Staten Island AMP Approved
Local 300 received
notification from NY Metro Area management on July 1, 2009 that the Staten
Island AMP, moving all originating operations to Brooklyn, has been approved.
Management also indicated that implementation of this AMP is be completed by
October 2009. The Union contends that this is insufficient advance notice.
Furthermore, as of
7/1/09 the Union still has not received the requested results of the AMP
feasibility study. Local 300 intends to file grievances as well as possible
appeals in other forums. Additional information to be provided as it develops.
Click here for a link to the USPS
website regarding info on all AMPs
3 More AMPs
Recently, the NY Metro Area management has notified Local 300
that they intend to conduct three more Area Mail Processing (AMP) feasibility
studies.
(1) Newark Destinating Mail to DVD,
(2) West Jersey Destinating Mail to North NJ
Metro & Kilmer
(3) Kilmer Originating Mail to DVD & Trenton.
More information to be provided as details develop.
5 Day Delivery - Impact Study
The Postal Service is conducting a study to determine the impact
of switching to five-day delivery. The study is examining the impact of no
delivery or collections on Saturday and Post Offices with current Saturday hours
remaining open.
The Postal Service has
solicited input from the NPMHU on this issue. The study should be completed in
about two months.
Local 300 Memorial Scholarship
The Local Union Council and members of Local 300 of the National Postal Mail
Handlers Union are proud to announce the annual competition for the Bernard
Holloway, John A. Orchard, Edward J. Miller, and Wally Merwin Memorial
Scholarship Awards.
Once again we will be awarding four $1,000 scholarships for study at an
accredited college, university, or trade school. The scholarships are available
for children, grandchildren, and legal wards of our regular members.
The five brothers memorialized in this scholarship devotedly served the cause of
Mail Handlers and enabled us all to benefit.
In awarding these scholarships we re-affirm our commitment to increasing the
educational opportunities available to our members and to the working class. We
also reaffirm our commitment to struggle for knowledge and genuine democracy in
order to create a better world in which an informed and enlightened people can
best decide their fate.
All members are urged to read the “Requirements” for consideration and to urge
every eligible applicant (a regular union member’s child, grand-child, or legal
ward who meets the scholarship requirements) to apply.
Completed applications must be received at Local 300 headquarters by
August 10, 2009.
Applications can be obtained from your Local 300 Shop Stewards, by
clicking here or
by contacting
Kevin
Tabarus, Treasurer at Local 300 HQ (212) 431-0040.
New York State Exec. Board Member
The position of New York
State Executive Board member was recently vacated with the retirement of
Larry Hill. Andrew Piacente, Arbitration Advocate and Shop Steward of
the Westchester Branch has been selected by Local 300’s Executive Board as
the new Local 300 New York State Executive Board Member.
Article IV, section 4 of
the Uniform Local Union Constitution (ULUC) states:
“In the event of a vacancy
in any office of this Local Union, the vacancy…shall be filled by a majority
vote of the Local Union Executive Board. Such vacancies shall be
filled only for the unexpired term of office.”
 Andy Piacente will serve
the remainder of the unexpired term of office. Andy has been
a Mail Handler and Union member since 1977. He first became a Steward
in 1979, and has held various positions and performed numerous functions in
the Union during his career. He served as the AVP/Branch President of
the Westchester Branch from 1981 through 2002. Andy served as a
delegate to the 2000, 2004 and 2008 NPMHU Conventions. He is currently
serving as a steward and arbitration advocate in Westchester.
We are certain that Andy’s
knowledge and experience will prove a tremendous asset in his new position.
Andy was sworn into his new position at the Westchester Branch Meeting on
May 30, 2009 by Local 300 President Paul Hogrogian.
Westchester Branch Meeting
 On
May 30, 2009 the Westchester Branch held their branch meeting in White
Plains. Issues affecting the installation were discussed, such as; Tour
Compression and Casuals. This was a special meeting since Westchester's Andy
Piacente was sworn in as the new New York State Executive Board Member. In
addition, at the meeting the members celebrated Branch President Steve
Schiff's birthday. For more photos,
click here.
Local Union Council Meeting
On May 28, 2009 Local 300 held their Local Union
Council meeting at Local 300 Headquarters. The Local Union Council consists
of; all members of the Executive Board and all Branch Presidents. The
President, Vice President, Treasurer and State Representatives presented the
Council with their reports. It was a very informative meeting. Issues
discussed at the meeting included; Closing of Newark AMC, BMC to NDC, Tour
Compressions, Function 4 reviews/excessing, Finance Report, NRP, AMPs, etc.
For photos, click
here.
