JJUULLYY 22001155 VVoolluummee 6699,, NNuummbbeerr 77

NALC

BRANCH 3

U.S.A.

ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC atFANTASY ISLAND THEME PARK

SUNDAY, JULY 26thComplete package

includes:

park admissionfree parking

unlimited pop for 3 hrs.full buffet lunch for 2 hrs.to include ... BBQ chicken,

hot dogs, hamburgers,baked beans, green salad,mac & cheese, relish tray

and ice cream treats

$25.00 UNTIL JULY 8thAFTER THAT $30.00

per member and immediate family

Children 2 and under freeMembers with season passes can purchase the

lunch package for $15.00 per person.Members who don’t want the lunch package can

purchase the admission ticket for $16.00 per person.Come and enjoy the rides and fellowship with

other letter carriers and co-workers.Last day to purchase tickets is July 22nd.

COLCPE discount of $5.00 for up to 2 tickets per family.

Members with season passes canpurchase the lunch package for

$15.00 per person.

Admission only: $16.00 per person.

Come and enjoy the rides and fellowship with otherletter carriers and co-workers.

Last day to purchase tickets is July 22nd.

COLCPE discount of $5.00 for up to 2 tickets per family.

THE BUZZ2 JULY 2015

BRANCH 3 OFFICERS

President, Lawrence Kania . . . . . . . . . 863-5292nalcbr3@aol.com

Executive Vice-PresidentSusan Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308-9583

mailadjust@aol.comVice-President, David Grosskopf . . . . 432-9592Sec.-Treas., Kim Fitzgerald. . . . . . . . . 997-6139Asst. Sec.-Treas., Mark Seifert . . . . . . 578-8508Trustee, Pete Preziotte. . . . . . . . . . . . . 930-2028Trustee, Robert Speidel. . . . . . . . . . . . 861-6620Trustee, Becky Stockman . . . . . . . . . . 574-4181Trustee, Doug DiTondo. . . . . . . . . . . . 867-9006Trustee, Mike Levering. . . . . . . . . . . . 491-2509Editor, Jody Kotowski. . . . . . . . . . . . . 706-8136

branch3buzz@gmail.comSgt.-At-Arms, Zebediah Robson . . . . 341-3046Insurance, Judy Kersten . . . . . . . . . . . 863-8642Director of Retirees, Kent Hankin . . . 685-4648

President Emeritus, Robert J. McLennanRuss Barbera and Jerry Kazmarczyk

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONSBylaws

Don Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631-4776CharityAnn Dyson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949-6637

ConventionKent Hankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685-4648

FellowshipMelissa Cummings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380-1454

Health, Death & WelfareJudy Kersten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-8642

Information / EducationPete Preziotte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 930-2028

LegislationDoug Fordyce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864-5528

Muscular DystrophyBecky Stockman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-4181

NewspaperJody Kotowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 706-8136

OrganizationRory Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585-590-6754

SafetyTony Vilardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440-9650

BRANCH 3 REPRESENTATIVESArbitration Advocates

Susan Lewis, Doug FordyceHealth & Safety Rep.

Tony Vilardo, Bill GangloffSocial & Recreation, Welfare

Kent HankinAlternate - Nicole Marasco

EEOJohn Walton, Judy Kersten, Mark Leon

EAPKim Fitzgerald

AFL-CIO DELEGATESLarry Kania - Bob Ohlenschlager - Don Ford

John Wozniak - Robert McLennan - Don KarpJohn Walton - Kent Hankin

Branch 3 Website: branch3nalc.com

BRANCH 34845 Union Road, Buffalo, N.Y. 14225

(716) 631-3940

BUFFALO STATIONSUnion Stewards 2012-2015

Amherst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pete Preziotte, Renee GronowskiBlasdell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chip IsaacsCentral Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nanci Trzepkowski, Theresita MoralesCheektowaga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Speidel, Doug DiTondoEastside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rory Parker, Mo VanKeuren, Jim PorzioHiler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda DeLucaNiagara Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill ZeughardtNorthside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traci Hoffman, Ryan FalgianoSouthside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Hoefer, Chris JacksonWestside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard ByingtonWest Seneca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Kozub, Scott MillerWilliamsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Falgiano, Nicole Marasco

ASSOCIATE OFFICESAkronAlden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe PalumboAngolaArcadeAttica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan SchieBatavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel EmersonBolivarCattaraugusClarenceCuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James SirianniEast Aurora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim FatigEden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom KeeslerFranklinvilleFredonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve DudekGowanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt LesefskeGrand IslandHamburg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ed GouineJamestown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John McCracken, Angelo VolpeLakewoodLancaster/Depew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave McCann, Mark SeifertLewiston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean MagorienLockport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard KerrMayvilleMedinaMiddleport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary SnyderNewfaneNiagara Falls - LaSalle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael LeveringNiagara Falls - Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas AbelOlean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kris LindermanOrchard Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob SpeidelRandolph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dawn SheltersSalamanca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim GeddesSilver Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen NordineSpringville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colleen LohreyTonawanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert McAndrews, Robert KlimekWestfield

The Buzz is a publication of Branch 3, NALC, AFL-CIO. The Editor, President andExecutive Vice-President reserve the right to edit any submission for content, clarityand length. All submissions are due by the 3rd Friday of the month. Anonymous sub-missions will not be accepted. Content may be republished by any union trade maga-zine as long as proper credit is given to Branch 3 and the author.

