MICHIGAN MAIL HANDLER

A UNION NEWSLETTER OF NPMHU LOCAL 307 - PROTECTING MICHIGAN

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2011

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings from Local 307

Notice of Election Inside

The following pages contain Information or opinions that may be personal in nature and are not necessarily the position of the officers of Local 307 nor the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Some of the items of interest and or articles may have been obtained and or copied with permission from other newsletters from other Locals throughout the country. As always any member in good Standing is invited to contribute his or her ideas, opinions or insight on any issue that they feel may be beneficial to the Craft. All relevant items submitted in an electronic format will be included in any future newsletters. Please contribute

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 2

LOCAL 307 UNION DIRECTORY

Local 307 Executive Board
The we care Union

Jim Haggarty - President

Cell (616) 217-8342 or (313) 421-6155 Email grlocal307@yahoo.com Michele Combs - Vice President Cell (313) 550-2463 email micheleredfox@yahoo.com Mary Misuraca -Zerr - Treasurer
Cell (248) 240-0183 email mary.ro307@sbcglobal.net

Local 307 Headquarters

2929 E. Grand Blvd. Detroit Michigan 48202 Mailing address P.O. Box 2758 Detroit MI. 48202 Phone (313) 831-1334 Fax (313) 758-0675 Webpage www.npmhu307.org http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Mail-Handler-Local307/132250776831942?v=wall

Rita Tripp- State Rep Cell (616) 301-5290 email ritatripp@yahoo.com Ellen Carpenter - Recording Secretary Cell (269) 823-2867 Email branchprezkzoo@att.net

JOIN JOIN

THE UNION THE FIGHT

LOCAL 307 UNION COUNCIL BRANCH PRESIDENTS

Detroit GWY - Fayelynn Smith

CHIEF STEWARDS
Flint - Craig Sams Cell (517) 410-8549

Detroit NDC - Bob Savage Office (313) 337-2238 cell (734) 819-6167

Office (313) 963-2490 cell (313)421-9132 Detroit PMC - Billy Harris Office (734) 722-6411 cell (313) 421-9287 Email harrisbill86@yahoo.com Grand Rapids - Rita Tripp Office (616) 776-1439 (616) 977-1060 Email ritatripp@yahoo.com Kalamazoo - Ellen Carpenter Office (269) 353-5633 Cell (269) 823-2867 Email branchprezkzoo@att.net

Email rcsavage101@yahoo.com Traverse City - Jeff Velfling Lansing - Alicia Moore Office (517) 337-8858 Cell (517) 703-4207
Email moorebplansing@yahoo.com

Office (231) 933-1020 Cell (231) 288-6979 Email cabala@yahoo.com Jackson - Steve Noreika Cell (517) 740-2090
Email stever5k1@yahoo.com Iron Mountain - Scott Denzer Cell (906) 368-0028 Email sdenzer@hughes.net Gaylord - John Yonchewski johnyonchewski@ymail.com

Metroplex - Mary Misuraca Zerr Office (248) 758-5788 Cell (248) 240-0183 Email mary.ro307@sbcglobal.net

Saginaw - Priscilla Willis Office (989) 771-5805 Cell (989) 327-4375 Email cilpordom@aol.com

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 3

PRESIDENTS REPORT
JIM HAGGARTY
Consolidation Update
Management has completed their consolidation feasibility studies and they have been sent to USPS headquarters for review/ Greater Michigan District management in Greater approval. Michigan is being a lot less Nothing is set in stone yet, but if informative of their plans. approved, it is possible this Their destructive plan calls for could occur. minimal Mail Handler staffing in Detroit District - initially, the these facilities plan called for the closing of the Kalamazoo - 15 Mail handlers GWY, with the NDC, PMPC and Metroplex gaining mail from the Lansing - 22 Mail Handlers GWY, Flint, Jackson, Saginaw, Saginaw - 14 Mail Handlers and Toledo. That plan fell short of some floor space. About 200,000 square feet. Now it is possible that the PMPC will close, with the NDC getting more parcels, the GWY gaining more bundles and the Metroplex could lose a SPBS to the GWY. Management is being very vague on the whole issue and we will not know all the specific details until headquarters makes the final decision. Flint is basically a done deal. This was in the works prior to managements latest plan. All processing should be out of Flint by January. 18 Mail Handlers will remain in Flint as a transfer hub / carrier station. We were able to find landing spots for the excessed Flint Mail handlers at the Metroplex which is 35 miles from the Flint Facility. There has been no information about the Jackson facility, but, I would expect that there will be Minimal to no impact to the Mail Handler Craft in Jackson, based on the Flint model and the fact that there are only 10 (ten) Mail Handlers in Jackson. The plan calls for excessing 63 FTR and 1 PTF. And somehow, they think they will reduce over time hours in the process. Iron Mountain - averaging 16.8% OT . Yet they want to excess 3 FTR and lose the 1 casual and the plan is to have 11% OT ????? Traverse City - averaging 6% OT Yet they want to excess 3 FTR and the plan is to have 5.7 % OT ????? Kalamazoo - averaging 5.9% OT . Yet they want to excess 7 FTR and l PTF and the plan is to have 3.1% OT ????? Lansing - averaging 11.7% OT . Yet they want to excess 10 FTR and the plan is to have 3.9% OT ? Saginaw - averaging 16.5% OT . Yet they want to excess 5 FTR and the plan is to have 4.5% OT ? Grand Rapids - averaging 10.1% OT . Yet they want to excess 3 5 FTR and the plan is to have 3.9% OT ????? The plan is to excess in a 100 mile radius from each facility, but there is nowhere to go to. They cant get the mail out now, but somehow by further cuts to staffing, they think they can fix the problem. Right now, anything is possible. Plans change by the day. They do not know how to manage and they do not have a realistic plan. Whatever happens, we will be on top of it to lessen the impact on the Membership and we will ensure that the Contract is followed in every instance

