National Association of Letter Carriers

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and if you celebrate something different, may that be happy and healthy for you as well.

As John Lennon says in the lyrics above, "What have you done?" Have you done anything this year to make your life better in the years to come? Have you thought about doing anything in the last twelve months that would have a positive effect on your future?

Maybe you quit smoking. Perhaps you started to wear a seatbelt in your personal vehicle. Did you decide that this past year was the year that you would get out and take frequent walks, or even ride a bike?

In the pages that follow, the Assistant Health Benefits Director talks about benefits in our Health Benefits Plan for smoking cessation while our Safety Officer urges us to learn CPR. Those are two things that could help to prolong your life and save someone else's.

Unfortunately, there are many things that can have a negative effect on your life. Your job can be one of them. The job of a letter carrier is both physically and mentally demanding. Never mind that heavy lifting that comes with the explosion of parcel volume that you are dealing with, delivering bag after bag of dog food and whatever else shows up in your hamper. But, you are also faced with the very real effects of the elements whether it be dangerously high heat indexes or bone chilling cold rain and treacherous driving during the winter months with snow and ice storms.

With all of these things working against you, I would hope that you do everything in your power to stay healthy and ensure that you can continue to do your job until you are able to retire, ON YOUR TERMS. That is why it always blows my mind when I get calls from people who are upset because some of their co-workers are working off the clock.

Every now and then we get calls at the Union office about carriers working off the clock. If there is a local steward, we contact him or her and ask them to look into it. Generally, a grievance isn't required because management realizes it is THEIR RESPONSIBILITY not the Union's, to ensure that no one works off the clock. Article 41.3.k states: "Supervisors shall not require, nor permit, employees to work off the clock."

Your Union steward isn't a "rat" if he or she puts an end to working off the clock. Typically, the steward, or someone from the branch office, will simply say "Hey, there are people working off the clock, can you make sure you put an end to that please?" It is one of the first things I look for when I visit an office. Are the FSS trays missing from the casters? Do I see circulars in the carrier cases? If I show up at starting time, do the carriers have to leave their cases to punch in and check their vehicles? Hopefully you are reading this and thinking "who would do such a thing?"

Working off the clock fixes nothing. As a matter of fact, it makes matters worse, for everyone. If you work off the clock, you are not showing office time that you are using. If you work off the clock to case DPS, FSS, or circulars, you are most certainly reducing the amount of time that it would have taken to deliver that same mail had you not cased it off the clock. So, not only are you not getting paid in the morning, but you are getting paid LESS during the day.

It's not just about your pay, either. It's about the length of your route. If your office is inspected, and eventually it will be inspected, you will lose both office and street time as a result of working off the clock. You won't be able to do so during the week of inspection, so your street time will show an increase. You won't realize the proper street time because management will take the average time that it took you during the year, you know, the shortened time that you spent on the street because you cased mail in the office to reduce the number of bundles you take on the road.

It's unfortunate that those that are donating their wages to the post office by working for free are so vocal when complaining about the Union for trying to keep those wages in your wallets where they belong. It's also unfortunate that management may choose to pass the buck and blame the Union for not wanting you to work off the clock. Management should be just as upset as the Union is if and when people work off the clock.

Similarly, there are a number of carriers that have taken the proactive step to preserve their careers by having their doctors evaluate them to determine what their limitations are. The problem is, sometimes these folks work beyond what their doctors have given them for restrictions. Again, it is up to MANAGEMENT to enforce your restrictions and again it is often the Union that forces management to do so.

In case you're not aware, no one can force you to exceed your medical restrictions whether they are in the form of workhour restrictions or weight or activity restrictions. More importantly, you can't choose to exceed your restrictions either. If you want to work in excess of your restrictions, go to the doctor and see about having them lifted or relaxed. If not, obey them, no matter what. Your steward will be vigilant in enforcing the contract to protect your health. Help him or her to do so.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

I would like to start my article this month by thanking the membership for their confidence and support in electing me by acclimation to another term as President of Branch 25. It is truly a humbling experience to stand by and watch as the gavel is brought down a third time and no other nominations are put forth. I will do my best to validate your confidence in the coming three years.

In late September, Executive Vice President Paul Desmond and I attended the Committee of Presidents' meeting in Cincinnati. I have always found that the most valuable part of these meetings is when our National President speaks and has a Q&A session after he speaks. This past meeting did not disappoint as not only did our National President Fred Rolando attend, but Executive Vice President Brian Renfro and Director of City Delivery Chris Jackson also attended and addressed those in attendance.

After bringing us up to speed on various national level settlements, Fred spoke to us about the challenges facing letter carriers and the Postal Service. He made it clear to us that we have to get across to our members what we are dealing with legislatively and politically. As your President, it is my job to get that across to you. I hope that as members of this Union, you feel that it is your job to get it across to your coworkers, your family and your friends.

