thrift Board to :

1. Rescind their decision to limit trades of TSP shareholders, and
2. Hold public hearings on the matter, so that TSP Shareholders may provide input into decisions affecting us, and
3. Communicate with and listen to its shareholders, to discuss and come up with alternatives to artificial TSP trading limits.



Signed:

We, the Shareholders of TSP Funds

We. the undersigned, believe that the Thrift Board's Decision to limit TSP Shareholder's to two interfund transfers a month is wrong.

The TSP is OUR money. Where it should be allocated is a matter best left to the individual shareholder, and not to the Board, without any input from the shareholder's affected.

In a recent poll conducted by the Federal Times, more than 90% of TSP Shareholders said the decision to limit Interfund Transfers to two per month was wrong.

http://www.tspshareholder.org/ is an organization being formed to fight back, and become a voice for the rights of the 3.8 million TSP Shareholders world wide.

Our On-line Petition is now active, and we ask you to join us in bringing this message to the Thrift Board.

If enough people support and sign, TSPSHAREHOLDER.ORG will be sending a representative to Washington to hand-carry and deliver this petition directly to the Thrift Board, and other policy makers. We need your help to make it there.

Thank you for taking the time to take part, to stand up for your rights, and to sign the petition to reverse the TSP Board's decision, and look instead for other alternatives.
signature
goal: 10,000

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September 5, 2007

Dear Union Members,

As usual the summer has slipped past us too fast! Hopefully everyone enjoyed it! We have a new Lead MDO in the Manchester Plant who is determined to create upheaval. It appears Management had a blanket policy of requesting sick leave documentation over the Labor Day Holiday. There is language in the ELM which allows Management to request documentation for absences of less than three days in order “to protect the interest of the Postal Service”. Each request should have been considered on a case-by-case basis with a legitimate reason behind the request. I am not aware of anyone in this facility who is on restricted sick leave. We will file individual grievances on the improper request for documentation; unfortunately we do have to follow orders and grieve after. If you were impacted, please see your Steward and be sure to document any out of pocket expenses, such as co-pay, mileage and time.

I also spoke to the Lead MDO about the destruction of chairs from the Manchester Plant. Apparently she rounded up chairs that she claims were defective and had them crushed in the compactor. I have been told some of the chairs were in fact not defective. During our discussion she referenced that employees in automation are not allowed to sit. With that remark, her facial expressions and demeanor I am led to believe her actions were not to protect us from a safety hazard but to punish us for sitting down!

I have also received notification Management is planning to conduct an operational review of clerk functions in the Manchester Plant. This review will take place between September 15th and October 26th. We will be meeting with Management prior to this review as well as after in order to keep any impact to the craft non-existent or at best minimal.

We continue to work on reassessment issues for our injured employees.

Due to new language in the contract which mandates conversion of all PTF’s in 200 man year offices we have successfully converted PTF’s in the Manchester facility and are in the process of conversion at the L&DC.

Last week I attended a Northeast Regional Seminar to update us on changes to the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual. Most of our National Officers were there to speak as well as President Burrus.

I will be reporting on these issues and more at Sunday’s union meeting. This is your opportunity to be informed and ask questions. I will be looking forward to seeing you there!

In Solidarity,
Pat Ahern, President