Grand Rapids will gain positions with any mail that is moved in from other facilities. Initial reports look like 56 positions based on Lansing mail and 45 positions based on Kalamazoo mail. Nothing has been said about Traverse City, but we should gain some positions there with any mail being moved in. Gaylord with 5 Mail Handlers and Iron Mountain with 13 Mail Handlers should be minimally impacted based on the number of Mail Handlers in the facilities and the most likely scenario that they remain open as transfer stations / carrier hubs. But, all this speculation is based on a headquarters approval of the plan. It seems that Greater Michigan District management is not confident in their plan because they already have an unrealistic back up plan in place.

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 4

LOCAL UPDATE
As previously reported, kister was found guilty of embezzlement from our Local. That conviction stemmed from the charges that I filed against him in 2007. When I took office in 2010, additional items were uncovered and they were forwarded to the Dept. of Labor, but the judge ruled that anything after the original indictment was inadmissible, so we will not be reimbursed for the latest findings. Other than the still unresolved issue with the building lease, this effectively closes the issue with kister. I could truly write a book on the damage that he and his cohorts did to this Local, but it is time to move on. All records and documentation are available for review at the Local office for any Union Member

Membership trends
The following is our Local Membership numbers throughout the years; 2002 - 1492 2003 - 1564 2004 - 1427 2005 - 1422 2006 - 1525 2007 - 1463 2008 - 1405 2009 - 1428 2010 - 1289 today - 1044 As you can see, we are down over 500 Members from our high in 2003. Normal attrition, the past VERA and excessing has hit us pretty hard. The 102 non members do not help the situation either . Another VERA, if approved will further hit our financial stability.

National Convention
Our Convention will take place in Portland Oregon on August 6, 2012 thru August 11, 2012. Per the Constitution, The Local Union Council has decided to send a total of 10 delegates. Due to budgetary concerns, and the Practice of other Locals, the Local Executive Board has decided that all delegates will Receive a plane ticket and a paid hotel room for the convention. There will not be any compensated lost time for any delegates. A notice did go out for Judges and only 2 responses were received. To save additional Union resources, I have decided to be the third judge. Maxine Branche from the NDC will be the Chief judge and Lamar Jackson from the Metroplex will also be a judge. The official notice of the nomination meeting is posted in your facility and is in this newsletter. As always, I encourage everyone to vote and participate in this democratic process.

Building
Issues with the building are still unresolved. It continues to be our biggest and most problematic liability. We have several ongoing disputes with the lease and the lease payments, but that is an issue for the lawyers. The building was part of the charges that I brought forth in 2007. If those charges were properly addressed back then, we would not be in this mess now. We could have tried to break the lease, due to possible fraud on kisters part or at the very least, we could have explored financing options. If it was addressed in 2007, we could have possibly owned it outright by now or be very close to having it paid off.

