CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS

Here's where all carrier's can come to check for any and all current news dealing with new information from our local branch.

Good Afternoon all.

Initially we had planned to have the January Branch meeting live as at the time COVID-19 appeared to be slowing down. As you all know by know things have taken a turn for the worse. Louise and I have been busy dealing with multiple cases a day apparently cause by the Omicron variant. Because of the severe uptick in COVID-19 the executive board has agreed to conduct the January Branch meeting by Zoom only. We will begin looking at the situation on a month by month basis to determine the best time to have a live branch meeting. I will follow up with the login credentials sometime next week

Richard Gould

President, Alamo Branch 421

6218 Krempen Ave.

San Antonio TX 78233

Work – 210-227-0128

Cell – 210-527-7523

01/24/21

Brothers and Sisters

I have been receiving feedback from members regarding the issues with the CARES act expiring on December 31^st. Due to the CARES act expiring regulars are having to use their own leave or LWOP to cover absences due to having to Self-Quarantine. CCA’s do have access to 80 hours of sick leave if they haven’t used it. I want to address these issues to clarify what happened and give some guidance going forward.

Many regulars have complained about the CCA’s receiving the additional 80 hours of sick leave expressing concern as to why regulars don’t have it. First off, CCA’s do no accrue sick leave. This provision came about through an agreement between the NALC and USPS at the National level and was extended through March 26, 2021. Management is more than likely not willing to include regulars in any agreement because regulars accrue sick leave. Under the CARES Act, regulars did receive an additional 80 hours of Emergency Sick leave but unfortunately when the CARES Act expired so did the Emergency Sick Leave.

I understand the frustration on this issue being that regulars must use their own leave and could be exposed to the virus due to their continued contact with customers and carriers. I have addressed this issue with the NALC and am currently awaiting a response. At this point I would ask each of you to have a little patience and please DO NOT decide to go to work if you have symptoms or have tested positive. Understand that the new administration is working towards a new bill that will address all these concerns, however, we all need to act by reaching out to our congressional representatives now to ask them to support this new legislation.

Here is part of President Biden’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act unveiled his $1.9 trillion economic and coronavirus relief package, which would provide federal employees with additional access to paid leave:

The plan renews two paid leave programs initially enacted as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act last March. The first of these programs provides up to two weeks of paid sick leave at full pay, if an employee is unable to work due to a self-isolation order from the government or their health care provider, or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, capped at $1,400 per week.

It also provides a 10-week bank of partial paid leave for employees unable to work due to the need to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed due to the pandemic, or if they must care for a dependent with COVID-19 symptoms. These programs were not renewed as part of the omnibus spending bill signed into law last month.

Under Biden’s plan, each of these programs would be renewed and expanded to apply to all federal workers. The partial paid leave program would grow to offer up to 14 weeks rather than 10. Under Biden's plan, the paid leave programs would be available until Sept. 30.

Without this legislation we will be stuck with what we have right now. If you do not know who your representative is go to the following link (you may need your zip+4)

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

On another note, Homer Hernandez is also working with a State Representative to set up vaccinations for those interested. As I receive more information, I will send it to you.

Please stay safe.

Richard Gould

President – Branch 421

Gould@nalc421.com

Office – 210-227-0128

Cell – 210-527-7523

01/18/21

Brothers and Sisters

During the last Covid briefing the following items were discussed:

1. District wide there are 991 confirmed cases, an additional 46 for last week. 85 employees have been cleared to return to work.
2. Employees are encouraged to take the vaccine. The Postal Service is part of Phase 1B, however they do not have a tentative date yet.
3. The nurse stated that if someone is exposed to Covid, or tests positive, they will need to self-quarantine for 14 days, but management is not requiring a negative test after the 14 days. An employee who has self-quarantined may return to work after the 14^th day, after being cleared by the nurse, if they have no symptoms.
4. The nurse is going to begin projecting a return-to-work date once they are aware of the situation. That date will be communicated with the employee and management.
5. Supplies – If you do not have the necessary supplies in your office please let me know so I can notify the person handling this.
6. The Postal Service is requiring masks for all employees, period. The only exception would involve medical documentation stating the employee cannot wear the mask for health reasons.

