2022 NPMHU Contract Update #4

  2022 NPMHU Contract Update #4

2022 No. 4 – July 19, 2022 You are reading the fourth Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2022 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining.

The concept of collective bargaining is at the heart of organized labor. By the turn of the twentieth century, American laborers utilized their bargaining power as the primary tool for economic justice. Though management utilized vast and powerful resources, the ability to bargain collectively provided labor with a powerful tool to fight back.

In 1935, as a part of the New Deal program, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ensured the passage of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) – sometimes referred to as the Wagner Act. Its passage explicitly granted workers the right to bargain collectively. However, by 1947, the American government had passed the Taft-Hartley Act, which vastly curtailed the collective bargaining power of organized labor.

Despite this setback, the power of organized labor was extended in 1962, when President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10,988, which first granted federal employees the right to collective bargaining rights. This right was expanded to the Postal Service with passage of the Postal Reorganization Act (PRA) of 1970 – which is the framework by which the USPS and the NPMHU govern their bargaining.

The bargaining process begins when one party (either the USPS or NPMHU) serves written notice to the other of the desire to modify an agreement. Under Article 39 of our National Agreement, this notice must be served between 90 and 120 days from when the contract expires. For this contract, which expires on September 20, 2022, that meant the parties had to be notified somewhere between June 20 and July 20.

The parties then spend three to four months negotiating through different proposals – which are submitted both by management and the union. If USPS and the NPMHU come to a tentative agreement, that agreement is put forth to the NPMHU membership for a vote-by-mail ballot as mandated in the NPMHU National Constitution. If the tentative agreement is accepted by the membership, it becomes the new governing document between the USPS and mail handlers.

If the NPMHU and USPS fail to come to an agreement or the tentative agreement is rejected by the membership, then the PRA leaves other options. The most popular of these options is for both parties to settle on dispute resolution procedures on their own. If the legal teams cannot agree in procedures to resolve their dispute, this activates another provision in the PRA.

First, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) would establish a 3-person fact finding panel that would then have 45 days in which to investigate the bargaining dispute and issue a report of its findings. If an agreement still has not been reached after the fact-finding panel, the PRA requires the establishment of an arbitration board within 90 days of contract expiration. This board generally consists of three members – one appointed by the Union, one appointed by the Postal Service, and a third (neutral) member.

The arbitration board holds a hearing in which both sides have the chance to present evidence in support of their claims. The board is required to make a decision 45 days after its appointment, which, as the PRA states, will be “conclusive” and “binding.” It will determine the terms of the new agreement. Therefore, the National President usually hosts a meeting of the Local Unions and receives their advice before entering arbitration.

As the NPMHU and USPS continue negotiations, please watch your bulletin boards for the latest information!

2022 No. 4 - July 19, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317
 

USPS-themed board game, puzzle released

  USPS-themed board game, puzzle released

The Postal Service now offers two licensed products designed to appeal to game and puzzle enthusiasts:

• A U.S. stamps edition of the Monopoly board game allows players to buy, sell and trade some of the most memorable stamps in history.

The game, which launched in the spring, features USPS-inspired tokens, including a collection box, a roll of stamps and packages. Players can also set up Post Offices and distribution centers.

The game, which sells for $44.99, is available at usps.com.

• U.S. Stamps of the ’80s, a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, features a 19-by-27-inch collage that includes stamp releases such as Desert Cactus Plants (1981), Olympics (1984), Special Olympics (1987) and Dinosaurs (1989).

The puzzle sells for $17.99 and is available on usps.com.

The Op, a board game and puzzle company, created both products.

Reference: USPS via NPMHU Local 317 | Alabama

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NPMHU and USPS Reach Agreement on Pilot Program to Return Terminal Handling Services (THS) Work to the Mail Handler Craft

  NPMHU and USPS Reach Agreement on Pilot Program to Return THS Work to the Mail Handler Craft

The 2019 National Agreement includes a MOU on subcontracting, part of which states the following: “Under the 2019 National Agreement, the parties commit to re-establishing their Subcontracting Committee and continuing their discussions about the possibility of returning mail handler work from the Surface Transportation Centers (STC), Mail Transport Equipment Service Centers (MTESC) and the bedloading project. The Committee will consider all relevant factors when discussing the issue outlined above, to include cost, operational efficiency, availability of equipment, and qualification of employees. In addition, any MHA employees utilized as referenced in paragraph 1 will not count against existing non-career caps.”

