N"honal axeeenve 80ardWllhanl BurrusPfeSloent

Cliff ·cJ • GuffeyExecutIVe VJce Presrdent

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

Appeal to Arbitration, National Dispute

April 1, 2005

Mr. Anthony J. VeglianteVice President, Labor RelationsU.S. Postal Service, Room 9100475 L'Enfant PlazaWashington, D.C. 20260

Terry R SMplelonS£'Cfetary·7(ea~LJrf>r

Greg Benlndustnal Rel.aClooS Director

Re: Custodians Voluntary Attrition; USPS Dispute No.QOOT4QC03102636,APWU No. HQTT200310. Cert No. 70042510000104393054

lames "Jim- McC.arthyOlredor. Clerk DlVJs100

Steven G "Steve" RaymerDJrectoc. MalnterntflCe O'tVl1lon

ROben C -Sob" PnrchardD\\"KtOf, MVS Ch\t\~ton

R'egfon.a' Coofdin.ators

Sh",yn M StaneCentr~f RegIon

Jrm BurkeEastern Reg~on

(Illabern 'Ltz" PowellNorthedst Region

Ffankle L SandersSou them Region

omar M Gonzal",Western Reqron

Dear Mr. Vegliante:

Please be advised that pursuant to Article 15, Sections 2 and 4, ofthe CollectiveBargaining Agreement, the APWU is appealing the above referenced dispute toarbitration.

Sincerely,

i!~I.1fref£Industrial Relations

GB/SGRJsyj/opeiu#2/afl·cio

USPS #: QOOT4QC03102636APWU #: HQTT200310

cc: Resident OfficersIndustrial Relations

File

Case Officer: Steve RaymerStep 4 Appeal Date: 3/26/2003Contract Article(s): ;

LABOR RELATIONS

Q ~C1~Jfi:3-~~---- -November 3, 2003

Mr. Greg BellDirector, Industrial RelationsAmericanPostal WorkersUnion, AFL-CIO1300L Street, NW.Washington, DC 20005-4128

Re:

DearMr. Bell'

Certified Mail Number70993400000951160051

QOOT-4Q-C 03102636ClassAction, Washington DC20260-4100

On March26, 2003,the PostalService initiated a dispute concerning whethera custodial vacancyresulting from an employee's voluntary transfer is "a vacancy as a resultof anemployee's voluntaryattrition," as referenced in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for SUbcontracting CleaningServices.

On June24, 2003, I discussed the issuein dispute withSteve Raymer, Director, Maintenance Division.However, wewere unable to reachagreement. The parties agreed that the Article 15.4.0 issuestatements wouldbe submitted by October 31,2003. The foUowing is the PostalService'sunderstanding of the issuesmvolved andthe factsgiving riseto suchissues.

The facts givingrise to trus disputeare:

Two custodians requested and received voluntary transfers to otherfacilities. The resulting vacancieswereconsidered as being a resultof anemployee's voluntary attrition and handled in accordance withthe MOUon Subcontracting cleaning services. TheAPWU fileda grievance and arguedthat avoluntary transferis not an employee's voluntary attrition within themeaning of the MOU

Ib~.e9~~I§13ry.i~'li P9sitipni~ tb~tlo'Jtlf·waq~mployee's request to transfer is approved, the resultingvacaocyIs as a resultof an employee'svoluntary attrition ThePostalService and the AmericanPostalWorkers Unionstatedin the January12,1999 Article 38 Questions andAnswers that "voluntaryattrition" IS when an "employee bidsout, ispromoted, quits, retires, ordles." It is the PostalService'sposinon thata voluntary transfer IS tantamount to an employee bidding out,beingpromoted, or qUitting.Just as with bidding, promotions or qUilting, a vacancy resulting from a transferis due to an employee'srequest or decision to leavetheir current position. Forexample. Article 38.5.B.3 refers to lateraltransfers, and statesthat, 'trenster in thesamelevel, but to a different occupationa' group shallbedetermined in thesamemanner8S promotions."

Furthermore, past practice. negotiation history, case law, handbooks andmanuals and a reading of thecontract as a whole supportmanagement's position in thiscase.