I want everyone to note, Article 16.7 gives management the right to place employees in a non-pay, non-work status if they feel an employee poses a safety risk to themselves or others. Not wearing a mask falls into this category. Please, everyone, wear your masks at all time unless you have a medical release. I do not believe we can defend against a 16.7 that was properly issued for carriers refusing to wear masks.

Lastly, Homer Hernandez and I are working to get vaccinations to all carriers sooner rather than later. I will be putting out information as soon as I can on this.

In Solidarity

Richard Gould

Gould@nalc421.com

Office – 210-227-0128

Cell – 210-527-7523

01/13/21

Stewards,

Yesterday, I requested and was granted an emergency meeting with Postmaster Carr, the three area managers (Moya, Moreno, and Rodriguez) to discuss the deteriorating working conditions due to COVID-19.  We had an open and extensive dialogue concerning the following topics:

PPE – The biggest concern we have is the lack of communication regarding the status of equipment.  The steward should know exactly where PPE is stored in an office, how much is available, and have the ability to immediately correct shortages.  Management, be it the supervisor or manager, must be consistent in sharing that information with the steward.  There should be joint communication in this issue daily and whenever changes occur.  San Antonio Stewards, if you have had no success in getting station management to fill shortages on equipment and cleaning supplies, the postmaster has allowed for you to be able to contact Cristina Moreno by email if you need PPE.  Her email address is Christina.A.Moreno@usps.gov.  Remember, you must have contacted management first for assistance.  You must also, copy management in on the email sent to Ms. Moreno in order to keep them in the loop.  AO Stewards, contact the branch office for additional assistance if necessary.

Joint Briefing and Maintenance Manager Order (MMO) Cleaning Procedures.  We voiced our concern that management is not following the protocol and briefing employees in a timely manner when there is a confirmed COVID-19 exposure in an office.  All employees need to be made aware each time even if it happens two or three days in a row.  Second, the employees need to know what MMO procedures have been completed and when.  At the very least, a complete wipe down of the affected employee’s work area should be done and management should be able to tell the steward with a degree of certainty who did it and when.  If management is made aware of the exposure before employees arrive for work, then a deep cleaning should be done.  If the steward hears about an exposure, contact management to get verification.  Just because someone isn’t at work doesn’t automatically mean there is a COVID outbreak.   If there is a question about whether or not an area has been disinfected, assume it isn’t and take the appropriate cleaning action steps.

Absences Related to COVID.  This has been a point of major contention between the parties.  There is an MOU-1932, that extends MOU 1910, Expanded Sick Leave for Dependent Care Due to COVID-19 through 3/26/2021.  So, if you have dependent care issues due to COVID-19, this provision may be available to you.  However, and I have been hearing this constantly,  if you are NOT sick or had an exposure, you are expected to be at work.  I know there are employees with 1,000 plus hours of sick leave who are afraid to come to work due to the virus.  I get it, I understand your concern. I can’t tell you what choice to make, but I will say this, if you are going to take the position you are not going to work because you feel unsafe, you should probably get medical documentation to back you up, because I’m sure the Postal Service is going to challenge you on your decision.   Conversely, if you feel sick or believe you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus, you should stay away from work and get yourself tested.  DO NOT go to work and put other employees health at risk.  Follow the instructions of the doctor and make sure you get your information to the Occupational Health Nurse Administrator (OHNA) (Mary Lindsey).  DO NOT report to back to work or stop by any office until you have been properly cleared by the OHNA.  NO ONE can return you to work except the OHNA (that’s mean no supervisor, or manager either).

Wearing of Masks/Shields – The USPS policy on mask wear is this, you will wear one if you are away from your case or within 6 feet of someone.  Everyone should wear a mask; supervisors and employees.  If you are entering a business, you need to have a mask on as a representative of the USPS.  A business customer should not have to tell you to put on your mask.  If you feel you cannot wear a mask, you must contact your supervisor and see if a reasonable accommodation can be made.  Do not take it upon yourself not to wear one because you could be facing disciplinary action for failure to follow instructions.

Tony Boyd, President

NALC Branch 421

Office: 210-227-0128

Cell: 210-862-6583

01/08/2021

FYI from NBA Javier Bernal.  Please spread the word.

