Enforcing the Award
April 1, 2013
The 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement and a ruling of Arbitrator Shyam Das impose strict limits on the amount of bargaining unit work postmasters and supervisors may perform.
“If the USPS is violating the limits — and they are violating them almost everywhere — grievances should be filed now if they have not already been filed,” said Mike Morris, director of Industrial Relations. “Where grievances were filed, they should be settled in accordance with Arbitrator Das’ ruling,” he said.
In Level 20-and-Above Offices:
Postmasters and supervisors should perform no bargaining unit work except for the limited circumstances outlined in Article 1.6.A of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
In Level 18 Offices:
Postmasters and supervisors may perform no more than 15 hours of bargaining unit work per week.
In Level 15 and Level 16 Offices:
Postmasters and supervisors may perform no more than 25 hours of bargaining unit work per week.
Level 15 Post Offices (As of Nov. 21, 2010)
Level 16 Post Offices (As of Nov. 21, 2010)
“Remember that ‘all time staffing the window’ by postmasters is counted against the limits,” Morris said. “In addition, any time postmasters or supervisors spend boxing mail, sorting mail, spreading mail, loading and unloading trucks, assigning or clearing accountable mail, etc. when a clerk is staffing the window or before or after the window is closed also must be counted against the maximum time allowed.”
In his ruling Arbitrator Das wrote, "Issues relating to remedy are returned to the parties for discussion and resolution. I retain jurisdiction to decide any remedial issues that the parties are unable to resolve." The APWU and USPS will meet soon to discuss appropriate remedies.
On the part about the November date, see Q&A #2, attached. See also Q&A #1 re the level 20 offices PMs performing BUW.
* In accordance with a set of Questions and Answers agreed to by the APWU and USPS, offices that are or were downgraded during the life of the contract will remain at the bargaining unit standard in place as of Nov. 21, 2010.