USPS: Understanding the provisions of Emergency Federal Employee Leave

The Postal Service is continuing its efforts to educate employees about a new form of leave that has been created for federal workers in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The new leave, emergency federal employee leave (EFEL), was established under the American Rescue Plan Act, a law that took effect March 11. Under the American…

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APWU Prevails on Management Court Challenge to Union Leave for Political Activity

April 24, 2021 In August of 2018, Arbitrator Stephen Goldberg struck down the Postal Service’s unilateral implementation of changes to ELM Section 510 and to PS-Form 3971 regarding union leave for political activity such as in relation to voter registration and get out the votes efforts. The changes required employees taking Leave Without Pay (LWOP)…

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NALC: COVID-19 Related MOUs Extended Until March 26, 2021

December 22, 2020 By joint agreement (M-01932), several COVID related memorandums of understanding have been further extended through March 26, 2021. These memoranda include: temporary expanded sick leave for dependent care (M-01910); temporary additional paid leave for CCAs (M-01911); temporary use of the 7:01 rule (M-01913); temporary workplace changes to promote social distancing (M-01915); and…

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USPS: Liberal Changes of Schedule and Leave

USPS Memo – March 23, 2020 We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with our unions temporarily expanding the use of Sick Leave for Dependent Care to allow employees to use their sick leave for unexpected childcare needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to allowing Sick Leave for Dependent Care, for…

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NALC and USPS agree to postpone national-level Hatch Act / LWOP grievance

NALC and USPS have mutually agreed to postpone a national-level grievance regarding the delay in implementing Arbitrator Goldberg’s Award in Case No. Q15C-4Q-C 17697250 which was issued August 6, 2018. This agreement (M-01908) provides that the parties will postpone this case pending the disposition of civil action 18-cv-02553, United States Postal Service vs. American Postal…

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APWU Arbitration Award Restores Rules for Employees Using LWOP to Campaign

Web News Article #: 77-2018 08/08/2018 – APWU members can continue to volunteer in political campaigns under the long-standing leave-without-pay rules in the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM). A national arbitrator rejected changes the Postal Service made to the Leave Without Pay (LWOP) rules for how employees request LWOP to participate in political activities…

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ELM Revision: acceptable reasons and instructions for LWOP

Effective April 26, 2018, the Postal Service™ is revising the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), section 514.4, to update acceptable reasons and instructions for leave without pay (LWOP). Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) * * * * * 5 Employee Benefits 510 Leave * * * * * 514 Leave Without Pay *…

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APWU Clashes with Management on New 3971 Language

Web News Article #: 116-2017 12/01/2017 – The Postal Service’s Request for or Notification of Absence (Form 3971) has been amended to include a new section applicable to those going on leave without pay (LWOP) for official union business. This new section states: LWOP – Union Official (Required Certification) By signing this form, I certify…

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