Good afternoon,

I have attached a copy of a stand up talk regarding the availability of the COVID vaccine for postal employees. Please share and ensure management is conducting stand up talks with the carriers.

The question was posed whether the vaccine is mandatory – We are not aware of the USPS trying to issue a mandate that all employees must take the vaccine.    

Thanks,

Javier Bernal     

National Business Agent

NALC Region 10

23760 HWY 59 N

Kingwood, TX 77339

Work: 281-540-5627

Cell: 713-304-3986

NALC, USPS reach tentative National Agreement

10/13/2020

Attached is a list of all the early voting locations in Bexar County.  Early voting starts today and ends on October 30^th.  Don’t wait until the last minute, get it done now!

Tony Boyd, President

NALC Branch 421

Office: 210-227-0128

Cell: 210-862-6583

Good evening Branch Presidents,

We have been informed that management has been conducting stand-up talks (attached) this week in most offices to inform employees about initial phases of an operational pivot plan based on some documents regarding cost reduction. None of these changes or plans were discussed or explained to NALC prior to implementing them, so we ask that you closely monitor the provisions of their plan for contractual compliance.

I attached the most recent statement from President Rolando dated July 15, 2020. Lastly I attached M-01924, which is the agreement to extend COVID-19 related MOUs until September 25, 2020.

M-01924 - COVID-19 Related MOUs Extended Until Late September

By joint agreement (M-01924), several COVID related memorandums of understanding have been further extended through September 25, 2020. These memoranda include: temporary expanded sick leave for dependent care (M-01910); temporary additional paid leave for CCAs (M-01911); temporary use of the 7:01 rule (M-01913); temporary workplace changes to promote social distancing (M-01915); and temporary use of TCAs (M-01916).

NALC and the Postal Service also agreed to another temporary time limit extensions on Step B and arbitration appeals (M-01925), and an agreement giving local parties the ability to develop a sign-up process for full-time employees who previously did not, or could not, place their names on either the overtime desired list or work assignment list (M-01926). Both of these agreements will expire on September 25^th as well.

Also extended through September 25^th is a USPS memorandum (M-01914) which instructs managers and supervisors to allow liberal changes of schedule to accommodate employees who are dealing with childcare issues related to the pandemic. The memorandum also provides for liberal sick leave usage for employees who are sick and liberal annual and leave without pay (LWOP) to the extent operationally feasible, treats COVID-19 related leave as scheduled (as opposed to unscheduled) leave, and directs that leave taken for COVID-19 related reasons during this time not be cited in discipline for failing to maintain an assigned schedule.

Thanks for all y’all do and have a safe weekend!

NALC Region 10

RAA Shawn Boyd                                            RAA Karrie Kimbrell                                 RGA AG Ramirez

Boyd@nalc.org                                               Kimbrell@nalc.org                                 Ramirez@nalc.org

Cell: 202-294-2284                                        Cell: 512-810-1958                                 Cell: 202-341—0128

NBA Javier Bernal

Bernal@nalc.org

Work: 281-540-5627

Cell: 713-304-3986

I spoke to Postmaster Carr today and some of the area managers to get an explanation for the initial start time change on Saturday to 8 and in some cases, 8:30am, and also what happened today with the DPS mail.  First, the driver for the 8:30 ish start times last week was due to the plant and clerk function basically averaging a mail ready time of 9:30am.  Those figures would normally generate a carrier start time of 9:00am.  That didn’t sit well with Mr. Carr and the area managers either so the latest they would go forward on start times was 8:30am. That plan was finalized and announced to the stations (but not me) on Monday, July 6th, and started this past Saturday.