It doesn’t seem long ago when National Arbitrator Dasissued his decision on our present contract. That contract nego-tiation was an uphill battle based on the fact that other postalunions had agreed on settlements which included a lower wagesecond tier workforce. This time around things may be different.It appears that there will not be a negotiated agreement betweenthe APWU and the Postal Service.

Contract negotiations between the two ended on May 27thand it appears that the leadership of the APWU is standing firmon their proposals of fair wage increases, limits on subcontract-ing and excessing, more career jobs and better customer service.They will now enter into mediation for the period of 60 days.

On the other hand, the Postal Service’s proposal includedthe elimination of cost-of-living adjustments, increasingemployees’ contributions to health care coverage, the creation ofa new, permanent lower pay scale for future career employeeswith reduced benefits, increasing the percentage of non-careeremployees and the weakening of layoff protections. There canbe no doubt that we will be fighting those same issues when ourcontract expires next year.

Over the past few years the NALC has formed a coalitionwith the other three postal unions. The result has been positiveand together we have defeated almost all the proposed legisla-tion that would have a negative impact on the Postal Service andits employees. Last month the presidents of this coalition sent aletter asking the Department of Labor (DOL) and the WhiteHouse to withdraw a proposal that would reduce compensationbenefits to injured workers and urged that they work with theunions to fashion reform of the Federal EmployeesCompensation Act (FECA).

Last month the House Appropriations Committee approvedan amendment to restore postal service standards that were inplace on July 1, 2012, and rescind the lower service standardsthe USPS implemented on Jan. 5. Once again Six Day Deliverwas also passed. Together the coalition has pressured the PostalService and Congress to postpone plant closures throughout thecountry. All the postal unions are sharing in this common causeand its obvious that this united front is accomplishing its mis-sion.

Locally, our goal as a union is no different. The wages andbenefit packages are negotiated at the national level but workingconditions need to be monitored at the local level. It appears thatlocally the working conditions have drastically improved overthe past few years. Starting times have been moved back, carri-ers are still getting their overtime, new employees are regularlybeing converted, disciplines are almost non-existent and theinstances of harassment are isolated.

Educating our members has always been one of ourBranch’s top priority. It is the educated member that recognizeswhat is right from wrong. Articles, seminars and training class-es all have their place when educating our membership. Thesetypes of events are usually directed toward specific rights or

COMMON CAUSEbenefits. The most difficult concept toteach is that of what a union is. That can-not be learned in a classroom but can onlybe accomplished by the interactionsamong its members.

This Branch has always sponsored a wide variety of fellow-ship activities. Last month any member who attended the MDAsponsored paintball tournament said it was great and can’t waittill next year. Our annual volleyball tournament was also a hugesuccess as members from Branch 3 and their families enjoyedeach others company. Fantasy Island and the MDA golf tourna-ment are next on the July agenda. Activities such as this are agreat place to meet new friends and learn from others as they telltheir postal stories.

Hopefully at the end of the day you will realize that theunion is more than just an organization that files grievances. Weare there to promote unity among our members. It’s the mem-bership that raises money for charities. It’s the membership thathonors you when you retire. It is the membership that will helpyou in time of need.

We provide those avenues to meet the membership and havean enjoyable time with a group of individuals who just happento be letter carriers and members of Branch 3 of the NationalAssociation of Letter Carriers. It’s up to you to partake.

If anyone has pictures from any of our functions that theywould like published on our website please email them toNALCBr3@aol.com.

Enjoy the Summer, because it could be short!

~ In Solidarity, Larry Kania, President

THE PRESIDENT LAWRENCE KANIA

THE BUZZ 3JULY 2015

BRANCH 3RETIREMENT SEMINAR

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th10:00 AM

Magruder’s Restaurant, Depew, NY

COST IS $10.00 PER PERSONThere are less than 15 spots still available.

SAVE YOUR SPOT AND SEND ACHECK TO BRANCH 3.

THIS SEMINAR WILL SELL OUT.

THE BUZZ4 JULY 2015

same amount of time, and it always being anice round number? You have better oddsof being struck by lightning, twice, whilescratching a million dollar winning lottery ticket, at the exactmoment that your spouse says, “Of course you’re right, Dear.” andyou look up to see pigs flying through the air. Even less likely isthat all regular carriers all show a half hour of under time whileCCAs all have an hour. Evaluate your workload and inform man-agement via a 3996, the estimated time it will take you to completeall the work assigned to you for the day. Do not let this lie flusteryou. Do not work unsafely or haphazardly in trying to make thislie a truth.

Those are the top three but there are plenty of others...You can carry a fourth bundle on a park and loop as long

as one is a flat and the other is letter size. Nope. The limit isthree bundles. Always.

I don’t have to let you see your steward. Yes. Yes you do.And, it has to be within the tour of duty. That means if you asktoday, you should see your steward today.

I know you have an eight hour restriction but it’s ok towork overtime as long as it’s less than a half hour. No. Just no.I’ve never met a supervisor with a medical degree and neitherhave you. Believe the person whose student loans your medicalinsurance is paying off. If your doctor says you can only workeight hours, only work eight hours.