Legislative
Conference Washington, DC
 The
NPMHU 2009 Legislative Conference was held from May 20th to May 21st. NPMHU
Representatives from around the country met with their members of congress on
Capitol Hill. Issues affecting the Mail Handler craft were discussed in these
meetings such as, H.R. 22 - Change the prefunding of retiree health benefits,
Mail Network Protection Act - Subcontracting (H.R. 1686), FERS Sick Leave
Crediting for Retirement (H.R. 1256), Employee Free Choice Act (S. 560 & H.R.
1409), Vote by Mail (H.R. 1604).
Issues affecting the Local 300 area
were discussed. Including the 3 AMP studies for Staten Island, Flushing, and
Western Nassau. Representing Local 300 on Capitol Hill for the Legislative
Conference were; Paul Hogrogian - President, Bobby Blum - Vice President, Kevin
Tabarus - Treasurer, and Thomas Ruther - CTSEBM. The representatives for Local
300 met with the following representatives or their staff; Representatives
New York: Carolyn McCarthy, Peter King, Gary Ackerman, Gregory Meeks,
Edolphus Towns, Yvette Clarke, Mike McMahon, Charles Rangel, Carolyn
Maloney, Jose Serano, Nita Lowey, & Senator Kristen Gillbrand. New Jersey:
Steven Rothman, Donald Payne, Albio Sires & Senator Lautenberg. Connecticut:
Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, Christopher Murphy & Senators Christopher Dodd and
Joseph Lieberman. In addition, Local 300 met with Massachusetts Congressman
Stephen Lynch who introduced H.R. 1686 called the "Mail Network Protection Act".
Click here for more.
Western Nassau AMP Public Meeting
 On
May 28, 2009 a public meeting was held in Mineola to discuss management's
proposed AMP study. Management's proposal involves; the consolidation of
outgoing mail operations in the Long Island District, all mail collected from
all of the 38 Post Offices with 115 Zip Codes & mail boxes in Western Nassau
will be sent to Western Nassau P&DC in Garden City. The collection mail would be
transported to the Mid Island P&DC in Melville. Any of that mail for Western
Nassau would have to be transported back from Melville to Garden City for final
processing and dispatch.
Details provided to the public at this
meeting were limited. Even though the feasibility study is completed, it was not
provided as requested. Only a 'summary brief' was made available. This was to be
a public meeting, however it appeared that the public was not present due to
lack of adequate notice. No public notices were posted in the 38 affected Post Offices to
advise the public of a proposed change to the processing of their mail. The
purpose of a meeting is for management to receive public input.
The only non-postal employees present
were invited by Local 300 from political offices, LI Federation of Labor
AFL-CIO, and other local unions such as the NALC Branch 6000 & Long Island Area
Local APWU. For photos,
click here.
Flushing AMP Public Meeting
.jpg) On
May 6, 2009 a public meeting was held to discuss Postal Management's proposal to
move some of the outgoing mail processing operations from Flushing to Brooklyn.
There were 38 members from Local 300 at the meeting. Also in attendance from
Local 300; Flushing Branch President Trevor Stuart, Vice President Bobby Blum,
Treasurer Kevin Tabarus, Western Nassau Branch President Peter Bilotta Staten
Island Chief Steward Vinny Sapone, and several Flushing Branch
Stewards: Mary Thomas, Angel Mendez, Frank Torres, Kenneth "KC" Copeland, Jessie
Lewis & Cecil Lyte. There were several political leaders in attendance. Local
300 contacted NYC Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and his presence was known
by all at this meeting.
NY Daily News Article 5/7/09
News article from the Queens Courier
NDC Network Activation Plan
The Postal Service has provided a copy of
their 4/30/09 activation plan for the new Network Distribution Centers (NDCs).
The NJI/BMC facility is part of the pilot program to begin this month. The
facility shall be a Tier 2 NDC. Click
here for more.
 Mid
Hudson Branch Meeting
On May 3, 2009 the Mid Hudson Branch of Local 300 held their General
Membership Meeting in Poughkeepsie, NY. Various issues were discussed pertaining
to the local installation.
 Staten
Island AMP Public Meeting
On April 29, 2009 a public meeting was
held to discuss Postal Management's proposal to move some of the mail processing
operations from Staten Island to Brooklyn.
Click here for the full
story from NY1.
Staten Island AMP Press
Conference
 A
press Conference was held by NY Senator Kristen Gilllibrand along with Staten
Island Congressman Mike McMahon (D-13th) on April 14, 2009. Also in
attendance were Staten Island Borough President James Molinero, city Council
members James Oddo, Ken Mitchell and other elected officials. The Press
Conference was held in front of the Staten Island P & DC by these elected
officials to express their displeasure over the Postal Service's proposal to
eliminate mail processing operations on Staten Island. In attendance for Local
300 was Vice President Bobby Blum, Chief Steward Vinny Sapone, Steward Lou
Ditore, and several members. Officers from the APWU and NALC were also present.
