VOL 45, NO. 5 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF BRANCH 14, NALC MAY 2016 SERVING LOUISVILLE, FORT KNOX, BARDSTOWN, RADCLIFF, LAGRANGE, LEBANON, EMINENCE, SHELBYVILLE, VINE GROVE, & SPRINGFIELD

ALL GAVE SOME...SOME GAVE ALL! REMEMBER THEM THIS MEMORIAL DAY.

The Kentucky Derby Page 2 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. May 2016

BRANCH 14 NEWSLETTER KIM REGION 6 REPORT Published monthly by Branch 14 National Association of Letter Carriers 4815 Poplar Level Road Louisville, KY 40213 964-3200 964-3276 Officers & Staff President…………………………….…..Tony Weddle Executive Vice-President……………….…...Ron Gast Vice-President……………….………..Larry Shepherd Recording Secretary………….…………...Anna Mudd Treasurer………………………….…………Bob Hack Kentucky -- Indiana -- Michigan Asst. Recording/Financial Secretary….…….Bill Davis NATIONAL BUSINESS AGENT’S Health Benefits Rep./Retirement……….….Tom Webb REPORT Sergeant-at-Arms/Scribe………….……...Greg Craven May 2016 Patrick C. Carroll Community Activities Coordinator.……..Daria Duvall Trustee…………………………….………Steve Terry Employee Engagement-Is It Possible??? Trustee …………………………….……....Larry Terry Trustee . ………………………….…………Tina Davis In recent weeks some areas in the KIM region Trustee . ………………………….……….Ron Osborne have been introduced to a program entitled Trustee………………………….………Matt Weegens “Employee Engagement” which involves the Postal Pulse 12 question survey. This concept is Branch 14 Stewards really the idea of General Megan 40202………………….……………….... Jeff Houston Brennan and it is based on the fact that we have 40203………………………………..Michelle Burriell some serious dysfunctional chaos with the culture 40204………………………..…….……. Brian Tucker 40205………………….…………..…...Alesha Austin in the Postal Service. That revelation is no 40206………………...…………...…..... Donny Corbin surprise to most of us who have experience with the postal management. Recent results from the 40207……………………………….……… Carol Gast 40208/10…………………………....…Kenya Sumblin Postal Pulse survey clearly detailed the 40209/14…………………………… Adriane Shanklin organizational tumor that has festered for years 40211…………………………………….Sandra Brice and the Gallup Organization which controls the 40212………………………………...….. Sandra Brice survey analysis compared the survey data with 40213………………………..….…………..Jarett Sims other companies. The survey proves what 40215……………………..………..…....Missy Harris employees have said for years and that is the USPS 40216…………………….…………….Miklos Melton is a horrible, dysfunctional place to work. The 40217………………….……………..…..Jeff Richards “Human Element “has been gone from our 40218…………………………….………..Anna Mudd 40219……………………….………….…..Tina Davis workplace culture for a long time. 40220……………………………….……..Tony Olges So what do we do now??? 40222………………………..………..……..Bill Davis First of all, I think PMG Brennan is a leader that 40228/91………………………...……..Patrick Barney realizes there is a cultural breakdown in how 40229……………………………..…….Charles Baker employees are treated and how this company 40241/42……………………………...…….Bill Davis operates. Fact is I have had personal experience 40243………………………………….…Danny Lyons with PMG Brennan and find her to be a very 40258………………………………….....Mark Deason pleasant woman who understands the need to treat 40272………………………………...…..Greg Craven people with respect and appreciation. (Her brother 40299……………………………….……...Eric Pippin is a letter carrier). But you do not become the Bardstown…………...... Todd Brouillard by being a push over either. LaGrange……………………………….…Billie Berry She is a very smart lady who I think wants to fix Lebanon………………………….……....Ron Osborne Shelbyville………………….……...Dave Shuttleworth the problems with environments on many Springfield……………………………….Ron Osborne workroom floors. She also understands that a Fort Knox…………………….….……...Vinnie Taylor change in culture cannot happen until Management Radcliff………………...………...……Reggie Sanders at all levels lead by example and take ownership in Vine Grove………………..………..…..Larry Johnson the tone, atmosphere and environment in every postal facility in the country. In my discussions with Area Vice President Jakki Krage-Strako, she May 2016 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. Page 3 too shares the needs to change the culture of worksites that do not operate in a respectful cooperative manner. I do not believe there is any Union leader or rank and file letter carrier that would not want to change the adversarial environment that exists in many of our work sites. The daily abuse of people, both career and non-career, is completely unacceptable. But here is where the success or failure will occur! The seed to change the adversarial culture must be deeply planted by the PMG and her Executive Leadership team in the operation that occurs between supervisor and carrier on the workroom floor and it must be cultivated for continual growth. The reversal of our current dysfunction cannot be a short term, flavor of the month roller coaster ride that ends up at the same state as we are now-that being a horrible place to work. The manner in which people are treated will dictate how they in turn provide discretionary effort. When you treat carriers’ right, you will have a positive productive workplace like we have in a place like Livonia, MI. I have 42 years experience with the Postal Service and about 4 years now watching two family members in another company that has a culture diametrically opposite of that in the USPS. There is another way to run an operation. I just wonder and hope is possible for the USPS to “Engage in Change”???