You’ll have to finish the route yourself; we don’t have any-one to help you. It’s really pretty amazing that when you informthem that your workload will put you out past their random cut-offtime, help is miraculously found.

DOIS projects for skips on the street. It doesn’t. This is evenharder to swallow when you finally get a look at your DPS andfind a full coverage mailing or you have a third bundle.

Armed with this handy guide, you can let management worryabout their numbers instead of taking on that burden. Then, youcan tell yourself what is said to be the second biggest lie and makeit true. Stress? “I gave at the office.”

Have a safe and enjoyable summer.

~ In Unity and solidarity, Susan Lewis, Executive Vice President

WOULD I LIE TO YOU?It’s been said that one of the three biggest lies is, “The check

is in the mail.” One of the other two is not suitable for print in thispaper. (If you don’t know, either a) you currently reside under arock or b) you were raised in a monastery. Google it.) The worstpart of believing a lie for too long is when the truth comes out, it’sgoing to smack you in the face, so to speak. You will be fed lies ona regular basis throughout your postal career and you’re going toswallow a few of them. But, I’d like to spare you some of the badtaste, so here’s a quick guide to management’s biggest lies.

All routes are eight hour routes. New employees are most susceptible to believing this, for

about two weeks or until they’ve been thrown into three differentroutes. First of all, no route is eight hours the first time you carryit, even if you’ve carried mail for twenty years. Carriers must begiven a reasonable amount of time to learn a route. That applies toCCAs as well as seasoned veterans. If you don’t believe me, watcha utility carrier. The day he or she offers to switch out of a route foryou is the day they’re assigned to a pig route.

You only have five minutes of PM office time. This is one of the most frequently told lies. The truth is, some,

if not all supervisors believe it. This lie has spread like an internethoax; one dumbass tells another dumbass, and he tells anotheruntil all the dumbasses have heard it and decided by consensusthat it must be true. It’s not.

The M41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities,spells out what MUST be done upon your return to the office:Disposition of collected mail, clearance of accountable items, pro-cessing of undelivered mail, answering of officialcommunications.

The first one is easy; cull and dump your outgoing mail.Clearance of accountable items is a little bit trickier. In order to becleared of your keys and accountable mail, there needs to be a sec-ond person involved and you’ll probably have to play hide andseek to find one. Dropping your keys in the accountable room isnot good enough. If your keys end up missing, you will be blamedunless a clerk has certified, in writing, that you returned them. If acertified letter gets misplaced or money from a COD goes missing,you are responsible until you are officially cleared of that respon-sibility by a clerk. Don’t put yourself in that situation. Processingundelivered mail means that anything and everything that youbring back from the street must be taken care of before you leave.It’s today’s work, not tomorrow’s. It’s not to be ‘saved for the reg-ular’, that only delays the service that we provide. Lastly, answerofficial communications: this is the time it takes to answer whenthe supervisor asks, “What’s taking so long?” Fill them in on whatyour PM duties consist of and then you’ll both know. And, maybewe can finally say so long to this big lie.

You’re showing an hour of under time. This is the epic lie. Under time is not determined by DOIS but

even if it was, what are the odds that every carrier is ‘showing’ the

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT SUSAN LEWIS

Retired Branch 3 Letter Carrier

THE BUZZ 5JULY 2015

VICE PRESIDENT DAVID J. GROSSKOPF, JR.

WORKING OFF THE CLOCK443.22 Actual Work

443.221 DefinitionThe FLSA defines actual work as all time which man-

agement suffers or permits an employee to work.Again some may ask what does “suffer” or “permit”

mean? The F-401 (Supervisors Guide to Scheduling andPremium Pay) states:

Page 38:

J. Time Suffered or PermittedManagement suffers or permits employees to work in

those situations in which management knows, or has rea-son to know, that the employee has performed actual workbut without management’s authorization. It is manage-ment’s responsibility to prevent an employee from per-forming work that is not authorized. (See ELM 444.22.)Once work has been performed, the Postal Service is obli-gated to pay for it.

The above referenced ELM and F-401 citations state man-agement must pay for work performed even though it may nothave been authorized. The only way management may notpay for “work” is if they witness the work not being per-formed and employees expecting compensation for it. Therules are clear, employees are not permitted to work off theclock and its managements responsibility to make sure thatdoes not happen.

In our workplace environment where literally every daytime is of the essence DO NOT work off the clock or in animproper clock function code. Make sure you inputting yourclock rings accurately, daily. All it takes is minutes a day,every workday by a few carriers to squander enough time thatmay constitute a full-time assignment in a facility or installa-tion. If you are a carrier and you see this happen, bring it tothe attention of your steward, who in turn should bring it to theattention of local management. In most cases, local manage-ment will immediately stop such an action, however if theyfail to do so, a grievance may need to be initiated and witnessstatements need to be provided to the station steward to stopsuch action from occurring in the future.

As a carrier if you have questions about using theElectronic Badge Reader (EBR) ask a management represen-tative and/or your steward. The proper accounting of timeworked will work to everybody’s advantage, the employer, theemployee and the NALC.

As summer approaches I hope everyone enjoys their vaca-tions and/ or their time off. Have a safe and happy summerand remember to make an effort to get involved in YOURunion!!!!

