The meeting will be 11-14-2023 at 4466 W Spaatz Ave, Fresno, CA. 93722 at 7:00pm. We are down to the wire to vote on the delegates to go to the National Convention. It’s to late for absentee ballots to mailed, I need everyone to that hasn’t already mailed theirs in to show up an vote for me to be a delegate to the National Convention. Thank you.
Article 8, 41, 15, 17, 31, and 26 are being violated daily, and this week add Article 11, and the Fresno LMOU. Request steward time, and if it is postponed past the end of the shift it’s a M-00458 violation which states in part “dictates in most cases, the grievant and the steward should be able to discuss the grievance without delay but 95 percent of the time with no more than a two-hour delay.” Always let the steward know you are requesting steward time in writing, that way it is documented. I recommend making 2 copies and you keep the original, 1 for management, and 1 for the steward.
Anyway, from what the carriers have told me from multiple stations is carriers on schedule C & D probably have had their rights under the contract violated it’s a Article 11, and should be requesting steward time, or calling the branch if your zone/station doesn’t have a steward. Be prepared to give statements or be interviewed. It could turn out to be a lot of free money for the carriers involved. From what I am hearing, even CCAs may have had their rights violated, and should ask for a steward too. I know management likes to pretend that you don’t have any rights under the National Agreement, but that is far from the truth. When I was a CCA there was a steward that always looked out for CCAs, and I learned a lot from him. Don’t forget if you were brought in under Article 11, and worked over 8 hours on Thursday(11-9-2023) that may also create a Article 8 violation for you, and the ODL.
Always remember, only you the carrier can stop the abuse of you. The M-39 115, M-01242, and M-01243 is the commitment our employer made to us (the craft employees) to have a non-hostile/non-toxic work environment.
Article 26 Uniforms and Work Clothes, if you’re a regular and haven’t received your uniform credit card on your uniform anniversary date, ask for steward time, so that it can be investigated. If you’re a CCA at 120 days management should be initiating the process, so that you can get your uniform allowance. Put in a steward time request under Article 26 in either case. Management even has a list of the day you qualify for your uniform allowance, but they still refuse to issue the voucher. It’s like management is writing the check out of their personal bank account as crazy as that seems, but that is the attitude.
The NBA has been using the branch office to offer training for members in central California. I can say this is was a very positive experience, for me at least, as I learned a lot about how the NBA for Region 1 views thing under the new leadership. In the OWCP class we dissected a case that the RWCA had worked, and the extent that the management type went to to deny the valid claim was insane. If you’re a member, and have an OWCP claim you need help with, call the NBA’s office or Branch 231. Of course, I had questions because of my time at Cedar. ROFL go figure right….. Anyway, the NBA office told us that if a carrier is refused to be given a CA-16 to file, but in order to file a grievance (sounding like a broken record) you the carrier need to give the steward a statement. In the case that was dissected the injured workers claim was ultimately approved, the management type that showed extreme lack of candor was removed from that station. That’s what I call a win win.
One issue brought up was the filing of the CA-1 online, and how some management types (cough cough) refuse, or are dragging their feet on providing their email. What was learned, is you don’t really need the supervisor’s email to file a CA-1 online. When you file your CA-1 online 3 people get it via email, you, the supervisor, and the district OWCP person. Filing starts the clock for the district OWCP person to initiate the process that they must follow. If the management type refuses to provide their email it was recommended to just use (first name).(last name)@usps.gov If it is wrong it doesn’t matter, because the district OWCP person will be holding that supervisor accountable. So, don’t sweat the supervisor refusing to provide an email in an attempt to stop you from filing a OWCP claim for much needed medical treatment, the district OWCP person will be contacting said supervisor. LOL That would be a fun conversation to hear.