Congratulations on your conversion! Your conversion is directly related to the American Postal Workers Union diligently negotiating new language in the contract on your behalf. In accordance with Article 7.3.A. of the National Agreement, " With respect to the clerk craft, no later than December 1, 2007, all part-time flexible employees in postal installations which have 200 or more man years of employment will be converted to full-time regular status. Henceforth, installations which have 200 or more man years of employment shall be staffed with all regular employees."
This contractual language merely states that all part-time flexible clerks will be converted to full time regular status. Some of you may have already received a letter from Personnel informing you of your assignment as an unencumbered regular. An unencumbered regular is equivalent to a regular employee that does not have a bid. The local APWU would like to assist you in this transition by informing you of a few facts;
1) As an unencumbered regular you have the right to bid, and although the bids may be few and far between (due to the recent excessing), we encourage you to bid and attempt to secure a position. All bidding is processed and completed through Postal Ease. You can access Postal Ease via telephone (1-877-477-3273) or by using the USPS internet site liteblue. Regardless of whatever way is most convenient for you to access the bidding process you will need a pin number. If you do not already have a pin number, you need to request one as soon as possible so that you will have the opportunity to bid. You can call the Postal Ease telephone number and follow the prompts or access the website and follow the links to obtain a pin number. You will also need your employee ID, which is located on any pay stub, to access PostalEase.
2) As a part-time flexible employee, leave is earned every pay period that you were in a pay status. Full time regulars' leave is advanced to them at the beginning of the leave year. Since you are being converted on November 24, 2007 (Pay Period 25/07) you will no longer continue to earn annual leave each pay period. There are 3 full pay periods remaining after your conversion is effected. You will receive an equivalent amount of leave added to your annual leave balance. (Example: As a PTF you earn 4 hours of leave per pay period. After conversion on November 24, 2007, there are three remaining full leave pay periods for the year 2007. The pay check that you receive on December 14, 2007 should have an additional 12 hours of annual leave added to your annual leave balance). You will not accrue any more annual leave until the new leave year which takes effect Pay Period 02/08.
3) Additionally, part-time flexible employees are compensated at a slightly higher hourly rate. This rate is higher because part-time flexible employees are not paid for the holidays. However, full time regular employees are compensated for holidays, so your hourly rate will be adjusted accordingly. (Example: As a PTF with Grade 5 Step O, your hourly rate is currently $24.65. The hourly rate for Full Time Regular employees with a Grade 5 Step O, the hourly rate is currently $23.70). This reduction in your hourly rate will take place immediately, since as a full time regular you will be eligible to receive holiday pay. Also, Full Time Regulars enjoy another union negotiated benefit in lieu of receiving holiday pay. There are ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, so you can choose to work your holiday and receive eight hours of annual leave in lieu of holiday pay on all 10 holidays or only selected holidays. It's your choice.
Attached, is a copy of the most current pay scales for Part-Time flexible clerks and Full-Time Regular employees. You can compare your grade and steps on both so that you will have a clear idea on how this conversion will affect your pay.
We wish you much success in your conversion, and if you have any additional questions or concerns please contact the union steward in your area, or contact the union office at (610) 522-4520.
In Solidarity,
Harmon P. Elliott Jr.,
President
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Posted: November 20, 2007