From: Lamont Brooks <lbrooks@apwu.org>
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 1:06 PM
To: Clerk Division NBA <ClerkDivisionNBA@apwu.org>
Cc: Regional Coordinators <RegionalCoordinators@apwu.org>; Resident Officers <ResidentOfficers@apwu.org>; Clerk Department <ClerkDepartment@apwu.org>
Subject: Clerk PSE Conversions MOU Separating PSEsPlease direct all inquiries to Mark Dimondstein and Vance Zimmerman as the Clerk Division was not included in any negotiations and/or settlement.
I requested to be included and at least given the opportunity to review any document before it was signed, in an effort to protect the Craft.
I was not afforded that opportunity once again.
I have been swamped with inquiries over the holiday with questions on how this will impact the Clerk Division. This has been an ongoing issue of leaving me out of Clerk Division negotiations but because of the COVID-19 I did not want to burden the membership with these matters.
I feel compelled to do so now because of my concern for the Craft. There is no reason for unforced errors in a MOU or settlement, especially when it could impact a clerk national dispute on the issue involving ALL PSEs.
If I fail to communicate the concern, then when will it stop and/or else the proper officers are held accountable and at what cost to the membership.
I have brought this matter up at least five times or more in the field that the Clerk Division was addressing some of these issues and what impact will this settlement have on those issues. I know my Craft.
PSEs are hired for 360 day terms and can be released installation-wide for lack of work.
When employees are working 60-80 hours a week and crossing Craft violations are occurring with delayed mail, this is not lack of work.
There are already remedies in place for PSE over the District cap violations which is conversions.
I will provide the Clerk Division ‘s position at a later date as it relates to our pending national Clerk Division’s dispute.
While I welcome and appreciate all career conversions, contractual language is very important. I reiterate conversions are a good thing for the membership.
Leaving the Clerk Division out of the discussions involving issues involving our specific Craft is not acceptable and has been a continuing issue that has to be shared with the field.
I will bring this matter up as a topic of discussion at our next APWU National Executive Board meeting,
This is not consistent with the APWU constitution and appropriate action will be taken on my part.
This is the first step and hopefully no further steps will be needed.
I am responsible for all grievance processing in the Clerk Division but have not been involved in a single discussion with the Postal Service, involving Mark Dimondstein and Vance Zimmerman.
Enough is enough!
I will put out a position paper at a later date as the membership elected me to the position of Clerk Division Director and I should be held accountable to the membership.
Please feel free to disseminate.
Lamont Brooks
Director
Clerk Division
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU - North AL Area Local 359
Office held, if any
State Editor
Email Address
flasheditor@charter.net
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU - Pittsburg Area Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
President
Email Address
jprichards1@verizon.net
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Yakima Area Local #763 APWU
Office held, if any
Vice President/Clerk Craft Director
Email Address
austin_balderas@yahoo.com