It Is Always About the Work
May 19, 2025In the ever-expanding world of postal words and jargon, ‘RTO’ and ‘LTO’ are recent additions you may see as a postal worker. These stand for Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) and Local Transportation Optimization (LTO).” MVS Director Michael Foster explains these acronyms in-depth and how they impact the job.
magazineMVS DivisionMichael O. Foster
One of the primary purposes of the trade union movement is to nd work for its members. While unions constantly advocate to improve social injustices, equality, and fairness for their members and society as a whole, it is always about getting work, finding work, and keeping members gainfully employed. As the USPS drastically reduces its workforce, requiring fewer employees to do the same – or more – work in attempts to improve its bottom line, these management tactics and strategies will often have crafts and unions feeling the need to defend and protect their work.
Dispatch Coordinator Step 4
The Clerk Division and the USPS recently held national level arbitration hearings on the creation and assignment of the Dispatch Coordinator position to the MVS Craft. Although the MVS Division has also filed national disputes on the creation of this position and the siphoning of other MVS Craft duties, we still believe this is an MVS position. Please review the job descriptions and qualification standards of this position in your facility to determine if crossing-craft or occupation-group violations are occurring and contact your National Business Agent (NBA) to file the appropriate local grievance.
USPS Acronyms
In the ever-expanding world of postal words and jargon, “RTO” and “LTO” are recent additions you may see. These stand for Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) and Local Transportation Optimization (LTO). RTO replaced LTO. These are part of the Delivering for America (DFA) plan and USPS efforts to reduce transportation costs and find other savings.
The MVS Craft must continue to monitor and protect the assignment of the transportation of mail in bulk quantities to any category of postal employees other than Motor Vehicle Service employees.
LTO is a part of the DFA plan to save the USPS money by eliminating or reducing transportation costs. This began as a pilot program in a few sites in 2024 when the Postal Service eliminated all afternoon trips outside of a 25 or 50 mile radius from an LTO site, meaning that there would no longer be a closeout trip to pick up that day’s mail from those offices, and that mail would be collected the following morning, thus adding an additional day for delivery. In most cases, the pilot program sites where this change occurred were being served by a Highway Contract Route (HCR) supplier.
RTO is the evolution of the Postal Service’s attempts to further reduce transportation costs for the transportation of mail. “Regional” is the key difference, as this evolution now limits the transportation of mail to one trip per day for offices outside of a 25 or 50 mile radius from an RTO site. This has potential for a much larger impact on, not just the delivery of mail, but also PVS duty assignments, due to the elimination of those afternoon closeout PVS trips, as not all PVS operations are within the 25 or 50 mile radius of an RTO. This change to RTO will most likely trigger management to attempt to make changes to all PVS duty assignments and attempt to repost them in accordance with Article 39.2.A.6 bidding procedures.
However, if unimpacted duty assignments are reposted due to a zero base, other audits, or any other administrative reasons, it would be in violation of the APWU/USPS Step 4 settlement for USPS Case# Q10C-4Q-C 14256865/ APWU# HQTV 20140505, signed and dated on Sept. 30, 2015. This language is also contained in the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (JCIM) questions and answers in Article 39, question #78. According to Article 39.2.A.6, only the union can request a yearly, or bi-yearly bid.
Voluntary Early Retirement
Of the more than 5,000 MVS Craft employees eligible for the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) incentive, approximately 550 MVS employees have accepted the offer. The officers of the APWU Motor Vehicle Craft wish you a long and happy retirement. ■
It Is Always About the Work0
Read More....
2025 Maintenance Division All-Craft Conference
May 19, 2025Maintenance Craft Director Idowu Balogun highlights the upcoming APWU All-Craft Conference and Bulk Mail Center Conference in October, discusses revisions to the TL-5 MS-47 Handbook, and a planned maintenance operation pilot program.
magazineMaintenance DivisionIdowu Balogun
The 2025 All-Craft Conference will be held in Las Vegas, NV on Oct. 6-8, 2025, followed by the Bulk Mail Center (BMC) Conference on Oct. 9, 2025. We will offer two training courses at the conference: Line H/Eagle Clean, and Article 32 Maintenance Subcontracting, presented by National Business Agents (NBAs). Preparation is already underway for the Maintenance Division Conference book and training materials for all attendees.