Finances
There are detractors out there with their own agendas spreading rumors that this Local is broke. While it is true that we are down about $150,000.00 a year in dues revenue, we continue to be fiscally responsible in our duties. When I was elected Local President in March of 2010, we had just over $100,000.00 in the bank. Despite the ongoing and continued decline in revenue, as of this writing, we have $105,000.00 in the Local checking account. Past administrations in this Local have had a lot more money , a lot less problems, but they always seemed to be broke before the end of the year

Social Functions
Each Branch is allotted a Budget by the Council. And participation from the Membership is always hit or miss. The Metroplex, PMPC and GWY combined this year to hold a Formal dinner dance on November 20th, Thank you, Lolita Wallace. The function had a minimal turnout, so the Branch Presidents are looking for other options for the Future. The Grand Rapids Branch has scheduled their function for December 10th. As with all Union functions, all dues paying Mail handlers are welcome to attend

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 5

The EEO Process

I find it necessary to restate the longstanding policy of this Local Union, that Union Stewards do not act in a Union capacity when they represent in an EEO. Also, the only authorizing Union signature on an EEO settlement is mine or the Branch President from the complainants facility. I personally disagree with those that charge Members for an EEO redress. It is not that hard, If you pay for an EEO , you are being scammed and will be pressured by them to settle at redress. An NDC Steward has recently been decertified for among other things, signing off for the Union that a PMPC Mail Handler was awarded a Bid without that Bid being posted for all. He also signed for the Union in another case, that a GWY Mail Handler lost 11 days of pay and received a 5 day suspension for answering a cell phone while sitting parked on a Hilo. We are currently disputing these so called settlements through the Grievance procedure. They set a bad precedent and call into question the motives behind the settlements.

The Detroit NDC

Branch president Gary Hicks has retired. The building is a mess. As Local President, I will take the blame. I bought into the smoke and mirrors.

In the short time that Bob Savage has been running the Branch, management has already agreed to sit down with us and create the necessary jobs that are needed within the building.

It may take a while to turn the NDC into a properly run Branch, I was mistaken that a former but until this mess is turned Local President and a former around, all Executive Board national President knew how to Members and Branch Presidents run a Branch. The NDC was the throughout the state have been home to many Officers of this instructed to assist the NDC Local. It should be our powerhouse, but it is in fact our weakest Branch on any and all issues. I myself have been there at least branch. It is an embarrassment. once a week . I am on call 24/7 Tour 1 bids were lost a long time and I am posting weekly updates ago. For over a year, tour 3 Mail to the Membership on the Branch handlers have been detailed??? Bulletin Boards Into tour 1 schedules. Management repeatedly asks select Mail Handlers on all 3 tours to change their scheduled All Local Presidents met in start time and no grievances are Washington DC on December 1st filed. to discuss the latest on our ConThe clerks, pses and managetract. The National Office has ment are running rampant over requested that all updates to the us and the Contract. Minimal to Membership come from them as no grievances have been filed we are in a sensitive time and over these issues. we do not bargain on the bulletin boards or newsletters. In one LCTS case that was sent to

Contract Update

step 3, it was argued that our work was secretly given to the clerks for over a year without our knowledge, that argument is amateurish and admits the incompetence on the issue. I can go on and on about the fundamental problems and deficiencies' within the Branch. I have decided to decertify our step 2 Rep / Chief Steward over these issues among others and go outside the box and appoint a Branch president that can be properly trained and that has no personal agendas or ties to any cliques within the building.

ETC.
Next newsletter - April 2012 Please Vote often but only once each election. Join the PAC. We need you. Check out our legislative issues at npmhu.org Work smart. Work safe. Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings. Fraternally, Jim Haggarty President Local 307

NDC Retreats
Newly appointed NDC Branch President Bob Savage and I were able to negotiate the retreat of 20 excessed Mail Handlers back to the NDC. Management at first offered 5, but we were able to negotiate the 20 to return on December 31st. They will not be in Bids until the jobs are created, sometime in January.

Basic fairness and Representation to all will prevail at the NDC.

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 6

EDITOR JENNIFER WOLF

In the next few months I will be taking the reins of the newsletter from Jim Haggarty. He has served our membership well by giving us a voice and informational platform that other locals envy. We are lucky he persisted for so long and kept the newsletter alive when no one else wished to take over for him. I feel this is something I can do for our union and maybe, if we are all lucky, do well. I consider myself a writer and have edited publications before, so this is something I have experience with. But, I will need your help. As Jim has wrote before this is YOUR newsletter. By the membership for the membership. We need to hear your ideas and questions, even criticisms. This is what will help make a good newsletter great. I would like to encourage you to be a more active part of your union. It needs you. You need it. With all that is in the news about the government in partisan gridlock, the corporate fat cats taking our tax dollars and running. Working people are being hung out to dry, those who just want to earn a living wage for a good days work; one would think our membership would wish to stand up to those who oppress and threaten our way of life. But people are afraid and that is understandable. The world is not as easy to understand as it once was. The people we thought of as trustworthy have been proven otherwise, and now we are frightened to place our faith in others. Management continues to rotate in and out of our State, getting worse every time the door hits them on the way out, and we seem to always pay for the privilege. I wont ask much of you (at first), just open your ears and eyes. Maybe write a statement to protect yourself or another employee. If you already write statements consider taking another step in involvement and write an editorial or article for this newsletter. Ask your co-workers what they have on their minds and submit it to the newsletter. The membership wants to hear from you. We all need to collectively step up and get more involved in being union members in whatever way is possible for each of us. Please ask yourself what you could do. In the upcoming newsletters I will be offering ideas for ways to support your union and other unions in our struggle to support the Labor Movement. The little things add up, and they make the union stronger, and our country better. Thank you for fighting with me for a better world. Jennifer Wolf Submit to the newsletter: local307newsletter@gmail.com

