Count & Inspections
TIAREAP is an acronym for Technology Integrated Alternate Route Evaluation and Adjustment Process. In other words, it is the national route adjustment
process negotiated between the NALC and USPS in Washington, D.C. This process deals with foot routes. Branch 36 was initially faring well in regards to this
process, but lately, the numbers haven’t been favorable.
We also have formal Count & Inspections taking place on driving assignments.
These inspections are being done unilaterally by New York District Management.
The New York District management has no desire to jointly inspect these assignments with Branch 36 Officers.
When management first began and completed a station’s driving assignments, they
were willing to sit with Branch 36 officers and station shop stewards. It had always
been a common practice to sit down and go over the inspection results together. Branch
36 officers need station stewards present at these meetings because they are knowledgeable on both the assignment territories and on what is going on in their stations.
During one of the meetings, we were able to show the mistakes made by the
Inspection personnel and as a result, an assignment was returned to the station.
Branch 36 officers will not meet without the shop stewards being present.
Management has been mailing Branch 36 some of the inspection forms, as
per the handbooks and manuals state. On inspection, we have found countless
violations of the handbooks and manuals in regards to count and inspection.
Rather than jointly adjust driving assignments, as close to eight hours as possible,
management would prefer shop stewards file countless grievances.
One of the craziest responses from the Inspection personnel was an answer
to their own statement. They said, they used a formula to take away time on the
1840. In turn I asked, “What handbook or manual can I find this formula in?” To
which they replied, “None, we created the formula.” That is a glimpse into what
we are dealing with at the moment.
I actually had a glimpse of hope a couple of weeks ago about creating a joint
process. Until the management negotiator said it was a dealbreaker to involve shop
stewards in meetings with Branch 36 officers. Shop stewards are our eyes and ears
in the stations. They will attend all meetings with Branch 36 officers whenever
changes effecting station carriers are proposed. On to the grievance procedure.
It is no secret that Branch 36 officers believe in education. Executive Vice
President Pascual and 1st Vice President Sonny have formulated and given
numerous seminars on Count & Inspection, both in person and virtually. These
seminars were offered to shop stewards and carriers with driving assignments.
Pasky and Sonny did an excellent job of letting drivers know what to look for
during the count and inspections. It helped to prevent management from getting
away with violations of the handbook and manuals. Great job Pasky and Sonny!
Food Drive
I would like to thank each and every one who participated in this year’s
NALC Stamp Out Hunger Annual Food Drive. Many thanks for delivering the
food drive postcards, and to all of you, who brought in food items. To those of
you who purchased this year’s neon-green Food Drive t-shirts, we thank you.
The proceeds from the t-shirts goes directly to City Harvest. In turn, City Harvest
buys and distributes food to Food Banks in Manhattan and the Bronx.
Special thanks to our Food Drive Co-chairs Shirtedra Thomas from Lenox
Hill South Station and Charles Kinard from Parkchester Station, who did a great
job. I felt bad that I could not be in attendance at Branch 36’s Food Drive kickoff
this year, which was held at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. However,
Pascual and Sonny stepped up and gave kickoff speeches in both English and
Spanish. I was in Washington, D.C. attending a Trustee meeting, Contract Negotiations Subcommittee, NALC Heroes Luncheon and the NALC Food Drive
kickoff in the Hutchins Hall at the NALC headquarters. I would like to thank
the many Branch 36 carriers who did attend the Branch 36 kickoff. During the
event, 2nd Vice President Danielle and Recording Secretary Melinda were busy
representing Branch 36 carriers in an Arbitration Hearing resulting in 17 carriers
getting paid 8 hours pay each. Great job Danielle and Melinda!
Last year, we had purple t-shirts and this year we have neon-green t-shirts.
We do have some t-shirts left over from both years, which are still up for sale
with all proceeds going to City Harvest. What color sounds good for next year?