We are faced with risks from three sources: Postal Reform, Federal Budget, and the White House. Postal reform is all about the pre-funding that we have been facing since 2006. The USPS was faced with a mandate to pre fund $100 billion up front for retiree health care costs. No other government agency or private industry is requried to do so, nor do they prefund to nearly the level required of USPS. That is prefunding 75 years in advance for ALL postal employees, regardless of their age or service. The account has $50 billion in it, $50 billion MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE!.

We need to address the pre-funding because although there is such a large amount in the account, our detractors (UPS, FedEx, and unfriendly politicians) simply choose to dwell on and publicize the fact that we no longer make the almost $6 billion/year payment to the account. They don't talk about the reasons behind it or the fact that we are unique in being required to do it. They are just using the fact to say that since we no longer pay into the account, we aren't viable and should be dismantled.

We could address the pre-funding issue through Medicare integration. Requiring all retirees to sign up for Medicare would result in the immediate full-funding of future retiree health care. The NALC would only support this if we can get guarantees that there would be no penalties for those presently that did not join right away, that those retirees that would receive no benefit are not required to join and that those retirees who could demonstrate a legitimate hardship would not be required to join.

The next way to address the pre-funding would be to repeal the Act that established the requirement to pre-fund. This is not a realistic approach as the $50 billion is invested in government securities. Congress is not going to vote to remove $50 from their coffers.

The third solution has to do with a study conducted by the Segal Group. The entire report can be found online. Essentially though, the Segal Group found that the Office of Management and Budget has calculated the Postal Service's share of the CSRS and FERS retirement programs incorrectly to the tune of about $85 billion (with a "B"). If that error was corrected, we'd be overfunded.

Finally, if the Postal Service was only required to pre-fund for those that are actually eligible to retire (those that are vested), the amount necessary to prefund would be roughly 50% of what it is now. In other words, we would be fully funded.

The threats to the Postal Service in the Federal Budget come in the form of increases to payments towards our retirement to the tune of 6.54 %, a proposal to eliminate CSRS COLA by 1/2% per year, and a proposal to eliminate FERS COLA immediately. There are proposals to increase the High-3 retirement basis to a High-5, and proposals that would decrease the government's responsibility towards health care from 72% down to 65%. These proposals would result in greatly reduced take-home pay for letter carriers both active and retired. Think about that when you vote.

Finally, there are strong rumors that the White House will attempt to privatize the Postal Service. They want to make us part of the Federal government and destroy collective bargaining. Congress would determine our wages and we would only be able to bargain over working conditions. The last time Congress determined wages was prior to the strike of 1970 when employees of the USPS qualified for food stamps. Again, think about that when you vote!

This is only a "Reader's Digest" version. Please, take the time to educate yourself further on what your vote means to your job. Take the time to participate whether it be by donating time to the campaign of one of our friends or by donating money to support one of our friends. Roughly 10% of the members of the NALC contributed $6.2 million in the last election cycle. We need the other 90% to get involved as well if we want to survive the storms that will forever come our way.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

If you haven't already received one, you will very soon be receiving your ballot to vote in the election of national officers of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Take the time to educate yourself on the candidates, their experience, why they are running, and vote. If you're an active carrier, mail your ballot at work and let your steward see that you are mailing it. If you're a retired Branch 25 member, call the office as soon as you mail your ballot. By doing so, you will be entered to win either a $25 prize, a $200 prize, or both.

October is an important month for Branch 25. This is an election year and that means that each of our offices will have an election for Shop Steward. I look forward to continuing to work with our present stewards that plan on staying on if elected, and I also look forward to working with some of the new carriers that have recently contacted me and expressed interest in becoming a steward or alternate steward in their office.

It's not just the stewards who will be up for election in October. At the October 2 branch meeting, nominations will be accepted for all Branch 25 officer positions.

The Branch is holding a "Cornhole Tournament" in October as well. We figured it is not as - much of a financial or time burden for those who may want to participate as a golf tournament would be, and it is a more family friendly event than a golf tournament. You can find the information about this event elsewhere in the Wake-Up! Please, show your support for your Union and for a great cause, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and come on down to Wamesit Lanes in Tewksbury to help Branch 25 "Toss Out Muscular Dystrophy!"

As this issue of the Wake-Up! goes to press, Peabody/Danvers is in the midst of three weeks of route inspections. The branch provided a training for those that chose to take advantage. Just about 40 carriers, or slightly less than 1/2 of the carriers, showed up for the training. Those that did attend asked well thought out questions and hopefully benefited from the training. Those that didn't attend, let's hope they get lucky and don't do anything to make their future more difficult.