Grand Rapids breast cancer awareness day.Think Pink

Traverse City Branch meeting

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 7

Recording Secretary Branch President Kalamazoo Ellen Carpenter

Only You Can Protect Your Job - We have all heard people say at one time or another that the Union
saved someone's job. Sometimes this can be a very difficult thing to do, especially in the recent years when management is intent on reducing the number of employees on the rolls. Years ago management would be more lenient with grievances and discipline because they knew if they fired someone they would likely not be replaced. Arbitrators were far more lenient about bring people back to work. Employees were given Last Chance Agreements easily, sometimes three or four "Last Chances". Those days are in the past. Management has become more creative in finding ways to discipline people. The Union has seen removals for issues that have never been seen in the past. The important thing to remember is that the Union can protect your rights, but only you can protect your job. You can do this by making wise decisions and thinking about things before you act. If you call in sick your supervisor is supposed to present you with your 3971 upon your return. Years ago time keepers took care of that function, but now management wants you to use the preprinted 3971 generated by the ERMS system. If you are given your 3971 immediately review it completely before signing. If there is something on your 3971 that you do not agree with, fill out your own 3971 and sign it. It is YOUR leave request. If you are not presented with a 3971 upon your return, you have the right to complete one on the clock. Ask for a form and fill it out and keep a copy for yourself. It is much harder to fight an incorrect 3971 weeks later than it is to submit the form the way you want it completed and argue over any discrepancies at the time. Follow the rules. We all know that people run to McDonalds on break. We know that people put magnets on the doors to override the security system (yes, I mean you Kalamazoo). That does not mean that if you get caught you will be able to say "everyone does it". That kind of practice has to be well documented and you will need names, dates, and times. The better thing to do is follow the rules. Work safely. This is important because management will stand by and watch you move three containers at once all night long to get their mail out, but they will be the first ones to issue discipline if you get hurt. You can say that you've seen others doing the same thing, but if you aren't willing to document that regularly it's much easier to work safely. Don't guess when filling out paperwork. Management will approach you with a 1260 if you have missed a punch. Be sure that you remember exactly what time you should have made that punch, even asking to see your door swipes first if possible. A 1260 is a voluntary document. You might miss a little bit of pay if you don't fill it out, but it's fraud if it's filled out incorrectly. If you genuinely do not remember something, it is better to say that you don't remember than it is to try to come up with a story that can either be proven wrong or that you might forget if they ask you again. If you are on sick leave, don't go shopping, on vacation, to the casino, or anywhere else that a sick person should not be. If you get caught you can and probably will be fired. You probably know of people who have gotten away with it, but it's very difficult to prove later on. Know where you are in the disciplinary procedure and keep notes about any discussions or reviews. You could be pulled into a Pre-D and have a supervisor claim that you received a discussion on a specific date. If you have documented your discussions you would be able to counter this claim if necessary. Be sure that you are aware of the disposition of any grievances filed on discipline. Management may claim to have no record of a settlement. This is very important if you bid to another tour or building, or you transfer or get excessed.

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 8

State Executive Board Member Rita Tripp

In September I participated in the "Save our Service Day" in Grand Rapids. This was a collaborative effort with the NALC and APWU. Like most families the Mail handlers and clerks may fight for jobs but we can stand together as brothers and sisters against management to save our jobs. I attended the LIUNA convention in Las Vegas. Just prior to the NPMHU entered into contract negotiations. LIUNA promised their support and Terry O'Sullivan gave an inspiring speech to rally support. In October I attended the MHBP health insurance training in Denver CO. It was eye opening on the state of insurance benefits in the workplace. The increase in cost and decrease in services with most of the FEHB plans was on average 30%. I have been assisting with the Flint excessing and the movement of those Mail handlers to the Metroplex. All of the Mail handler excessing and operational changes should be complete 12/17/11. I attended the Detroit Christmas party at the Crystal Gardens in November. Lolita Wallace from the GWY put the function together and did a wonderful job. Thank you Lolita! We had an E-board meeting 11/21/11. The board met with Chuck Howe to discuss operational changes that have allowed the retreat of 20 mail handlers to the NDC and has moved a lot of mail in to the Metroplex. The post office is struggling to move mail and employees in unison. This has created high rates of overtime, improper use of casuals and a push back from management on attendance and annual leave. We are short staffed in all of the facilities and even one call in creates overtime. In every facility we are facing understaffing, cross craft, management working and in some facilities a lot of overtime. The best way to respond is with a grievance. This leads the battle for union time and takes one more person off the floor. It is the only way to keep jobs in your facility and in Local 307. Support your stewards so they can support you !

