MHV01-04-2001

Well Sisters and Brothers another year has slipped past us and if you’re reading this you made it thru it. While last year presented us with many changes, we somehow were able to cope with them. This coming year promises to present us with many more changes. Our contract is headed for arbitration, the Postal Service is pleading poverty and more automation is headed our way. We will, undoubtedly see an increase in presorted mail and a drop in overall mail volume. However, The NJI-BMC will not close! We may see a reduction in the number of employees. This year we will see the reduction of some clerk craft jobs. Mail Handlers should not be that adversely affected, but you won’t see the overtime like we have seen in the past.

This year our Union will begin electing our shop stewards. I urge everyone to think long and hard before you vote. Being a Steward is not as easy as one would think. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with it. Everyday it seems to be a new problem. Remember, Shop Steward elections are not a popularity contest.

Your job may be in the hands of the person you elect. So think about that before you vote.

LATE BREAKING NEWS!!!

We have just been informed that Priority mail is coming to the Bulk for a three week test.

Both Local 300 and the APWU have been lobbying for this for quite some time. The Senior Managers at the facility have also been lobbying for it.

Sisters and Brothers this is opportunity knocking! Lets kick that door in!

As many of you have read in previous Mail Handler Voices the situation in the International building has been the worse that it has been in the history of the facility.

Mail volume has been steadily dropping. They have been doing domestic mail over there just to keep the people working. Now this mail can go back to the PSM3&4.

From what we have been told we will be getting approximately 5,000-7,000 sacks a day or between 50,000 and 75,000 parcels daily. This will be a good shot in the arm for this facility. I urge everyone to make sure that the job gets done and done right. Let there be no mistake, we need and want this mail at this facility. While Flexi Mail Handlers are getting 40hrs a week, flexi Clerks are getting a lot less.

If we do a good job with this test, the possibility exist, that we can get this mail here on a permanent basis. We need this mail here. Well the ball is in our court now. So let’s do what is best for all of us and get what comes in that day out that day!

Last year we put out 17 issues of the Mail handler Voice. I don’t recall any other year in which we put out that many issues. This was in addition to the new format (four pages) that we adopted, which enables us to get more information to you the members. Hopefully this year we can get out even more issues. Anyone interested in submitting an article to the MHV please contact your steward. If you, have any ideas or suggestions that you would like to see in the MHV that would also be appreciated. Keeping you informed makes the Union stronger.

We have been successful in getting the rest days changed on several jobs on both Bulk Tour II and Tour III. We changed the days on jobs with weekday rest days, to rest days with at least part of the weekend. In addition we are working on getting more MEO jobs posted.

We are also negotiating to continue the flexi conversions. Last year we were successful in getting about 35 flexi conversions. I feel confident that we can continue getting our flexi’s converted.

Our Union office is moving. We are being relocated to the old locker room in the International Building. Our new location will be above the Ladies restroom, adjacent to the PSM 7. This move should take place in the first week of the New Year.

The new Union Constitution will be distributed to all members soon and along with the Constitution you will be given a survey to fill out it’s short and hopefully it will give you an opportunity to give us your input and opinions. So please take a few minutes and fill it out. Please try and keep it positive and constructive. We’re trying to make the Union better. Help us out.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ARE AVAILABLE IN THE UNION OFFICE. THE DEADLINE, FOR SUBMISSIONS IS JANUARY 31, 2001. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

Very soon microwave ovens will be installed in several break areas in the Bulk Building.

So. Inbound break area, middle high volume break area and the north inbound break area.

The microwave’s, were purchased by the NJI-BMC Social And Recreation Committee. They are currently in the Local 300 Union office and as soon as the stands are put in place they will be put in the break areas. Please, make sure that you do not put and metal in them so that they will last. Thank you for your cooperation.

Management has informed the Union that they are interested in a grievance wash. A letter was sent to Local President Larry Adams requesting that a meeting be set up to discuss the subject. The Union is also interested, as this will help save money on arbitration cost and reduce the backlog of pending cases. Currently, there is a significant backlog of cases and if we can reduce this backlog it will cut the time for any future cases to be heard at arbitration. So if you have a case pending you might be hearing something soon.

Union members who know their rights are better able to protect themselves and their jobs then those who don’t. Below are the time limits for the proper filing of grievances. It is important that you know that if you believe that your rights have been violated you only have 14 days in which to file a grievance. This includes if you are denied sick leave or receive an AWOL call a steward. If you have a question or think there might have been a violation, request a Steward.

FROM TO COMPLETE

Also we provide contracts to each and every member. When you have some time take a look at it. If you have a question, see if you can find the answer in the contract or if you can’t call a steward. Remember if you are going to be out of work, you have to call in and notify the USPS. If you don’t call in, you may receive an AWOL NO CALL, this makes it harder for us to help you. So please remember to call in.