From the American Postal Workers Union
Our greatest concern is that the USPS is on the move to subcontract the entire Postal Vehicle Service.
Postal officials have announced to local managers and the APWU that a decision has been made to subcontract all MVS work in California, which could affect more than 1,000 jobs. Management made the decision without giving any advance notice to the APWU and without even hinting that subcontracting was being considered.
USPS officials say they don’t have the equipment necessary to comply with California’s strict pollution-control regulations or the money to purchase vehicles that would meet the requirements.
However, prior to making the decision, the USPS studied several ways to resolve the compliance issue, and none involved subcontracting. Management’s decision is very upsetting, especially in light of new language in the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which says the union must be involved earlier, rather than later, in the subcontracting process.
Furthermore, it is our understanding that the trucks currently in use already comply with the regulations. Starting in 2013, the USPS will have to begin to replace the trucks and/or engines. However, an analysis by the Postal Service was based on inflated costs for new vehicles, and 800 of the 1,400 vehicles studied were one- and two-ton trucks, which are primarily used as carrier vehicles.
The USPS seems to believe that all of the vehicles would cost the same amount, whether they are one-ton trucks or 11-ton single/double axel tractors. This is preposterous, as anybody in the trucking industry knows. An engine swap would be very cost effective for many of these vehicles. The APWU has had it priced at $13,000 per vehicle or less. Also, the USPS has a budget for capital expenditures, but postal management just seems to prefer subcontracting.
Eight Years and Counting
Several installations outside of California have been targeted for closure as well. As most readers know, we have been fighting the USPS on this issue since 1996.
It seems that when we finally get the USPS to agree to return work to the Motor Vehicle Craft, management starts the process of closing PVS operations again. The Youngstown, OH, operations has been on the block four times over an eight-year period!
The USPS seems bent on wearing us down with repeated attempts to subcontract. Since Motor Vehicle Operators and Tractor Trailer Operators are a very skilled group and are paid at Level 7 and 8 even after they are excessed to lower-level positions in other crafts, this seems foolish.
APWU President Cliff Guffey has been very helpful in this fight. We had a short reprieve for approximately 15 months, but we’re battling the USPS on this subject again.
Subcontracting Arbitration
In August, an arbitration hearing was held regarding who management must notify when a decision is made to subcontract work. This is important, because work is frequently out the door before the APWU is notified.
We have a strong case and we hope to get this language into the contract to ensure that all APWU members know what has been contracted out.
Constant turmoil cannot be good for the organization, yet no one in authority seems willing to correct the structural defects necessary for the USPS to become and remain an economically viable institution.
Remember, when you vote this fall, vote for congressional representatives who have the USPS and your best economical interests at heart.