Moving forward to today, Postmaster General (PMG) Lejoy’s operational orders, which were announced to senior management officials on Friday, clashed with the 8:30am start time and mail being available.  Trucks from the plant usually come to the stations at three different times (4, 5 and 6am) with the mail for clerks to distribute to the carriers.  The arrival of the last truck normally determines the start time(s) at a station, anywhere from 6 to 7, sometimes 7:30am.  What the PMG instructed managers to do is get the carriers moving in the morning based on the truck schedule; with no deviation.  Whatever the plant didn’t have ready for the stations, by the time the trucks were ready to go, would be left behind.  That’s what happened with the DPS today.  It wasn’t ready by the time the (last) trucks went to the stations, so it didn’t arrive by the time that carriers were instructed to hit the street.  This, by the way, is another new PMG directive.  Carriers will be given a certain amount of time to case, pull down, and go to the street.  Whatever you don’t finish casing will be left behind.  If a truck doesn’t have all the mail or is late, by the designated pull down time, then that mail will not get cased and delivered.  A carrier under this system may possibly go to the street without enough mail to carry for 8 hours.  In that instance, you may run out of mail to deliver well before you reach 8 hours.  If that happens you most likely will be instructed to come back (and you should want to in this 100 plus heat) and case any remaining mail for the next day (including DPS) until you reach 8 hours.   

What these immediate changes will do is change the start times for the carriers.  I was told that tomorrow, the start time will go back to 7am.  It is also possible under this new initiative, the start time(s) will go back even further, possibly to 6am.  I’m sure there will be more changes coming up, and as they do, I’m keep you informed on how the changes affect letter carriers .

Tony Boyd, President

NALC Branch 421

Office: 210-227-0128

Cell: 210-862-6583

Please review the article listed below.  I was provided this information yesterday and implementation of some of these changes has already started.  Please share with the rest of your carriers as well.

These are some of the first wave of changes that will be coming to the USPS this year. Many of the changes are are good and should have been done years ago. We all need to embrace these changes to keep the USPS in service. The PMG said this.. https://www.postaltimes.com/postalnews/meet-the-new-boss-better-than-the-old-boss/

Tony Boyd, President

NALC Branch 421

Office: 210-227-0128

Cell: 210-862-6583

Carriers,

If you have taken a COVID-19 and requested to use emergency sick leave, please check your pay closely.  You should be getting your full pay up to 80 hours not 2/3 of your pay.  Frontline managers in many instances are telling employees this or worse actually paying them at less than their full-rate.  All the craft presidents have brought this issue to the attention of Human Resources and the District Manager, but it is each individual’s responsibility to check their pay.  Please do by taking advantage of the Virtual Time Card.

Tony Boyd, President

NALC Branch 421

Office: 210-227-0128

Cell: 210-862-6583

Good morning Branch Presidents,

Last night’s call was a success! We appreciate and THANK YOU all getting the message out to the members. There was a  definite increase in Region 10’s activity from the emails sent last night and Brent provided a breakdown below:

New Mexico - 189 emails sent

Texas       -     1,860 emails sent

Total:       -     2,049 emails sent last night from Region 10!

As Brent stated, this is truly impressive and thank you all again for your hard work! We are Hopeful this will continue, so I will remind you all to consider a “Branch Night of Action.” We can facilitate the call and Brent has offered to address and encourage the members to contact their representative and senators. Let us know when you would like to schedule YOUR “Branch Night of Action!

I have attached the steps through the NALC portal. If anyone has any issues, please text Brent at 202-230-2992.  He is willing to walk your members through this, during a meeting. He’s averaging 3 Branch meetings a night, and I will only take up about 10 minutes going through this all.  Again please utilize this “Take Action” portal a lot!

I am providing our contact information and feel free to share.

Brent Fjerestad

Legislative and Political Organizer

fjerestad@nalc.org

cell #: 202-230-2992

RAA Shawn Boyd                                            RAA Karrie Kimbrel                                 RGA AG Ramirez

Boyd@nalc.org                                               Kimbrell@nalc.org                                 Ramirez@nalc.org

Cell: 202-294-2284                                        Cell: 512-810-1958                                 Cell: 202-341—0128

Together we will continue to tell congress to support the United States Postal Service as it is a constitutional right for ALL, and together we will make the difference!

Thanks,

Javier Bernal

National Business Agent

NALC Region 10

23760 HWY 59 N

Kingwood, TX 77339

Work: 281-540-5627

Cell: 713-304-3986

ATTENTION ALL LETTER CARRIERS!

WE KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR JOB

AND

YOUR FUTURE

SO PLEASE JOIN OUR SCHEDULED WEBEX MEETING

TO DISCUSS WHAT ACTION YOU CAN TAKE!!!