Open House Sunday January 22nd. Conference Championship Games. Food * Fellowship * Football Noon until Midnight

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 9

TREASURER METROPLEX BRANCH PRESIDENT MARY MISURACA ZERR

Local 307s finances have never been better. However, there are concerns and challenges that will confront us in the future. Both regular and associate membership dues revenue continue to decline. With less dues revenue, Local President Haggarty and I have made adjustments and lowered our expenses without sacrificing our primary purpose of representational activities.
This year, additional internal financial controls have been implemented providing even more transparency. Local 307 has been enacting conservative spending practices since the year 2010 when the new Executive Board was elected. Effective cash management has ensured the proper handling of union funds and reduced our expenses. Our long term financial plan is to be able to consistently provide effective union representation for many years (decades) to come. Effective and efficient union representation is not free and does not come cheap. In 2010 several training programs were conducted, with more planned for next year. There are large expenses associated with these training programs. Local 307 is committed to these programs to provide outstanding representation to the Mail Handler craft. Conducting these training programs is an expense that is, money well spent, since it is an investment in our future. Each year, Local 307 complies with regulations regarding fiscal yearend reporting. The Local 300 annual financial reports are publicly disclosed to Department Of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service. Local 300 Membership Report: Since my last membership report, the amount of regular members has continued to be in a state of decline. However, the percentage of overall membership continues to increase. We still have the ability to increase our membership complement by being aggressive in signing up nonmembers. The decline in membership is due mainly to attrition (retirements, separations, and transfers). This decline in membership has affected the finances. Revenue from Associate Membership Dues have also declined For your information, Associate Members are; any Postal employee that is not in the Mail Handler craft, or any Federal Employee. Many Associates have sought membership in the Mail Handlers Union to participate in the many programs of the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP). Such losses in revenue would adversely affect most labor organizations, however Local 307 has been reducing costs. These changes have had no impact on the quality of union representation. Each branch has been provided a listing of all prospective members. Help your branch increase its 'membership. Sign-up a non-member today Very important information has been posted on the website pertaining to Legislative Issues contains information on important issues that might affect the Mail Handler craft. Here you can find all of the relevant legislation, which are pending in the 112th session of Congress. Please be sure to check on how your Congressional leaders have or have not supported NPMHU legislation. Every member is encouraged to keep in contact with their members of Congress. Ask members of Congress to co-sponsor; H.R. 1351 United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011 and H.Res. 137 a House Resolution that the, USPS should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its 6-day mail delivery service. It is important to remain Politically Active. There are issues confronting us which are better addressed through legislation to change laws and regulations. H.R. 1351 would correct the overfunding of the CSRS & FERS pension funds and apply the surplus COLA 20062011 National Agreement. Please contact your Congressional Representatives, let them know that you are a member of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. If your representative is already a co-sponsor of H.R. 1351, thank him/her for their support. If they are not, ask them to support H.R. 1351 sponsored by Congressman. Lynch (MA). For your senators, tell them who you are and that they should only support legislation similar to H.R. 1351. There are several pieces of legislation in the Senate, but they contain provisions that would be harmful to the Mail Handler craft. MI Metroplex P&DC Branch Report: At the MI Metroplex P&DC, thirteen (13) Flint Mail Handlers will be excessed into the facility starting in November of 2011 and ending on December 17, 2011. I like to welcome the Flint Mail Handlers to the facility and if you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact me at (248) 758-5788 or (248) 240-0183. During a District Labor Management Meeting on November 21, 2011, District Manager Chuck Howe agreed that the employees who have vacation time after Christmas will be allowed to have that vacation time off work. Again, I will represent the Mail Handler Craft at the MI Metroplex P&DC in accordance with the National Agreement.