Speaking of route inspections, the following is an update of the ongoing Marblehead saga. Most of the routes are out of adjustment still. Some under, but many over. I have made Operations Programs Support of the Union's intention to continue to pursue 8 hour routes in Marblehead. They have reached out to me about potential dates for route inspections. I hope to have more information to provide by the October Branch meeting.

I don't want to jump the gun, but during the coming month of October and spilling into November, we will be inundated with election ads for the 2018 Midterm Elections. All 435 members of the House of Representatives are up for re-election. Including special elections, there are 35 Senators up for election. Of those, 24 are Democrats, 9 are Republicans, and 2 are Independent. Of note, our own Senator Elizabeth Warren is up for re-election in what will be a heated race for sure. Senators in our neighboring states of Connecticut and Rhode Island are also up for re-election.

Just as I said about our national officers, I would ask that you spend some time educating yourself about the candidates and what they stand for, how they feel about your job and your union, and then cast your vote. We have only slight opportunity for gains in the Senate, so please do your part to keep what we have and hopefully realize gains by electing friends of letter carriers and working people in general.

Speaking of working people, be certain to read the rest of this month's Wake-Up! There are some powerful articles in it. Two former Presidents of branches that merged with Branch 25 have each submitted articles to this month's Wake-Up! I'm sure they didn't get together before hand to plan this happening, but the irony is unmistakable. Ken Dusombre, whose Branch 26 merged with Branch 25 some 18 years ago, is still an officer of Branch 25 and writes this month about inclusion of the newer members when they first start their careers with the Postal Service.

Kevin Sullivan, whose Branch 152 merged with Branch 25 back in 2003 is still active attending branch meetings frequently and national conventions. Kevin also encourages incorporating younger members into the Union.

Finally, Andie Coulter has provided one of the most compelling articles that I have ever read in any form of media. The compassion and sincerity is unmistakable in his article on "22".

I hope to see you twice this month, once on the 2nd at the branch meeting and once on the 7th at the Branch 25 MDA "Cornhole Tournament". If you have any questions about being a steward, or questions in general, don't hesitate to call or to utilize the email function of the Branch 25 Website (www.nalcbranch25.com). Support your steward!

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

There are some things that we can never be prepared for. This summer, I received a phone call that I was entirely unprepared for. It was the call from Dave Ferris' daughter letting me know that Dave had passed away. It felt as if a current of electricity had come through the phone and numbed me. I had to ask her again what her name was as I was in disbelief.

We had a brief conversation, Dave had instructed her to call the Branch when the fateful date came. I gave her the information that she needed regarding the passing of a retired letter carrier, and expressed my and the Branch's condolences.

I have since made it a point to show my wife where the necessary information is should that day come for me. I strongly suggest that all members, active and retired, do their best to make sure their affairs are in order, regardless of your age and health, and be sure that your spouse or other family member(s) have the information they need. It is a very unpleasant, stressful time and it doesn't need to be spent looking for answers.

That being said, Dave was "one of the good guys." There really is no other way to describe him. Dave was one of the first Branch 25 officers I met some 30 plus years ago and he was one of the most consistent. He loved Boston sports, especially the Patriots. We had many conversations pre-season and pre-playoff and Super Bowl.

Dave was a fixture at the Branch and he was a fixture volunteering whenever he was needed. I think in the over 20 year history of the pancake breakfast, he made about 95% of the bacon. There were only one or two years that he couldn't be there. But for over 20 years he was one of the first to volunteer and the first to show up and the last to leave.

It's going to be difficult to walk into the Branch meeting next month and not hand Dave a couple bucks for my 50-50 tickets and chat about the upcoming Patriots season opener. The shock will return next year when someone has to pick up the slack at the pancake breakfast. Dave will be sorely missed personally and professionally.

There are other things that can most definitely be prepared for. One of those is preserving the integrity of your route. Preserving the integrity of your route is just a fancy way of saying do your job the same way everyday, professionally, efficiently, and safely. Don't cut corners, don't skip breaks or cut short lunches, don't ignore safety rules, and DON'T work off the clock!

Whether there are inspections in the future (near or distant), or whether there is another "RAP" type joint evaluation coming down the pike, what you do on the street each and every day has a major impact on your route.

If there is a "RAP" type evaluation, your clock rings are key. Be sure to make them properly every day. Also, be sure that you're not casing DPS, FSS, or circulars so that you are reducing your street time. If inspected, 1840B times will be calculated. They are an 8 week average of what the regular carrier does on the route. If you are taking shortcuts, skipping breaks, or reducing your street time in any artificial way, you will pay dearly for it on the 1840B time and you could be establishing a shorter street time for yourself. In a "RAP", you will definitely pay dearly for any of those bad habits.

