APWU Clerk Craft Director not included in negotiations of PSE Conversions MOU

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 PSEs

Please 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

Related: APWU: Major Agreement Reached on Function 1 “Mail Processing” Staffing

3 thoughts on “APWU Clerk Craft Director not included in negotiations of PSE Conversions MOU

  1. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - North AL Area Local 359
    Office held, if any
    State Editor
    Email Address
    flasheditor@charter.net

    I’ve been involved with the APWU for my whole 33 year career, except for a few years as a mailhandler. I’ve been taugt by many APWU mentors/teachers including Mike Morris, Ron Nesmith, Joyce Robinson, Cliff Guffey to name a few…and Lamont Brooks. I have never met a man so dedicated to the Just fight as Mr. Brooks. I have attended numerous classes taught by him and I will honestly say he is the most engaging speaker I have ever been taught by.

    I know that things must be bad for him to speak out and air problems to the body, but sometimes the body needs to be made aware of things. Keep up the good fight Lamont! Justice will prevail!

  2. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
    APWU - Pittsburg Area Retiree Chapter
    Office held, if any
    President
    Email Address
    jprichards1@verizon.net

    Hurt feelings? If Brooks can do better why hasn’t Brooks done so? BTW, the members will determine who our president is, not someone who doesn’t take the initiative then criticizes those that do and their supporters.

  3. 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

    Mr. Brooks should have been included in these discussions. Mr. Brooks is not making it unprofessional or anything more then it needs to be, he is taking a high road and expressing himself in an appropriate manner. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Unfortunately, we all applaud Mark and Vance for this agreement but where was the respect to your Clerk Craft Director? Mr. Brooks is a valuable asset for APWU and is a future national President in the making.

    If you have been under a rock, Mr. Brooks will eventually be our APWU President one day and could very well be for a long time. The fact that Mr. Brooks was not included whatsoever in this agreement is all political at this point.

    Congratulations to the conversions to all those PSE’s and this life changing experience. I have nothing but respect for Mark and Vance but will also always support our Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks.

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