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 10

SAVE AMERICAS POST

Grand Rapids Branch Jennifer Wolf, Markeia Prepitit and Rita Tripp

Pontiac rally - Metroplex Mail Handlers Ursula Patterson and Tanya Brown

Kalamazoo Branch President Ellen Carpenter and the K-zoo contingent at Congressmen Fred Uptons office

Grand Rapids Presidents NALC Gary Smith APWU Amy Puhalski NPMHU Rita Tripp

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 11

Our youngest supporter in Lansing

Pontiac rally - Local President Jim Haggarty, Treasurer / Metroplex President Mary Misuraca Zerr , Vice President Michele Combs and m embers of the Zerr family

Lansing President Alicia Moore and Julia McCarty

Scott and Laureen Denzer- Iron Mountain

Lansing Steward Tim Snyder

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 12

GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH PRESIDENT RITA TRIPP

A Grand Rapids Branch meeting was held 10/30/11 and had a good turnout. Lansing and Kalamazoo Branch Presidents were at the meeting and introduced. We discussed that the consolidations are actually centralizations. Leaving some personnel in Lansing and Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids cannot take all the mail from Lansing and Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo and Lansing to be Hubs staffed by MH. This reduces numbers of MH we need to take in. Feasibility and equipment additions must be done by November 18 and submitted for approval to the area. Proposed equipment and machinery: AI, Gantry Robot, 6 seater SPBS, 6 DBCS. Final determination should be made by January. April 1, July 1, and Oct 1 are the implementation dates. These studies will require a 20 hour operation window in all gaining facilities. Realignment? May just be a 3 hour change. We will have to wait and see what new jobs and hour are offered. If it is reorganization we will keep current positions and new positions will be posted for bid prior to gaining anyone from Kalamazoo or Lansing. If it is another realignment I will try to settle the current realignment grievance and post all the positions we had at that time a long with any new positions that are created. While making all these changes we will be short staffed and management is taking on a lot of PSE clerks. We also have clerks that management will try to keep busy with our work. Make moves on time clock, swipe your badge and write more statements. PSEs do not know what jobs are what and just do what they are told and we will probably see a lot of cross craft violations. Please remember when filing to write accurate information. Who, what, when, where, how long. Job reversions are not being tolerated. They have excessed and realigned knowing those employees were not available for duty. Grand Rapids has hired 9 casuals. At this time there are no acceptable triggers for any casuals. Grievances have been filed based on the fact that Grand Rapids should not have excessed employees, reverted nine jobs if they were in desperate need of employees. Now that we have been designated as a gaining facility the powers that be have decided to put in place Plan B and have issued another notice to excess 35 mail handlers. Management used work hours and volume prior to taking in any Lansing or Kalamazoo mail. The time frame also included hours from approximately 12 employees that have left the facility for one reason or another. How can we be so short staffed and still have BPI/VOL numbers that allow excessing? Because they used operation hours with 12 more employees than we really have, added mail volume, hired casuals that are not working in operational hours used in the impact study and limited the speed of the PIT equipment by approximately 35% . These things combined have driven our BPI down, decreased productivity and raised overtime to nearly 11%. We have been set up to fail. I have filed a grievance and will pursue Labor charges . We will know in January if the equipment proposals were approved and that will determine our fate. If we are disapproved they will excess. I f the proposal is approved they will create jobs The PIV Seniority placement has been an ongoing issue. They must honor 5 click leeways when they place PIV operators in the beginning of their tour. Management has agreed to give employees their seniority placement if they are aware in advance of any change in their start time. Make management consistent with their policies across all tours and buildings. Management has recently received $66000.00 in OSHA violations for inconsistencies in training and the use of unapproved equipment. IE: tow bars, modified hitches etc...They have taken an aggressive stance on safety violations with the craft employees. They will be issuing a license to PIT qualified mail handlers and it will list your qualifications. We will continue to use the tow bars we have and management is fighting the fines on both charges. Management has also asked to implement safety captains. They have proposed to give them more duties than in the past. They will do the safety walk thru with a supervisor at each facility at the beginning of each tour and the safety walk thru each quarter. They will be trained on the documentation of safety training in the employee (cont.)

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 13

training records, be involved in making new safety videos, JSA updates, SOPs etcI will not continue to participate in the program if the safety captains take on a supervisory attitude and start turning in employees instead of reminding them of safety rules and regulations. They should not be expected to give orders, suggest discipline or in any way be in charge of other employees. They should be expected to set an example of being safe, assisting in the abatement of a safety hazard and suggesting/reminding employees of safety rules and regulations that are being ignored. They are there to help avoid the violations and as a result avoid discipline. As updates on the staffing, additional equipment and reorganization/excessing become available I will share them with posted updates.