~ David J Grosskopf Jr., Vice-President, Tonawanda

Far too many times I hear carriers or stewards complain-ing about their fellow employee(s) performing work while notproperly clock in. This usually happens in the morning, in theoffice to get a head start sorting mail, or at the end of the day,when carriers End Tour by a specific time then dispatch theirmail and/or clear their accountables, all done off the clock.

We work in a highly competitive delivery environmentwhere literally everything you’re doing time wise is trackedby technology in some form or fashion. That information isused to develop proposed route adjustments. Because of this itshould be understood that you DO NOT perform work off theclock. Remember, YOU are responsible for your clock rings.You should make sure you are in the proper clock function oroperation i.e. office/ street/ express/ collections. This alsomeans making sure of your moves i.e. overtime or undertimewith regard to when you started and finished the cut(s) and onwhat route(s). The NALC has a joint route adjustment processin place and “showing” or “proving” time exists. This is theonly way for our NALC route adjustment folks to fight to getproper adjustment of letter carrier assignments. The followingcitation is applicable to you being responsible for your clockrings:

F-21140 Recording Time141 Who Must Record Time141.1 Employees Who Are Required to Use a Time ClockReferences to time clocks are also applicable to employee

badge readers (EBRs). References to clock rings include timeentries that are recorded electronically, mechanically (using atime clock), or manually (written in).

141.11 Bargaining Unit and Casual Clock RingsAll bargaining unit and casual employees are required to

use time clocks (if available) to record clock rings on theirtime cards.

The following citations are applicable to situations whereemployees are working off the clock:

JCAM page 41-27:41.3. K. Supervisors shall not require, nor permit,

employees to work off the clock.Management is required to stop employees from working

off the clock. This has to be brought to management’s atten-tion, if they have not been made aware by themselves.Working off the clock is a violation of the Fair LaborStandards Act. Some may question what “work” constitutes.This is answered in the ELM:

IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT

JODY KOTOWSKIEDITOR

I am not a fan of summer. Actually I hate it. It makes me physically ill. I know all the warning signs. Thenausea, headache, dizziness and yet I still keep going, knowing that I am putting myself at risk. What is thisdrive that keeps us out on the street far longer than necessary? Why do we push ourselves when others wouldhave called it hours earlier? Is it fear? And if so, of what? What could possibly be worse than losing your life? There are so manythings that as a Union we are doing that should not be done and I don’t know why. We have a contract that is pretty well written.There is legislation that protects us, yet we work unsafely. We allow someone else’s time constraints take precedence over oursafety. YOU are the only one who determines what is safe or unsafe, do not give that choice up.

This summer, if we get a summer, remember to take frequent breaks. Get out of the sun and into the shade. Drink plenty ofwater. Wear sunscreen and a hat. I carry a cooler filled with ice, six bottles of water and my “crying towel”. To all you newer car-riers out there, you have to find what works for you, but I can tell you I have dumped that cooler over my head on many occa-sions. Be Safe out there, and enjoy whatever bit of summer Mother Nature is going to throw at us.

~ Your Editor - Jody Kotowski

THE BUZZ6 JULY 2015

MILLION MILE AWARDS

President Lawrence Kania, DM Jim Lentz, Mike Gregson

Richard Coates Paul Domagala

THE BUZZ 7JULY 2015

are required to make the appointmentunless you can establish good cause fornot appearing. Should circumstances pre-vent you from appearing, contact the Office of Worker’sCompensation immediately to reschedule.

A failure to appear could result in a finding that you“obstructed the examination.” Obstruction results in a forfei-ture of compensation benefits. Members are urged to make theappointment as scheduled. It is advised that you take someonewith you. While the person you have with you cannot inter-fere with the exam, they can be your witness as to the extentand content of the exam.

Additionally, you should request a copy of the secondopinion report a few weeks after the appointment. The requestshould be made to the Office of Worker’s Compensation inLondon, KY. Make sure your file (claim) number is in theupper right hand corner of the request as this is how corre-spondence is filed. If you have any concerns or questions, callthe union office.

Have a Health, Safe and Happy Summer!

~ Judy Kersten, Health & Insurance Representative

Excluding the past two severe winters, accidents occurmore in the warm weather months than winter. We tend to bemore cognizant of our surroundings when the conditions arenot good. Hence, we tend to work safer. However, onceschool is out for the summer, children are known to let‘Sparky’ out to do his duty, not realizing the mailman is com-ing. Similarly, customers forget that their lovely landscapingefforts can harbor a variety of insects.

Handbook EL-814 Postal Guide to Safety Section IX D:2. Medical Treatment of Animal Bites or Insect StingsIf you are bitten, get medical treatment immediately,

regardless of the severity of the injury. Even small bites orcontact with animal saliva can transmit rabies. Wash the areawith soap and water as soon as possible.

If you have severe or allergic reactions to insect stings, youmust inform your supervisor and, if available, the medical orhealth unit. Use caution in removing mail from mail recepta-cles to avoid stings from any insects.

Members are reminded that you are not required to deliv-er mail when an animal threatens you. Even a ‘near miss’could eventually result in another carrier or yourself being bit.Report to your supervisor any time an animal (dog) interfereswith your ability to deliver the mail safely.