It isn't always enough for you to do the job right, however. You have to make sure that everyone that comes in contact with your route does it right as well. For example, if you give off a piece of your route, make sure you complete a 3996 and that the person doing the piece fills out the 3996 as well. The only way that your street time will be accurate is if you punch properly, complete a 3996 properly, and the person(s) completing the assistance do the same.

Exercise your right to obtain a copy of any and all 3996's that pertain to your route. Keep the 3996's in a folder in your draw at work, or better yet put them in the trunk of your car or somewhere outside of the post office and out of harm's way. You may need to rely on them to prove the value of your street time. Your word isn't enough with the Post Office.

The last thing I would like to touch on is reporting injuries. If you are injured at work, report it immediately. If something happens that you don't think is an injury, it may be a good idea to report it in case it turns into an injury. At the very least, make note of the time and location of the incident. Too many times I've seen carriers report something and "guess" what time it occurred. Management then checks the GPS history and accuses the carrier of falsifying their report because the GPS shows the carrier at a different location at the time they provided. Protect yourself, don't "guess". If something happens, immediately record the time and location. It is management's rule to notify them of everything no matter how minor it may seem. Follow their rule.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

"**it" may roll downhill, but it's time for you to grow a set and make the buck stop with you. Many of you are quick to talk down to a letter carrier and offer a sarcastic "If you don't like it, leave". I'm challenging you to look in the mirror and say the same thing to yourself.

You don't like your job, do you? You're treated like crap, aren't you? So, you're presented with options; you can spread your misery or you can pack it in and call it a career. I'm asking that if you choose to treat your employees like they are less than human, please, call it a career.

What have letter carriers done to deserve this @#$%? They come to work, even when they don't want to, and they work very long hours. They are not on the overtime desired list, but they are working their days off and they are working through dinner. For YOU! Yet, even though supervisory staffing is far better than carrier staffing (as is evidenced by the grotesque number of 204b's that you steal from our craft to cover for YOU), you treat them as if they owe YOU something. They don't. You are not cutting their paychecks.

And just what do you do for THEM? You make them wait to get uniforms because you're either too lazy to do the paperwork to get uniforms or you lack the know-how to get them. You get put out when they ask you for a day off, actually you get put out when they ask if they can just stay home and not have to work their day off. You tell them to cancel their doctor's appointments and forget about any personal plans. This is not the military. Letter carriers are not soldiers that should be at your beckon call 7 days a week and God knows how many hours a day.

You raise your voice at them and think that's ok. I can't remember the last time I raised my voice at one of you. I may not like you, I may not even respect some of you personally, but I show the respect that is supposed to be shown in our dealings because that is what human beings do. Next time you raise your voice at a carrier, ask yourself if you're proud. Did you do it because you don't have what it takes to raise your voice to your boss? How do you think that would go?

And to those of you that are 204b' s, some of you really don't have a clue. Some of you did everything in your power to avoid doing a lick of work and you somehow envision yourselves as God's gift to the Postal Service. I've got news for you, you couldn't carry the satchel of those that you may refer to as punks. Do me and yourself a favor, learn the contract.

STOP! Stop taking it. Please. Please document anything and everything that is happening that is abusive. No one has the right to yell at another person. If it happens to you, or if you witness it happening to someone else, write a statement. Please.

Please demand dignity. Please help your brothers and sisters achieve dignity. Fortunately, it is not every office in the branch that suffers through insufferable management teams. But, there are offices in the branch that do.

Why do you? How do you cope with it? Do you call in sick to avoid the unpleasant workplace because that's easier than demanding a change? Do you snap at your fellow workers because it's easier to snap at them than it is to snap at management? Don't snap at anyone. Fix it.

There is language in the contract and in the handbooks and manuals that requires that management maintains an atmosphere of dignity and respect in their dealings with you. Do they do that in your office? If they don't, write a statement and file a grievance. Please.

There are also requirements that employees be honest. Managers are employees. If they are not honest to you, and you can prove it, grieve it. Please. Bear witness for each other, tell the truth, and conduct yourselves in a manner that is above reproach. That is what is required of us in order to demand it of them.

If it seems like I am pleading, or even begging, that's because I am. I take your phone calls, your texts, and your emails. I encourage you to communicate. But, I don't want you to just vent. I want you to take it to the next level. If after you vent I tell you how to address your problem, please follow through.

Many of you have a long career ahead of you. Demand that your career is one free of harassment and intimidation and being treated as something less than human. Don't let management swear at you, and don't swear at them. Do it now before it's too late.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

I'm happy to announce that this years' winners of the Branch 25 scholarships are Sara Leger and Raymond Quigley. Sara is the daughter of Topsfield carrier Joseph Leger and Raymond is the son of Bedford carrier Rebecca Quigley. Both students have been invited to attend the May branch meeting and receive their awards.