Based on this MOU, the parties at the National level have been engaged in ongoing discussions about these subjects as well as other subcontracted work. Most recently, discussions have been focused on the Terminal Handling Services which has been subcontracted in most locations since 2001.

We are pleased to announce that the National parties have reached their first agreement on insourcing or returning some of the terminal handling service work to the mail handler craft starting with a one-year pilot program in certain postal facilities. The first installation where the THS work will be returned to postal operations at the West Valley P&DC in Phoenix, AZ. The details of this pilot program is outlined on the attached Memorandum of Understanding.

Although much of the information obtained and being discussed by the NPMHU is subject to nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements, should you have any questions on these matters, please do not hesitate to contact the National CAD.

Terminal Handling Services Staffing Pilot – July 13, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317 | Alabama
 

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USPS hosting centralized job fair in Huntsville, Alabama

  USPS hosting centralized job fair in Huntsville

"HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Interested in working for the post office? An upcoming job fair will bring several local post offices across North Alabama to one place for easy access. On Saturday, July 9, the USPS will be hosting a job fair in the parking lot of the Huntsville General Mail Facility (3408 Wall Triana Highway). Officials will be on-site from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. sharing information about open delivery and/or retail positions in Athens, Decatur, Elkmont, Florence, Hartselle, Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, and Owens Cross Roads. All of these jobs pay $18-$19/hour. ..."

Reference: whnt.com
 

Amazon: Postal Worker American Flag Hat | Postal Worker Gift Hat

  Amazon: Postal Worker American Flag Hat | Postal Worker Gift Hat

"...$5.09 Size: One Size 100% Polyester Product Material: Polyester Unisex Aldult Baseball Cap,Lightweight, Breathable, Comfortable To Wear Throughout The Season.Great Idea For Gifts For Family And Friends. Classic Baseball Caps For Men And Women. Pair It With Your Favorite Jeans, T-Shirt Or Top, It Is A Great Choice. Add To Your Clothing Collection. Sun Protection-Protect The Skin From Harmful Uv Rays And Keep It Cool In Summer. Ideal For Exercise, Running, Hiking, Biking, Walking, Gardening And Daily Wear Professional And Friendly Customer Service. Add To Shopping Cart And Buy With Confidence ..."

Reference: www.amazon.com
 

2022 NPMHU Contract Update #3

  2022 Contract Update #3

2022 No. 3 – July 6, 2022 You are reading the third Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2022 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining. On June 29, 2022, representatives from the NPMHU Negotiations Team and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) met for the second session of main table bargaining at NPMHU Headquarters in the AFL-CIO building (Washington, DC). Both groups returned to the bargaining table hoping to continue the spirit of positive cooperation that had been established in the first session. During this second substantive meeting, the NPMHU Negotiations Team presented their first set of proposed changes to the current contractual language in the 2019 National Agreement. Representatives of the USPS were given the opportunity to ask questions and to clarify any points of the NPMHU proposals that they might not have understood. President Hogrogian, acting as chief spokesperson and with the occasional assistance of CAD Representatives and NPMHU Counsel, provided USPS with details about the nature of each proposal. The proposals presented by the NPMHU were extensive and aimed to improve the quality of work for every Mail Handler. Submitted amendments included: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Dignity and Respect Updating the non-discrimination policy Updating the MOU regarding deaf and hard of hearing Mail Handlers Greater protections and privileges for Mail Handler Assistants (MHAs) A more efficient and effective overtime policy Better regulation of management’s use of 204Bs During the coming weeks, both the NPMHU Negotiations Team and USPS representatives, acting through various subcommittees, will address these issues and further discuss these new proposals. Who’s at the Table? Members of the NPMHU Negotiations Team include President Hogrogian; National Secretary-Treasurer Michael Hora; National CAD Manager Teresa Harmon; National CAD Representatives Neil Ryan, Thomas Ruther, and Eugene Horton; and our legal team from the NPMHU General Counsel’s office. USPS management is represented by chief spokesperson Patrick M. Devine, as well as a dozen other representatives and legal counsel. What’s Next? Main table negotiations will continue this coming week, with other full sessions scheduled through July 29, when representatives of the USPS and the NPMHU will return to USPS Headquarters to receive the Postal Service’s proposals. At that time, members of the NPMHU Negotiations team will ask their own clarifying questions. Both on-the-record bargaining sessions and off-the-record subcommittee meetings will be routinely scheduled throughout the summer. Behind the scenes, the NPMHU Negotiations Team will be caucusing constantly to ensure that all the issues and proposals being prioritized in this round are carefully considered. As talks continue, the NPMHU’s bargaining team will strive to ensure that the next National Agreement is good for the membership, consistent with the continued health and prosperity of the Postal Service, and beneficial to the American mailing public. Future editions of this Contract Update will outline some of what is being discussed this year, highlighting developments in negotiations as they occur. Please check your bulletin boards for more bargaining information throughout the coming weeks and months. 2022 No. 3 – July 6, 2022 (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