Both Senator Kristen Gilllibrand and Staten Island Congressman Mike McMahon
thanked the Local 300 for our efforts and vowed their support.
Click here for
photos.
Archives
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Calendar of Events
7/12/09 NY Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds
- Local 300 Social Activity
***Rescheduled***
7/15/09 New York City Branch Meeting
2:30PM @
Blarney Stone, 410 8th Ave, between 31st street and 30th
street , 2nd floor
8/10/09 LOCAL 300 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
8/23/09 RYE PLAYLAND - Local 300 Social Activity
(Rain Date 8/30) More details to follow.
9/12/09 LABOR DAY PARADE
9/19/09 1PM NY Mets vs. Washington
Nationals
- Local 300 Social Activity More details to
follow!
Local 300 Newsletter
The next issue of our newsletter will be published soon. If you are planning
on submitting an article, please submit the article to
Treasurer -
Kevin Tabarus. The deadline is 6/11/09.
DISTRICT
CLOSINGS, STAFFING AND VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT
Included in these announcements is an offer of Voluntary Early
Retirement (VER) to be made to all eligible mail handlers who meet the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) conditions -- essentially mail handlers who are age
50 or older with at least 20 years of creditable federal service, or any age
with at least 25 years of creditable federal service. As the process is
further implemented, Local 300 will provide you with additional information.
Click here for the link, to access the USPS Newsbreak related to these
announcements.
The Central Jersey District is part of Local 300. Northern New Jersey &
Southern New Jersey Districts will assume Central Jersey Districts operations.
FSS Jobs to Mail Handlers
The primary duties for work assignments on the new Flat Sorter Sequencing
Systems (FSS) has been awarded to the Mail Handler craft. Clerks will be
assigned to the duties on the FSS for the feed station of the Automatic
Induction. Click here for the FSS Craft
Jurisdiction Letter.
FSS Local
300 Deployment
Facility
Install Date
NJI/BMC #1 JUNE 2009 - accepted
about 8 weeks later
Mid Island #1 OCTOBER 2009 -
accepted about 8 weeks later
NOTE: The planned FSS schedule is subject to change.
FMLA - New Changes
Recently, the Department of Labor issued changes to the regulations for the
administration and application of leave protected by the Family & Medical Leave
Act (FMLA) of 1993. The new regulations address new military leave entitlements
and several other procedures for requesting FMLA protected leave. The Postal
Service is required to notify employees if their FMLA certifications are
incomplete or insufficient and give them the opportunity to correct the
certification. A Physician's Assistant is considered a Health Care Provider and
may complete a FMLA Certification. The DOL has issued a new poster for
"Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family & Medical Leave Act"
form WH-1420. Publication 71 has been
replaced by the revised form
WH-381 "Notice of Eligibility and Rights &
Responsibilities (FMLA)". The form WH-380 has been replaced by the
WH-380-E "Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee's
Serious Health Condition" or the WH-380-F
"Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member's Serious Health
Condition". Also, most FMLA response letters from management's FMLA
Coordinators will be replaced by the new
WH-382
"Designation Notice". To view these forms, click on the form name above,
or go the "Resources" page for all of the new
revised FMLA forms.
For a summary of the new changes to the FMLA,
click here for the memo
from the national office.
Local 300 Merchandise
Due to popular demand, Local 300 will be offering
"Local 300 Merchandise" for purchase at cost. The
following items are available. The prices below include shipping & handling. All
items feature a Local 300 Logo.
Work Smock - $14.00
Work Apron - $14.00
Baseball Hat - $15.00
T-Shirt - $11.00
T-Shirt (2X) - $12.00
T-Shirt (3X) - $14.00
Contact Bobby Blum at Local 300 HQ (212) 431-0040 to place
an order.
Clean Air NY
The Flushing Branch of Local
300 is a 2008 regional Commuter Choice Award winner. The union promotes
employees pre-tax commuter benefits and has partnered with the
local transportation management organization CommuterLink. Commuter Link has
held transportation days at facilities in order to help arrange transportation
programs to ease employees' commutes to and from work, while reducing air
pollution and saving employees money. For more info check out
www.CleanAirNY.org
Website Redesign
 The
local webpage is currently under re-construction. Please bear with us as we
transform our website into one of the most informative, in the country. If you
have any suggestions, please email
kevin.tabarus@local300npmhu.org
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LOCAL
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