Timely ‘Letter of Demand’ question

Posted on by 21cpw User Post

Recently our postmaster issued a Letter of Demand to a Window Clerk for a shortage of more then 900 dollars. Window Clerk admits to making a mistake while cashing a money order. I filed a grievance citing a procedural error in the Letter of Demand. The Postmaster did not sign or print his name on the Letter of Demand. Grievance denied at Step 1 for no stated reason. On to Step 2. Postmaster may decide to issue a new Letter of Demand in a more correct manner. I will grieve that too.

My question is how long does management have to issue a Letter of Demand? I was informally told 10 days from when management knew of the shortage but I cant find precisely where that language would be in any postal manual.

One thought on “Timely ‘Letter of Demand’ question”

  1. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    Sacramento Area Local 66
    Office held, if any
    Shop Steward (retired)

    I don’t think there is a specific time frame when a Letter of Demand must be issued, but as with discipline, the longer the time between mgmt knowing (or should have) and issuance, the better it is for the craft employee.

    BTW, once you filed the step 1, any other Letter of Demand would have to be for a separate debt, or it is Double Jeopardy. Do not agree to allow the postmaster to rescind and reissue. If it was procedurally defective, then it was procedurally defective and the issuing official will have to explain it to their superior. How hard was it to sign and date a document that will be issued in your name?

    The issue at this point is not the existence of the debt or the culpability of the craft employee, but the procedure required before taking money from that employee being followed; it is their rule, not ours and they should have to follow their rules as they demand we have to do “or else”.

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