Postal Unions Prevail in Hatch Act Arbitration Concerning Use of Union LWOP for Political Activities | PostalReporter.com
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Postal Unions Prevail in Hatch Act Arbitration Concerning Use of Union LWOP for Political Activities

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We are pleased to provide a linked copy of a National Arbitration Award issued by Arbitrator Stephen Goldberg on August 6, 2018 in a case concerning the use of Union LWOP for political activities under the National Agreement. The matter was heard in June 2018, briefed in July 2018, and decided earlier this week. The case was initiated by the APWU, with the NPMHU and the NALC intervening.

Based on the investigative findings of the Office of Special Counsel, and on political pressures from Senator Johnson and his supporters, the Postal Service unilaterally issued a Corrective Action Plan, which included changes to the ELM and its regulations on the use of Union LWOP and to the Form 3971. Those changes were made unilaterally, and without any bargaining or even consultation with the major postal unions.

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Arbitrator Goldberg easily found that these unilateral changes violated the National Agreement, and ordered that they be rescinded. He also ordered the Postal Service to bargain with the APWU about any changes to Union LWOP. To reach this conclusion, he rejected the USPS claim that the Office of Special Counsel has the authority to demand that USPS make these changes.

With this arbitral victory, bargaining over the changes to Union LWOP submitted by the Postal Service is expected to occur over the coming weeks and months.

(August 7, 2018) President Paul Hogrogian’s memorandum re: Arbitrator Stephen B. Goldberg’s decision; Hatch Act and LWOP Case No. Q15C-4Q-C 17697250 and Case No. Q15C-4Q-C 18033533 (pdf)

USPS: Postal Employees to receive new guidance on Hatch Act

3 thoughts on “Postal Unions Prevail in Hatch Act Arbitration Concerning Use of Union LWOP for Political Activities”

  1. If most of the postal employees supported the RATPUBLICANS Postal employees using union LWOP would have been not a problem! However since the unions support those running for office that help workers that is terrible to RATPUBLICANS. Now the RATPUBLICANS don’t care if their supporters lie, cheat, or steal. Any one that can help them get power, they are acceptable.

  2. This is BS. They say they don’t use our union dues to support political candidates, you know they do. Then they force other employees to do their work while they are on LWOP and probably getting money from the union to do this.

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