PLEASE SHARE THIS INVITE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

WE WANT AS MANY LETTER CARRIERS ON THE CALL AS WE CAN GET!

Date & Time:  Thursday May 14, 2020 7:00 pm (CST)

Join us via Webex on a computer or call the number listed   below from a mobile device.

SPEAKER: Legislative Political Organizer – Brent Fjerestad

SPEAKER: REGION 10 NBA Javier Bernal

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS:

NMSALC PRESIDENT Marie Montano & TSALC PRESIDENT Carlos Rodriguez

THIS IS A CRITICAL “GET OUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS” EVENT!  DON’T MISS IT!

ENCOURAGE ALL MEMBERS TO BE ON THE CALL THIS THURSDAY AT 7PM CENTRAL!

Shawn Boyd

Regional Administrative Assistant

National Association of Letter Carriers

Region 10

23760 Highway 59 North

Kingwood, TX 77339

281-540-5627 office

202-294-2284 cell

Carriers, please be aware their was an update in the National Convention News tab. Please read it!

Carriers, please be aware that a new tab was created for the website. The tab was designed for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and is located next to the OWCP tab.

There are 3 examples of how you can write a Letter to your Representative and Senator in how the USPS needs to be in the next stimulus package. Obviously there is a lot of news going around about the situation so we need all carriers to step up and SPREAD the word to their family and friends!!! Support USPS so that we stay around for the next 100 years. 

1st   Everyone needs to lookup his/her Representative and Senator for their surrounding area. You can go to the NALC.ORG website. On the main page of the website you'll see right in front of where to click to go lookup your Representatives. It will take you to another webpage and all you have to do is put in your zip code and it will list all your respsentatives. Click on the links of the Representatives and will take you to their webpages so you may get their addresses and possible phone numbers.

2nd   After looking up your Representative and Senator you need to fill in the blanks on the example letter with his/her name and addresses of their district. 

3rd    Last but not least then you need to write or type it up, put it in a enevlope and mail it out. Obviously we know everyone will be helping out the USPS because you will be putting a stamp on it and sending it out.

Any questions about the letters please let the branch know or click on the link for the webmaster.

Brothers and Sisters,

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many members of our San Antonio community are experiencing economic hardship that would have seemed unimaginable just a few short months ago.  San Antonio made worldwide news coverage recently with pictures of hundreds of thousands of people waiting in line to get food from the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB).  This coming Saturday would have been the date for our annual Food Drive, but due to the pandemic, it has been postponed. 

Although our event has been delayed, the need to feed the community is even greater now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  With that in mind, we would like to organize a collection of monetary donations from each station to give to the SAFB. Stewards, if you can find someone at your office to be the coordinator to collect donations, that would be great.  If not, I am requesting that you take this on to ensure it is organized and gets done.  Please ensure that everyone in your office is contacted and a list is kept on who donated and how much.  The best way to collect would be in the form of checks or money order. They can be made out to NALC Branch 421 and in the remarks section write Food Bank Donation.  We’ll take cash, but please account (receipt) for it. 

The deadline to turn in your donations is close of business May 18^th.  If you have any questions or need assistance from the branch, please do not hesitate to call.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.

FYI from NBA Javier Bernal: 

Branch Presidents

I have attached the latest statement from President Rolando along with standup talks concerning masks/face coverings and heat illness prevention.

As a result, we (USPS) will modify their policy with face coverings to require all employees to wear face coverings in the following situations, until the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an issue: 

• When there is a local or state face covering order or directive in place; or

• When an employee who does not deal directly with the public cannot achieve or maintain social distancing in the workplace.

We understand the USPS has committed that disciplinary action will not be used to address employees that do not wear masks or face coverings where a state or local directive requires it. However, if you have a location where this becomes an issue, please let us know immediately.

As always, please call or email us with any questions or concerns.

Thanks!

RAA Shawn Boyd – 202-294-2284

RAA Karrie Kimbrell – 512-810-1958

RGA AG Ramirez – 202-341-0128

Javier Bernal

National Business Agent

NALC Region 10

23760 HWY 59 N

Kingwood, TX 77339

Work: 281-540-5627

Cell: 713-304-3986