Speaking of scholarships, the branch just held another successful scholarship breakfast on April 15. Bob Sullivan, retired out of Tewksbury, led a cast of volunteers that included in no particular order: Rich Donlon, Bob and Alice Cronin, Dan Raske, John McNulty, Andy Coan, Jim Nutter, Jack Lyman, Mark Brown, Dave Ferris, Rick DiCecca and myself.

There will be another DUO taking place in the branch. Danvers will be DUO'd into the Peabody installation no sooner than 60 days from now. NBA John Casciano and I will be meeting with management in the beginning of May to discuss the process. As with any other DUO, there will be a 30 day period where the parties will negotiate what provisions from each of the two current existing LMOU's will survive the DUO.

In other news around the branch, we just concluded a two-day hearing for Marblehead's route inspection arbitration. Marblehead carriers Ron Linnane, Lorri Rocker, Jim Acciavatti, Joann Lundin and Steve Lopez all testified at the hearing and they all did a fantastic job. Our own route inspector Dan Wheeler also testified as an expert witness and he too did an outstanding job. The Union will be submitting its brief on April 27 and the arbitrator has 30 days from then to render his decision. I am very much looking forward to closure on the bungled adjustments.

You can never accuse OPS of caring too much. During the recent arbitration in Marblehead, the Manager of OPS, Mike Shea, testified that the Marblehead office was to be reinspected the next to last week in May. There could not be a worse week to inspect any office. Mail volumes will be bottoming out. The decision to reinspect at this time represents a vindictive slap in the face to the hard-working letter carriers of Marblehad.

The 71st Biennial Convention of the NALC is just around the corner. When there are retiring national officers there is a retiree dinner held in their honor. If you read the Postal Record, you will have noticed that our very own Randy Keller has retired as national trustee. Randy will be one of the honorees at the dinner.

I just received a letter in the mail today from NBA John Casciano. John has notified the Branch Presidents that he will not be seeking reelection and this is his final term. Both Randy and John have served us well for some 20 years and I look forward to celebrating their upcoming retirements with them in Detroit.

I doesn't look like it's going to be a pleasant summer for letter carriers. On a positive note, with the lifting of Article 12, CCA's are being converted at a steady clip. However, there is a large deficit of CCA's throughout the branch. Some offices are understaffed by more than 20 carriers! Carriers are being forced to work overtime now, in April, and the prime time leave quotas haven't even kicked in yet.

Please, don't cut corners in order to get out of work early. You can not be disciplined for being late if you are doing your job and following all the rules. You can be disciplined for making up time and ignoring some of the rules. Your safety and health is the most important thing. It is more important than the delivery of the mail. Remember that if you're thinking about not curbing your wheels, not setting your brake, or not wearing your seatbelt.

The NALC Food Drive is also just around the corner. The Essex County offices will be receiving the food drive bags shortly. These bags do a great job in increasing the amount of food collected. Tewksbury will also receiving bags. Tewskbury has a very pro-active food pantry and they have purchased bags to distribute to increase their food totals.

In years past, I have reached out to the active letter cariers. This year I would like to reach out to our retirees. Please help out your letter carriers. The job is much more difficult with every year that passes. If you can, please make arrangements (you can call the Union office at (978) 658-5820 to do so) to drive through your town and take the food from the letter carriers and bring it to the pantry. This small act will make the active letter carriers' day immeasurably better. I look forward to hearing from you.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

On March 1, 2000, amidst a season in which the Celtics were 12 games under 500, Rick Pitino had a now famous press conference where he looked directly into the camera and addressed the fans. He said: "Larry Bird is not walking through that door fans." He then added that Kevin McHale and Robert Parish weren't walking through the door either. Finally he said: "What we are is young, exciting, hard-working, and going to improve." He went on to say that he wished he had $90 million dollars under the salary cap to buy "everything" but that isn't how it works.

I'm sure you're wondering why I'm writing about an 18 year-old press conference. Well my friends, Vince Sombrotto isn't walking through that door, neither is Bill Young or Fred Rolando for that matter. Celtics fans expected a steady stream of wins, but they didn't want to suffer through the rebuilding period that teams experience. Similarly, some letter carriers want instant gratification when it comes to curing the horrendous workroom floor conditions that prevail in most offices.

Well, I don't know how young or exciting much of the work force is. I do know, however, that you are hard-working and if you accept "coaching" your situation is going to improve. What do I mean by "coaching"? I mean that if you are aggrieved at work, and you call the office or email or text, and you are given advice, follow it. If you are advised to ask for Union time and advised to write a statement so that your steward can file a grievance, do it.

I'll often tell a carrier over the phone that I can't come to your office with a baseball bat and make everything all right. All I, or your steward can do, is make sure that when we talk to you that we make you aware of your rights. All I, or your steward can do, is perhaps tell you what we might do if we were in your situation. We CAN'T tell you WHAT TO DO. Only you can make that decision.