Sincerely,

i\~~~iVLaborRelations Specialist

475 L'EN'1lN1 PU..?4 &IV

WISHINGION DC 20260-4100

Steven G. RaymerDIrectorMamtenance DIvision

/2021 842·42' 3 Office/7011 289,3746 Fax

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO1300 l Street. NW, Washington. DC 20005

Article 15 - 15 Day Statement of Issues and Facts

October 31, 2003

Mr. Anthony J. VeglianteVice President, Labor RelationsU.S. Postal Service, Room 9100475 L'Enfant PlazaWashington, D.C. 20260

Dear Mr. Vegliante:

Nat~onal EkKtAlive SOatd

\l.'lfllam fJurru,\f'repdeflf

(lIff 'C J ' GuffeyExteutlVf'VICe P/esldent

Re: APWU No.HQTT200310 ,USPS No. QOOT4QC031 02636,Cert.No, 70993400001185279700

Robert l lunnal!Se'(t'tary~lreas!,.mer

Gr('98("11InduUrial Retatloru Duececr

James 'J,m' McCarthyD1rectOl Clerk DlvlS,on

Steven Go "Steve" RilynlerDirector Mdillten.•mce OiVl110n

Rohefl C ·Bob~ P(j[chardDJrector MVS OwISlon

Region.?!1 Coordinators

Sh3ryn M Stone'ent(~1 Rtglon

Jtm 8urkef astern Region

EIiMberh lI" PowellNortheast f?eglon

Terry R Stitple-tOnSouthern RegIon

Omar G GOnlc1IClWeStertl Re-gIOf)

The meeting on the above referenced dispute was held between the parties on inaccordance with Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Article 15, Section 2 (Step 4) provides that if the parties have not reachedagreement within fifteen days of their meeting that each party shall provide theother with a statement in writing of its understanding of the issues involved, andthe facts giving rise to the dispute.

The following is the APWU's statement of issues and facts concerning thisdispute.

The i in this dispute is whether the voluntary transfer of a custodialem from one installation to another is defined as being IIvoluntaryattrition" under the Memorandum ofUnderstanding on Subcontracting ofCleaning Services.

The parties agreed to extend the time limit for filing of the 15 day response untilOctober 31,2003.

It is the position of the APWU that 'transfer' is not one of the specified items thatwere specifically negotiated by the parties when the January 12, 1999 Article 38Questions and Answers were completed. The specific Q&A at issue is under thesection CUSTODIAL and states: What is the definition of"voluntary attrition"?Answer: If the employee bids out, is promoted, quits, retires or dies.If the parties had intended other actions, such as an employee's transfer from oneinstallation to another, that could have been easily accomplished.

Mr. AnthonyVeglianteOctober31, 2003Page 2

The Postal Service'relianceon Article38.S.B.3 to support their position ismisplaced as the provisionthat is referenced is an action within a specificinstallationand involves a promotion. Promotion is listed in the definitionofvoluntary attritionbut a transferbetween installations is not.

The specific questionand equallyspecific answer does include any languagethat leaves the definition open ended or ambiguous. Employees who leavetheirduty assignments for reasonsnot specifiedin the definition are not consideredvoluntary attrition and the Postal Servicecannot then invoke the MODoncleaning services to contractout the bargainingunit's work.

Please contact me if you wish to discuss this matter.

Sincerely,

~ym'e(..~~~...c:;..........._­

Case Office

SGR/syilopeiu#2/afl-cio

APWU#: HQTT200310USPS #: QOOT4QC03102636

cc: Industrial Relations

Dispute Date:Contract Articles: ;

American Postal Worl(ers Union, AFL-CIO1300 l Street, NW, Wa~hln9ton, DC 20005

Acknowledge National Dispute

Greg BellIndU~lrial Relations DirectorI300 LStreet, NWWa5hlnglon, DC 2000512021842-4273 IOfficel(2021371-0992IFaxl

NlltfoM' [xr(uUve Soard

WIU""mBurrusP,~sl<knt

(kif 'C J - Gulf~y

Ext( cnve VICe PrCSldcmt

Roben L lunstallSe,rf~t)'-llell:s.lJrer

Greg BelflnOlJl:tni!lf Rt'latiON pnececr

James'JIm' McCarthyDIrector (ttrll: OtV1slon

Surtn G -SteYe"Rilymt'rDire-ceO'. M<YnttrtanCIt" !>rvISKm

Rob~rt C 'Sob' P'llcllPdDirector. MVS DMJKm

R~glon.JI1 CoordinlftlOrS

Sthtryn M SWrieCe'ntrc11 Reg,on

jjmBurkt:Eastltrl (ltg_on

April 8. 2003Mr. Anthony J. VeglianteVice President. Labor RelationsU.S. Postal Service, Room 9100475 L'Enfant PlazaWashington, D.C. 20260

Re: USPS No. QOOT4QC03102636, APWU No. HQTT200310Cert, No.70022410000224006189

Dear Mr. Vegliante:

This is to acknowledge receipt of the dispute filed by the Postal Service inaccordance with the provisions of Article 15~ Section 2 and 4. ofthe CollectiveBargaining Agreement. The APWU case number for this dispute is referencedabove.