Contract Negotiations Our current National Agreement will expire in May 2016 and we continue to work towards a new collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations opened in Washington DC in February and will continue until we can reach a negotiated agreement with the Postal Service. NALC President Fred Rolando will have the entire Executive Council participate in these negotiations during the weeks of March 20-25 and May 15-21, 2016. A great deal of work is involved in developing strategies for improvements in benefits and working conditions for all letter carriers. Time will tell but in the event we do not reach a negotiated settlement, we will be well prepared to head into interest arbitration.

School of Stewards (S.O.S) In March and April we conducted a new steward training in three locations in Region 6 encompassing extensive steward duties. The four day workshop covered topics dealing with Article 8, 15, 16, 17, 31, issue statements, writing techniques, research modules, remedies, OWCP and a few other surprises. This training was a great success but not designed to replace our annual KIM regional training. The need for training was immediate with new stewards stepping up after the first of the year.

Scanners In my March NBA report, I expressed my frustration with the cumbersome practice of scanning 15 pieces of and multiple delivery points throughout the carriers’ day. I have brought that problem to both the districts and Great Lakes Area management leadership. The Area claims to have no knowledge of the issue but now they do so let’s see if they will do anything to fix the problems. I was informed on Sunday May 8, 2016 by the Detroit District that the MDD’s will be updated with safety alerts dealing with dog alerts, trip hazards, dangerous intersections. In addition, alerts will be available for delivery concerns and vacant delivery points. I will get a briefing on how these functions will come thru the scanners and all carriers should receive training on these new functions in May. These latest updates have a little more value than scanning 15 pieces of mail numerous times during the day.

In Unionism,

Patrick C. Carroll National Business Agent 43456 Mound Road, Suite 501 Sterling Heights, MI 48314 Office: 586-997-9917 Fax: 586-997-9916 Page 4 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. May 2016 International Union (UFCW) has stepped up to support our food drive. This may be their first year in this role, but the support they have provided has made a definite impact on how this food drive operates. For 24 years, the NALC has stepped up to get out the word, make the issue RON GAST known, and collect the food needed. This year, Executive Vice-President the UFCW has done everything in their power to show that this is not only the “Letter Carriers At the time of this writing, we are preparing for Food Drive”, but it is also their own. You will see the 24th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out them prominently displayed on the cards Hunger® Food Drive. This is the time that Letter delivered by Letter Carriers. What you will not Carriers from throughout our nation come see however is those members actually collecting together to collect nonperishable food for those the food, as all of that work is done by letter members of our community who are less able to carriers. As we have done for the past 23 years, provide for themselves. This calls for a we will once again provide for the needs of our concentrated effort of all carriers to put aside their communities by going the extra mile and showing personal concerns and give that extra push to pick those who depend on our efforts that this nations up that bag of groceries so that those who work letter carriers are up for the task, and will once hard every day and just cannot provide for the again lead the charge to ensure that every hungry needs of their families are able to do so. citizen is provided with a nutritious meal. What most of us don’t see is the preparation that I would like to thank each and every carrier who goes into this monumentous event. Here in gave of themselves once again and will gladly do Branch 14 that effort begins with our Community so in the future. You are now and always have Activities Coordinator, Dee Duvall. For many of been the backbone of the Postal Service, and your us, this day begins during the week of the food continued actions only reinforce that. I hope that drive, while Dee has been preparing for months. all of you had a very safe and successful food From soliciting volunteers to organizing each drive, and look forward to seeing you at the next station for the 2nd Saturday in May, to union meeting on May 24th at 7:30 pm. coordinating with the local food banks for accepting all of the donations collected by letter carriers, Dee has been working relentlessly for some time now. But as Dee will also tell you, the subject of this day is not the letter carriers, nor the Postal Service or any of its employees. It is however those members of the community less fortunate than all of us who on most days do not know where there next meal is coming from. They are among us all, and for the most part, none of us see. We don’t see the desperation or the hopelessness that they feel daily, as we continue on with our day to day activities. What we do see are the mountains of food that letter carriers collect while performing their daily rounds. What we do see is the satisfaction on the faces of our customers who provide the donations that feed the young families within this community. What we do see is the full pantries in the food banks that will sustain those less fortunate than us. This year we welcome a new national sponsor for the Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive. The United Food & Commercial Workers May 2016 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. Page 5

