MHV18-01

NEWSLETTER OF THE NJI&BMC BRANCH OF LOCAL 300

“LETS TURN IT AROUND”

VOLUME 17, NO.18 80 COUNTY ROAD J.C.N.J 7097

DECEMBER 27, 2001 (201) 653-1767, IN HOUSE 5082,5083

GRADY R. FITZGERALD, BRANCH PRESIDENT FAX NUMBER (201) 714-4869

BRANCH WEB SITE ADDRESS

HOW QUICKLY TIME PASSES

Well another year has come and gone. I don’t know about you but for me the years seem to be flying by. This year in particular, it just flew by. The summer was over and I thought it was just starting. I think the fact that we had so many changes take place had a lot to do with it. I sure hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. At my age I want the years to pass slower not faster. Although I think most people will be glad that this year will be behind us. It was not a good year for most of the country.

When I look back at what happened during the year. I saw a tremendous amount of change that occurred. Last year in the International building there was virtually no mail. This year we were swimming in mail. The addition of the Military Priority was a tremendous shot in the arm for our facility. We also added the West Jersey and DVD Bulk Business Mail. The situation in that building went from dreary to cheery almost overnight. That saved a lot of jobs for both crafts. Last year the Unions were looking at a nightmare. Fortunately, we dodged that bullet.

We also saw the implementation of new security measures, a change that no one welcomed or liked but one we were forced to accept. We also saw new time and attendance procedures put in place. We have new Managers and SDO’s all with different styles of managing. We also now have robotics in the facility. The new fire alarm system, which initially, was a disaster, now seems to be working better.

We had our first ever Shop Steward elections. We also unfortunately, saw the passing of some good people, like Local 300 New Jersey Executive Board Member and long time Steward Brother Wally Merwin and Local 300 Shop Steward Bobby Pearson. Two great guys and dedicated Union activist, we miss them both. Fortunately, Wally’s friends had enough time to get together a party that allowed many of us to spend one last night with him. Wally later told me that it was one of the best things that anyone ever did for him and that he was happy to see so many of his friends there.

We also saw, for the third year in a row a significant drop in disciplinary actions taken against our members. We are also able to resolve more cases at steps one and two. Surprisingly, despite all the new automation we were able to gain new jobs. We also have the lowest number of flexi Mail Handlers then we’ve probably ever had. Fifty Flexi Mail Handlers were converted this year alone!

NOW IF WE CAN ONLY GET A DAMN CONTRACT!

Not everything went well this year. We had a bitterly contested Delegate Election for the LIUNA Convention. Unfortunately, it brought out the worst for all involved. It was an ugly situation and I sure hope it doesn’t happen again. Union political battles tend to be very vicious and are very divisive for the Union. This is an unfortunate side effect of Union democracy. But we got thru it.

Then we had the tragic events of September 11^th, 2001. The events of that day shook all of our lives. Not only for us, but for everyone in the tri-state area. Then we had the bio-terrorism attacks with the terrorist using the mail to deliver their poison. We lost two of our co-workers and Postal workers all over the country had to go thru two months of extremely stressful working conditions. It literally put all of us on the front lines. I certainly hope we never have to go thru that again. These attacks caught everyone off guard and there was much confusion and panic. Many Postal facilities and other government building were contaminated with the Anthrax spores. Some are still closed.

Fortunately, we got through it. However not without loses. Well enough about that!

Our Branch had our Christmas party on December 15^th and from all reports everyone had a blast. Hopefully next year we’ll have a bigger and better party. Special thanks, to all those who volunteered to sell tickets and to those who manned the door the night of the party. Thank you very much!

Next year promises to bring even more changes and tougher challenges for all of us. Nothing ever seems to get easier does it? But there is no doubt in my mind that together we will be able to handle them. Especially since we have little choice but to handle them.

I would like to end by urging all of you to make and spend more time with your families.

I know it’s easy to get caught up with bills, obligations and work, but we also have to remember our families and loved ones. So do yourself a favor and make the time for them. I think that the events of last year has brought us all a little closer together and showed us that America is not immune from attack Anything can happen at anytime.

We all hope and would like to believe that it would never happen to us. However the tragic events of September 11^th has shown us that no one in immune to tragedy.

Take care and have a safe New Years.