Please contact Steve Raymer. case officer, to discuss this dispute at a mutuallyscheduled time.

Sincerely,

:t1 ,6dRGre~, DirectorIndustnal Relations

EIlZ~beth 'lIz" PowellNortIl~~st Reg",,,

Torry /I S...pretcnSoutntom Rt"91ort

OO'1i1f G G-onZ.,l~1

WC$lern Region

APWU #: HQTI200310USPS#:QOOT4QC03102636

cc: Resident OfficersFile

Dispute Received Date:3/26/2003Case Officer: Steve RaymerContract Article(s): ;

lAfllJ[1 Hf I AllONS

~ UNITEDSTIJ.TESI!fifII POSTIJ.L SERVICE

March 26, 2003

Mr. William BurrusPresidentAmerican Postal Workers Union,AFL-CIO

1300 L Street, NWWashington, DC 20005-4128

Re: QOOT-4Q-C 03102636Class ActionWashington, DC 20260-4100

Dear Bill:

Certified Mail Number7099 3400 0009 0831 6791

On March 14 cases E98T-4E-C 99224762 and E98T-4E-C 99267859 were submitted forinterpretive review, in accordance with Article 15 of the National Agreement. The issueconcerns whether a custodial vacancy resulting from an employee's voluntary transfer is "avacancyas a result of an employee'svoluntary attrition,"as referenced in the Memorandumof Understanding (MOUl for SubcontractingCleaning Services. In accordance with theprovisionsof Article 15, the Postal Service is initiating a dispute at Step 4 of the grievanceprocedure on the following interpretive issue.

The issues and facts giving rise to this dispute are:

Two custodians requested and received voluntary transfers to other facilities. Theresulting vacancies were considered as being a result of an employee's voluntaryattrition and handled in accordance with the MOU on Subcontracting CleaningServices. The APWU filed a grievance and argued that a voluntary transfer is not anemployee's voluntary attrition within the meaning of the MOU.

The Postal Service's position is that when an employee's request to transfer is approved, theresulting vacancy is as a result of an employee's voluntary attrition. The Postal Service andthe American Postal Workers Union stated in the January 12, 1999 Article 38 Questions andAnswers that "voluntaryattrition" is when an "employee bids out, is promoted, quits, retires, ordies." It is the Postal Service's position that a voluntary transfer is tantamount to anemployee bidding out, being promoted, or quitting. Just as with bidding, promotions orquitting, a vacancy resultingfrom a transfer is due to an employee's request or decision toleave their current position. For example, Article 38.5.8.3 refers to lateral transfers, andstates that, "transfer in the same level, but to a different occupational group shallbedeterminedin the same manner as promotions. "

41~) L'lt~rNJT PeNt, SvV

WN,III~hlO~, DC ?Cl:?(/J 1,100

In accordance with Article 15, Section 2, of the National Agreement, "[T]he parties shall meetat the National level promptly, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after initiating suchdispute in an effort to define the precise issues involved, develop all necessary facts andreach agreement." The U.S. Postal Servtce is prepared to meet as required.

Grievances E98T-4E-C 99224762 and E98T-4E-C 99267859, and other cases with similarissues should be held at their current step pending the outcome of this national dispute.

Please contact Sandy Savoie of my staff to schedule a Step 4 meeting. Ms. Savoie can bereached at (202) 268-3823.

Sincerely,

)~oug A. Tulino

ManagerLabor Relations Policies and Programs

COLLECTIVEBARGAININGAGREEMENT

BetweenAmericanPostal WorkersUnion, AFL-CIO

AndU.S. Postal Service

November 21, 2000November 20, 2006

326

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGBETWEEN

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AND THEAMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION,

AFL-CIO

MAINTENANCE CRAFT

Re: Subcontracting Cleaning ServicesThe parties agree that the following language will beincorporated into paragraph 535.261 of the AdministrativeSupport Manual.

