PRESIDENTS REPORT
Welcome back brothers and sisters. The summer heat is hopefully behind us as we head into the fall, but it is not like nothing has happened while we were away. I wrote back in June that I was hoping we wouldn’t have a repeat of last summer’s overtime issues, and lo and behold we didn’t have that much of an issue. The reason being we got rid of the problem. That’s right; the mighty “KING” is history. I am sure it was just a coincidence he was relieved of his duties after our last newsletter for the summer hit the mail. We didn’t even have a chance to give him a proper sendoff! Whatever, he is gone and hopefully this district can begin to move forward. I know I am ready for a new approach.
It didn’t take long for a new style of management to surface. We have seen manager’s allowed to manage their own offices within the constraints of the contract and we have seen a dramatic reduction in overtime grievances since the king has departed. You can see the aftermath of his policies in our grievance log this month that made many of our members a few bucks!
On to some developments that have surfaced this past summer. As I stated back in June, I was in the midst of trying to finish the JARAP process in my office of Blackwood, which was finally completed at the eleventh hour. The end result was we finally got our auxiliary route, (Ha-ha) converted to a full-time route, and we were able to add a new route to our office. Now you would think I should be happy with this result, which I am, but not with the way I had to jump through hoops to get it done. I will go into more detail at our regular meeting this month and explain what really went on behind the scenes which I can tell you was a total disgrace!
The next important development that has surfaced is the latest information on Article 12 withholding. I have just received a letter from our business agent, Bill Lucini, which states the USPS is implementing Article 12 withholding within a 100 mile radius of Trenton NJ and surrounding offices. It appears that 127 Full-Time Regulars Grade 1 (Q1), 25 Full-time Regular Grade 2 (Q2) and 16 PTF Carriers will be involuntarily reassigned outside their facilities due to FSS implementation. The offices in our branch affected by this are the following: Voorhees, Marlton and Riverton. As soon as I get more updated information I will let everyone know.
As everyone is aware we recently attended our national convention in Anaheim, California. This was the first convention run by our new president, Fred Rolando, and I must say he did a fantastic job. He kept the convention lively with his sense of humor and his professionalism. We have a great leader representing us going forward, so we need to give him our support in the years ahead as they are extremely crucial with all the roadblocks in our way.
Speaking on the convention, I can attest that all delegates attended every session and many of the workshops before and after the convention. The workshops focused on a variety of issues we are dealing with and educated the delegates on these issues. The delegates will be prepared to answer any questions on the workshops they attended, so if you have any questions please feel free to bring them to the meeting.
One other note I must mention that occurred at the convention. There are 5 contested races for national business agents throughout the country, with one in our region as well. It appears many of the members are not happy with the current leadership in their respective regions, and now have another choice to try and get someone else in a position to represent them. This is precedent setting, since this many contested elections has never happened as long as I can remember! This is what a democracy is all about.
Our current business agent Bill Lucini is being challenged by Michael Stanton, the President of Branch 769 Haddonfield. Mike asked me to nominate him, which I proudly did, because he wants carriers to have another choice at the national table, since he believes carriers are not being heard with their concerns.
Mike has asked to speak to the membership at our October meeting, which I have gladly accepted his request. I think everyone should come out and meet him and listen to what he has to say. I believe many of you will be surprised to hear what he has to offer the membership and dispel the many rumors being tossed around about him!
There are a lot of other issues out there I will discuss at the regular meeting. Hope to see you there.
Gary DiGiacomo – President
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Brothers and sisters welcome back. Hope your summer was great for you and your family. I would like to give you an update on Maureen Deprince, now known as Maureen Buscher after her recent divorce. It has been four years since she was hit by a drunk driver. While in the performance of her letter carrier duties and lost her vision and both her legs. Maureen does not want to look back but would rather look forward, she still goes to therapy Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Recently the Ventnor City Board of Commissioners has penned a proclamation that July 24th is Maureen Deprince Day. Also some of the funds collected for her have been used to clear her mortgage, she thanks everyone. Now some reminders and information. The Branch has clean new and used uniforms for free contact me if interested. We the delegates had a good convention and had some very informational training and seminars.
Jim Comuso, Sr.
NEXT MEETING – SEPTEMBER 15
The next regular monthly meeting of the Branch will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 8 p.m., at the American Legion Hall, 502 Colonial Ave., North Woodbury. The regular monthly meetings of the Branch are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m., The Branch Board of Officers and Executive Board meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The Board of Officers at 7:30 p.m., and the Executive Board at 8 p.m. The next meeting of the Board of Officers and Executive Board will be on Wednesday, September 8, 7:30 and 8 p.m. respectively.
