For the last two and a half years the United States Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) have
attempted to resolve refusal-to-provide-information issues through an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedure
established by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) adopted by the parties. In OM 97-52, MOU between USPS and
APWU, dated July 31, 1997, General Counsel Feinstein announced procedures intended to facilitate the resolution of these
types of charges through the MOU procedure. OM 97-52 contemplated periodic assessments of the procedure established in
the MOU to determine whether the procedure was resulting in the prompt resolution of refusal-to-provide-information issues.
Having undertaken such an assessment recently, the Acting General Counsel has determined that the potential of the ADR
procedure has not been realized. By letter dated November 29, 2000, a copy of which is attached, the Acting General Counsel
informed the parties about this determination. In this letter, the Acting General Counsel also advised the parties that as of
January 1, 2001, the Office of General Counsel will cease participation in the program.
Document Type: NLRB
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