.26 Cleaning Services

.261 Authorizationa. In a new facility or when a vacancy as a result of

an employee’s voluntary attrition is identifiedin an independent installation or in a stationand/or branch of an independent installation,the following sequential steps will be taken todetermine whether or not a contract cleaningservice may be utilized:

(1) Measure the square footage of the interiorarea, using procedures identified inhandbook MS-47, Housekeeping-PostalFacilities. Then divide that measurementby 18,000 and round off the resultingnumber to four (4) decimal places;

(2) Measure the squarefootage of the exteriorpaved and unpaved area, to be servicedusing the procedures identified in theMS-47 handbook. Then divide thatmeasurement by 500,000 and round offthe resulting number to four (4) decimalplaces;

327

(3) Add the numbers obtained in steps 1 and 2together. If the resulting number is lessthan ONE (1), a contract cleaning servicemay be used to perform the required work.

b. If the determination is made to utilize a contractcleaning service, the local APWU Presidentwill be provided a copy of the abovecomputations.

c. The formula applies to replacement facilities orexisting facilities with extensions ormodifications.

d. Post Offices, or stations/branches whichcontract cleaning services under previouscriteria may continue to do so.

* * *

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGBETWEEN THE

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICEAND THE

AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO

MOTOR VEHICLE CRAFT

Re: Highway Contracts

In furtherance of ongoing application of Article 32, Section3 of the National Agreement the parties agree to thefollowing principles:

Article 38 Questions and Answers

aelow ar. Joint QUI.tiona and Ah5wllr. to IUlles raised dllllng the '199'8 negotlaUon ofArticle 38 betwefll the United Stlltes PO$tal Service and the American Postal Work.11Union,AFl.·Cao.

1h. partin aSlre,that Ult Joint Qunlion5 and AhJWenr conJmute the agr.emenl 01thepartles as to th.lnte(prQ~tlon and applicaUon oUlle listed ..pacIfic ISSUQ.

MSS/PROMonONS

1. If en employee<toe$ not complete the necesssry forms for thereview panel process. canthe~MploYGO be oioquoijfjod IIlnd oonciderod oe " non-oppllcent?

Answer: 'Ves. Theempl::IYee hasthe obUgatlon to totilUy complete ell required form, bV th.deadline dalt. A!l tmployt" WhO. because of uoavoidible c;lrClJmstallCe$, did not sul>mit lheneeenaryforms may be considered for reil'lSlalement.

2. If en employee checks the block if) the Candidate Supplemental Appl\caUOh $Jgn1lYlng notl(perlenc:e 10 aK'll)Wledg., Skill, Dr AbUlty, What happen,?

Answer. Tile employ" 1& not Interviewed on lIlIs KnoWledge, Skill, or Ablllly. al'ld receIVes ilialowest llOSSil>!e (evlew panelrallng00 this KnowledS}e, Skill,or AbUlly.

3. 1$ tile mert reading of a magazine Of general artel. suffii:ientfor an employee to request anupdate?

M$Wer. No.

4. Ifan employlll reoelvas a promotion basedon successful completion of training and flli16 thattraJlllng, what hlppens to that employe,'l standing on tha Promotion E\i'il1blllty Re'il\sl.ar'?

Arulwer••The employee Is dec::lared as IoacUve OIl \he Promollon ~llglblllty f\eg\1I\er ¥nr.I \I:IIlPromotion EllglOillly Register shea be eMotat«d with en .tterlsk Indlcatlng the employe",requirement to upda\e. The employee may llIque't an update band on additional tralnlng•.oueallon, orexperlel1e.ln the deftelanl~ge. Sklll,or Abllltles. 'Nhen the uPdett score I'rteetvad. til. tmplOYM', mime Will~ .ell~lteo, the fI$\erilk retnl>VlKi and the .mP'oYe.l'anQQaccordingly.

6. M employee r..::elva, II promotion based on sueeuaful completion of training and1tIer>,.farvalklU$ reaaons. ralunea to attend this V'8inlrlg. 1$ this employe. ,till promoted to tht position8I'tef3e6 days?

MSW.r: Ona caSt 'a/ CIS' ba,I,.management mult determine If tM .lq:Ilan1lticn givenfor U'IerofullOlls valid. lilt 1-. dolormined 10 not bit vll1ld. \ho employeewlll be decler.a IlII unasslgntdregular In hisJl1er oriiinal<x:oupalional codeand levelancIlhe position reposted. The employliewiU be bypassed1)1'I the PcomoUon Ellglbllitj Reill$ter forthIs po$\\nll.

If the expl;malion Isvalid and, on • QM-lime btl$l$ I\()t toeJ'eeIlGenoU'ler ~5 oilY'. the tlmenmltmay be extended unlil the reeeipt of trllnfng relJUltI from the Natlonal center for Employ..D.velOpment forlIIe next Ichedul.d courl•.