Some of the decisions may be obvious. I would like to think none of us would leave our young children at a bus stop; or cancel an important medical appointment that we scheduled for our day off (even though you don't have to schedule medical appointments on your days off). Some of the decisions are a bit more dicey.

One such decision occurred with a recent storm where over 20 inches of snow fell throughout the vast majority of the branch. There was no state of emergency declared by the governor. Management instructed carriers to go out and make an effort to deliver, especially parcels. In my opinion, many of the parking lots weren't even safe to walk in, let alone push a hamper through. And the roads, c'mon the roads were treacherous and the treachery was compounded by the poor condition and inferior design of the LLV's. I've already written in a previous Wake-Up! that when the parking lots are poor that it would probably take 4 carriers to safely maneuver a hamper. Driving an LLV in some of the storms that we experience though, that's a call that each individual has to make.

The key is imminent danger. If you are instructed to do something that you feel places you in imminent danger, you do not have to follow the instruction, period. If there is a consequence to your decision, if management issues discipline, then a grievance will be filed. Will we win the grievance? That depends on many factors. Your statement is one such factor. If you write "It wasn't safe to deliver", I can pretty much guarantee a loss. If you write, "I had made management aware of excessive wear on my tires previously and they did not replace the tires. Further, the streets that make up my route still don't allow access to the mailboxes from the previous storm. Finally, the defroster blows cold air so the windshield ices up and the wipers can't clear the snow and vision is greatly impared," you will have a much better chance to prevail.

The arbitrator is also a wild card. The day of the snowstorm there was an arbitration case scheduled. The letter carrier showed up, the union advocate showed up, the arbitrator showed up, the management advocate did not. Had the management advocate shown up and the case went on as scheduled, I would NEVER want to argue a snowstorm case before the arbitrator that made it to hearing during that blizzard. That would be one major strike against the case. If the arbitrator could make it to his or her job, he or she would naturally think that we should make it to our job.

But, whether you are going to get paid or not shouldn't be the deciding factor when making a decision on whether you're going to refuse to deliver mail and punch out and go home. Your safety should be the most important thing to you. If you made the decision to go home during the last storm, good for you. I hope you got home safe and that your family did as well. Isn't having arrived home safely more important than having annual leave converted to administrative leave? I hope so.

The snowstorm is only one example. If you have a bullying supervisor, do you really think that words from the Union office will set them straight? YOU have to help us. You have to take our coaching and write the statements and bear witness for others and file the grievances. Rick Pitino wished he had $90 million under the cap. I wish I had the authority to clean house on the management side. Neither of us got our wish. He had to try to do it through hard work. I'm asking you to be the team and achieve your goals of dignity and respect through hard work. You give us the statements, we'll file the grievances. That's how it works. The statements aren't angry phone calls or text messages or emails. The statements are signed, dated, written statements detailing the violation. I can't do it for you, but I CAN do it with you.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

At the February branch meeting, the members approved to fund a very generous number of carriers (36) to attend the 2018 Region 14 Rap Session on Sunday, March 11. Region 14 NBA John Casciano will be presenting the rap session and our National President, Fred Rolando will be attending. Rest assured, Fred will be giving enough information about national level issues to make your head explode.

I would strongly recommend that if you want a better understanding of the issues, both political and workroom related, that we are facing today and will be facing in the future, that you attend. Jerry Ugone will be covering Article 12, Patty Josef will be covering clock ring deletions, and our very own Rick DiCecca will be covering how NOT to lose a grievance. If you would like to attend, please either contact myself or Paul Desmond at the branch office, or email us via the Branch Website. The web address is on the back of the WAKE-UP! and there is a button on the Website to ask questions. Use that button to contact the branch if you can't call; it's that easy.

As I am writing this Article, I just received confirmation that Article 12 has been lifted. That is great news for CCA's and regular carriers alike! In case you're not keeping track, the tangible benefits for a CCA being converted to regular are an immediate pay raise, sick leave, fronted annual leave, and access to the Thrift Savings Plan. The quality of life benefits are the elimination of Sunday work in most cases, and a more stable work schedule that does not have the carrier going to different offices for hours. Once regular, the carriers also get a roughly $1700 pay raise every 46 weeks until they reach the top of the pay scale. The lifting of Article 12 is by far the best news that I've received in quite some time!

The current regulars will also benefit. There are a handful of our offices that have vacancies, some of them multiple vacancies, that have not been filled due to Article 12. These vacancies will now be filled as quickly as expeditiously possible, and not a moment too soon as primetime is just around the corner. The filling of vacancies will have the obvious benefit of bolstering staffing and hopefully reducing forced overtime to an extent.