There is no reason to use a copied scan that is on your possession. The only rule that you have to follow is simply when you get to a scan, then you scan it. The time you scan it is irrelevant. Remember also that GPS technology is now incorporated into the scanner, although I can easily argue that it does not have a 100% accuracy rate LARRY SHEPHERD and is incorporated in the language in M-01769 Vice President where other supporting documentation must be included by Management. In fact, if you are Management is back to using old tricks of running late, I can you these MSP scans in your trying to catch carriers of falsifying MSP scans. defense as long as you follow the proper reporting Management simply takes the MSP label of the procedures notifying Management that you will be mailbox and replaces it with one with the same late getting back. address, but a different bar code label (numbers). Then if you scan a barcode in your possession The very common inaccuracies and errors that has been removed they have evidence that that are found in the scanner data retrieval you falsified a scan. Although Management will system (RIMS, DMS, etc.) is exactly why the need supporting documentation to prove their language was agreed to in Step 4 Settlement M- case (carrier’s confession in PDI, eyewitness 01458 & M-01769. An inadvertent, occasional accounts, etc.). missed scan is to be expected, especially since no Carrier’s need to remember that every installation's MSP scan expectation is set at Arbitrator frown’s heavily upon any type of 100%. Such an unrealistic expectation of deceit or fraud involving anything when it comes to issuing discipline to a carrier. Falsifying MSP perfection would in itself constitute a violation scans would definitely fall under this category. of just cause.

M-01458 Step 4 Settlement March 13, 2002, Q98N-4Q-C-01045840 Shared Services The Managed Service Points (MSP) initiative is a (National Human Resources) national program intended to facilitate 1-877-477-3273 management’s ability to assess and monitor city http://liteblue.usps.gov delivery route structure and consistency of delivery service. You’ll need your Employee ID# And your USPS PIN. MSP does not set performance standards, either in the office or on the street. With current technology, MSP records of scan times are not to be used as timecard data for pay purposes. MSP data may not constitute the sole basis for 1-800-EAP-4-YOU disciplinary action. (1-800-327-4968) TTY: 1-877-492-7341 www.EAP4YOU.com M-01769 Step 4 Settlement 24 hours a day, seven days a week The subject office efficiency tool is a management tool for estimating a carrier's daily workload. The Personal Private Professional office efficiency tool used in the Greater Indiana District or any similar time projection system/ tool(s) will not be used as the sole determinant for establishing office or street time projections. All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors Accordingly, the resulting projections will not themselves, and are in no way to be construed as constitute the sole basis for corrective action. statements, positions or endorsements by Branch 14 or it’s officers. May 2016 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. Page 6

