Flood Damage

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Four Local 333 members in Cedar Rapids suffered significant losses during the recent flooding.  The homes of Brothers Jeff Gillespie and Steve Dennison, along with possessions in the homes, are apparently total losses.  Brothers Joe Ryan lost virtually all of the possessions in his basement, including washer, drier, and water heater.  Tony Foss’s family lost virtually all of their possessions when their home was flooded.

 

The losses of these union brothers and their families will only be partially covered by insurance and emergency assistance (FEMA).  In the meantime they are forced to pay for temporary housing and all of the extra expenses that entails, such as frequent trips to coin laundries.

 

Please help Brothers Dennison, Gillespie, Ryan, and Foss.

Contributions can be sent to:

 

          Dave Sapp

          NPMHU Local 333

          119 19th St. Ste. 204

          West Des Moines, IA 50265

 

July 9, 2008

 

 

USPS Continues To Consider Changes At Bulk Mail Centers
Issues Draft Request for Proposal Seeking Comments and Feedback

On July 1, 2008, the Postal Service issued a draft request for proposals (draft RFP) concerning a Time-Definite Surface Network, which is another step toward outsourcing some of the work (the processing and transportation of parcels and standard mail) now being performed at the 21 Bulk Mail Centers.  This process began in 2007, when the Postal Service first distributed a request for information on this same subject.

As currently constituted, the draft RFP envisions a single, private contractor that would perform certain types of mail processing and transportation related to the BMCs.  Employees at the BMCs would remain, but some of their current work would be replaced by different work utilizing new automated equipment, including the Flat Sequencing System that presently is being installed in several of the existing BMCs.  In addition, the Postal Service’s is planning to add other work to the existing BMC network, including the possible in-sourcing of work previously performed by private contractors.

The draft RFP is not intended to solicit contractors for responsive proposals, and no private subcontract or outsourcing will directly result from it.  Instead, at least for now, the Postal Service is only seeking comments and questions about the draft RFP, so that it might prepare for a subsequent request for proposals, which would include an actual solicitation for additional outsourcing to a private contractor.

Nonetheless, the NPMHU believes that the draft RFP represents a wholly unacceptable approach to mail processing.  The National Office will be fully implementing all protections under the National Agreement, including Article 32, as well as a range of legislative and administrative responses. 

Watch your bulletin boards for further information as it becomes available. See USPS Draft for RFP here.

 

 

 

 

 

Rights before Postal Inspectors

 

If questioned:  Remain calm, correctly identify yourself, and do not physically resist an arrest or search of your person or property.  Read aloud to the Postal Inspectors the statement below.  Remain silent until you have consulted with your Union Rep or Attorney.  This is not legal advice.  Always consult a lawyer.

 

I request the presence of my Union representative.  If I am suspect in a criminal matter, please so advise me.  If so, I wish to contact my attorney.  His/ Her name is __________ Phone _________ if I am under arrest, I request you to so advise me and to inform me of the reason or reasons.  I do not consent to a search of my person or property.  If you have a search warrant I request to see it at this time.  I do not waive any of my rights, including my right to remain silent.  I will not sign a waiver of rights form, nor admit or deny any allegations nor make any written or oral statement unless my attorney is personally present and so advises me.