PS Form 1778 Dog/Animal Warning Card should be pre-pared whenever an animal may prevent you from deliveringthe mail. Be sure to case the card every day, even if you areworking that day. In some instances, it may be beneficial tocase the card at an address to provide advance warning.Remember, as carriers, you’ve conditioned the dog with yourtimely delivery. You enter their domain, ‘Sparky’ barks andyou leave. The dog doesn’t care that you’re delivering themail. All they know is that you vacated their territory.

Regardless if it’s a scratch from a dog or a bee sting, reportthe incident immediately to your supervisor. While you maynot believe you need medical treatment at the time, reportingthe incident protects your ability to file a worker’s compensa-tion claim later if need be. If management directs you to seekmedical attention, follow the directive. It may very well proveto be in your best interest. Just think of all the places a doglicks (ugh).

Worker’s Compensation ...Title 5, US Code, Section 8123(a):“An employee shall submit to examination by the U.S.

medical officer, or by an office physician designated orapproved by the Secretary, as frequently and at such times andplaces as in the opinion of the office may be reasonably nec-essary.”

If you have been receiving compensation payments,whether full or partial, you may be required to have a secondopinion evaluation per directive from Worker’s Comp. You

INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE JUDY KERSTEN

OUCH ... A BITE!

BRANCH 3SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Pictured above, Andrew Jemiola, 2015 ScholarshipWinner with his parents, ???????? and ?????? Jemiola, onthe left and Bob Herdlein, past Executive Vice-President onthe right.

THE BUZZ8 JULY 2015

VOLLEYBALL

1st Place - Lancaster/Depew

3rd Place - Eastside

2nd Place - Cheektowaga

THE BUZZ 9JULY 2015

TOURNAMENT

THE BUZZ10 JULY 2015

I hope that everybody is having a great summer. It doesn’t last long so enjoy it with family and friends.A few short things that need to be said. First to the retirees. If you made a change to your pension in the

months of March & April with OPM. There is a good chance that it didn’t go through. Not because of thehackers but they were having problems with their computers. I recalled just a day ago and it showed the tele-phone call but not the adjustment. I wanted to have extra taxes taken out. I know that there was a member inthe office doing the same thing with me so I am sure his didn’t go through either.

Second I keep hearing about the CCA’s running both from the regulars and the CCA’s themselves. Work professionally and ata safe pace. Don’t forget that if a route is taken away that just makes it longer before you are converted to regular.

The COLA is still at zero for 2016 and it ends with the release of the September 2015 index.Just a short quote and I don’t know who said it. “The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just

make the best of everything.” God bless youall with good health and a long life. Stay safe.

~ Kent Hankin,Director of Retired Members

DIRECTOR OF RETIRED MEMBERS KENT HANKIN

The objective of the Burns-ConnorsRetirement Association is to protect, in allways the ways the interest of retired letter car-riers, renew old friendships, talk over oldtimes, to promote good will and fellowship bymeans of planned get-togethers and in generalto advance the welfare of all our membersmentally, morally and spiritually. We call andwrite our Congressman and Senators when leg-islation is going to effect the Postal Service, theUnion or active and retired carriers. We attendrallies as a show of support and we vote.

Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesdayof every month, with the exception of June,July, August and December. Meetings are heldat Magruder’s Restaurant, 4995 Broadway,Depew. We have a short meeting at 1:00 andthe luncheon right after the meeting for a smallfee.

Any retirees interested in joining the Burn-Connor’s Association can come to any of themeetings which are held on the fourthWednesday of the month. If interested call:John Wozniak - 685-3893, Gary Marzolf - 464-3831 or Kent Hankin - 685-4648.

~ Fraternally yours, John Wozniak, Secretary

BURNS/CONNORS ASSOC.

PAINT BALL

THE BUZZ 11JULY 2015

By Laws Article 5 Section 14 (b)ELECTIONS AND FILLING OF VACANCIESNow Reads:

(b) If the only office contested is delegate to the AFLCIO Councilthe secret ballot will be held at the general Branch meeting in Marchof the election year.

Change to Read(b) If the only office contested is delegate to the AFLCIO Council

the secret ballot will be held at the general Branch meeting in April ofthe election year.

By Laws Article 6 Section 13DUTIES OF OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE BOARD, ANDSHOP STEWARDS:Now Reads:

(b) Nominations and Elections of Shop Stewards.1. All Shop Stewards shall be elected for a three (3) year term by

a plurality vote of the members in good standing in their respectivestations or offices. During the month of April of every third year andafter the results of the general election of officers has been announced,the President shall order an election of Shop Stewards. In the absenceof such election at any station or office, the President shall at the Maymeeting, appoint the temporary Shop Steward for that station oroffice. In that event at any time, upon a petition in writing of twenty-five (25) percent of the members in good standing in such station oroffice there shall be an election. Provided, however, that the Presidentshall have the authority to remove any Shop Steward when requestedto do so by a petition in writing of the majority of the members ingood standing in the station or office where the Shop Steward hasbeen elected. No Shop Steward shall be removed from office withoutjust cause. Just cause to be determined by the President and four (4)members of the Executive Board. The members to be selected by thePresident and approved by a majority of the Executive Board.

