BALLOT COUNT DELAYED IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

 

This change is dictated by the need for social distancing

BALLOT COUNT DELAYED IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2019 No. 12- March 19, 2020 (pdf)

2019 Contract Update #12

BALLOT COUNT DELAYED IN VIEW OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

**VOTING OPPORTUNITY EXTENDED**

Out of an abundence of caution, and in order to comply with local and federal health recommendations, the National Executive Board has made the decision to modify the election ratification procedures that were originally distributed in Contract Update #11 on February 10, 2020. The ballot verification and count was previously scheduled to occur on March 23, 2020. In view of the coronavirus pandemic and recommended preventative measures, it is not practical to conduct the ballot count at this time.

In order to provide a safe environment with appropriate social distancing, we will utilize less people, in a more expansive area, to conduct the verification and count. These safety measures mean that it will take significantly longer to conduct the verification and ballot count.

As previously reported, the balloting period shall extend for at least 30 days after the mailing of ballots. The ballots will be col-lected from the P.O. Office Box, verified, and counted beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the day chosen to begin the count. The Union has retained the American Arbitration Association to certify the ballot count.

The ballot verification and counting is now set to begin on Monday, March 30, 2020, one week later than previously announced, and it is expected to take the duration of the entire week or longer to finalize and certify.

The primary reason for this delay in completing the ballot count, even after it is started, is that the verification and count of ballots will be performed by fewer people, operating out of separate locations, but connecting with each other using telephone and internet connections, including video and/or camera connections. This change is dictated by the need for social distancing.

In the event that federal or local government health officials invoke additional restrictions or quarentines such as a lockdown or shelter in place order, the NEB could be forced to delay the count further as appropriate. All ballots received from eligible members during the extended voting period will be counted.

All Local Unions may still send observers to be present at the collection, verification, opening, and counting of the ballots. However, said observations will only be made available by video feed to the National Office

Reference: www.npmhu.org

 

Mail Handlers Union Releases Ratification Procedures; Ballots to Mail on February 18, 2020

  Mail Handlers Union Releases Ratification Procedures; Ballots to Mail on February 18, 2020

NPMHU RELEASES RATIFICATION PROCEDURES

BALLOTS TO MAIL ON FEBRUARY 18, 2020

* * *

BALLOT VERIFICATION AND COUNTING

SET FOR MARCH 23, 2020

2019 No. 11 – February 10, 2020 (pdf)

The following procedures have been adopted by the National Executive Board of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, pursuant to Article V, Section 9 of the NPMHU National Constitution, to govern the referendum vote that will be held to ratify the terms of the tentative 2019 National Agreement between the Union and the U.S. Postal Service.

1. All regular members who are employed by the U.S. Postal Service as of the last pay period of January 2020 shall be eligible to vote. It will take a majority of the votes properly cast to ratify the tentative agreement.

2. The voting shall be by mail ballot in postage-guaranteed return envelopes that are pre-addressed to a Post Office Box rented for the collection of such ballots. Voters will be asked to set forth their name, their address, their Local Union, and the last four digits of their employee identification number on the return envelope, but not on the inside envelope containing their secret ballot.

3. All eligible voters will be furnished with the text of any proposed changes and deletions, together with their ballots and return envelopes, as soon as practicable after the tentative agreement has been reached. It is the present intention of the National Office to mail these materials to all eligible voters no later than sixty (60) days after the date on which a tentative agreement is announced.

4. The balloting period shall extend for at least thirty (30) days after the mailing of ballots. The ballots will be collected from the Post Office Box, verified, and counted beginning at 9:00 a.m. on that day. The Union shall retain the American Arbitration Association or a similar organization to certify the ballot count. All Local Unions may send observers to be present at the collection, verification, opening, and counting of the ballots.

5. Any member who does not receive a ballot or the accompanying information must call the Ratification Ballot Coordinator at 202-833-9095, extension 1029, to request those materials.

6. The results of the voting will be announced publicly after the final ballot count is available. Copies of the official ballot count will be furnished to all Local Unions for posting.

7. All envelopes and ballots, together with other pertinent records pertaining to the vote, shall be maintained by the National Office for at least one year.

2019 No. 11 – February 10, 2020 (pdf)

Reference: www.npmhu.org