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Updated 1/23/12 (see routes needing relief and Van for sale below)

Just announced from the NRLCA:

Arbitrator Bloch Rules that the Postal Service’s 2010 Time Study Violated Article 34

The Postal Service violated Article 34.2 of the parties’ National Agreement when it conducted its 2010 time and work study involving video camera recordings and observations of over 400 rural routes without the Association’s participation. That is the finding of the parties’ National Arbitrator, Richard Bloch, who, in a clear and concise award, recognized Article 34’s central goal of establishing fair work standards through mutual, “transparent procedures.”

The case arose from a national-level grievance and unfair labor practice charge filed by the Association after the Postal Service announced that it would be observing and recording rural carriers on their routes in an effort to reduce numerous time standards during the 2010 contract negotiations or subsequent interest arbitration. Arbitrator Bloch rejected the Postal Service’s argument that Article 34.2 only applies when the Postal Service wants to change standards during the term of the National Agreement and does not apply when it seeks changes during collective bargaining or interest arbitration. He held:

Without question, and beyond any dispute in this case is the fact that work measurement systems are profoundly important to [the] parties. They are frequently central to the negotiated process by which compensation is determined for rural carriers and they are at times the subject of complex and vigorous debate and dispute. Article 34 stands as recognition by the parties that the process of implementing these studies is best served by a mechanism that involves joint input, communication, and oversight. Recognizing there may be the need to modify standards during the term of the contract, thus adopting changes that would be otherwise unavailable unilaterally, the parties included, in Article 34, a mid-term dispute resolution mechanism. This was a reasonable and necessary response to their potential needs. The core and character of the Article, then, concerns the quest for fairness, reasonableness and equity in the conduct of the studies. To this end, … the parties here agreed to a series of notice and oversight obligations… These checks and balances … cannot be read as somehow dependent on when proposals for new standards are to be proffered. For this reason, the conclusion is that the study at issue, conducted during the term of the existing contract, was subject to the various participation requirements of Article 34.

This decision will ensure that the Postal Service engages in a participatory process for conducting time studies in the future, and the parties will soon be discussing the immediate issue of how this Award will impact the ongoing interest arbitration proceedings.

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NFORMATIONAL RALLIES HELD ACROSS THE NATION - THIS ONE IN REPRESENTATIVE TIM JOHNSONS TERRITORY!

NEW EMA RATE
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released the August 2011 CPI-W Private Transportation Index. Based on this release, the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will decrease by 1.5 cents to 72.0 cents per mile.

Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3 of the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement, effective October 8, 2011 (Pay Period 22-11), the Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) will decrease from 73.5 cents per mile to 72.0 cents per mile, or a minimum of $28.80 per day, whichever is greater.
Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part-Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance

Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under the provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.5, will receive EMA of 72.0 cents per mile or $7.80 per hour, whichever is greater. The EMA will not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA chart for route stops and miles.

Welcome to the official website for the

Illinois Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.

The purpose of this Association shall be to improve the methods used by rural letter carriers, to benefit their conditions of labor with the United States Postal Service (USPS) and to promote fraternal spirit among its members. This Organization shall not affiliate or merge with any other organization or group without a majority vote of the delegates at a national or special convention or a majority mail referendum vote of all members voting.The following standards of conduct are prescribed for this Association:

• To maintain democratic procedures and practices, including provisions for periodic elections to be conducted subject to recognized safeguards and provisions defining and securing the right of individual members to participation in the affairs of the organization, to fair and equal treatment under the governing rules of the organization, and to fair processing any disciplinary proceedings;
• To prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, creed, national origin, disability, or marital, economic, social or political status;
• To prohibit business or financial interests on the part of organization officers and agents which conflict with their duty to the organization and its members; and

  To maintain fiscal integrity in the conduct of the affairs of the organization.

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS: The ILRLCA uses the same address that you have on file with the United States Postal Service. If you need to change your address you have three options to do so - please make the change with one of these options so that you do not miss out on important mailings from the state and national offices!

1. Use PS Form 1216, Employee's Current Mailing Address. Send it to: HRSSC, Benefits/Compensation, PO Box 970400, Greensboro, NC 27497-0400.

2. Call the HRSSC at 877-477-3273, option 5. Validate your identity with your Employee ID number of USPS Pin, then option 9 to speak to a service representative who will assist you.

3. For carriers with PC access: Log on to LiteBlue using your EID and USPS Pin. Click on the Change of Address/Phone/Emergency Contact link under Employee Resources. Your current information will be displayed. To update your information, click the edit button, and you're on your way. Just follow the prompts to review, confirm and save your changes. You are then done!

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