Change to Read(b) Nominations and Elections of Shop Stewards.1. All Shop Stewards shall be elected for a three (3) year term by

a plurality vote of the members in good standing in their respectivestations or offices. During the month of May of every third year andafter the results of the general election of officers has been announced,the President shall order an election of Shop Stewards. In the absenceof such election at any station or office, the President shall at the Junemeeting, appoint the temporary Shop Steward for that station oroffice. In that event at any time, upon a petition in writing of twenty-five (25) percent of the members in good standing in such station oroffice there shall be an election. Provided, however, that the Presidentshall have the authority to remove any Shop Steward when requestedto do so by a petition in writing of the majority of the members ingood standing in the station or office where the Shop Steward hasbeen elected. No Shop Steward shall be removed from office withoutjust cause. Just cause to be determined by the President and four (4)members of the Executive Board. The members to be selected by thePresident and approved by a majority of the Executive Board.

THE BUZZ12 JULY 2015

By Laws Article 5 Section 1ELECTIONS AND FILLING OF VACANCIESNow Reads:

Section 1.(a) 1. Nominations for all offices shall be made at the

regular membership meeting held in February every thirdyear, beginning in 1985.

(b) 5. To be valid, ballots must be postmarked by thepreannounced election date specified by the ElectionCommittee in the printed instructions. The election dateshall be seven (7) days before the April membership meet-ing, which shall be at least twenty (20) days from the dateupon which the ballots were mailed by the ElectionCommittee. On the date and time so specified the ballotswill be removed from the Post Office box by the ElectionCommittee, with at least three (3) members of the ElectionCommittee present.

Change to ReadSection 1.(a) 1. Nominations for all offices shall be made at the

regular membership meeting held in March every thirdyear, beginning in 2018.

(b) 5. To be valid, ballots must be postmarked by thepreannounced election date specified by the ElectionCommittee in the printed instructions. The election dateshall be seven (7) days before the May membership meet-ing, which shall be at least twenty (20) days from the dateupon which the ballots were mailed by the ElectionCommittee. On the date and time so specified the ballotswill be removed from the Post Office box by the ElectionCommittee, with at least three (3) members of the ElectionCommittee present.

By Laws Article 5 Section 1 (C) 1ELECTIONS AND FILLING OF VACANCIESNow Reads:

(c) 1. Nominations for the position of delegate(s) to theState or National Convention shall be made at the generalmembership meeting in November preceding the conven-tion(s).

3. Election for the position of delegate(s) to the State orNational Convention shall take place at the general mem-bership meeting in December preceding the convention(s).

Change to Read(c) 1. Nominations for the position of delegate(s) to the

State or National Convention shall be made at the generalmembership meeting in October preceding the conven-tion(s).

3. Election for the position of delegate(s) to the Stateor National Convention shall take place at the generalmembership meeting in November preceding the conven-tion(s).

BY-LAWS

Submitted on June 17, 2015

THE BUZZ 13JULY 2015

BY-LAWS

Article 15ORDER OF BUSINESS:

1) Roll Call2) Reading minutes3) Reading of communications, notices, bills, etc.4) Announcement of new members5) Initiation of new members6) Reports of special or standing committees7) Insurance Representative’s report8) NALOC, Inc. report9) Unfinished business and approval of the bills

10) New business11) Good of the association12) Improvement of the service13) Secretary-Treasurer’s report, receipts and expenditures14) Adjournment

This order of business may be changed by a majority voteof the members present at a meeting.

AMEND TO READ:ORDER OF BUSINESS:

1) Roll Call2) Reading minutes3) Secretary-Treasurer’s report, receipts and expenditures4) Reading of the bills5) Reading of communications, recommendations

from the Board of Officers6) Presentations of pins7) Announcement of new members8) Initiation of new members9) Reports of special and standing committees

10) Insurance Representative’s report11) Unfinished business, old business and approval of the bills12) New business13) Adjournment

This order of business may be changed by a majority voteof the members present at a meeting.

Submitted on June 17, 2015

Employees on OWCP and Prime Time Leave

The WNY Injury Compensation office has changed theway it charges employees with compensable injuries forannual leave while working a limited duty job offer. Forexample, if a carrier was going to go on vacation and nor-mally only worked three hours daily due to their restric-tions, management would then put the employee in LeaveWith-Out Pay-Injured-on duty (LWOP-IOD) for the bal-ance of the day. The carrier would then be entitled to sub-mit for compensation for the LWOP-IOD time.Management only charged your leave balance for the actu-al hours you were working, in this example three hours ofannual leave.

Management has now changed its position. The unionhas recently learned that the postal service is attempt-ing to charge employees for the full eight hours of leavewhen carriers take annual leave on days when they areonly able to work partial days or management providesonly partial work. The NALC is contending this is a vio-lation of Article 5 as they are changing the practice ofcharging leave hours.

Part of the reason this is a problem for injured employ-ees is that management has failed to provide any noticethat the way they charged employees with compensableinjuries for leave. Management has changed fromcharging for actual hours worked to any overall restric-tion or guarantee as you can only earn leave for actualhours worked. Using the previous example, the employ-ee would be earning leave based on three hours a day, yetmanagement will attempt to charge eight hours of leave forthe entire day. This will deplete an employee’s leave hoursfaster than they are capable of earning.