Article 38 Questions and Answers

6. CanIndustrial Electrical Slrvlce be usedasa qualifying COUUie for theMaIntenance Mechanic.PS·5 position?

Answer: Yes, However, the Maintenance Mechanic. PS·5 wlU nOl be held f4l$\lOrn;lble torpassing the module concerned with finding selected sections of theNational Electric Code.

T. I have en employee who l~ In .. "promQtion pl:lI\din~ (>\IQ;85$f\J! completion of trelnln~' ..tatus.The Noticeof Intentlisted a specifIC course that this employee mustattend. Do I have lo po$tthisbilletfor volunteers?

Answer. Yas. Thebllietis posted forvolunteers Where theneed exlsts; however. an employee ina 'promotion pending successful compleUon oftraining" may be 6eleetfld.

TRAINING

t, An employee has successfully completed equipment training in the past but none of thatequipment Is now In the ob. Is 1he employee required to attend and successfully completetraining onthe newequipment?

2. Mayan emplOyee selected from an In-service register beplaced Into that posltlon prIor to thedate(Form50)of \henew 8ssl'lnment'i

Ar\SNer. Yes. Aflemployee may be detailed to the positlon for~ing purpose8 for up to a two(2) week pertOd en<llng WItl\ the l'ta$$lgnment.

DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES

,. Can I Maintenance Mechanic. Mail processino Equipment perform scanner alignments onmall proceUing equipment?

Niswer. Yes. A Malnlenanoe Mechanic. Mall Prooeaslng Equipment may pertonn alignmentswhichare eleetrermt¢hsnlcal ormenudriven.

2

Article 38 Questlons and Answers

2. Cen a Maintenance Mechanic, MallProeesslng Equipment perform operational maintenanceonequipment?

Answer. Yes. The position descriptiol'lltem 2 states 'Observes the various components of thesystem In operation and applies appropriate testing methods ano proceclures to lnsure conUnueclproper functionlng'.

3. Can a PS·2 Custodian use a domestic type (cenlster. tank, upright. carpet, etc.) vacuumcleaner to perform Interior (;1eanlng?

Ans.wer: Yes.

.ol. Can Il Maintenance Mechanic. PS·5 reset and rel>tart theIray Management System?

Answ(l( Ye$

5. Can a Maintenance Mechanic. Mail Processing Equipment do simple replacement of ildefective printod cirwit board?

Answer: Yes.IlS long as thebOard Isextemallo thecomputer.

~VSTOD1AL

1. What I, \he defil\lion of 'yoluntar:i a\tt\tlon"7

Answer. If the emplOy.' blat; QUI, IS prOlnOteQ. qulU, faures, or elles.

CENERAL

1. If thtrt b mort Ulan one residual duty asslgnmenl being filled by promotion, nslgnmenLreas,lgnrnent. hlrt.or, tran,f4tr at theIa~ tim.. how .r. the duty anlgnmenta .watd«f?

Answer. Employees make selections based upon their Installation SenIority. In the ease ofmu1tlple emploYliIeswllh the sa~ Installation S,nlority, selections will be made bai8($lJPon theotherolio-breakers' identified InArticle 3B.3.J.1·7.

2. Muslan employee new to the craftor lnatalilltion beaUlgned toa Prefert'ed OutyAssignment?

AA;wer; V.,. \Nithin 60 day; the employee wall be selected from the Preferred AssIgnmentRegUit&r 10 a Preferred Outy Aslilgf1fJ'lQol or be a'islQned InacoorQsn<lQ WIthArtlde 3UI.A.8.

Article 38 Questions and Answers

3. Where are Preferred Auignment Registers .1'1(\PromotionEligibility Registers &s.tabllshed andposted?

Answer. If two or more maintenance Occuplltional groups exIst In 81'1 Inslallatlon or In anInstallation where an employee Is domlclled, at promotion Ellglbllity Reghoter for thoseocclJpatlonal groups orferlng promollonal opportunity must be establIshed. If two or moreemployees hOld dUty llssignments wilhin the sameoccupational group, a Preferred A'lOv,igt1m8\l1Register mustbeestablished. These registers will be postedIntheImltallallon and will be U$ec! tofill vacant positions

4. What IS the procedure for stopping the maintenance biddmg process prior to the breaksidentified in Article3B

Answer. Prior to posting the Nollce of Intent. management must determine If there are dlJt;'assignments that wiU be reverted or changed If they are vacated during the bidding process,'These duty assignm6nts mu1>t thenbe listedonthe Nolice of Inlent

~.()~.Thomas J. alentllabor Relations SpecialistContractAdmlnlstratkmAPWUfNPMHU

4