Grady R. Fitzgerald

NJI-BMC Branch President

UPDATE ON APRONS AND SHIRTS

At the last Local Executive Board meeting the Board voted to delay the purchase and distribution of the aprons and shirts until after the upcoming local election. The reasoning for this decision was that there was concern that the distribution at this time might result in someone filing an election protest and possibly cause the Labor Department to overturn the election and mandate that the election be re-run. This would cost the Union approximately $60.000-$70,000. They originally voted to purchase the shirts and aprons back in June and here it is December and the items have not even been ordered yet. Had they been ordered at that time there would have been no problem. However if they were ordered at this time the vendor would not be able to deliver them until possible sometime in February which puts their distribution too close to the nomination meeting. You will still get what you ordered. You’ll just have to wait until after the election, which will take place in either May or June. We apologize for the delay but I believe that it was a prudent decision in light of the possible adverse ramifications and the possibility of having the election overturned.

LOCAL 300 EXECUTIVE BOARD VOTES TO FILL THE VACANT

NEW JERSEY STATE EXECUTIVE BOARD POSITION

The Executive Board in a five to one vote has voted to appoint Bulk Tour II Chief Steward Charlie Price to fill out the remainder of Brother Wally Merwin’s term as New Jersey State Executive Board member. We congratulate Charlie on his appointment and wish him the best of luck in his new position.

APWU ARBITRATION AWARD OUT

Well the long awaited APWU Arbitrators decision was issued on December 18^th. We posted it on our Branch web site on the following day. The wage package included general wage increases in the following amounts; 1.2% for the year 2000, 1.8% for 2001 and 1.4% for the year 2002. All of these increases will be based on the salary schedule that was in effect on Sept.9, 2000. The wage increase for the first year will be made retroactive. Our fears that were printed in the MHV several issues ago, regarding the March and September COLA payments proved to be accurate in that the Arbitrator failed to make them part of the basic wage and there will be no retroactive payments on them instead he awarded each APWU worker a one time bonus of $499.00. We were sorry to see this, as these two COLA’s were pretty high and to not have them become part of our basic wage package is a big loss for all employees. Another sore point is the fact that all three general wage increases are being based on the September 9, 2000 wage schedule. In addition there were several wage levels that were upgraded to the next level. Another significant change concerned Holiday pay for work performed on your holiday. Employees were given the option of either receiving pay for the hours worked or having the hours worked added to your annual leave balance. Other then that there were not many changes made. Sunday premium and night differential pay remained the same as in the previous contract. The employee’s contribution to our health benefits also remained the same. For those interested in reading the entire text you can visit our web site (address listed at the top of the front page of each MHV) or you can stop in and we will make you a copy.

Now how does this affect our contract? Well, in the APWU award the Arbitrators panel stated that a written opinion setting out the basis on which the panel reached its decision on economic issues will be issued on January 15, 2002. We have been advised that our National is waiting to review this opinion and then they will decide which road to take. If there is a decision to “me too” the APWU award it will have to go out for the members to ratify it.

Some people like the APWU award and some people are opposed to it. The fact that the COLA was not rolled into the basic wage increase is surely a sore point. We’ll have to wait until the 15^th for the panel’s decision and see which road our National Union will take.

WE WISH ALL OF OUR MEMBERS A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTY NEW YEAR.

We also hope that everyone had a happy Christmas. We were glad and grateful that management agreed with the Unions request regarding the Christmas and New Years Holiday schedule. It permitted most people to have some well-deserved time with their families. THANK YOU.

We urge everyone who intends to go out on the eve to make arrangements and have some be a designated driver. We want to see all of you next year!

SAFETY & HEALTH

I recently sent the following letter to Bill Gilmartin the facilities Safety Manager regarding the emissions of the Occidental Plant located across the tracks from our facility. I will keep you updated on any developments.

Bill Gilmartin: Date: November 6, 2001

Attached is the list of chemicals that are released into the air from the Occidental Chemical Corporation. As you are aware this facility is located adjacent to our employee parking lot. Their emissions are approximately one hundred yards from our facilities intake vents. When the wind is blowing toward our facility we are literally taking in as fresh air what they are emitting. As you can see from the attached list almost every chemical that they release has either acute or chronic health effects. With the high number of our employees with cancer, I am requesting that we check our filters to determine if we are in fact bringing into our facility any of these hazardous chemicals. If we are, we can appeal to the N.J. D.E.P. to request that Occidental be forced to reduce their emissions. I believe that it is in the best interest of all of our employees that we test our filters. I’m sure that you share the same concerns as I do concerning this matter.

Grady R. Fitzgerald

Branch President Local 300