If you are on limited duty due to a work relatedinjury and you believe your leave balances have beencharged improperly or there has been a change in theway management is charging your leave hours, contactthe branch immediately.

ATTENTION INJURED EMPLOYEES

OWCP AND INJURY COMP. MISTREATING YOU?I can help.

DAVID W. COVINOFederal Workers’ Comp. Claims Rep.

28 years successfully representing thousands offederal workers’ compensation claimants.

318 Golden Harbour Tr. Bradenton, FL 34212Phone (716) 852-7111 or (941) 748-7670

1st phone consultation free.

THE BUZZ14 JULY 2015

••• BUS TO AND FROM THE CASINO •••Buses leave at 12 noon from

Southgate Plaza (glass bus stop) and the Airport Plaza, (Union Rd.)in front of M&T Bank. At 12:20 pm the bus will arrive atWalmart on Niagara Falls Blvd. to consolidate passengersand proceed to the casino. Departs from casino 6:00 pm.

BUS TRANSPORT REQUIRED FOR:✦✦✦ $10.00 slot dollars & $5.00 food voucher ✦✦✦

(Credit will be put on players card, bring card with you if you currently have one,also an unexired drivers license.)

••• RAFFLES ON THE BUS •••Limited number of tickets available (80 seats only).

First come, first served.Participation limited to Buffalo Postal Employees and guests,

all must be on the buses.

Tickets are to be ordered BY MAIL ONLY by submitting acheck/money order made payable to: Social & Recreation Committee,

4845 Union Rd., Buffalo NY 14225-1301

Cut on dotted line and return with check or money order payable to:Social & Recreation Committee, 4845 Union Rd., Buffalo, NY 14225-1301

Please check one pick-up point:Southgate Plaza Airport Plaza Walmart

Name

Address

City State: NY Zip

Home telephone Pay location/station

Please send: number of tickets @ $5.00 each

Check/money order payable toSocial & Recreation Committee $ is enclosed

ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL ---ORDER EARLY-TICKETS ARE FIRST COME,

FIRST SERVED LIMITED TICKETS.

DEADLINE FOR TICKETS: RECEIVED BY SAT., OCTOBER 24th

BBUUFFFFAALLOO PPOOSSTTAALL EEMMPPLLOOYYEEEE SSOOCCIIAALL AANNDD RREECCRREEAATTIIOONNCCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE -- SSEENNEECCAA NNIIAAGGAARRAA CCAASSIINNOO DDAAYY ----

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015

MARK REED, Operations ManagerSOUTHSIDE LETTER CARRIER

THE BUZZ 15JULY 2015

THE BUZZ16 JULY 2015

VICTOR

VITELLO

NALC MEMBERSHIP PINS FROM JUNE

3030YEARMEMBER

CINDY

TOMASCHKO

3030YEARMEMBER

JOHN

WALTON

4545 YEARMEMBER

NEW MEMBERSDouglas Goodwin Andrew Gruber

Amanada Sabin-Kromphardt William Landroche

Matthew Maitland Adrian Fernandez

Kimberly Surman Rebecca Allison

Amber Cabic

DEATHSJulie Schupbach

“Lee” BrownRetired Letter Carrier

561.251.4391 flanderslee@aol.com Buffalo, NY

27 YEARS WITH BRANCH 1071

RETIREMENT PARTY f o r

LOU CARCACI(Niagara Station)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 20156:00 PM

DITONDO’S370 Seneca St., Buffalo, NY

COST: $35.00 per person includes ... Open Bar & Dinner

For information: call Joe Hughes 310-1609,

Dan Goodwin 238-2464 or Jody Kotowski 706-8136

PA R TY

RETIREMENTSJoseph Battaglia

(Lakewood)

Leon Williams(Westside)

Darrell Wilcott(Eastside)

Peter Horton(Batavia)

Anthony Wiggins(Eastside)

RETIREMENT PARTY f o r

DIANE RILEY & BILLY ROBIDOUX(West Seneca)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 20157:00 PM

DITONDO’S370 Seneca St., Buffalo, NY

COST: $35.00

For information:

Tim Augustine 392-7682

PA R TY

• Jacqui Berger of the NYSUT and CLC union organizations spoke to the membership about union issues in common with us. She has worked to further education through the donation of books and works with the Coalition for Economic Justice to raise the minimum wage. Other efforts include paid family leave, political action, and voter registration. We need representativeswho support our values and ideas.

• The membership passed the motion for the Branch to hold a Book Fair event for book donations to teachers.• Past Executive Vice-President Bob Herdlein presented the 2015 Branch 3 Scholarship award to Andrew Jemiola, son of Jim

Jemiola (West Seneca). • The membership passed the following Executive Board recommendation:

- To purchase 4 tickets at $35 each to the 2015 CLC Picnic to be held July 31 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM at The Grove atWoodlawn Beach.

• Membership pins were presented to John Walton (30 years) and Victor Vitello (45 years).• Committee Reports:

- By-laws: Chairman Don Ford presented proposals to change Articles 5, 6, and 15 of the Branch By-laws. These proposals will be published in The Buzz and put to a vote of the membership at the next General Membership Meeting (September).