GREG CRAVEN Sergeant at Arms/Scribe BILL DAVIS I want to start this article by congratulating the Assistant Recording/Financial Secretary newly converted CCAS. I’m sure they are glad to With the Derby and the Food Drive behind have some stability now in their lives us, what do we have to look forward to? I and I’m sure they are glad to put Sunday Amazon know quite a few will say, Nothing! This is in the rear view mirror. I would say quite a few not true. First off, we have the Memorial decided to skip the opportunity to join the Day Holiday. Please celebrate responsibly overtime desired list just to see what an eight hour on this day and remember not to forget those day is like. Congratulation again and hope to see who gave of themselves to protect this great you at the next union meeting. nation. By the time this goes out, we will be a couple In July we will have the honor of working weeks past our annual food drive. I want to thank with the kids at Camp Courageous MDA all the carriers who collected food on their routes. camp. Always a worthwhile event and all Both city and rural. Also the retirees and are welcome to pitch in an cook for the kids. volunteers at the stations who help with the sorting Immediately following the MDA camp and unloading of our vehicles. It makes the day a will be the Branch 14 Golf Scramble which little longer but the reward is very great. You is one of my favorite events of the year never know, it could be a customer on your own (second to the Retiree’s Dinner). No, I don’t route that you are helping. Thanks to Dee Duvall play golf. I have the honor of cooking the for all the tireless work she puts in for our food burgers and brats for those that do play. drive. From the card counts for all the stations Everyone that participates always has a good under the Branch 14 banner, to coordination with time so come on out and enjoy a great day. the outside entities who seem to forget whose food And then, of course, we have drive it really is. I’m sure she will be glad it’s over Independence Day, and its on a Monday. but she will have to start preparations for next Imagine that. So, another extended weekend year. So a tip of the hat again for all who make this for a lot of us. Again, celebrate responsibly. food drive a success. I hope to see some of your smiling faces We recently had a plan 5 telling the carriers at the next Union Meeting. about the scanners now being able to alert us of amber alerts in our zones. This will be a great tool ADVICE FROM A WISE, RETIRED to have to be able to join children back with their families. It will be the only good use to come from CARRIER the new scanners. We all know how bad the sample mail requests go. It’s hard to believe that Carriers should use 50 SPF sunscreen daily. when you first get the request you just happen to Apply before going to the street and reapply be in the ballpark of that address. You escape out every 90 minutes. Use Sunglass to protect and put it into a work report. I usually forget about your eyes. The ultra-violet rays from the sun it and get notified right at the box the second time can damage the eyes after only 15 minutes. around. If it can do this later then why can it not Don’t wait until you retire to feel the effects of get it right the first time? Look, I’m not a what the sun can do to you. Start now and technology expert but something doesn’t seem protect your eyes and your skin. right. Just don’t tell me how perfect the scanners are. Remember if you ever get asked why you didn’t make a scan, your answer is always that the scan was made. There are too many things that the scanner has to do from scanning to transmitting nalcbr14.com information. On a wireless network something can always be dropped or lost. or Like us on Facebook May 2016 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. Page 7 DOG BITE AWARENESS MONTH

Page 8 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. May 2016

DEE DUVALL Activities Coordinator

It is down to crunch time for the 2016 Letter Carrier’s “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. I am writing this on Tuesday night and last minute preparations are under way. I was hoping to report the totals collected, but due to printing deadlines for this newsletter, I will have to give you that info next month. I did want to thank everyone in advance for participating in this year’s drive. I have only heard of one carrier who due to medical restrictions will be unable to pick up food this Saturday. We will cover this route and any others who are unable to collect with volunteers. Thanks to all the stewards who have taken on added responsibilities during this time. I would also like to thank Mickey Higgins (Lyndon) and Kenny Hornback (Jeffersontown) who stepped up to serve as food drive “Captains” at their stations. They have coordinated everything concerning the food drive on their own time. This is awesome! I realize everyone doesn’t want to be a steward, but this is an example of how you can still do something for your union, (who has done so much for you), and help the less fortunate in your community as well. I challenge each and every one of you to step up and do something in the coming months to give back. You could participate in an MDA fundraiser, volunteer for political activities (phone banking, door knocking), sign up for Letter Carrier’s Political Fund (formerly COLCPE) or just come to a union meeting. The salary and benefits you receive were not just handed to you but were worked for and negotiated by those who came before you and should not be taken for granted! I hope everyone has a great day food drive Saturday and I hope to see you at the union meeting.