Eagle Clean is the postal program that has custodians in the field using Mobile Delivery Device (MDD) scanners in place of a hard copy PS Form 4776 – Preventative Custodial Maintenance Route to record daily tasks. The training will cover:
The genesis of the program from pilot to implementation;
What the scanner and screens look like and require; and
The various reports that can be requested and how to analyze those reports.
Maintenance subcontracting will cover Articles 19 (Administrative Support Manual) and 32 (Subcontracting) and how they tie into defending bargaining unit work from being outsourced to contractors. The training will also cover several national level arbitration decisions that control the subcontracting process from beginning to end.
Another TL-5 MS-47 Handbook Revision
On March 4, 2025, the Postal Service notified the APWU of additional revisions to the TL-5 MS-47 Handbook (Facility Cleaning). Once again, the Postal Service unilaterally imposed changes to the previously negotiated and agreed upon handbook language. According to the notification, the latest revisions “are intended to improve the overall clarity of the handbook and make information and procedures easier to locate. Additionally, changes were made to include necessary safety information.” We are currently in the process of reviewing the latest revisions and have already requested a formal meeting with the Postal Service to discuss the changes. We will continue to fight to maintain the rights that we successfully negotiated into the handbook.
Another Field Maintenance Operation Pilot Program Rolling Out
The Postal Service recently notified the APWU of their plans to test a work order ticketing system application in the Facilities Management Organization (FMO) to enhance the visibility of Area Maintenance Technician (AMT) work orders in the system. Currently, the FMO uses a unique system to enter and track work orders assigned under the FMO and facilities. However, there is very limited communication between the AMT and the maintenance supervisor on how a work order is required. This process results in limited visibility for Postal Service management to track the progress of maintenance requests. In an effort to improve the visibility of maintenance requests from submission to completion, the subject test will automate the submission of the PS Form 4805 – Maintenance Work Order Request, from a hard copy paper form requiring manual entry, to an electronic request (“Help Ticket”) that is entered directly into a web-based platform by the requester and displayed immediately to the AMT’s, thereby removing the need to be given a piece of paper by the supervisor.
The pilot test is scheduled to begin in the WestPac Area starting with California 4 and Arizona and New Mexico districts. The testing will last for 180 days, and it is anticipated that testing will be expanded to additional districts during the 180-day test period. The districts and associated time periods will be provided in advance.
The Maintenance Division continues to have ongoing meetings about FMO-related issues and is keeping a close eye on this new pilot program. We have expressed our concerns about potential violations of Articles 1.6 and 7. Please contact your NBA(s) to provide feedback if you are part of this pilot program. ■
2025 Maintenance Division All-Craft Conference0
Read More....This Is Progress: The Working People Weekly List
This Is Progress: The Working People Weekly List
Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.
Labor Unions File Lawsuit Against HHS to Restore NIOSH: “The coalition, which includes the AFL-CIO, the United Mine Workers of America and Dentec Safety, filed a petition May 14 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The unions call on Kennedy to ‘resume immediately all activities that NIOSH performed before’ recent cuts to the agency workforce—some of which have recently been reversed.”Kennedy Center Employees Announce Plans to Unionize: “The union, which they’re calling the ‘Kennedy Center United Arts Workers,’ would be in partnership with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, commonly known as the UAW. It would consist of nonsupervisory employees from artistic programming, education, marketing and development departments, along with administrators of the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. Performers are covered by several different unions.”Divers at Orlando’s Discovery Cove Theme Park Unanimously Vote to Unionize: “A group of divers at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove theme park in Orlando unanimously voted to unionize last week, forming the first union at the aquatic-themed resort. According to the National Labor Relations Board, which conducts union elections in the private sector, the group of divers and dive technicians unanimously voted (15-0) in favor of unionizing with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, in an election that featured 100% voter turnout.”SAG-AFTRA and Nickelodeon Reach Tentative Agreement on Animation Contract: “Nickelodeon has agreed to ‘commonsense’ AI protections for voice actors on animated shows like The Patrick Star Show and Dora the Explorer, according to performers’ union SAG-AFTRA. The union announced on Wednesday that it had reached a tentative deal with Nickelodeon over voice acting on animated programs for basic cable and Paramount+. With covered projects including ‘Rugrats,’ ‘The Loud House,’ ‘Kamp Koral’ and ‘Rock Paper Scissors,’ the three-year provisional contract also brings some rate increases, a new premium and faster payment due dates.”SAG-AFTRA’s New Audio Commercials Contract Revamps Structure, Expands AI Protections: “The audio advertising business is posted to get a significant overhaul for union voiceover talent. Under the tentative 2025 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts deal, a new structure for audio commercials has been introduced—one that simplifies compensation, reflects current media consumption habits, and includes the union’s strongest protections yet against the misuse of artificial intelligence. The agreement covers April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. The three-year deal nets out to $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit contributions. It currently awaits ratification by SAG-AFTRA members ahead of a May 21 voting deadline. If adopted, the audio contract will cover about 2,200 union voice talent members.”Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Set Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: “Two Democratic senators and a representative reintroduced a bill May 12 that would create minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios at hospitals across the country. Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rep. Jan Shakowsky, D-Ill., reintroduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act on International Nurses Day. The bill would require hospitals to develop annual staffing plans that meet the minimum staffing ratios set forth in the legislation. Hospitals would also be required to maintain records of RN staffing and post notices of minimum ratios. Additionally, the legislation would provide whistleblower protections for nurses who speak out against unsafe staffing practices. HHS would be tasked with enforcing minimum ratios through civil penalties and administrative complaints.”Protect Federal Incentives for Clean Energy Projects: “Energy demand is rising, and with it, utility bills are getting harder to afford. But we can’t just wring our hands and maintain the status quo. There are good reasons why electricity demand is going up. We’re building 21st-century technologies like AI and data centers. We’re electrifying things like cars and heating systems that have pumped dirty pollutants into our air for too long. This is progress. We need to meet the moment by building affordable clean energy and doing so in a way that creates high-quality union jobs for Washingtonians. Luckily, we have a powerful tool to help us do that: federal tax incentives for clean energy development.”Union for Nearly 1,000 University of Minnesota Resident Physicians Certified by State: “Nearly 1,000 resident physicians at the University of Minnesota are officially unionized with SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents after a state labor board certified on Friday that a majority of residents signed union cards. The certification comes on the heels of more than 200 resident physicians at Hennepin Healthcare achieving certification last month as the first union of resident physicians in Minnesota. ‘We work very hard to take care of people all over the Twin Cities and beyond, and burnout is a real problem,’ said Dr. Kaitlin McLean in a statement released by the union. ‘It’s essential that we have a seat at the table so we can care for ourselves and our patients, and so that we can stay here in Minnesota doing that critical work.’”Tufts Student Released from U.S. Immigration Custody After Judge’s Order: “U.S. District Judge William Sessions during a hearing in Burlington, Vermont, ordered the immediate release of Rumeysa Ozturk, who is at the center of one of the highest-profile cases to emerge from Republican President Donald Trump’s campaign to deport pro-Palestinian activists on American campuses.”Blizzard’s Overwatch Team Just Unionized: ‘What I Want to Protect Most Here Is the People’: “‘Game developers behind Activision Blizzard’s hit franchise Overwatch have joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), becoming the latest group of video game workers at Microsoft-owned studios to form a wall-to-wall union,’ the CWA announced in a press release shared with Kotaku on Friday. ‘A neutral arbitrator confirmed today that an overwhelming majority of workers have either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted union representation via an online portal.’”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 – 13:00
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson of AFSCME.
With more than two decades of experience in emergency dispatch, Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA/AFSCME) members Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson were some of the first voices heard when victims of the 2023 Maui wildfires called 911 for help. They handled more than 4,000 calls in a 24-hour period, earning them national recognition for their extraordinary service.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 – 09:40
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Norse Atlantic Airways Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Norse Atlantic Airways Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
U.S.-based Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) members who work for Norse Atlantic Airways voted overwhelmingly in support of ratifying a new contract.The Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline was founded in 2021 and has a flight attendant base in John F. Kennedy International Airport. Highlights of the deal include provisions that ensure job security, raise total compensation with the highest per diem in the industry, increase the number of sick days and more.“This contract provides Norse Flight Attendants with certainty and guaranteed economic and work rule improvements. The contract provides much-needed quality of life as Norse charts the path forward,” said Norse AFA President Katarzyna Mroczek.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 – 09:35
Clerk Division Updates
May 19, 2025Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks discusses three recently arbitrated issues and the Step 4 Settlement award on the work jurisdiction of Time and Attendance Collections.
magazineClerk Division Lamont Brooks
The Clerk Division has recently arbitrated three important issues at the national level:
The Dispatch Coordinator position, created by the Postal Service and originally assigned to the Clerk Craft, was later reassigned to the Motor Vehicle Craft. The Clerk Division firmly believes that the duties of this position are traditional clerk duties.