- Legislation: Chairman Doug Fordyce advised that Fast Track legislation to allow the President to accelerate TPP Free TradeAgreements was voted down in Congress. Members were asked to contact Rep. Brian Higgins’ office and thank him for opposing this legislation which could allow for negotiations to privatize mail service. Senator Carper and RepresentativeChaffetz are close to an agreement on Postal Reform legislation. Members are asked to join the email network and to con-tribute to COLCPE to oppose negative legislation.

- Fellowship: Chairperson Melissa Cummings advised that the Annual Volleyball Tournament at Bowen Grove in Lancaster was well attended. Lancaster, Cheektowaga, and Eastside stations finished first, second, and third, respectively. The AnnualFamily Picnic will be held at Fantasy Island on July 26th.

- Convention and Social & Recreation: Chairman Kent Hankin advised that room assignments for the Biennial State Convention were given to delegates. The October 18 Retirement Seminar is almost sold out. Future social events include an Attica & Arcade Railroad trip October 4th and Casino Day November 1st. Erie County Fair tickets will be available.There will be no tickets for the Buffalo Bills this year due to unavailability of same. There may be a Bills’ game tailgate party event at Magruder’s to coincide with the Retirement Seminar on October 18th.

- MDA: Chairperson Becky Stockman notified that openings are still available for the Annual Golf Tournament on July 12th. There will be an MDA event at Holland Speedway on August 8th - tickets are only $5. $147 was raised at the Volleyball Tournament from a 50/50 raffle.

- Health, Death, & Welfare: Chairperson Judy Kersten advised members that an EAP meeting was recently held in Batavia. Letter Carriers are entitled to one appointment with an EAP counselor on-the-clock. Members should utilize this resource whenever they feel the need for assistance with personal/work issues. Members were advised to be watchful for loose dogs and to contact the union office if injured on the job.

- Safety: Chairman Tony Vilardo asked carriers to be aware of the signs of heat stress and to take preventive actions on hot days. A list of Safety Captains for each station is needed. Stewards are asked to help fill any vacant safety positions in their stations.

• Old Business:- President Larry Kania advised that the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be hosting a Branch 3 event to include dinner

at Salvatore’s, transportation to and from, and tickets to the Music Hall for $89. - Prospective new CCA hires must take the service exam in Rochester.

• New Business:- President Kania announced CCA carriers have been converted to Full Time status in Buffalo (15). Additional conversions

will occur next month in Niagara Falls, Batavia, Lockport, Orchard Park, and Tonawanda. - The union office computer program must be updated to work with new Windows operating systems. A committee to find a

vendor to update the software will include Mark Leon and Dave Grosskopf. Others interested in being committee members should contact President Kania.

- Favorable decisions have been received relative to Workers Compensation issues for carriers including when an employeemust accept a modified work assignment. Carriers are reminded to contact the union office when they are injured.

- Starting times have been rolled back to provide better service.- Improper assignment of undertime has been an ongoing issue. Carriers must notify management and complete PS Form

3996 when necessary.- A full-time position has been created in Grand Island.

• Steve Hojna would have won $130 in the ‘if you are here’ raffle. Next month’s drawing will be for $140.• The next General Membership Meeting will be held on September 16th.

THE BUZZ JULY 2015 17

General Membership Meeting Summary - June 17, 2015

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UNION MEETINGNOTICE

JULY 15th

5:30 pm Officers Meeting6:30 pm Stewards Meeting

2450 Walden AvenueCheektowaga, N.Y. 14225

THE BUZZ18

BRANCH No. 3, N.A.L.C.4845 Union RoadBuffalo, N.Y. 14225(716) 631-3940

Non - Profit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DBUFFALO, N.Y.Permit No. 487

West Seneca Printing, Inc.

Change Service Requested“Time Value Mailing”

SUBSCRIPTION: $10.00 YEARLY CIRCULATION - 2500 MONTHLY

Please notify Branch 3 when you move

JULY 2015

View The Buzz on-line at www.branch3nalc.com

JULY 2015 Monthly Calendar of EventsSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:30 am Amherst &Kensington Retireesat Wehrle Family Rest.

11:45 am TonawandaRetirees Luncheon at Half Moon Cafe775 Oliver St., N Tona

7:30 pm AFL-CIO Mtg.

5:30 pm Officers Meeting6:30 pm Stewards Mtg.

The Deadline for submissions to the Buzz is the 3rd Friday of every month.

9:45 am WilliamsvilleRetiree’s Brunchat Milo’s5877 Main St.

9:00 am SouthtownsRetiree Brkft at Alton’s -Transit & Seneca

9:00 am Chktg Breakfast Holiday Showcase

9:00 am Jamestown RetireesBreakfast at Friendly’s

10:00 am HilerStation Retirees atHowling Rooster Cafe, 299 Kenmore Ave.

10:00 am HilerStation Retirees atHowling Rooster Cafe, 299 Kenmore Ave.

AUGUST

FAMILY NASCARNIGHT ATHOLLAND

FANTASY ISLANDAND

FAMILY PICNIC

9:00 am Chktg Breakfast Holiday Showcase

9:00 am Jamestown RetireesBreakfast at Friendly’s

MDA GOLFTOURNAMENT

NYS CONVENTION