This is in response to your letter of June 29 regarding the intent of the March 4 memo issued by Darnley M. Howard to the Division Directors of Human Resources with the subject, "Employee's Use of Representatives in FECA Claims." Specifically, the intent of this memo was to inform our field managers that any representatives, including union representatives, who are assisting employees in matters related to the processing of FECA claims and/or claims filed before the Secretary of Labor must do so in a nonpay status. The letter was not intended to deny either employees their rights to file grievances, or the union's right to represent employees as specifically provided for in Articles 15 and 17 of the National Agreement. As a matter of further information, on April 20 Mr. Howard issued a clarifying memo to the Field Directors of Human Resources. In this memorandum, Mr. Howard advised that the March 4 memorandum was not meant nor should be interpreted as infringing upon employee or union rights under Article 17 of the National Agreement. The April 20 clarifying memorandum further advised that the intent of the March 4 memorandum was to inform field managers that when any representatives, including union, assist employees in completing Office of...
Document Type: USPS Position Letter
APWU National Grievance Number: None