I have been to several offices recently, and it's overwhelming to see all the new faces. I have even seen a couple new faces at branch meetings. Unfortunately, I don't know all of you, but I would like to. I realize that it is difficult for many to attend the branch meeting, and it is certainly not easy for me to really have a conversation with the members on the workroom floor. Office times are so short, by the time I have spoken to 2-3 carriers, everyone would be out the door on the street. If there is an office that would like to have a local meeting, please don't hesitate to contact the branch office to arrange for one. Meetings can be held for training purposes, to answer questions in general or specific to your office. The point is, you are part of a Union and I personally would like you to know what you are part of. I would also like to know what you are experiencing in your office.

I know that many times in the past, Executive Vice President Paul Desmond has spoken at branch meetings and written in the WAKE-UP! that letter carriers should keep track of their clock rings. Every letter carrier should have a pocket calendar and they should write down what time they punch in and out each day so that they can check their pay every two weeks. But, that isn't the only thing that a letter carrier should check or write down.

The branch processes many grievances. Often times, grievances involve financial resolves. Unfortunately, more often than not, these remedies are not processed in a timely manner. If you have a grievance and you are notified of the outcome, request a copy of the decision and then watch your paystub. If you don't receive compensation within a couple pay periods, please, let us know. I can assure you that we do not call the supervisors or postmasters that we meet with every week or so to ask if they have processed an adjustment. However, if you let us know that you haven't received one, then we certainly will follow up. Sometimes, another grievance needs to be filed, sometimes it doesn't, but we will be persistent on your behalf until you receive what is coming to you.

Finally, I'm happy to say that the branch will be having this year's Pancake Breakfast on April 15 at the Knights of Columbus in Tewksbury. It's a little bit later than usual, but hopefully the weather will be better and people will come out. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! The proceeds from the breakfast fund the branch scholarships. If you are able to help out, whether it be the day of or soliciting contributions, please contact me at the branch office.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

Years ago, there was a slogan drilled into our heads: "The heart of health and safety is you." We were given key rings in the shape of a heart showing a fastened seatbelt that contained that slogan. I'm pretty sure that the slogan most recently adopted is: "Safety, who gives a s@#%?"

Seven years ago, when I became President of Branch 25, there were quarterly District Safety Meetings. The District Manager and the Manager of Human Resources attended just about everyone. Craft employees were represented and Union officials received an invitation. For the record, I attended just about everyone and often times I was accompanied by the Branch Safety Officer.

Fast forward a couple years when the then District Manager retired and you had the same meetings, but there was no District Manager or Manager of Human Resources in attendance. With their departure, you saw fewer and fewer craft employees in attendance. Local management didn't have to put on a show for the District Manager, so they stopped bringing the craft.

Fast forward a couple more years still and the craft disappeared entirely, and the Union stopped receiving an invite. Does this sound like a management that wants to engage their employees to try to improve safety by hearing their concerns? Like I said, "Safety: Who gives a S@#%?"

Each month our own safety officer publishes a brief, helpful article in an effort to remind you to perform safely. This month, he reminds you to be sure to use your breaks for what they are for, to relax and recharge, clear your head if you will.

The slogan on those old key rings still applies today, but it is up to each of us to enforce it for ourselves. Do you get a safety talk in your office each week, or better yet more than once a week? Is it relevant? Do you pay attention and take the talk to heart? I hope so.

What do I mean by enforce the slogan? I mean that it is up to you to make sure that management lives up to their obligation to provide you with a safe work environment and the tools that you need to do your job safely. Some of you reading this may think that that's just a pain in the butt, but better to have a figurative pain in the butt than a career ending life changing pain somewhere else.

One of my biggest and longstanding pet peeves has been letter carriers being told to take vehicles to the street that don't pass the safety check in the morning; and the carriers take them! It DOES matter if your windshield wipers aren't working on a clear day. It DOES matter if one of your headlights is out. It DOES matter if your directional will not turn off by itself. All of these things should disqualify a vehicle from going to the street. Often, when a carrier reports these types of deficiencies, the vehicle is simply passed off to someone else who either isn't as observant, or isn't aware of their rights.

These vehicles should be grounded. If they are not, fill out a 1767 and send it to safety in BOSTON. If you've already spoken to your manager about it, why give him or her a chance to offer some lame excuse? Don't simply fill out the 1767 either, request Union time and file a grievance. If the violation doesn't put you in imminent danger, you have to obey. BUT, once you obey and grieve, we will pursue the grievance in order to force management to cease and desist the same violation in the future. This isn't a family business where people actually care about you and would miss you if you're gone. Postal management is more heartless than Bill Belichick and his "next man up" philosophy.

I don't want to paint all managers with a broad brush. There are those that actually care, so calm down. You know, and they know who they are.