INCOME FOR THE PERIOD OF BRANCH 14 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT 1 JANUARY THROUGH 31 MARCH 2016 TREASURERS REPORT JAN 1ST THRU MAR 31ST 2016 DUES $ - NEWSLETTER ADS $ 1,200.00 GENERAL CHECKING BUILDING FUND $ 525.00 DUES CHECKING BALANCE WITHHOLDING $ 63,325.76 BROUGHT FORWARD $ 66,224.41 MISCELLANEOUS $ 3,926.59 DEPOSITS FOR THE QUARTER $ 68,979.24 (Golf Scramble, MDA, TOTAL $ 135,203.65 misc.) DISBURSEMENTS $ 71,790.56 TOTAL $ 68,977.35 ACCOUNT BALANCE $ 63,413.09

SAVINGS INTEREST $ 0.57 SAVINGS DISBURSEMENTS $ - CHECKING SAVINGS ACCOUNT BALANCE $ 11,506.42 INTEREST $ 1.89

CDs INTEREST $ 26.79 CERTIFICATES OF $ 46,653.75

DEPOSIT/PNC TOTAL INTEREST $ 29.25

MORGAN STANLEY $ 66,974.12

GRAND TOTAL $ 69,006.60 TOTAL CASH NET WORTH $ 188,547.38 May 2016 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. Page 9

When? June 26th at 8:00am Where? My Old Kentucky Home Golf Course in Bardstown Entry Fee: $50 per person Prizes: $500 in prizes for places 1st through 5th, PLUS, $500 in door prizes

Hot Dogs & Brats served at the turn. Hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, and soft drinks immediately after the tournament.

We are limited to30 teams, so get your entries in early and remember the deadline!

Make all checks payable to: “NALC Branch 14” and send to:

Attn: Steve Terry Branch 14 Union Hall 4815 Poplar Level Rd Louisville, KY 40213 Page 10 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. May 2016 UNION MEETING Officers & Stewards Excused Baker, Sims, Berry, Corbin, Lyons, Date:____April 26, 2016______Broulliard, Br 14 Union Meeting Attendance by Zone Annshire 40205 1 Officers & Stewards Absent Annshire 40213 1 None Annshire 40218 6 DTCU 40202 1 DTCU 40203 1 MDA 50/50 Drawing……..……...$94 to MDA DTCU 40204 2 ……….$93 Myles Ekart DTCU 40208 1 DTCU 40210 1 $25 Door Prize………………...Patrick Barney

Fern Creek 40228 0 T-SHIRT Winners….Brice, Shanklin, Ekart, Fern Creek 40291 0 Ammerman Hikes Point 40220 1 Iroquois 40209/14 3 RECENTLY DECEASED Iroquois 40215 2 J-Town 40299 1 DONALD STOUT Lyndon 40222 5 Lyndon 40241/42 1 LAST PUNCH Middletown 40243 0 MLK 40211 2 MLK 40212 1 Okolona 40219 1 Okolona 40229 0 PRP 40258 1 PRP 40272 2 Shelby 40217 2 Shively 40216 3 St Mathews 40206 0 St Mathews 40207 5 Bardstown 40004 0 Eminence 40019 0 Ft Knox 40121 1 LaGrange 40031 0 Lebanon 40033 0

Radcliff 40160 1 Shelbyville 40065 1 Union Meeting Springfield 40069 1 Tuesday, May 24th at 7:30 pm Vine Grove 40175 1 Retired 12 Steward Meeting at 6:30 pm Guests 5 United we bargain, Divided we beg Total 66 May 2016 Branch 14 N.A.L.C. Page 11

National Association of Letter Carriers Non-Profit Falls City Branch 14 Organization 4815 Poplar Level Road U.S. Postage PAID Louisville, KY 40213 Louisville, KY Permit No. 804 Address Service Requested

American Bootworks

7415 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40219 Phone 502.966.2592 - Fax 502.966.4292 - Toll Free 800.547.6992 E-mail [email protected] Visit our website at americanbootworks.com

USPS Approved Uniforms for Carriers, Handlers and MVS Free Alterations SR/USA Shoes and Boots by Rocky, Thorogood, Bates and Converse 15% off purchases of $200 or more!