Detroit area Social Recreation function

Alicia Moore, Markeia Prepitit and Rita Tripp

Maxine Branche and Sandra Jones -Quartey

Local President Jim Haggarty and PMPC President Billy Harris

Fayelynn Smith and Lolita Wallace

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 14

Door prize winners Nicholas Gaines and Debbie Wynn with Local President Jim Haggarty

Local President Jim Haggarty and Markeia Prepitit

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 15

A WOMAN'S PLACE IS IN HER UNION - Rita Tripp On July 27, 1935, Polish and Black housewives began to picket Hamtramck butcher shops, carrying signs demanding a 20 percent price cut throughout the city and an end to price gouging in Black neighborhoods. When men, taunted by onlookers who accused them of being scared of a few women, attempted to cross the lines, they were seized by the pickets their faces slapped, their hair pulled and their packages confiscated A few were knocked down and trampled. That night Hamtramck butchers reported unhappily that the boycott had been 95 percent effective. This was the beginning of what led to the sit down strike that made history in Detroit, MI in 1937. The celebrated Meat Strikes of 1935 were led by Mary Zuk, she should be in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. Gaining a national reputation for leading the meat strike in 1935, Zuk went on to become Hamtramcks first woman on its city council and a premier union organizer. During her campaign for Hamtramck council, she actively sought and received help from the African-American community, a revolutionary tactic in 1936. By 1933 Detroit was the focal point of 70 per cent of the unemployment that gripped the state. One-third of the wage earners of Michigan had been partly or totally unemployed for four years in succession. When the depression was only two years old, the army of 211,000 dependents on Detroits relief rolls was equal in size to the entire population of Grand Rapids. This was a direct result of not the depression but the reform that came after the depression. Ford created communities for his employees by providing housing, company store, credit etc... The corporate paternalism seemed like such a good deal then. It had had dire consequences. As Ford and other factory owners started to recover and make money with a 609% increase in profits they no longer needed to offer so much to their employees. The rich had gotten richer and they stopped providing housing, called in credit and laid off employees. Leading to evictions, starvation and social unrest. Mary Zuk helped organize the mostly women employees of the 5 cigar factories in Detroit to protest poor working conditions and call to Labor to be represented in the all-white male Union. The broad range of workers at this time with the integration of black, polish, Jewish, and women in the work force caused a ripple that turned into a sit down strike. This independent political action forced the AFL-CIO to represent all employees. They now had strength in numbers. They also had the dedication, strength and maternal instinct that drive women to protect what they produce. If that production is an idea, a Labor movement or a family, women are formidable. The women of Hamtramck proved that on July 27, 1935 when they held the line and took their place in history. * The main source for information and quotes was the Hamtramck Star. * The inspiration was the Troublemaker workshop presentation by Steve Babson retired labor educator, Wayne State. Special Thanks to Glen Shelton for the invitation to the workshop and his continued support to the Labor community and Local 307

Meat strikes of 1935

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 16

Remember if you do not fill out a complaint, you do not have a Grievance. Do not automatically assume that you are part of a class action case. Check with your Steward
On page 18 is an advertisement from the Blue water group. If you are injured at work, one option, is to contact them. They have been in the Chicago area for several years and have had success with assisting Postal employees in the OWCP arena. They have recently expanded into Michigan. I have heard good things about their service and as I understand it, there is no employee costs for utilizing their services

Political Action committee - I always encourage Mail Handlers to Join and contribute to the PAC. I donate at least $500.00 a year. I am not asking you to match my contribution, but can you afford $10, $5, or $2 a pay period? Even $1.00 a pay period will help. Consider the fact that the NALC has $5 Million in their PAC fund while we have around $90 thousand. Thats pretty pathetic. Consider the Fact that Senator McCain wants to greatly increase our Health Insurance Premiums. Consider the Fact that Jim Demint wants to do away with all Collective Bargaining at the Federal Level. Consider the Fact of Union Busting activities in Wisconsin, Ohio and Our own State of Michigan. Consider the Fact that we need to donate to Labor Friendly politicians to protect our livelihood. Consider it an Insurance policy. Consider It, Think About It, Do It Check out our legislative issues, those we support and those that we oppose at www.npmhu.org Jim Haggarty

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011
You can make your PAC contribution by bi-weekly salary allotment through PostalEASE

