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NEWSLETTER OF THE NJI&BMC BRANCH OF LOCAL 300 “LETS TURN IT AROUND”
VOLUME 17, NO.12 80 COUNTY ROAD J.C.N.J 7097 AUGUST 8, 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 UNITED!!!!
MAJOR VICTORY FOR MAIL HANDLERS!!!! WE CAN BUMP CASUALS!!! As many of you are aware it often takes a long time for contractual cases to get to arbitration. Up until recently, the contract called for all discipline cases to be scheduled ahead of contract cases.
This resulted in a tremendous backlog of contract cases waiting to be heard. The National, realizing that this was a serious problem, was successful in getting the Postal Service to agree create two separate arbitration panels, one for discipline cases and one for contract cases. This has enabled the Union to reduce the backlog of contract cases. It also forced the Postal Service to negotiate with the Local and we have been able to pre-arbitrate many of the cases in the backlog.
Prior to this Management was all too willing to say, “grieve it” knowing that it would take years for the case to be heard at arbitration. During that time, they were able to have things their way.
The only recourse available to the Union was to file grievances. Which, of course we did. Many times these grievances involved important issues for Mail Handlers. Well we are extremely happy to report that one of these important issues was recently resolved thru a pre-arbitrated agreement with Management. It has been the Unions position right from the beginning that Mail Handlers who were being reassigned, had the right, to bump any non-career employee, doing Mail Handler craft work.
Management undoubtedly knew we were right, but chose to deny us that right and forced the Union to grieve the issue. We remained steadfast in our position that we were right and pursued the issue to arbitration. In the eleventh hour, right before the case was to be arbitrated, Management agreed that we were indeed right and signed a pre-arbitration agreement that states in no uncertain terms that career Mail Handlers, do in fact, have the right to perform any work being done by casuals or other non-Mail Handler employees.
It took awhile for justice to prevail but due to the hard work of our Stewards who processed the cases, the members who insisted that their rights were being violated and to Chief Steward Charlie Price who advocated the case. We have achieved victory on this important issue. Special thanks go out to Charlie, the Stewards and you the members for remaining steadfast and confident that justice would prevail. We thank you all for a job well done.
IN OTHER NEWS….
As a result of another, previously pre-arbitrated agreement, between the Union and Management here at the Bulk. Thirty- five Flexi Mail Handlers will be converted to regular on September 8th. 2001. This will bring to 50, the number of flexi conversions the Union, was able to successfully negotiate this year.
IMPORTANT MEETING!!!
UNION MEETINGWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2001 TIME: 4:00 p.m. (STEWARDS MEETING 3:00P.M.) AT THE PALACE HOTEL TONNELLE AVE. AND ROUTE 3
WE URGE ALL MEMBERS TO ATTEND AS WE WILL BE DISCUSSING SOME VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES AND WE WOULD LIKE YOUR IMPUT.
AGENDA: 1.NEW JOBS ON THE NORTH CONTAINER DOCKS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND THERE APPEARS TO BE CONSIDERABLE DISAGREEMENT AMOUNG MANY MEMBERS AS TO HOW THE UNION HANDLES THIS ISSUE. WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR OPINION. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION.
2. THE NEW TOURS IN THE BULK, SPECIFICALLY THE CREATION OF A 4P.M.-12:30A.M. SHIFT AND AN 11:30P.M.-8:00A.M. SHIFT. THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN A LOT OF CHANGES AND MANY PAY LOCATIONS AND JOBS WILL BE AFFECTED. CHANGES IN THE LOCAL AGREEMENT WILL HAVE TO BE MADE, PARTICULARILY THOSE AFFECTING OVERTIME. AGAIN WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR OPINION AND IMPUT.
3. THE SITUATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING. THE IMPACT OF THE FSM 100. THE FUTURE OF THE SPBS MACHINES. THE STAFFING OF THE SPBS MACHINES. THE PETITION SIGNED BY MOST OF THE MEMBERS IN THE FOREIGN BUILDING.
4. OTHER CHANGES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE AT THE FACILITY.
5. AN UPDATE ON CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
TRUST ME SISTERS AND BROTHERS THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE AT THE BULK AND AROUND THE LOCAL. MORE CHANGES, THEN WE HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE. THE OFFICERS AND STEWARDS ARE STRUGGLING JUST TO KEEP UP WITH IT. THINGS ARE HAPPENING FAST, TOO FAST AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED. AND THIS ALL COMES ON TOP OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH ON A DAILY BASIS. THERE’S A LOT OF CONFUSION, MISUNDERSTANDING, FINGER POINTING, RUMORMONGERING, BICKERING, ANGER AND OPPOSITION TO THE CHANGES. THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE BUT IF WE ALL MAKE AN EFFORT TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT’S GOING ON WE CAN AND WILL GET THRU IT.
WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON THINGS, BUT SOMETIMES IT ISN’T THAT EASY. THINGS ARE HAPPENING FAST AND DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE. I’M DOING THE BEST I CAN TO PROTECT MAIL HANDLER JOBS. EVERYTHING ISN’T AS EASY AS IT SOMETIMES LOOKS AND EVERYONE ISN’T ALWAYS HAPPY WITH THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE. SO I’M ASKING YOU TO COME TO THE MEETING AND EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS AND HOPEFULLY YOUR QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED.
REFRESHMENTS WILL OF COURSE BE PROVIDED.
Join
DATE: Sunday August 19, 2001 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM PLACE: Forest Lodge, 11 Reinman Rd. Warren NJ
Activities
Softball Olympic size Lap & Kiddy Pool Basketball Children’s Playground Volley Ball Group Games Horse Shoe’s Ping Pong Bocce Ball Badminton
See Your Shop Steward or Call: 1-212-431-0040
PRICES: ADULT MEMBER - $25 ADULT NON MEMBER -$35 CHILD OF MEMBER- $15 CHILD NON MEMBER -$20 BUS per person - $10 BUS NON MEMBER -$15 Regular and Associate Members limited to 5 Subsidized tickets.
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Tour I Flexi’s free at last!!!!!
