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 MHV10-01

                        NEWSLETTER OF THE NJI&BMC BRANCH OF LOCAL 300

                                        “LETS TURN IT AROUND”             

 

   VOLUME 17, NO.10                                                       80 COUNTY ROAD J.C.N.J 7097

   JUNE 18, 2001                                                                (201) 653-1767, IN HOUSE 5082,5083

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

                             BRANCH WEB SITE ADDRESS                                               

                           http://www.l300nji-bmcbranch.org/

 

 

         WE ARE REPRINTING THIS IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON THE BULLETIN BOARDS

REPRINTED FROM THE DECEMBER 2000 MAIL HANDLER UPDATE

NPMHU Publications

December 2000 - Mail Handler Update

Bargaining Reaches Impasse

On November 30, 2000, negotiators for the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and the United States Postal Service called off their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement over the terms of the 2000 National Agreement. Although the parties agreed to continue bargaining for ten days beyond the original contract expiration at midnight on November 20, 2000, they were unable to reach a tentative agreement, and an impasse has been declared. No additional talks are planned, but rather the parties will be discussing appropriate dispute resolution procedures during the coming weeks. These procedures, including final and binding interest arbitration, are expected to produce a contract sometime during 2001.

At this writing, the parties remain far apart on the critical economic issues.

 

The Union has proposed wage increases that, in total, would raise base pay by more than 20% over the next four years. The Union also has proposed no changes in employee health insurance contributions, as well as increases in both night shift differential and Sunday premium pay.

The Postal Service, however, has proposed absolutely no base wage increases, the elimination of COLA, cuts in night differential and Sunday premium pay, and a series of increases in employee contributions for health insurance. As additional pay, the Postal Service has only offered four $500 lump-sum payments, to be distributed to non-probationary mail handlers in November of each year of the contract.

There also are tremendous gaps between the parties' non-economic or work-rule proposals. The Postal Service has proposed massive work-rule changes, including additional casuals, elimination of layoff protection for employees with less than six years of service, a career workforce ratio of 30% part-time flexible employees, elimination of Step 3 of the grievance procedure, and termination of many long-standing memoranda of understanding and letters of intent between the parties.

Given these competing proposals, it is easy to see why the negotiators were unable to reach a tentative agreement. Although the NPMHU usually is prepared to continue negotiating because reasonable settlements reached by the parties are preferable to the risks presented by interest arbitration, this year the parties are simply too far apart to justify continued negotiations.

During the impasse period, the parties have agreed that the terms and conditions included in the 1998 National Agreement will remain in effect. In addition, the parties have agreed that mail handlers are allowed to bid on positions effective November 21, 2000, even if they already have used all of their bids under the 1998 contract, with the further understanding that any newly used bids will count against the total number of bids eventually allowed under the 2000 National Agreement.

 

                   BALLOTS FOR THE UPCOMING LIUNA CONVENTION

                              HAVE BEEN MAILED OUT ON JUNE 5, 2001

 

If you have not received your ballot in the mail by June 11,2001 you are advised to call the Judges of Election and request that a duplicate ballot be sent to you.

You can reach them at 1(212) 941-7260 or fax them at 212-941-7260.

Please contact them immediately as AAA must mail out the duplicate so you can have it returned to them by 12 pm on June 26th.

 

 

 

HEALTH ALERT

Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your
home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do?  You've been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.

       HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE!!!   

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order. Without help, the person whose, heart isn’t beating properly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves, by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously.
A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough
must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart
and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!

       From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240s newsletter AND THE BEAT GOES ON ...  (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. publication, Heart Response)

 

  PETITION TO NATIONAL PRESIDENT BILLY QUINN

A petition to President Billy Quinn is being circulated and we are urging every Mail Handler to sign it. The petition basically calls on Brother Quinn to get moving on to arbitration with our contract. The belief is that the longer we wait the greater the danger that we will lose any accumulated COLA since our last contract expired over six months ago. Remember a few years back the APWU got a bonus in place of a retroactive raise. We can’t afford that! We believe that we stand a better chance at securing a general wage increase then the APWU does. They are facing massive job cuts and may sacrifice general wage increases for job security. If you share these same concerns please sign the petition. Our goal is to have every Mail Handler sign it.

To sign it contact, any Local 300 Shop Steward. Thank you.

 

       

         THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING!!!!

I want to take a few minutes to talk about the importance of voting. On many occasions,

I have heard National President Quinn state, that Local 300 doesn’t vote.

While we, are the biggest Mail Handler Local in the country, historically we normally have a voter turn out of around 30%. This has a negative effect on our Locals ability to wield influence at the national level. With approximately 7,000 members we have the potential to have a major impact on important issues.

It is a fact of life that in any political arena, the politicians cater to those who vote. In local politics the districts that have high voter turn out get their streets plowed first, they get the parks, while the areas that don’t vote get the garbage incinerators. That’s a fact of life. In Union politics, the locals that have high voter turnout have a bigger say on issues.

So it’s extremely important that you vote. Vote for who ever you want, but vote!!! In this current election it’s safe to say that only about 30% of you will vote. If 70% or 80% of you were to vote the above petition would have a much greater impact. We’ve all heard the saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Well in the political arena those who vote get the greater say and have the most influence. So please, mail back, your ballot. Being the biggest local means nothing if you the members don’t bother to vote.

Local 300 can be the most influential Local in the country if you our members voted. It’s not that hard we mail the ballot right to your house all you have to do is open it check off some names put it back in the envelope and drop it in the mail box. It couldn’t be any easier.

So if you really are worried about your job or if you really want the contract resolved exercise your right and mail in your ballot.

It’s not just your right it’s your responsibility! Don’t just bitch about things, VOTE!!!!!!

If you have yet received your ballot contact any steward immediately or call the Judges of Election yourselves.

Their number is 1 (212) 941-7260. Ballots must be returned by noon of June 26th.

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