The 1^st Vice President’s Desk

The postal service is continuing its quest to reduce the rolls of the employees. There are many moves afoot that will look like subtle changes but in the end will result in a reduction of the employee complement. Be ever vigilant in your areas and be ready for any projected changes.

The present condition of hiring freezes across the country is still, for all practical purposes, in affect. You may notice some provisional hiring in some areas but that is just out of necessity. If you will notice the number of employees retiring in the workplace you will readily see what I am talking about. The postal service’s policy is - when someone retires there will be no replacement. All the work responsibilities will be spread amongst the existing employees.

The postal service has just about completed their country-wide survey on the utilization of Bulk Mail centers and Processing and Delivery plants. Once all the information is assembled, they will have a picture of where the Bulk Mail facilities can be merged with the processing and delivery plants.

I have reported to you before on the plan to abolish the window clerks or retail sales clerks, as they are now called and man the windows with PTF clerks. The unassigned regulars produced by this move will, for the most part, be assigned to tour one. The plan will produce a lot of involuntary retirements because most of these people will be very senior employees.

The postal service is on a mission to carry out their goal of reducing the employee complement. There is another large projected deficit in their future. On paper, the plan is to look like management bonuses have been abolished. In reality, the figures will be reworked and given a new name then it will be business as usual.

The postal service is intends to reduce the amount of man-hours but that will be next to impossible because the work will still be there and since there won’t be enough employees to get it all done, overtime will prevail.

Once again, I impress upon you to be extremely careful of the carrots dangled before you. There is a whole new set of machinery planned for the future. These machines will perform the same functions with parcels that the 100’s are performing with flats now. These machines will cause an excess of employees yet again.

I want you to take your time and evaluate your position. Don’t jump at the first job that looks favorable. Remember, that if you are involuntarily reassigned, you will always have retreat rights to your previous work area provided you have submitted bids on all of the vacancies in that area whether or not you want that position. If you fail to submit a bid or bids as the case may be, you will lose your rights. Sometimes, it may be better to be involuntarily reassigned than to jump at the first opportunity that comes along. You may regret it in the long run. However, if the job you want presents itself, then by all means, go for it.

Be careful and consider your choices. It could make a lot of difference to your future.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

AS WE STRUGGLE ALONG IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

AD MORTEM FIDELIS

cdenson@napfe.org