There is still some winter left and undoubtedly there will be more snow. Is the parking lot clean when you go out to load up? Do you push your hamper through the snow? Do you think that's safe? I don't. If there is snow on the ground you should buddy up with someone to get your hamper to your vehicle. Yeah, it's a pain, but again, better that pain than another. Think about everything you do and how you could do it more safely. It could mean the difference between retiring on your own terms or being forced out with a disability.

Finally, I would like to ask for your help with scanning. Specifically, it has been reported that at least 2 offices in the branch are being instructed to scan parcels "no access" if they aren't delivered, even if the roadway is clear and the house has cleared the walkway and stairs. "No access" stops the clock and is legitimate if there is "no access". It doesn't apply to parcels when the route doesn't leave the office or when the carrier has to come back to meet a truck or a clocking off time. It means no access and nothing else. Our National Director of City Delivery is aware of the two offices; I would like to know if there are more offices involved. Thank you for your assistance. By the time you read this, I hope the Patriots are Superbowl Champions again !!!

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi

If you knew the winning lottery numbers for tomorrow's drawing, would you buy a ticket today? Maybe that's too obvious. If you were provided with a legal comptetitive advantage, would you take advantage of it? I hope so.

Well, we try to give you a competitive advantage each month when we let you know the proper procedures for delivering parcels, when we advise you to do your job consistently and professionally each day, and when we implore you NOT to work off the clock. Now, I'd like to give the carriers from Lowell and Peabody even more of a comptetitive advantage.

You are going to be inspected in late May of 2018. After your inspection, management will choose a street time that is either the average of the week of inspection, or the average of 7 random weeks that you served your route, combined with the week after the mail count and inspection. These seven weeks consist of one week from each month preceding the inspection (excluding December). In other words, a week from each month from October 2017 through May 2018 will be used to come up with a representative time. October and November are already in the books, and fortunately they are two months where mail volume and parcel volume should have provided for good road times.

January is just around the corner, however, and you now control your fate. Never will it be more important than in the coming months to do your route the same professional way than it will be in the next 5 months. Be sure to follow all the rules regarding safety and efficiency. If a parcel has to go to the door because it doesn't fit in a mailbox or parcel locker, then follow the rules and ring the bell. Be sure to take your full ten minute breaks and your full 30 minute lunch. Do not case DPS or FSS mail. Do not work off the clock.

There is a reason why the end of May has been chosen by Operations Programs Support (OPS) as the time for your inspections. This is historically the lowest mail volume time of the entire year. There is a very good possibility that your street times will be shorter during the week of your inspection. That is why it is so important for you to be consistent from now until your inspection. You must use the competitive advantage of the advance knowledge of the inspection and establish a consistent, fair street time. Then, if you demonstrate a shorter time during inspection, we can argue that the volume during the inspection was abnormally low (if indeed that's the case).

Make no mistake, OPS is not coming to an office near you to help. They are coming to cut routes, cut hours, cut budgets. Perhaps they will succeed. If they do, so be it. But, if they do, I would ask that you don't merely accept the results of an inspection performed during the lowest volume period of the year. I would ask that you instead continue to perform your job safely and efficiently, biding your time until the volume favors you.

If you are inspected in the spring and your office loses hours and/or route(s), then prepare to force OPS to come back in the fall. If your route is overburdened to the tune of 30 minutes/day on three or more days a week for six consecutive weeks, you qualify for a special inspection that must be performed within 28 days of your requesting it. Keep that in mind next October when the mail volume picks up. Don't worry, I'll remind you.

I'm not really big on New Year's Resolutions, but with 2018 right around the corner I'd ask that everyone consider a few. Don't work off the clock! If you observe someone working off the clock, hold management accountable. If management doesn't put an end to it, contact us.

Take your breaks and your complete lunch and follow all the safety rules, and every rule for that matter. It gets harder and harder as the staffing gets worse and the parcel volume continues to be absurd to not take shortcuts, but please don't. There are no thanks for skipping anything except for more work.

Support your steward. He or she gets nothing above and beyond pay for time worked and the personal satisfaction that they are trying to make a difference. It is always disheartening when a steward resigns. Most of the time the reason is not management in a particular office, but instead it is their fellow carriers that berate and harass them for not being able to simply snap their fingers and make things all better.

Attend a branch meeting, or better yet attend two or three. Life is hectic, we don't expect that you can attend all ten each year. However, it would be great if you the members took ownership of your Union. You never know, you may be inspired to become more involved.

Finally, 2018 is a branch election year. Stewards and Branch officers will be elected in the coming year. If you are interested in becoming involved in the branch now would be the time to ask questions and to perhaps seek training to "test drive" a position.

Stay informed!

Dave Barbuzzi