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  NEWSLETTER OF THE NJI&BMC BRANCH OF LOCAL 300

   “LETS TURN IT AROUND”   

   VOLUME 17, NO.2                                                             80 COUNTY ROAD J.C.N.J 7097

   JANUARY 31, 2001                                                            (201) 653-1767, IN HOUSE 5082

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

              SOMETHING SOUNDS FISHY HERE

With the Postal Service pleading poverty at the bargaining table, it seems a little weird that in the recent rate proposal that was submitted by Postal Executives in Washington. They gave a four-cent, per stamp discount, to people buying their stamps on the Internet. First of all how many regular citizens will be buying their stamps on the Internet? Not many, this was nothing more then a payback to “Cravin” Marvin Runyon, who just happens to be the Chief Executive Officer of Stamps.Com.. This is also a sell out to Corporate America. There needs to be a Congressional investigation into the all to cozy relationship between the Presort Industry and the Postal Executives in Washington. Postal Executives should be banned from going to work for the Presort Industry after they retire from the Postal Service. There is just too much of a conflict of interest. One day they are giving big discounts for companies who presort their mail, then the next day they’re working for the Presort Companies.

NJIBMC BRANCH WEB SITE UP AND

RUNNING!!!

               ADDRESS:  l300njibmcbranch.org

As promised the Branch finally has a web site that I’m sure you will find both interesting and informative. As a special addition anyone who visits the site can also get free e-mail. We will be continuously adding new additions and up to date information on a frequent basis. So check it out and let us know what you think. A very special thanks goes out to Kelly Rush who put in many hours of work making this site a reality. Kelly is truly an asset to our Branch. In addition, he also keeps our computers running in tip top shape.

                              HANDICAP PARKING

 It has been brought to our attention that people who are not handicapped are parking in spaces that are reserved for our Sisters and Brothers who need them. The rules are that in order to be legally parked there, you, yourself have to be in need. If you have a temporary need you must register with the personnel office and get a special plaque. Lets show a little consideration for our co-workers who need the spaces. So if you have been parking there and you know that you should not be, please leave the space for those who are truly in need. Thank you for your cooperation.

We would also appreciate it if people would refrain from parking in the Union spaces. Many times we have boxes or heavy bags to carry. Again we thank you for your cooperation.

                                     IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

TIME&ATTENDENCE     BULK 714 –6251        International        714-6267

PERSONNEL                                 714-6235

ACCOUNTING                              714-6259

MEDICAL UNIT                            714-6020        Fax # 201-792-0483

COMPENSATION                         714-6218

FEDERAL CREDIT UNION         714-6230

FOR EMERGENCIES      BULK   714- 6089        International        714-6261

POSTAL EASE                           1-877-477-3273

BID NUMBER                            1-800-222-2415

LOCAL UNION OFFICE           1-212- 431-0040    Fax# 212-941-6499

NATIONAL UNION OFFICE    1-202-833-9095

Is There A Woman of Honor Amongst Us?     

  Most Definitely!!

Women’s History Month is approaching.  This year’s theme is “ Celebrating WOMEN of Courage and Vision”.  The Mailhandler Women’s Steering Committee would like to give honor where honor is due.  Submit a name and short biography of a Mailhandler Woman Co-Worker who has exemplified great strides within her family, community and/or workplace. One outstanding member will be chosen. All entries have to be submitted by February 10, 2001.

   STEWARD NOMINATIONS ARE IN THE MAIL!!!

By now you should have received a Notice of Nominations from Local 300 President Larry Adams, as soon as the nominations are completed, elections will be scheduled soon thereafter. Stewards will be elected by tour. Balloting will be held in the cafeteria. So take your vote seriously and vote for the individual who you feel comfortable entrusting your job too. Also remember that stewards have access to confidential material, medical notes, so make sure you’re comfortable with that.

BACK BELTS AND YOU

     Many employees at this facility have chosen to wear back belts during hours of work. Postal management encouraged this program as an aid to lifting and protection against back injuries.

     The Unions APWU and NALC did not endorse this program because early studies by health organizations and laboratories didn’t find creditable results in their testing. More current test evaluations have a cast greater doubt on the merits of back belts.

     A recent study in The Journal of the American Medical Association, conducted by Dr. James T. Wasell and Dr. Douglass P. Landittel of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, looked at thousands of workers in 160 retail stores in 30 states from April 1996 to April 1998.  The researchers compared the incidence of reported back pain and back injuries claims among workers who used the belts and those who did not. Of the 6,311 employees who completed follow-up interviews after six months, 1,088 reported back pain. According to the study, back injuries are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for people under 45 years of age. Back belts use is not associated with reduced incidence of back injuries claims or low back pain in material handlers, researchers wrote in the report. [emphasis ours]

      Postal workers who elect to wear these belts and those who do not should approach lifting and material handling ever more cautiously. Avoid at all cost, false sense of strength and ability.

     The Union recommends:

         S.P.B.S. GRIEVANCE FINALLY SETTLED

Local 300 and Management here at the facility have finally resolved the SPBS grievance that was originally filed in 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, signed last week by NJI-BMC Branch President, Grady R. Fitzgerald and Plant Manager, Frank Tulino. Mail Handler staffing will be brought up to 9 Mail Handlers for each machine and the sweeping duties will be returned to the Mail Handler craft. Thanks go out to Local President Larry Adams for his assistance and Local Vice President Paul Hogrogian, who filed the original grievance.

In addition on February 24, 2001, 15 flexi Mail Handlers will be converted to regular.

An additional 35 flexi Mail Handlers will be converted over several months, but no later then September of this year. We had hoped and fought for the conversion of all flexi mail Handlers, but 50 was the best we could get. We will, of course continue our efforts to get them all converted. Local 300 will continue to fight to improve job security and working conditions for all Mail Handlers.

I want to thank all of our Stewards and Members for working in solidarity to make the Local 300 NJI-BMC Branch the forward thinking organization that we have become, getting results and improving working conditions for our members. Lets continue to work together and continue to get positive results for you the Members! Our efforts have resulted in more jobs with better rest days and many flexi conversions. Don’t forget to check out our Web site. It’s up and running and improvements will continue to be made and new sections will continue to be added.

                   Local 300 and New York Metro

          Conducted Joint Training On Compensation

New York Metro and Local 300 conducted joint training at the APWU office in N.Y.C. everyone who attended said the training was excellent. Mail Handlers who attended from the NJI-BMC Branch were Gwen Green and Tom Mullahey from Tour II and Jim Montagne from Tour III. So if you have any problems or need help with your compensation claim they are the people to see. They are now our Compensation Specialists, so use them! Don’t hesitate or wait too long to contact them. More Joint Training is planned. Upcoming training will be on EEO and FMLA. Your Unions working together for your benefit! It certainly pays to belong so if you are not a Union member come on down and sign up! It’s time to stop freeloading and start helping to share the burden of providing the quality representation you get on a daily basis.

IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST YOU CAN FILE AN EEO COMPLAINT BY CALLING 1-800-339-1142.

We all wish N.J State Representative and Tour III Steward Wally Merwin a speedy recovery. Get well soon Brother we miss you already!

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