The Postal Service’s continued violation of Article 1.5 and Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) related to the performance of non-managerial, non-supervisory work that should be assigned to the Clerk Craft. An interpretive issue in the 2018 RI-399 Update MOU concerning when it is proper to reassign work from one craft to another.
Step 4 Settlement – Time and Attendance Collection
Section 2 of the Step 4 settlement on Time and Attendance Collection (TACS), dated Sept. 5, 2018, states, in part:
d) Effective with the signing of this agreement, TACS duties may be included by local management in the Lead Clerk duty assignment postings for those duty assignments properly designated to perform the Lead Clerk Clock Office Role in TACS.
e) In facilities with Lead Clerks in duty assignments previously posted and awarded, who are currently performing TACS duties or that TACS duties were annotated on the bid posting, they will be grandfathered into this Agreement. If not previously provided, they will receive the required training, course #31267-01.
f) In facilities with Lead Clerks in duty assignments previously posted and awarded, and there are no Lead Clerks currently performing the TACS duties, the senior Lead Clerk in the facility will receive the required training, course #31267-01, and be assigned to perform the TACS duties. The parties at the local level may mutually agree to an alternative Lead Clerk in the facility to be trained/assigned in lieu of the senior Lead Clerk.
g) In facilities where there are multiple Lead Clerks, those Lead Clerks who have not been assigned timekeeping duties, are not required to receive the above referenced training. However, it is recommended they receive LMS Course #10025624, Lead Clerk Overview Training
TACS is clerk work. That is non-negotiable. Don’t let management perform our work. If the Lead Clerk is absent or on leave, Article 25 applies when assigning Lead Clerk duties.
Article 25, Section 4 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the APWU and USPS states:
Section 4. Higher-Level Details
Detailing of employees to higher-level bargaining unit work in each craft shall be from those eligible, qualified and available employees in each craft in the immediate work area in which the temporarily vacant higher-level position exists. However, for details of an anticipated duration of one (1) week (five (5) working days within seven (7) calendar days) or longer to those higher-level craft positions enumerated in the craft Articles of this Agreement as being permanently filled on the basis of promotion of the senior qualified employee, the senior, qualified, eligible, available employee in the immediate work area in which the temporarily vacant higher-level position exists shall be selected.
Clerk Division Updates0
Read More....
IAM Union Rail Division, TCU/IAM Join Other Unions to Demand Stable Transit Funding in Pennsylvania
The IAM Union Rail Division and Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU/IAM) stood shoulder to shoulder with other labor unions and transit advocates at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to send a loud and unified message: public transit workers and the communities they serve must not be abandoned. Dozens of union members, transit riders, and community allies rallied
The post IAM Union Rail Division, TCU/IAM Join Other Unions to Demand Stable Transit Funding in Pennsylvania appeared first on IAM Union.
May 20: NFFE-IAM, IAM Union to Welcome Minority Business Development Agency Employees Back to Work After Administrative Leave, RIF Threats
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2025—The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) and the IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) will gather outside the Department of Commerce on Tuesday, May 20, at 8:30 a.m. to welcome back employees of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Approximately 35 employees, represented by NFFE-IAM, had been placed
The post May 20: NFFE-IAM, IAM Union to Welcome Minority Business Development Agency Employees Back to Work After Administrative Leave, RIF Threats appeared first on IAM Union.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Betty Chow
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Betty Chow
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Betty Chow of IATSE.
Betty Chow has worked as an “A” Second Assistant Camera on the third season of “All American: Homecoming.” She serves on the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) Local 600 National Executive Board, and is co-chair of the inclusion committee. Chow has been a Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) member for 25 years and enjoys serving as a resource for her fellow IATSE members. “I am part of an organization of skilled workers who have each other’s backs through the hard times, and we share the joy in the good times. Being an IATSE member has enabled me to master my craft and be respected as a worker.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Sun, 05/18/2025 – 13:44
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Chan Chi Chiu
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Chan Chi Chiu
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Chan Chi Chiu of UWUA.
Chan Chi Chiu is deeply grateful to the Utility Workers (UWUA) for the stability and security it has provided for his family. He credits the job security, safe work environment and comprehensive benefits for allowing his family to thrive and paving the path to success and the realization of the American dream. Chan has always been an active and supportive UWUA member, always engaging in team building in his organization by providing snacks to help his brothers and sisters stay energized during the day.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sat, 05/17/2025 – 13:03