(This article was first published in the Jan/Feb 2023 issue of The American Postal Worker)
On Nov. 4, 2022, the parties agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Re: Bulk Mail Tech (BMT) and Mailing Requirements Clerk (MRC) Position Qualification.
This MOU originated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been extended on several occasions, leading to the latest agreement, which continues it for one year from the signing of the agreement. The MOU establishes the required training for employees bidding to BMT and MRC duty assignments, including the number of hours for classroom training and on-the-job training.
For the first time, this MOU adds an agreement to jointly review the following positions to identify the work performed by each position and if work currently being performed by Executive and Administrative Schedule (EAS) employees should instead be performed by clerk bargaining unit employees:
- Bulk Mail Technician
- Mailing Requirements Clerk
- Supervisor, Mail & Shipping Solutions Center
- Mailing Standards Specialist
- Supervisor, Mail Entry
The joint review will be conducted by six BMTs and six MRCs, as chosen by the APWU, and EAS employees as determined by the Postal Service. The BMTs and MRCs who are selected will be released from their regular duties as necessary to “fully participate in the activities associated with the joint position review process.” In addition, any training and/or travel expenses will be consistent with the F-15 Handbook and the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM).
“The addition of the position review to this MOU is yet another reflection of the Clerk Craft’s commitment to capture as much work for our craft as possible,” explained APWU Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks. “We believe that many of the duties currently performed by EAS employees belong to the bargaining unit,” Brooks added, “And the review will also hopefully help to more clearly identify the dividing line between Bulk Mail Tech duties and Mailing Requirements Clerk duties.”
Director Brooks has assigned Assistant Director Sam Lisenbe to take the lead on this joint-jobs audit and inperson training review.
The position review will begin no later than Jan. 27, 2023 and conclude no later than May 5, 2023. There will be joint bi-weekly status update meetings held via Zoom with the national parties’ representatives and the individuals involved in the appropriate review process.
The parties agree to continue discussions on any other EAS positions that may need to be included as part of the subject jobs audit.
Following the conclusion of the position review, the national level parties will review the in-person training program offered at the National Center for Employee Development (NCED), including the material content and schedule.
The MOU will expire Nov. 4, 2023, unless extended by mutual agreement.
APWU Challenges Mailing Requirement Clerks Rate of Pay
By the time you read this article, the APWU will have filed a national dispute making the assertion that all MRCs should have been paid at the level-8 rate of pay since at least March 16, 2019.
On June 7, 2017, the Postal Service notified the APWU of their intention to initiate a job analytic study of thirtynine standard position descriptions and qualification standards. The Postal Service stated that the periodic job reviews help to ensure the continued relevance and alignment of selection assessment with job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. They further stated the subject process will consist of conducting job observations, surveys, interviews, and establishing focus groups of bargaining and non-bargaining employees. The APWU was never provided with the outcome of this study and their findings. â–