ATTENDANCE PRIZE NOW STANDS AT $175
Had he been in attendance at the regular monthly meeting of the Branch on Wednesday, June 16, Wayne Nothe, a member out of the Somerdale Office would have been the recipient of the $150 attendance prize. The prize now increases to $175 and will increase $25 per meeting, up to a maximum of $250, until a member in attendance has their name drawn.
GRIEVANCE LOG
Step A Results
Marlton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. OTDL carriers to receive 30 hours of overtime.
Marlton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. OTDL carriers to be paid 3 hours overtime.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Two OTDL carriers to receive $30.00 and $20.00 for violation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to receive $50.00 for violation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to receive $50.00 for violation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to receive $50.00 for violation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Three OTDL carriers to receive $70.00 for violation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Two OTDL carriers to receive $45.00 for violation.
Paulsboro – Management will cease and desist from curtailing mail to create undertime. As a remedy management agrees to pay 4 carriers a sum of $7.00 for this violation.
Step B Decisions
Blackwood – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. As a remedy 8 OTDL carriers to paid a total of $1849.00.
Bridgeton – Management violated Article 41.2.B.5 of the J-CAM when they improperly removed a PTF from a hold down. Carrier to be made whole for all lost hours he was denied as a result of this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid $39.39 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Four OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $78.76 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Four OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $98.46 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Two OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $39.38 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Two OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $78.78 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Four OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $98.46 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Three OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $59.07 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $69.72 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $78.78 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Three OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $59.07 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $19.70 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $15.75 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Three OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $71.69 for this violation.
National Park – Notice of removal to be rescinded immediately for management’s failure to meet the test of just cause by not conducting a thorough and objective investigation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 19 of the J-CAM when they altered the grievant’s PS form 2499.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $49.24 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Two OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $52.39 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Four OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $98.46 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $35.84 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $49.24 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Three OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $74.04 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Two OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $59.08 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $19.70 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. One OTDL carrier to be paid a total of $15.75 for this violation.
Hammonton – Management violated Article 8 of the J-CAM. Three OTDL carriers to be paid a total of $71.69 for this violation.
National Park – Notice of removal to be rescinded immediately for management’s failure to meet the test of just cause by not conducting a thorough and objective investigation.
Paulsboro – Management violated Article 19 of the J-CAM when they altered the grievant’s PS form 2499.
NALC HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN
NALC Health Benefit Plan will be notifying current enrollees by way of a letter included in our Open Season materials.
| Children | Effect on Affordable Care Act |
| Between ages 22 and 26 | Children between the ages of 22 and 26 are eligible for coverage under their parent’s Self and Family enrollment up to age 26. |
| Married Children | Married children (but NOT their spouse or their own children) are eligible for coverage up to age 26. This is true even if the child is currently under age 22. |
| Children with or eligible for Employer-Provided Health Insurance | Children who are eligible for or have their own employer-provided health insurance are eligible for coverage up to age 26. |
| Stepchildren | Stepchildren do not need to live with the enrollee in a parent-child relationship to be eligible for coverage up to age 26. Birthday rule will always apply. |
| Children Incapable of Self-Support | Children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that began before age 26 are eligible to continue coverage. |
| Foster Children | Beginning January 1, 2011, to add a foster child to a Self and Family enrollment, the foster child must be placed with the enrollee by an authorized placement agency or by judgment, decree or other order of any court of competent jurisdiction. |
Fred Mendel – HBR
BRANCH SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
The drawing for the annual Branch Scholarship of $500 for each of 4 years, or $2000, for continuing education after high school, took place at the regular monthly meeting of the Branch on Wednesday, June 16. The winner was Zachary Strang, the son of Bridgeton carrier, Mark Strang. The alternate winner was Lauren Cane, the daughter of Marlton carrier, Dawn Cane. Congratulations and good luck to the winners!
DELAWARE PARK FUNDRAISER
We will be running a fundraiser to Delaware Park on Columbus Day, October 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; cost $15 per person; there is a cap of 100 people. Anyone interested in attending please contact Steve Lipiski at (856) 430-0398.
BRANCH TEE SHIRTS AVAILABLE
We now have tee shirts available with our new Branch logo for $12. Anyone interested in purchasing a tee shirt, please contact Recording Secretary, Mike Powell at (856) 287-8768 or at 908recordingsec@comcast.net.