Page 17

Dial 1-877-4 PS-EASE -- (877-477-3273) Press # 1 for PostalEASE When prompted, enter your eight-digit USPS employee identification number. When promptedagain, enter your LISPS PIN number. When Prompted, Choose Option # 2 (to select payroll allotments) Then Choose Option # 1 (to select allotments) When prompted Press #2 to continue When prompted Press #3 to add the allotment When prompted for the routing number enter 054001220 When prompted for the account # enter the following: 11260001 -____ - _____ - _______ (the last nine digits of your account number is your social security number -this info will allow us to identify you as the PAC contributor). Press #1 if-correct When prompted Press #1 for 'checking' When prompted, input the bi-weekly dollar amount of your PAC allotment. Press #1 if correct When prompted Press #1 to process You will be provided a confirmation number as well as the start date for the salary allotment. Recordtheconfirmationnumberfor your records Record the start date of the salary allotment Press #1 to repeat or Press #9 to end call Or, to initiate your bi-weekly PAC contribution on the web Simply go to www.liteblue.usps.gov Enter your eight-digit USPS Employee ID Number and your LISPS PIN Follow the link to PostalEASE- you will again be asked to enter your Employee ID Number and USPS PIN Follow the link for PAYROLL- Allotments/NT B Continue to the ALLOTMENTS section YourROUTINGTRANSITNUMBER is: 054001220 Your ACCOUNT # will be 11260001 _____ - ______ - ________ (the last nine digits of your account number is your social security number - this information will allow us to identify you as the PAC contributor). For ACCOUNT TYPE - please select "CHECK ING' When prompted, please input the AMOUNT that you would like to contribute to the PAC each pay period. To process your PAC allotment, you will need to select the VALIDATE button, and to finalize the transaction, please select SUBMIT. Be sure to print out a copy of the confirmation page for your records. PAC contribution by personal check, money order, or credit card: (cut here and return to NPMHU PAC) You can contribute directly to the Mail Handlers PAC by filling out the following and mailing it to the P.O. Box listed below. Please enclose your check or money order, or provide authorization to charge your credit card. My contribution of (please circle one): $26 (member) / $52 (sponsor) / $250 (leader) / $ 500 (Ambassador) / other amt. $______ Name____________________________ ______Visa ______MasterCard Expiration Date:_____________ Address___________________________ Acct.#_____________________________ City__________________ State______________ Zip____________ Please Charge my credit card as indicated above. Signature:_______________________________

Mail To: Mail Handlers PAC, P.O. Box 65171, Washington, D.C. 20035 FAX AUTHORIZATION TO : 202-785-9860

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 18

advertisement

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 19

NOTICE OF ELECTION
NATIONAL POSTAL MAIL HANDLERS UNION 2012 CONVENTION ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS OF NPMHU LOCAL 307 NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS MEETING
This is to advise all members in good standing that on Saturday January 7, 2012 a meeting of Local 307 of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union will be held at the time and place set forth below for the purpose of nominating candidates to serve as delegates to the 2012 National Convention, to be held in Portland, Oregon from August 6 through August 11, 2012. The Local Union Council already has determined that Local 307 will be sending a total of ten (10) delegates to the Convention, including the Local President who is an automatic delegate, and therefore Local 307 will be conducting an election to choose an additional nine (9) delegates to the Convention.
If you are unable to attend the Nominations Meeting, you must send your nominations via registered, certified, or express mail to: Judges of the 2012 Delegate Election of Local 307 P.O. BOX 3560 Highland Park Michigan 48203 Mailed nominations must be received prior to the Nominations Meeting. After the nominations have been completed, the Judges shall determine whether or not each nominee possesses all of the qualifications for serving as a delegate. Any member wishing to protest the eligibility of a nominee must communicate his/her objections to the Judges as soon as possible, but in no case later than five (5) days after the close of nominations.

The date, time, and place of the Nominations Meeting will be:

DATE OF NOMINATION MEETING: JANUARY 7, 2012 TIME OF NOMINATION MEETING: 12:00 PM PLACE OF NOMINATION MEETING: LOCAL UNION HALL 2929 E GRAND BLVD
Maxine Branche Chairman Lamar Jackson Judge Jim Haggarty Judge

NPMHU LOCAL 307 P.O. BOX 2758 DETROIT MI. 48202

Michigan Mail Handler

December 2011

Page 20

Jim Haggarty Local President NPMHU Local 307 P.O. Box 2758
Detroit Michigan 48202 Phone: (313) 831-1334 Cell; (616) 217-8342 (313) 421-6155 Fax: (6313) 758-0675 Email: grlocal307@yahoo.com

This newsletter is about Mail Handlers, by Mail Handlers and for Mail Handlers. Its goals are to inform, educate, protect, defend, serve, organize and empower Michigan Mail Handlers. This newsletter will be published periodically. The editor reserves the right to determine if material submitted shall be printed and reserves the right to edit as needed for length, clarity and content. Any opinions expressed within this newsletter are personal in nature and not necessarily those of the editor, the officers of local 307 or the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. The Local and National officers of the NPMHU assume no responsibility for the content made by any contributor to this newsletter

To have a Grievance is to have a purpose in in life

Unknown author

What the heart has known, it shall never forget We extend Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mail Handlers who have passed away and to those who have recently lost a loved one

In support of the occupy movement