MARCH UPDATE

FSM STATUS

Management has agreed to the staffing package when the AI installation is finished and the mailhandlers are fully staffed for the FSM area. We will have 10 clerk bids on tour 1; there will be 12 clerk bids on both tour 2 and Tour 3. The difference in staffing is due to the fact that Tour 1 will only be running 3 machines. The rest days are as followed:

Tour 1 (10 Positions)

          2 Sat/Sun, 1 Sun/Mon, 2 Mon/Tues, 1 Tues/Wed, 2 Wed/Thurs, 1 Thur/Fri, 1 Sat/Fri.

Tour 2 (12 Positions)

          3 Sat/Sun, 2 Sun/Mon, 2 Mon/Tues, 1 Tues/Wed, 1 Wed/Thurs, 1 Thur/Fri, 2 Sat/Fri.

Tour 3 ( 12 Positions)

          2 Sat/Sun, 2 Sun/Mon, 2 Mon/Tues, 1 Tues/Wed, 2 Wed/Thur, 1Thur/Fri, 2 Sat/Fri.

BIDS

The bids were posted on March 27, 2007; you will notice that there are 27 new positions, 6 on tour 1, 18 on tour 2, and 3 on tour 3. 16 of these bids will be in the manual areas, Flats, letters, belts. Approximately 10 positions will be reverted due to the new machinery.

          I would encourage all employees on the FSM to bid. Starting in April the employees that were excess into DVD from Newark will be able to bid.

          When the bids go into effect on April 14, 2007, all (61-0) casuals will be removed from tour 2, this will make tour 2 a totally full-time career work force This is in accordance with the new National Agreement.

RETROACTIVE PAY

          The USPS has notified the APWU that it expects to disburse back pay for period from Nov.25, 2006, through Feb. 2, 2007, in paychecks dated May 18, 2007 (Pay Period). The retroactive pay will reflect a 1.3 percent raise for five periods (Pay Period 25-2006 through 3-2007).

SOCIAL & REC COMMITTEE

The committee will raffle off tickets to both the Mets and Yankees. There will be 2 sets of 2 tickets for 7 games per team. The second raffle will be for Flash lights that have been donated by Skip’s Catering.

RESTROOMS/ SWINGROOMS

          I have noticed that both the restrooms and the swingrooms are not being kept clean. You would think that this is the custodian’s fault. I want to make it perfectly clear that the custodians are some of the hardest workers in DVD.

 The problem is that other employees who use the restrooms do not clean up behind themselves. There is a garbage can in each restroom. Very rarely are these cans filled to the point that you cannot put more in them. Yet I see paper towels on the floor. When you are done with the paper towels throw in it into the can, if you miss please bend down and pick it up. IF you use the sinks to clean you dishes when you are done wipe the sink and remove any food scraps. When you are done using the toilet if you use the toilet cover remove it, please leave it clean for the next employee that will be using it.

The problems that I notice in the swingrooms are that employees get up and walk away leaving the remains of their lunch for the next employee to clear the table. This is not a restaurant. We do not have table service. You are responsible to clean off the table when you are done. When you spill something wipe it up. If you need a cloth or mop take the time to ask a custodian for assistance. When you drop something on the floor pick it up. It is not the custodian’s job to clean after you. The custodians are there to mop the floor and clean up the swingroom, not to wait on tables.

The last issue is the microwave ovens. When you use the ovens and your food spills it is your obligation to wipe the oven clean. The money to pay for the ovens comes from the Employee Social & Rec. Fund. These ovens are ours, not the Postal Services. We pay for them therefore it is our obligation to clean them.

If you see someone leaving a mess today they will probably do it all the time. I am just trying to get us to all work together on this issue. These are our areas. When you do not clean up you are only hurting another employee. I hope that after reading this letter we all will take time to work together to improve these areas. Remember to treat these areas as if they were part of your house.

UNION MEETING

The next union meeting will be April 18, 2007. I would encourage all members to attend these meetings. Stewarts are obligated to attend the meetings but it is your union, your local, we need all members to be involved.