OPM Data Breach Class Action Settlement

  OPM Data Breach Class Action Settlement

If You Were Subject to the Data Breaches of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Its Contractor, and You Experienced an Out-of-Pocket Loss After the Breaches, You Could Be Eligible for a Payment from a Class Action Settlement.

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit about the data breaches of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) and its security contractor that allegedly compromised personal information of then-current and former federal government employees and contractors, as well as certain applicants for federal employment. The Defendants in the case—OPM and its contractor Peraton Risk Decision Inc. (“Peraton”)—deny that they did anything wrong but have agreed to settle the lawsuit. The Court has not decided who is right.

Who’s in the Settlement? You are receiving this email because you may be a Class Member. You are a Class Member if your personal information was compromised as a result of the breaches of OPM’s electronic information systems in 2014 and 2015 or the breach of Peraton’s electronic information systems in 2013 and 2014; and if, after May 7, 2014, you suffered an out-of-pocket expense or lost Compensable Time: (1) to purchase a credit monitoring product, credit or identity theft protection product, or other product or service designed to identify or remediate the data breaches at issue in this case; (2) to access, freeze or unfreeze a credit report with a credit reporting agency; or (3) as a result of an identity theft incident or to mitigate an identity theft incident.

What does the Settlement provide? Defendants will pay $63,000,000 into a Settlement Fund, which will be distributed to Class Members who submit Valid Claims. Class Members who submit Valid Claims will receive $700 or the actual amount of the claim—whichever is higher—up to a maximum of $10,000. If the total value of all Valid Claims, plus any incentive awards to Named Plaintiffs, exceeds the Settlement Fund, then the value of those individual claims will be reduced in equal proportion.

What are your options? If you are a Settlement Class Member, you must fill out and submit a Claim Form to qualify for a payment. You can quickly and easily file your claim online here. You can also download a paper Claim Form from the website or get one by calling the Claims Administrator at 1-855-917-3567. The completed Claim Form must be submitted online or by mail postmarked no later than December 23, 2022.

If you are a Class Member and you don’t want benefits from the Settlement, and you want to keep your right to sue Defendants on your own about the legal issues in this case, then you must take steps to get out of the Settlement. This is called excluding yourself from—or “opting out” of—the Class. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, you will remain in the Class and will give up the right to sue Defendants for the claims resolved by the Settlement. Your request for exclusion must be submitted by mail postmarked by September 9, 2022. If you do not exclude yourself from the Settlement, you may object to the Settlement if you do not like any part of it. The deadline to object is September 9, 2022. The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on October 14, 2022. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. The Court will listen to people who have asked to speak at the hearing. You may attend at your own expense, or you may also pay your own lawyer to attend, but it is not necessary.

This notice is a summary. The Settlement Agreement and more information on the lawsuit and your rights are available at www.OPMDataBreach.com or by calling toll-free 1-855-917-3567.

Reference: NPMHU.org via NPMHU Local 317
 

Several North Alabama post offices to host job fairs on July 8

  Several North Alabama post offices to host job fairs on July 8

"If you’ve ever wanted to work for the post office in North Alabama, July 8 may be your chance to snag a job. ...job fairs will be held at eight USPS locations in north and northwest Alabama next Friday, July 8. All hiring events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each location. Apply online at usps.gov/careers..."

Reference: whnt.com